Bad.
India.
I thought I would love it just like the first time.
I thought it would be easy to get into ministry and love the children.
I knew God called me back to India and SCH for a reason, but the first week was anything but pleasant.
The first week in Hyderabad was hard. I was leading by myself because Lena, my co-leader, was stuck in the states without a visa for India. I was sick with nausea and a head cold. And, I was exhausted because jet lag got the best of me. There wasn’t much of a schedule because we had to meet all the children and see where we would fit best. My team was having a hard time because they were going through the exact same things I was.
At this point, it was hard to be the leader. It was hard to put on a face that made everything seem fine. So I didn’t. I was flat out honest with my team, with Lena in the states, and with friends. The more I talked about it, the more I realized this was spiritual warfare. This was easily the worst I’ve experienced first hand. It was all mental and I couldn’t get out of it. I wanted to go home. I wanted to be with family and friends. I wanted to be anywhere but India.
Better.
But, things got better. The more I talked about it and spoke it aloud, the faster it went away. From the moment we came together as a team to pray, things started to get better. Lena finally arrived in Hyderabad. I only had congestion. A schedule for ministry was finally falling into place and we had a daily routine. I started thanking God for bringing me back to place where I longed to be for the past 7 months.
Best.
Now, a week later, I am loving India. I find myself wanting paneer and chapatti for dinner even though I don’t like Indian food. I love waking up knowing I get to play with kids all day. Daily I turn more Indian and embrace the culture from wearing anklets to getting henna to drinking a mug full of chai.
The Lord won this battle. The enemy came on strong and there are some things still hindering my team such as sickness and missing home, but the Lord will always win. I now wake up with a thankful heart. I enjoy India. I ride in autos with the breeze hitting my top bun, hoping I will never get lice, not believing the path my life has taken.
I wake up to mosquito nets, cold showers, dirty diapers, snotty noses, crying and whining babies, and I wouldn’t trade this season for any other. I would change the hardships, warfare, and trials I face because I know God is growing me through it all. I count it all a joy.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” –James 1:2-3
I still am in need of $1,400 for this trip. Please consider supporting me. To donate, click the “Support Me” button on the left side or you can send money to me directly using PayPal and my email address: [email protected].
Thank you for your continuous support, encouragement, and prayers. All of those are needed as you can tell from this blog post!
