India was very crowded and every time we were in the car or walking beside the road, it was a constant game of chicken. People were friendly, but road space was cut throat. People loved to take pictures, as in, we were the attraction everywhere we went. I can’t even count the random pictures I took standing beside random people in a garden, at the beach, on the road, in a store, wherever! It was a blessing to get to tell each of them “God bless you”!
While in India, serving was a blessing. The orphan boys and girls touched my heart and the huge recreational room was scraped and painted by the end. Sports day was a success after we tore all the grass up from the field and moved all the sand and rocks (which was an intense amount and done all by hand) out of the way. Preaching, teaching, singing, and sharing testimonies were normal and I actually loved being able to tell my life story for the first time to a village church. God is working in that nation and it was a blessing to be there!
Once in a lifetime opportunities come quite frequently on the race, mostly because I might never be in these countries again, but even more so because there is apparently great reward for leaving home to pursue God’s business. My favorite was getting to ride 5 horses on the second longest beach in all of Asia. I actually ran along the beach, went into the water and ran back up the bank and back to the group. The Arabian horses were half wild, but that made it all the sweeter and even more amazing. I also saw countryside like no other cut into the mountainside in Ooty, India! There were tribal people harvesting vegetables, rice, fruits, cattle oats, chickens, and sheep in the most beautiful setting. I spent time in villages sharing the Jesus film to the poor and to the Gypsies. My team spent time in Ooty, which had Ohio fall weather and were blessed with two small bonfires and a free roaming pony to pet each morning. We drove through a Tiger reserve and saw elephants roaming and being used to carry wood. There were so many blessings, but these are just a few!
As I write this blog on the steps of an orphanage in Nepal, children are coming and going to say hi and practice their English. They are beautiful and I can’t wait to share with them about Jesus and bless them in any way I can! Munica is precious carrying her “little” brother around who is 2/3 the size she is and she is only 5!!
So many thoughts, so many things to share, but for now know God is working, He is moving, and I am trying to keep up. I’m learning, I’m growing, and I’m appreciating the opportunity I have everyday because of support from many of you!
God Bless,
Shannon
