We all have those times in life that mke us a stronger person because of struggles, conflict, or just flat out stretching events. Yet what would a good story be without a problem that needs solving, and for someone to conquer that demon. Christ would not have died on the cross for us if we didn’t constantly need strength, mercy, forgiveness, etc.
So far, India has been one of those times that WILL teach me something through struggles. every month of this trip is not going to be all rainbows and butterflies. Sure, the views, the hospitality, and the beautiful children are all so great, but we are still human and have some breaking points. This is not a blog to complain or vent frustrations, but to just be real about what is going on with my life this month. So far I have had days full of throwing up, so many mosquito bites that I look like I have chicken pox, the heat is nonstop, and just some personality differences that we’re effecting my heart way more than it should have. There is nothing that I can do to prevent things like the heat or mosquitos, but I can choose to realize that I am in freaking India serving the sons and daughters of Christ. I just recently went through a week that was filled with things that were breaking me down, but God alone gave me the strength to pull out of that. Personality differences were talked out, and as far as the other stuff goes, I figure if heat, mosquito bites, and throwing up is all I have to complain about then I really need to check myself on where my gratitude is. A few years ago I would have never thought I would even be alive the way mylife was headed. Now, even though it’s hot and itchy and tough here, I am given the opportunity to share love with countless amounts of people from so many nations. If I have to suffer a little heat and some lack of common comforts than I am more than happy to do that.
God keeps giving me those huge amounts of gratitude at just the right times. Our ministry here in India consists of about 2 hours per day doing construction and then we go out into a village or slum area to pray for people, meet the locals, and share the gospel. Just yesterday, god gave me one of those moments that really opened my eyes to what joy this trip is despite struggles. When we first get to these villages all the kids start gathering around us and wave and pretty much just follow us. As we were going from house to house praying yesterday, I started playing around with a few of the little girls that were following us. Within about 20 minutes there were close to 20-25 kids that would come up and entice me to chase and tickle them. They didn’t ALL stay around the whole time but at one point I was chasing all of them around. It was just one of those moments where God was saying “hey Joe, wake up and smell the roses!!” After the chasing died down and I walked hand in hand with 4 kids (2 on each hand) I almost cried tears of joy. The laugh and playfulness of kids is so powerful and can bring joy to any situation. These little kids live in this environment that I’m in for only 1 month and they are the ones that brought the smile to my face. With a new motivation to this month, I am more than excited to see what God has in plan for me and my team. I was feeling empty and God decided he wanted to overflow my cup. I kind of rambled in this blog, but I just wanted to share how great God is and all the beautiful things he does with a drained heart, mind, and body.
