Our time in India has been really amazing! The Lord gave us opportunities to utilize the unique gifts He placed in each of us. He showed us that He is Jehovah Jireh our provider. I compiled a top 10 list of our time here with a video at the end courtesy of my talented teammate Quinn…enjoy!!!
1. Sharing my story at a drug and alcohol rehab! How the Lord uses our struggles for good is nothing short of miraculous redemption. Huge praise… He also completely removed the paralyzing fear I normally get when I public speak! I was able to share from the heart (with the help of a translator) to a group of men in the process of finding their freedom. What a blessing to get to see and be a part of the work God is doing there!
2. Finding out at 11pm that we would be giving a 3 hour presentation on leadership the next morning at a bible college! Momentarily freaking out, but allowing the Spirit to lead and watching it unfold smoothly (minus the car breaking down on the way). Shout out to Allison for being the headliner and putting her bible college knowledge to great use! How cool to see these men and women devoting 3 years of their lives to studying Gods word!
3. Praying for a special family. We were asked to visit the home of our hosts neighbors and pray for them. Here is a brief explanation of their situation: The father passed away and was mute the year prior to his death. The mother has a broken foot and can’t work, so the daughter who is about my age supports her mom and younger sister who is crippled and has to crawl to get around. All of us crammed into their small living room. As I kneeled next to the girl my age and we prayed that God would take care of them and provide all their needs she cried and I felt burning tears streaming down my face. I could almost feel the burden she carried and it was overwhelming. I just wanted to hug her and for Jesus to take away all of her pain. We also laid hands and prayed for healing over her sister and mothers foot. Although we didn’t see the healing manifest instantly, we know God is able and all we can say is Your will be done, Lord.
4. Literally being the Church. Watching Quinn and Linsey lead church service by sharing and preaching. The Lord used them to boldly declare His truths.
5. Chai and lemon tea! & homemade peanut butter! Traditional spicy Indian food on the other hand was a “hard pass” for me.
6. Attending a megachurch that lifts up the name of Jesus…In India, a place where worshipping cows, snakes, and rocks is the norm and persecution for being a Christian is a very real thing, this was such an encouragement!
7. Visiting a botanical garden with the kids. We got to see the beauty and culture of India. However, we were all tempted to have a bad attitude when 5pm rolled around and lunch still sat in J.J. (what we named the vehicle that often 20 kids at a time get crammed in). But, we chose to be positive and ended up with some good laughs and memories.
8. Sanding and painting the prayer hall. Our hosts have begun a prayer hall on the roof and have a vision that one day soon it will be completed when God provides the funds.
9. Working with the kids!!! Singspiration, bible stories, skits, morning devotionals, computer class, dancing, henna, camping out on the roof with them, hearing their stories, seeing their pure hearts, and making memories together. I will miss hearing “auntie Jenna!”
10. Growing closer as a team. bodily function jokes. taking communion with pizza and coke. seeing their hearts of sacrifice and selflessness. learning to know each others stories, personalities, and pet peeves a little bit more. Seeing God work in and through each of their lives.
