India. The most densely populated country thinking I’ll be surrounded by masses of people and the pollution of the big city I find myself in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. I finally went rural this month; traveling to villages preaching at new church plants and having prayer meetings. I am so thankful for the fresh air and the soft noises of insects and birds instead of cars and smog. The sunsets are gorgeous and our host family so loving.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19
However, I have had to do a lot of abandonment this month. I had already decided to not be on social media for the month so that wasn’t a huge surprise and it made it easier out here as we had no way to access WiFi anywhere. I had to give up lots of comforts from a bed, running water, freedom to walk down the street to pick up fruit, the decision of what I was going to eat and even what I could wear. I asked God for un-comfort because that would just make me rely more on Him…He answered but also reassured.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”
Luke 12:22
Life out in the Indian countryside has pushed me into living simply. Lots of free time to spend with God, my team and my family here. Time to prioritize the rest God instructs us to take and time to press in to intimacy with my Father He so desperately yearns to have with His daughter. Time to dive into the community around me…learning how to serve my team better and develop deep relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Time to poor my all into ministry, the words of my sermons, testimonies and prayer. Here’s to the simple life!
Fun Fact:
I’ve had to practice doing and interpreting the India head bobble. Bobbling your head side to side means yes, no, maybe…all depends on the speed, the expression, the…I have no clue. It’s the hardest thing to decipher lol Yet everyone does it and there is no such thing as a nod yes or no, no shoulder shrug, nothing. Just the bobble which is like an art here.
