I’ve been gone for 100 days and I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t wanted to quit a time or two. The race is hard, my comforts are gone and I’m left fighting to find who I really am. I’ve cried many of times and I’ve cried from laughter just as much. The more places I go and the more times I settle into a routine just to pack up my things again and start all over, the more I learn about myself. I didn’t expect this journey to be about me at all, but if finding many expectations fall short because the Lord has better plans. India has been hard. In the past month or so my team has gone from six members to five and then to just us four girls. Leaving us to rename ourselves and create new normal. We have been living and preaching in the middle of India out in a village where persecution runs high. Take everything I’ve known and through it out the window and that’s where I am right now. No wifi, squatty potties, living in tents, eating with our hands, and drawing from a well each time we need water are our new normals. I’ve missed home more than I have the whole race this month. I have no comforts left, but I’m thankful. I have three girls on my team who fight for each other daily, an extremely loving host family, sweet time with Jesus each day, and a great support group at home. If I have learned anything so far, it’s that this thanksgiving I have more than enough.
Here’s a look at a typical day in the village:
8:56 I awake to find our sweet host telling us that breakfast is ready. I slip out of my tent and sleepily make my way to the living room floor. Breakfast is my favorite cause there is the least chance of having my taste buds been burned off. **Mom you would be proud with how high my spice tolerance has gotten
10:00 My Helio girls and I spend time as a team worshiping and studying through the women of the bible over a hot cup of chi.
11:15 runs around and it’s the best part of the day. Besides yummy curry and rice at one o’clock for lunch, we have about five straight hours to get what we need that day. Many days that would look like doing laundry, working out, having quiet time with Jesus, reading books on books, laughing over movies, or taking the best naps in our tents. Being the introvert that I am, this month was such a gift.
5:00 We head in to our “limo” and are whisked away to an neighboring village. Our bumpy rides can look anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours each way. We never complained because who doesn’t love riding through the villages of India surrounded by wildlife and amazing sunsets.
7:00 We are welcomed into churches and believers homes. We had the wonderful opportunity to fellowship and worship with our new friends. Each night we would share our personal stories, preach, pray over people for blessings and healings, and be blessed by believers with amazing Indian food (my eyes and mouth constantly watered this month from spice on spice on spice).
Dear India,
I came in with a hard heart and a bad attitude, but you took my heart and did a 180. Each day was very similar to the next one but that’s what I’ve been praying for isn’t it? With all my comforts taken away it’s been hard to make my way through 100 days of the race not knowing what is going to be thrown my way, but hey that’s life and this is the life I dreamed of for so long. India you were consistency for me. India was the same every day but different at the same time. India was scheduled but flexible. India you have been a sweet change for me.
