Loud. Chaotic. Fun. Beautiful. Friendly. New.
Is it strange if I say that this feels normal?
We are in a building with no A/C and no furniture other than a few lawn chairs.
The water is unsafe for us to drink so we buy water bottles
Our kitchen has two gas burners and a few pots that the community gathered
We sleep in our tents inside of a cement room that does have a fan and electricity
To clean ourselves we take bucket showers
mosquito bites pop up everyday
6:30 AM is good morning
I have moments where I remember where I am and can’t help but be in awe but it doesnt feel strange to be here…it feels right.
Community is tough to lock into but that comes with intentionality and time … which we have both haha
We have had AMAZING opportunities to see around Kolhapur and I’ve gotten to have a field day with my camera – its been wonderful!
On sunday night we saw breakthrough in our ministry – we were to conduct most of a youth meeting but before we took over they treated us to their style of worship and getting to praise with them. The evening had all the typical stuff…someone gave a word and we sang and asked if anyone wanted prayer. In america we are sort of hesitant to ask for prayer and I knew it would be a different story here but it still struck me as awesome when so many were so eager. I looked up and all of a sudden there was a line …or rather a gathering of people wanting prayer and we only had one translator … so we just decided to go for it. There is something beautiful when you just believe that in spite of a language barrier word do have power and Holy Spirit can handle the fact that we can’t understand each other. Some people I prayed for could tell me what they were asking Papa for and others couldnt. Its so important to be willing and desiring to hear Holy Spirit especially in those moments because He is able to tell me all I need to know in order to pray for that person and just partner with whatever Holy Spirit is doing in the room because He is alive! Prayers for physical healings, healing from addictions and in marriages, student exams, families etc. It was beautiful to finally get the chance to release Kingdom in a practical and relational way.
We were invited to go with people back to their homes and pray with and for their families – we jumped at that opportunity. We found our way through narrow streets in the dark to a couple different homes and just got to press in for the things the families were asking and believing God for ……a chance to really encourage our brothers and sisters. it was beautiful and it was full of Papas heart.
Thats the stuff I’m going after this year….its something that I’m comfortable doing and yet it challenges me to step out and believe Papa for big things and gives Holy Spirit space to do what He does freely.
I can’t believe that I’m here and I get to do this …its been three days at our ministry site and it feels like at least a month- the days are jam packed and long but India is a blast and is so beautiful. We laugh a lot and have gotten so see so much of this wonderful area- which is incredible!
Prayers for our team as we connect deeper and go after what Papa has for each of us and for Kolhapur 🙂
*** tried to post a picture on here but the Wifi didnt want to let me…posting an album to Facebook for you all to look at what life here has been like! 🙂
