Today is October the twelfth, I am in Ongole India. I don’t think there are quite possibly enough words in the English dictionary to describe all of the smells, colors, and beauty that India captures. After every turn there is a new foul and spicy smell that engulfs each nostril. The vibrant colors of the Indian woman’s saris and Punjabis capture each woman’s beauty within themselves. Dump trucks decorated with lavishing colors and designs. Cows wandering the streets and having the right of way always. Constant horns blowing to pass other bikes, vehicles or tuk-tuks. People crowd the streets until all hours of the evening always looking busy. It’s really something that is indescribable.
When we pulled up to our ministry contact we were flooded with tons of children so eagerly and excited to meet us. A banner that hung above the street saying “Welcome World Racers” and stepping off the bus the children were waving and yelling with over joyous smiles as they placed jasmine leis over our heads. I absolutely was floored. My eyes welled up with tears. I was in India, is this real?
We are staying with our ministry contact Sam and his wife Camela, who run an orphanage of over 200 children, along with prison and jail ministry and door-to-door ministry. They have made us feel like family. They have taken us to get tailor made punjabis and saris made, they take us for hot fudge brownies and every morning they make us coffee. We are here to bless them, but honestly they are totally blessing us.
This past week has been nothing short of amazing. Walking the streets of India praying for people, and feeding people. Going to different villages preaching the gospel. I felt like I was praying real prayers this week. Not that every time doesn’t’ feel like real prayers but I felt the presence of God in a tangible way. I realized that no matter what circumstance you are facing in front of you, it is not too big for God. He is the alpha and omega. And He is listening to every prayer.
Some days are harder than others. There is a strike happening right now. The state is being divided into two states and because of it. Workers are striking the government leaving people without power and water some days. It’s a mere 90 degrees most days, and the sweat pours off you as if you just took a bath. There is a spiritual darkness that supersedes any darkness I’ve ever felt before. You have to be ready for the attacks and lies Satan throws in front of you. Less than 1 percent believes in Jesus. And there are over 90 million people in this one state (Andre Pradesh) in India. There are 2.5 billion people living in the country of India, and only 7 billion people in the world. The statistics are astounding.
Last night we went to a village and a few of the villagers there had never heard about Jesus before. 7 people gave their lives to Christ last night. My team “Daughters of the King” is working on getting bibles to this village. My heart is overjoyed knowing we are making a difference here.
It feels like such an honor to be working for the most High Jesus Christ. My Father and my Savior. I’m not going to lie and say everyday is just so easy. It hot, it’s sweaty, you can never have time alone. Its too dangerous to go anywhere by yourself, you have to wear pants and sleeves at all times, but there is just a peace and excitement that over powers any complaint you ever face when people are led to Jesus.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27
I love India. I feel so blessed to be here, and I am just so thankful God has given me this opportunity in my life.
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Phillipians 2:4
I promise It will change your life. It has mine. And I will never go back to who I was before. 🙂
