Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I'm here!!!

Well folks I've arrived safe and sound. I've been here for a day and I've fallen in love... with the country ;)
It is so much to take in and surreal is the only way to describe it so far. I've done and learned so much in a day that it is hard to tell what I've done so I guess we shall start from the beginning.

The flights were unremarkable many were running to catch, but I got there. On the plane to London over the ocean no less the man sitting next to me had a heart attack. I believe he is fine, but never found out. I think my luggage is still in Delhi LOL luckily I was able to purchase everything I needed. Only thing missing that I regret r my pictures and good shoes. I am certain though that I will survive until then. Otherwise the airplane journey was great.

When I got here it was so overwhelming so many things to learn and keep track of. So many different cultures in one place. The food is different and hot. People we in America don't know hot... just a side note. Oh and everything has chunks of fat that the natives love. You actually have to ask for not fat and even then there are chunks and bones so you have to be really careful when eating the meat. The food is good and I've learned not to ask what it is even though 9 times out of 10 it is chicken or pork. We buy food daily which is good and fresh as long as you know what fresh is.

Since my luggage is lost I had to go and buy the basics which is interesting but pretty much like at home. We walk EVERYWHERE and we as walkers do not have the right away here. The cars will hit you b/c you should know that which I didn't luckily my companions did. There is a lot of dirt and people not to mention to the noise is just wow. That being said after an hour or so you learn to zone it out. I will say that I stand out like a sore thumb and everyone openly stares at me. I am also learning to zone that out. There is about a 12 hour difference between here and home so it will be a lot of early morning conversations for either side.

Right now we have not received our girls we are hoping by next week, but have been informed that we can get them at anytime. As soon as we do I will update. I'm living in the dorm area until we get girls then I will move out into an apartment hoping that has an American bathroom ;)

Right now there is a lot going on for prep, but not a lot of counseling. So I am getting a chance to know the women I work with and that has been fun. They are lovely people and God is doing great things in this house with these ladies and their families so I know it will be awesome what he will do when the girls arrive.

Can't think of anything else it could be part jet lag or part of the fact it is 7am now, but if I think of more I will just save it for the next post. Again thank you all for keeping me in your prayers and thoughts life is going good so far and I'm excited to see what God has in store for the rest of the journey.

Love you and many blessings!!!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Generosity


I am in a state of constant awe at the awesomeness of God. How he works just amazes me. Every step of this journey has been completely dependent on family, friends, and strangers to donate and help me out. Every step I’ve taken has been met by loved ones. Each donation that I’ve received has paid for the airplane ticket to Assam, the Visa application process, and shots. The day before each item was needed to be purchased I had the exact amount of money donated from various donors. Through each step of the process whether it was the night before, the hour before the due time, the last minute the exact amount of money has come in.
I am now through with the due dates nothing has a time frame for me other than basic expenses when I am over there. The only thing needed is a plane ticket home and funding when I am overseas to support my basic living cost. My plane ticket home is roughly $1200 dollars and my living expenses will be anywhere from $200 a month to $300 a month. I had a fundraiser the other night with friends and family and I sit in awe at God working yet again. Many of my family and friends are in a tight spot just like me. Many have homes, families and bills to pay. A lot are in school or attempting to chase their own dreams and yet they have done nothing but help me in any way I need. Because of their love and generosity I have been able to make my dream come true and follow my calling from God. Because of God’s perfect timing everything I have raised and done for this trip shows that it is all Him. I have done nothing except tell him that I am ready Lord send me.

And He is He is sending me on this mission. Through this mission and this process of heading over I have learned a great deal. I have learned to trust Him like I have never before. I have learned that a leap of faith can sometimes be the scariest thing a person can do. I’ve learned my own fears and more importantly I have learned where my strengths reside. The most important thing that I have learned is God is in control. He will give you the desires of your heart. I have learned that He surrounds us with people we need for the mission we need to accomplish. Each person I have talked to about this needed to hear about it. Each person that has given me money or donated time to help me with this trip has made each aspect happen. Without them, without the generosity of friends, family and strangers I wouldn’t have been able to experience the faith and trusting of God during this journey.
So thank you! Thank you to all of you who have prayed for me, for my safety, for my journey. Thank you to all who have donated to this journey. Thank you to each and every one of you for your faith, hope and trust that you have put in me and God. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love and generosity.

Blessings!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Love


On January 12, 2013 I had a going away, fundraising, birthday bash. I invited all my friends, family and total strangers. I asked that everyone come out and just have a good time. The weather turned horrible and somewhere unable to make it out due to that. Others had to cancel due to other obligations. Everyone who couldn’t make it called, text, emailed or facebooked me telling me how sorry they were. They felt bad and I felt bad. I know how much all of them wanted to come!
Those that were able to make it out came with great hearts, cheerful moods, and laughter. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better crowd. Everyone was joyous and excited for this adventure I am heading on. They asked questions, prayed over me, asked how they could help and talked with me about their fears and their faith that I could come back home safe. I left the restaurant with a HUGE smile on my face knowing that all these people LOVE and truly care about me.

I know that as humans we have no idea how to measure or truly comprehend God’s love for us. I know that sometimes it feels as if he isn’t really out there or caring. Many times during the storms or trials we can’t even hear him whisper, “Daughter I have this, trust me that I will take care of you. I love you!”  Yet tonight surrounded by friends, family and strangers I realized this is just a glimmer or sliver of what God’s love is like for us. These people whether present or at home gathered together in thoughts, prayers and well wishes to let me know that they loved me. That they will miss me and care for me, some I had never met, others had only briefly, but all came together for one purpose… to show me their love.
Psalm 86:15: But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.  

I can only image that if this is how we treat each other and support each that God’s love and support is ten times greater! How blessed am I to be surrounded tonight by friends and family that love and care so much for me.

Thank you God for all that you have done in my life, for all the blessings that I am aware of and those that I am not. But Lord I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for these people that you have put in my life. Those I call friends and family, thank you for if you took all else away I know that these lovely people would be there to help me. I know that without them I wouldn’t be able to do the work that you have set forth for me. That each one is more than a blessing they are lifesavers and have showed me love in a way I never imaged. Thank you for each of them and for bringing them in my life.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Guess there's no turning back now..

Alright people it is official airplane ticket has been bought. I am leaving January 28th from MCI and will arrive in Borjhar which apparently is an hour away from where I will be staying. Anywho I arrive on the 30th to India.

I'm excited, nervous, scared, and well numb kind of. Even though the plane ticket has been bought. The return flight is still needed, rent is still needed, and of course I go this week to get shots I am not sure what I feel.

Everyone I talk to is excited for me or sad to see me go and yet I am not sure how I feel. I want to be excited and not nervous I want to be happy and thrilled yet I think my body has switched or kicked into defensive stance and isn't accepting that I am going yet.

So until I get the shots Monday and file for the Visa tomorrow I guess I am not convinced I am going although the plane ticket and travel agent say differently.

Do you guys ever feel this way when something big is going to happen? Or am I the only weirdo out there that isn't sure how to feel?