My life is changed and there is no doubt about it. I had no idea that it would all turn out this way. When I first imagined coming here I did not know what to expect nor did I have much emotion about it one way or the other, but God really did so much while I have been here. India has captured my heart.
The people here are so full of life. They are colorful in their dress, smiles, and genuine desire to meet you. The food is exciting and varied. It is delicious almost every time and just as varied as the cultures that reside in this country. Organization does not exist in things like lines at a store or driving around town. I never imagined in all of this that I would have fallen in love with this place.
God has been so good to our team here. He has changed our lives and showed us his will in this country. It seems that in the darkest places God’s light has shines the brightest. The gospel is spreading rapidly in India and the Lord is blessing his people here.
I have learned so much this month. The greatest lesson I have learned this month though has been the state of my reliance upon God. At the beginning of the month I was relying on my own strength to preach and testify about Christ and after not too long I was overwhelmed with exhaustion and frustration. At that point God showed me just how inept I was to minister to others in my own ability. He showed me that I need him in everything, not in a superficial way but in a deep life changing way. Before this I thought I was functioning in God’s strength but I really wasn’t.
God changed my heart. He brought me to a place where I was broken before him and could no longer do ministry and he changed me from the inside out. I now realize just how deep my reliance upon God needs to be in absolutely everything I do. No longer am I ignorant of the fact that I am unable to live this life of my own strength, rather I now know that I need to go to God in everything.
I cannot praise God enough for allowing me to be part of his ministry this month and I am excited to see what He does with this place in the future. I have no doubt that God is working in big ways in India and I will continue to pray for this country. If you would also pray for India as well it would be such a blessing to me.
One day I hope to return to this country and visit the friends that I have made. I love this country, I love these people, and I love the friends that become so dear to me. Truly, I am not the same person I was before coming to India. God has changed my life.
