Every day I am reminded of how blessed I am. Every day when I see people living with the most basic of things…
-a hut made of coconut tree leaves and a cement floor
-children covered in dirt with matted hair because bathing every day isn't feasible (and really isn't necessary)
-white rice for every meal
-a pond surrounded by trash that’s used for both doing laundry (by pounding the dirty clothes against a cement slab over and over) and for fishing
-the streets being swept by hand with a broom
-10 pounds of luggage balancing on one’s head as they walk down the street
-people sleeping on the dirty street surface in the midst of garbage
-a scooter with 4 people riding on it as one of the most basic forms of transportation people with limbs missing because they can’t afford medical care
-children without an education because their parents had to move to the rock quarry for work
I then think of how generously I've been supported, nearly $10,200 so far, to come to places like Bangalore, India to bring the hope of Christ.
This is a glimpse at what we are doing through your donations:
Leading worship in church…I have no idea how to play a tambourine properly but why not learn as you go?
Sharing our story and encouraging others through that
Preparing tracks (Biblical materials) with pastor Raul, to hand out door-to-door where people so strongly desire having such materials that are hard to get. One day, Raul receives several phone calls after we just finished handing out many tracks, where the people were asking for more information about Christ and wanting a full Bible.
Organizing children ministries with songs, games, and Biblcal skits for kids in villages
Visiting widows, bringing them groceries, and praying for them in their distress. This woman could not see or hear well and she loved to chat away. I understood a few things through translatoin like when she felt me and said, "wow, she is big." 🙂
Clearing plots (like a cemetery here) that have been over-run by weeds and trash
Preparing a plot of land for a church camp to begin
One thing that God has been teaching me these past 2.5 months is how to have a passion for life and living, and in that to know that we all are able to rise up out of any pit with the POWER OF CHRIST…that same power that the Holy Spirit has filled us with. While I have seen many needs over these past 2.5 months, I have come to realize that I cannot provide for all of them and that there is a specific purpose for me in each place. And frankly I may see something as a need and actually it's just a different way of life and in no way diminishes the value of life…like not bathing every day, or eating rice for every meal, or not having a thick mattress to sleep on under a covered shelter, or having to carrying buckets of water or luggage on top of one's head for transport.
In India we have been presented with many ministry opportunitiesto help in areas where needs do exist; such as working at orphanages, in the slums with medical care and prayer, children programs, and drug rehabilitation center. While I take part in some of these ministries, the ministry I dove deep into our first few days here has captured most of my time and attention. English as a Second Language (ESL) has been something I've always wanted to try and see if I enjoyed helping teach. Unlike in Serbia, where we held an English conversation club, here the students are working strenuosly all day, 5 days a week, for 3 months to learn English. I've even worn myself out helping them til late hours of the night as we get ready for exams or a book report. I mostly help with an hour of conversation about a particular topic (yesterday's topic was discussing and practicing giving directions to a place), making corrections on their movie summaries (and watching movies with them), and some grammar. I have even borrowed a few English books to help myself 'learn' English in order to better help them. Right now Ben and I are the only native English speakers teaching them. Thus, God, in the midst of all the other ministries, has given me a heart to dedicate myself to this ministry, because ultimately God is going to use these people in mighty ways to spread his gospel around the world. You see, there are so many different dialects in India, that everyone needs to know how to speak Hindi or English (more common especially to communicate with foreigners) to communicate outside of their own state. In the midst of all the other needs surrounding me, this is where God has placed me.
This is where you come in full force. To continue on this journey I am in need of $800 by October 1 and $4,500 by December. I pray that God places you in a position to begin supporting me or to continue supporting me if you already are. Thank you again for how you are changing the world!
