Ordinary, that’s the main thing that God so graciously showed me in India…i’m just an ordinary girl. One who loves movies, cant stop biting her nails no matter how hard she tries, has had her heart broken many times and has run to worldly things for comfort that just made her feel more empty than before. I am no one special…I don’t need to put up this front that I am this super spiritual person that has all the answers..because nothing good comes from me.
I am an ordinary girl, who is loved by an extraordinary God. He looks at me, and calls me His and I look at Him and call Him mine…that’s where all the goodness comes from. All the beauty, grace and Love…is my relationship with Jesus. He is the reason I am here, I am His open vessel. Its so amazing to see how when you just trust Him, he carves your path, putting people in it that he wants you to meet and talk to. That’s another thing too that I learned this path month! I’m not here to change the world, a country or even a village..but little obedience by little obedience, loving the people that I am surrounded by and letting them love me. Being present in the moment, and to embrace where you are and what you are doing…even if its not what you expected. So I am going to share with you some of the people I had the privilege to meet and do life with in India! Along with some stories of course.
First, ill introduce you to the people I will be doing life with this year! This is my squad!
There is about 52 of us…I know, big number, all amazing people! Within our squad, we get divided into teams of about 6 or 7 and those are the people we do ministry with. This month in Nepal is all squad month, so the entire squad is doing ministry together. Only a day in and its already been an adventure!
This is my beautiful team
Jordan, Abby, Rachel, Janet and Meg.
At first..life together was hard. Strangers thrown into a group together, traveling the world, experiencing new things. But we were determined not to just be warm bodies doing this thing called the world Race, but to really know each other, love each other, be the body of Christ and the Church. These girls are my sisters…so much laughter..so so many stories that i’m sure you will hear about in future blogs!
One of my favorites from India, is we were at our first village, Jordan Janet and I were sleeping in the same bed and then all of a sudden I get woken up by a trumpet. I rub my eyes and think “Ah…7 in the morning wake up call by a trumpet in India…that’s legit!” So I continue to listen as my eyes slowly began to close, and then Jordan pops up, frazzled with strands of blond hair in her face and says “Is that a live trumpet..?” I proceed with silent laughter, trying not to wake anyone up…man, so many different personalities.
The women in these villages..captured my heart. Most of them had never experienced a hug before and when I would give them one, they would giggle like little school children. A simple hand game would give them so much joy and they loved it when you would just sit by them. They are so strong, so tender hearted. At one of the last villages we were at, I met this girl who got married at the age of 15 and by 19 already at 4 kids, with a 6 day new born! One night she dressed me and Abby up in her saris..let me tell you, those things are tight, “You look like barbie doll” She said, giggling at Abby and I. The last day we were there, right before we left, she asked our team if we could pray over her little new born girl and give her a name! In excitement we rush into the room and start praying, some thought of the name Rebekah others thought Sara, we presented the names to her, she looked at Abby and asked “Whats your name?” “Abby” She said smiling, then she looks at me and asks for my name “Klancy” I said. “Mhm, Klancy, I like that, the baby’s name will be Klancy.” I stand there in astonishment..not believing what just happened, I hold baby Klanc in my arms and begin to pray..that one, people will be able to pronounce her name, and that she will know Jesus. “I will never forget you” the mom said to me as she hugged me goodbye. These are the moments…the moments that God works in, the moments I will never forget.
And then there was Sam…oh Sam, he was our interrupter and was with us in all the villages. “You girls awakened my faith.” I cant imagine India without Him. He was our older brother and guide. On one of our adventure days we went to the beach and Sam conquered his fear of going into the ocean and Janet taught him and Marti (Sams best friend) how to swim..he was like a little child! My heart broke, the night when we had to say bye, Ill see you soon Sam! One day we will be rejoicing in Heaven.
I praise Jesus, for the work that is being done in India, now being in Nepal I cant wait to see the people He puts in our path. Stay tune!
