At first this trip started out like any other mission trip I’ve been on. Excited about ministry, blogging about every situation I experienced and story I heard, seeing God move in ways that don’t happen a lot in America and loving the people I serve with. Now…11 months later…it doesn’t seem like a mission trip anymore. I think it stopped feeling that way by month 4. Now it’s just life. My life. Living in community, having feedback every night, waking up each day not knowing exactly what will happen, never being alone (ever), looking for ministry opportunities everywhere I go, not really making decisions for myself, seeing God move in amazing ways pretty much every day; those things are my new normal.
So what has my “normal” life looked like here in India? Well…every day is different and we haven’t been as busy as I originally thought we would be, but it has been a great ending.
Playing volleyball with the kids at Home of Faith Orphanage. These are some crazy talented young people who will steal your heart so watch out!
I was asked to lead worship for a University cell group. I went expecting to lead and move on but I was blown away at the hearts of these students. It was an honor to meet them for a short time and hear their dreams and vision for their future.
Angie, Nikki and I took a lunch trip to Kentucky Fried Chicken…well…because it’s delicious! For some reason the manager asked us if we would take a tour of the kitchen. Obviously we said yes. I was seriously surprised by the cleanliness, organization and professionalism. We even got a cheer performed for us by the kitchen staff. I’m not trying to put an ad out there for KFC but I was impressed. The US has a thing or 2 to learn!
Every Thursday we visited a daycare where we got 2 hours to spend with about 24 toddlers. The majority of them come from either Muslim or Hindu families but by the time we were finished with them they knew the typical Christian kid songs and who Jesus was. They love singing and playing London Bridge! It’s the cutest thing to see them pray too. Precious!
Our contact told us that we would be most effective in our ministry if we dressed like the locals. The next day we were off for a day on the town! I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman having fabric rolled out for me, tea brought and filled when it was empty. I was a little overwhelmed with all of the options but had quite a good experience being in India’s shopping capital, Bangalore.
I felt God’s love so much when we visited the disabled women’s home. From mentally handicapped to mute and blind, these women are precious. We got to sing with them and share Jesus; again, these women are either Hindu or Muslim. They seemed so appreciative for us coming but I was probably blessed more than they were!
I have also gotten to know some of the YWAM students here, attended a wedding, led worship, prayer walked, performed at an open mic coffee night, celebrated my birthday, gotten henna and I’m sure more that I can’t remember. This month is like the cherry on top of the biggest, most delicious sundae I’ve ever eaten! Ministry like this is every day life on the race. Having a mentality to bring Kingdom wherever I am. Listen and hear the voice of the Lord. Speaking life over myself and others around me. This is my new normal.
