Since arriving in India my heart has been in so many places. To start off my ministry this month is with Covenant Worship. We are doing a variety of things from Starbucks ministry, spending time with families in the slums, to prayer walks, and what I am praising and thanking God for, working with Sarah’s Covenant Home. This is a special needs orphanage. For a month before the race after I found out that this was here in India I prayed my team would be placed there. I will not say I was not a little disappointed when I found out that wouldn’t be our ministry, but worship is the next best thing so I was content. Can I just say that God surprised me and gave me the desires of my heart!! Sunday and every Sunday for the rest of the month we get to hold children’s church for Sarah’s Covenant Home children. My heart was overflowing with praise to the King for loving me so much that He would surprise me with that when I was least expecting it.
I am woken every morning by the sound of worship happening downstairs. The students at this worship school also sing and play instruments throughout the day. It is beautiful! Sunday at church I held back tears during worship. These people were dancing, jumping, and shouting for the King. They are so full of life and joy and all of that comes from our Father in Heaven. They are hungry to know Him more! I heard God whisper to me that these are His people and their praise brought a smile to His face. It does not matter the way you worship God, the color of your skin, where you come from God does not care! He just wants our praise and it makes Him smile.
The day we got here a young married couple also arrived. They work for AIM and are here in India trying to establish a base. Sherri and Danny are so helpful as they both went on the race. They have been giving us advice and pouring into our walks with Christ already. Today (Monday) was our day off and Sherri took us to the Charminar. We traveled there on what is called an auto.
Some team mates on their auto…Let me tell you, riding in one of these is not for the faint of heart. It was scary in the India traffic. I wish I could explain how the traffic is here, but I am at a lose for words. At the top of the Charminar was an amazing view of the market lining the streets.
(Side note: just saw a lizard on the wall of the house. #India) I don’t think the Indian people have seen many white people before. We had people asking for pictures and crowds forming around us with people just taking pictures of us. I now know what it feels like to be a celebrity.
This man wanted Courtney and I to take a picture with his family. The he said selfie and got in. So I did the same! Also, I was lying on the bed resting and thinking of this experience and God showed me that was how it was for Jesus. He would have crowds of people coming to just see him, to be around this person they had heard of but never seen.
We found a little cafe near the house called Garden Cafe. They sale super healthy food and some american type things like BBQ chicken pizza. Although I haven’t had it yet. Today we had biryani which is a type of rice and naan. There was this drink called Lassi which was a sort of milk and what seemed like strawberry ice cream. It was the most delicious thing and so refreshing!
I bought mom a thing of pearls today(yes they are real and yes I paid under $10 for them (: ) As I am standing there the man is talking to me (spoke english) he asked me what God I believed in so I said Jesus. I waited a second and then asked him, he said he was Muslim. I froze! I left the shop without saying anything else about Jesus, the only true God. I beat myself up for about 5 minutes and then I told my Squad leader Erica, and she told me not to beat myself up. That I didn’t miss an opportunity, there is power in the name of Jesus and just by saying his name I planted a seed. This month is going to be a month full of evangelism which I have never done. Please pray the Lord gives me the words and the obedience to jump right in to this. This country so needs our Papa and I so want to show them. Pray that my scared flesh does not hinder the message God has for the people he sets in front of me.
I know this blog was kind of scattered, but I am just trying to let you all know what has been happening here so far. Thank you all for your support so far! Love you!
