Well it’s official, we’re in month NINE of our race. To say time has flown by would be an understatement. This journey has gone by faster than I could have ever thought imaginable. As I end month eight in India and begin the process of heading to Nepal I wanted to give you all a re-cap of my last two months!!!!
INDIA.
I have been in India for the last two months, and honestly they have been my best two months. My squad was placed in northeast India and it has been unlike anything I imagined.
Upon arriving in Sielmat, Manipur, I was shocked to find out that we were sleeping in a seminary. I later found out that the city we were in was predominately Christian which I wasn’t expecting coming into India.
Our first week here was one I will never forget. We got the chance to be apart of a medical clinic put on by Project Cure. We spent a week helping the people around us from villages all over. At first I was placed in the pharmacy area, but later changed to something just a tad different. I ended up helping with cervical screenings. Yes, 21 year old Carly Owen did screenings for about 30+ women. At first it was something I laughed about, but after finding signs of cancer in about 15 women it began to take a toll on my emotions. It was a hard week, but the strength of the women I have met in this country has blown my mind. The medical clinic was a true blessing, and the beginning of an amazing two months.
After the clinic we began to do ministry in schools, a rehab facility, and construction.
The rehab was a place I went to almost everyday and never failed to put a smile on my face. Agape Rehab is for men of all ages. Everyday we went we would sing songs, share testimonies, play sports and board games, laugh, and share stories of God and how He forgives no matter what. These men were full of so much joy and hope and God truly showed up there in incredible ways.
After a month our squad was leaving Sielmat and separating in Villages for a week. I got the pleasure of being with team Mix’D in Parbung. Here we stayed in houses off the side of a mountain, and worked at a school right across from us. This was by far my favorite week. Not only because I went ten days without service, but because I got to teach and play with children and just see the way the Lord is moving through India. It was a time of rest, laughter, monsoons lol the best, and time to really be with just my team. The villages were incredible.
Now, we are currently in Hmarkhawlien. The whole squad is back together and doing ministry here until we split for Nepal. We have been doing manual labor, and teaching in schools. Our days consist of volleyball, down by the river, the banana song, ABC’s, and constant screaming which I wouldn’t trade for anything.
We have two days here before we leave for our last and final country and I am sure going to miss India.
These last two months have been filled with so much growth, rest, laughter, and happy tears.
I am so excited to head to Nepal, but India you have a piece of my heart for the rest of my life.
So, here’s to month nine and 32 DAYS until I’m back in the land of hot showers and queso!!!!!!!!
Oh, I also got moved up to team leader!!!!! Woohoo!!! Moving up in the world!!!
Please keep my squad in your prayers and we end our time in India and head into our last month. Our transition home won’t be easy, but just like this season it’ll be everything God wants it to be.
Thank you for following my journey all this time.
If you want to see pictures from my time on the race you can on my FB page or my instagram at @carlyeowenn!!!
