I seem to have this habit of blogging for a season, and then not so much…so, let me catch you up on life out here. I’m currently settled in near Marthandam, India spending the month with Team NEWLife, Tim, Matthew, Bonnie, Jasmin, and Pam.
Nepal ended up my favorite month on the Race so far (sure expected that to happen in Africa.) 🙂 I loved the freedom and spontaneity of my ministry there. And I loved that it mainly centered around beautiful children! I’m left with lots to chew on as I spent my month focused on street kids….what is the best way to love them….short-term it seems like fill their stomachs….but long-term that actually helps keep them on the streets. I heard a few times that you can’t keep these kids in orphanages or boarding schools because they run away back to the streets; preferring handouts, huffing glue, and no rules. Regardless, I know there was great value in the time we spent with them, the hugs, the laughter, the food we shared with them. I think this is best summed up by a little boy I call “Stripey Snuggler,” because he was always wearing the same gray and blue striped shirt and he fit so well snuggled up against my side. Every time he saw me he came running and threw himself under my arm snuggled up against me where he’d stay until I had to go. It breaks my heart that he doesn’t have a mother to snuggle up to. Thank You, Jesus, for letting me be that for precious moments of time in his life.
The last couple of days in Nepal, Michael and I took our team leaders on a short retreat to Namobuddha, a couple of hours away from Katmandu. I saw the Himalayas…..wow…..they make the Rockies look like hills. Incredible! It was great to have a short time of rest and refreshment as a leadership team.
After our retreat we flew as a squad to Hyderabad, India for our month 8 debrief. Our amazing alumni squad leaders and coaches flew out for debrief. It was wonderful to reunite with them! They bring so much wisdom, discernment, love, and joy to our squad! I’ll be honest….I walked into debrief feeling like I was done….so tired with a bad attitude…nothing left for leadership. Another 3 months on the field seemed impossible to me. I love how God knows exactly what we need and His timing is perfect. After 5 days of debrief I left Hyderabad spiritually refreshed and encouraged and feeling ready to tackle the remaining 3 months of the Race.
We left Hyderabad on an overnight bus to Bangalore. We spent the day in Bangalore at the largest mall in India….Taco Bell…complete with fountain pop, ice, and free refills—it’s been 9 months! To say we were excited would be an understatement. We watched Rio in 3D and just enjoyed a relaxing few hours at the mall. We then boarded another overnight bus to Martandam on the southern tip of India.
We are staying with Pastor Albert, Rachel, and their son, Asher, for the month. They are wonderfully kind hosts to us. We have great accommodations for the month (western toilet, warm showers, beds, and more food than we can eat.) Pastor Albert is a 3rd generation pastor. It sounds like we will have many opportunities to preach at his church and other churches in the area during the month. Our first afternoon here I was sitting on the porch journaling about my ministry for the month. I had just asked Him to show me a hint of what He wanted to do this month….I looked up to see the heads of children popping up over the wall staring at me. I started to laugh….I think I just got my hint. 🙂
Stay tuned for more stories from India (although I’m not sure how much internet access I’ll have)….Love and miss you all so much!
Compelled by Love,
Joni
