June 28, 2008
Half Way Report
So Far...
We have been visiting numerous homes and sharing with stories with each home. The families have given us tea, attention, and invitations to come back for more. Going from village to village and home to home, yarping for the people we see, and seeing a life touched is fulfilling and exciting.
Meaningful Stories and Experiences:
One thing I have learned about is being served and serving. He said, "I have come not to be served, but to serve." This has been on my heart lately while being here becuase each person we go to gives us everything they have. They serve the best dishes, food, and attention. They will sit and talk with us until we initate a leave. I was down one day, and then changed my perspective to go into a home thinking, "how can I give them my all?" "What can I do for them?"Instead of thinking, this is my plan and what I want or need accomplished, and getting frustrated when things weren't going the way expected. I have learned so much while I am here being challenged and stretched and tested. Growth in G0d. and changed forever.
Growth with G0d:
My relationship with Him has been a Blsng and growing. I am craving and asking for more, more, more of His intimacy and pressence in my life. I have been asking for power, and not words, so that His kingdom may grow. And I am also learning that works without faith is dead, and that faith is the fuel to the motor, and what makes the car go. Without it, there is no purpose in what we are doing here. Reading and sharing, being filled and pouring out. Being challenged to expand my cup and filling it up in new ways. :)
One Funny Story:
So, everything here is about 50 years behind modern times. The cars are still of the old styles, sewing machines, and even irons, too. So, one morning, at a native's house, we ironed our clothes -or attemplted to. I was ironing one of my pant legs and did not get a chance to iron the other before the cord of the iron touched the hot plate and melted, sparked, flamed, then sparked again, followed by another huge flame. Pantless, I was, and screamed, help! The father of the house, ran in, and in awkwardness, i had to try to explain to him that there was a fire! and smoke! and boom! He could tell by the smoke that filled the air as he opened the door, and the lovely smell of burned rubber. Thankfully a kurta is like a dress and the house didn't burn down. Needless to say, I had to go with only one leg pant ironed, and feeling bad for ruining the iron.
If I Could Change One Thing It Would Be:
More structure in the planning. It has been a challenge for us to not know what we are doing from one week to the next. But I know He has a plan, so it challenges my Faeth.
Impacts on the Persons Here:
Yes, yes. It seems that each house we go to, a life is changed and touched. We have been to about 20 different homes and have yarpd and menestrd at each in some way, some how. Yarping for healings, families, and telling stories are all part of what we are doing here.
Requests:
For no more bugs, an almighty repellant to be around us.
For unity, Dvine appointment.
Fulfillment and success.
Luv and peace.
For Anju to finish studies, find a good husband, and her mentally challenged sister, 20 years of age, to be healed slowly but surely.
Weird Food:
Jal Jeera. Jal Jeera is the most discusting drink. It is spicy. Salty. Many drinks here are salty, and this one especially has masala in it! (masala is what they call 'all different spices mixed together'). The think is a yellow-greenish color, mixed with lime, and topped with chips. Oh, yuck. I tried to finish is but could not get passed the second sip. :P...
We have been visiting numerous homes and sharing with stories with each home. The families have given us tea, attention, and invitations to come back for more. Going from village to village and home to home, yarping for the people we see, and seeing a life touched is fulfilling and exciting.
Meaningful Stories and Experiences:
One thing I have learned about is being served and serving. He said, "I have come not to be served, but to serve." This has been on my heart lately while being here becuase each person we go to gives us everything they have. They serve the best dishes, food, and attention. They will sit and talk with us until we initate a leave. I was down one day, and then changed my perspective to go into a home thinking, "how can I give them my all?" "What can I do for them?"Instead of thinking, this is my plan and what I want or need accomplished, and getting frustrated when things weren't going the way expected. I have learned so much while I am here being challenged and stretched and tested. Growth in G0d. and changed forever.
Growth with G0d:
My relationship with Him has been a Blsng and growing. I am craving and asking for more, more, more of His intimacy and pressence in my life. I have been asking for power, and not words, so that His kingdom may grow. And I am also learning that works without faith is dead, and that faith is the fuel to the motor, and what makes the car go. Without it, there is no purpose in what we are doing here. Reading and sharing, being filled and pouring out. Being challenged to expand my cup and filling it up in new ways. :)
One Funny Story:
So, everything here is about 50 years behind modern times. The cars are still of the old styles, sewing machines, and even irons, too. So, one morning, at a native's house, we ironed our clothes -or attemplted to. I was ironing one of my pant legs and did not get a chance to iron the other before the cord of the iron touched the hot plate and melted, sparked, flamed, then sparked again, followed by another huge flame. Pantless, I was, and screamed, help! The father of the house, ran in, and in awkwardness, i had to try to explain to him that there was a fire! and smoke! and boom! He could tell by the smoke that filled the air as he opened the door, and the lovely smell of burned rubber. Thankfully a kurta is like a dress and the house didn't burn down. Needless to say, I had to go with only one leg pant ironed, and feeling bad for ruining the iron.
If I Could Change One Thing It Would Be:
More structure in the planning. It has been a challenge for us to not know what we are doing from one week to the next. But I know He has a plan, so it challenges my Faeth.
Impacts on the Persons Here:
Yes, yes. It seems that each house we go to, a life is changed and touched. We have been to about 20 different homes and have yarpd and menestrd at each in some way, some how. Yarping for healings, families, and telling stories are all part of what we are doing here.
Requests:
For no more bugs, an almighty repellant to be around us.
For unity, Dvine appointment.
Fulfillment and success.
Luv and peace.
For Anju to finish studies, find a good husband, and her mentally challenged sister, 20 years of age, to be healed slowly but surely.
Weird Food:
Jal Jeera. Jal Jeera is the most discusting drink. It is spicy. Salty. Many drinks here are salty, and this one especially has masala in it! (masala is what they call 'all different spices mixed together'). The think is a yellow-greenish color, mixed with lime, and topped with chips. Oh, yuck. I tried to finish is but could not get passed the second sip. :P...Sam's Story
Story from Sam:
"Today was amazing! It was the best
day of the summer so far. I mean
when it started out I thought, "Great,
another day like yesterday." But when
we got to the slum, it was amazing.
We got invited to one home. I began
chatting with the young girls. I asked
as many questions as I could think of so
that they would eventually feel
comfortable enough to share their
lives with me. Eventually they said I
knew enough about them, and that
they wanted to know about me. So I
shared my story with them, and they
listened intently. I feel like I formed a
great relationship with them. They
even said they would miss me. Then
we went to another home that was
very poor. The father kept remarking
about how great it was that I would
visit the poor. My response was that
dad doesn't see a difference between
rich and poor, so why should I? Then
he said that anyone who could relate
to the poor was a god. And, I said that
I did not want to be considered a god.
I said that I am just a servant of jc and
he was poor. We shared a story with
them and they actually answered the
questions we asked at the end. I think
that if someone really pours into them
they could become c's. I hope that we
can go back there. He even said that
because we came something in him
had changed! Dad is so cool. The way
he can change our outlook 180 degrees
in just 20 minutes."
day of the summer so far. I mean
when it started out I thought, "Great,
another day like yesterday." But when
we got to the slum, it was amazing.
We got invited to one home. I began
chatting with the young girls. I asked
as many questions as I could think of so
that they would eventually feel
comfortable enough to share their
lives with me. Eventually they said I
knew enough about them, and that
they wanted to know about me. So I
shared my story with them, and they
listened intently. I feel like I formed a
great relationship with them. They
even said they would miss me. Then
we went to another home that was
very poor. The father kept remarking
about how great it was that I would
visit the poor. My response was that
dad doesn't see a difference between
rich and poor, so why should I? Then
he said that anyone who could relate
to the poor was a god. And, I said that
I did not want to be considered a god.
I said that I am just a servant of jc and
he was poor. We shared a story with
them and they actually answered the
questions we asked at the end. I think
that if someone really pours into them
they could become c's. I hope that we
can go back there. He even said that
because we came something in him
had changed! Dad is so cool. The way
he can change our outlook 180 degrees
in just 20 minutes."
June 16, 2008
"Help me"it seems that way. children play. flys stay. they know no better, never wonder, who are we to gather, and teach them a better way? for their good, we've traveled afar, offering a gift, and a lift and a touch to know more. child, child, worthy. Matt. 18:31
"Passing the time"
the girls in the village hand embroider these beutiful shaws for less than pennies, then they are sold for big bucks. beautiful they are, i even got to participate in the work.
"Time for Tea"
It is always time to tea here. Each time a person enters a home, water is first offered, then a little dainty cup of tea. quite sweet and mixed with buffalo milk, burning hot, served with biscuits. Matt. 10:42
Mother of the home, hard worker, alot to learn from. She fetches the hay, milks the buffalo, disciplines the kids, and washes everything including clothes in a bucket. She knows water well, and cooking, too.
From before the sun,
till the moon,
she works her muscles until she is blue.
Proverbs 31
"Workin in the Field"
Mother is in the home, the men are in the field pickin up the hay. These men are pickin up the rice. Flooded fields for rice are prepared, the monsoon rain season comes and waters. men plant. and pick. sell and sow. sow and reap.
2 Cor. 9:6
June 7, 2008
Fort
There are many forts around here. And they are red, for the bricks.
They are beautiful and take you back in time (I feel like that much here). This one we visited is right next door to one of our translators home. How nice to be able to go wandering in this nice abode. It is open to the public, and not in use anymore.The government is only keeping it tidy and using a well. We took a stroll. They say it is where kings and queens and courtsmen used to sit and watch for attackers, and that many of them died and were tortured there. Torn down and haunted now, we could really see where the worse actions happened. Other parts are kept so mystical and beautiful. 
They are beautiful and take you back in time (I feel like that much here). This one we visited is right next door to one of our translators home. How nice to be able to go wandering in this nice abode. It is open to the public, and not in use anymore.The government is only keeping it tidy and using a well. We took a stroll. They say it is where kings and queens and courtsmen used to sit and watch for attackers, and that many of them died and were tortured there. Torn down and haunted now, we could really see where the worse actions happened. Other parts are kept so mystical and beautiful. 
Rain Day
What a rainy day -or hour. 
It was quite nice and cooled off the air. The sun has been hiding behind the clouds alot, which is very nice. They say the weather is odd this year, and the monsoon season is early. -kind of like Texas.
Life in a Village
squatty potties
bucket shower
life here is different. and good. a good change.
It is quite like living "in the 1600's only with electricity -sometimes. and running water -sometimes," my friend says. :) what a challenge.
and be prepared to get eaten, too, by masquitos, and a few beetles may fall on you from the ceilings while you are sleeping at night, the geckos don't seem to get all of them. We have learned how to sleep completely under a sheet and keep a can of bug spray nearby.
Time passes slowly as people lay around all day. Maybe it is because it is too hot outside, for they do not have AC, of course, only fans -maybe.
bucket shower
life here is different. and good. a good change.
It is quite like living "in the 1600's only with electricity -sometimes. and running water -sometimes," my friend says. :) what a challenge.
and be prepared to get eaten, too, by masquitos, and a few beetles may fall on you from the ceilings while you are sleeping at night, the geckos don't seem to get all of them. We have learned how to sleep completely under a sheet and keep a can of bug spray nearby.
Time passes slowly as people lay around all day. Maybe it is because it is too hot outside, for they do not have AC, of course, only fans -maybe.
One day at dinner, my friend attempted to pour the tea for herself, her first time (becuase usually the family girls do it for us), and she managed to have it slip from her hands and onto her arms and legs, successfully burning herself quite well and with a lovely scream to follow and a few tears. She now has some blisters. I ran out to the yard where I saw some aloe vera plants growing, and aunti (the house mom) ran and got some burn relief medicine that she randomly had. (?) It has been one of the stories of the week. and she doesn't attempt to even touch a tea pot anymore.
We have been playing with many children and going to many homes, taking tea, and chatting with the women there. I have managed to teach the children the alphabet by drawing the letters in the sand and erasing it only to draw and pronounce another. They love it and coloring, too. We wake up every morning to about 15 children peering in the window waiting for us. I have sung songs in English, but they don't stick becuase they don't know English! 
I wish I knew punjabi.
We also have passed time with heena.
On the way over we saw a random elephant in the road. To my suprise, they would ask me for money after I took pictures of it. Good thing we were in a jeep and drove away quickly. We just took this back road and "short cut" and in this alley was this elephant!
We are now washing our clothes in buckets, by hand, and letting them drip-dry.
Hopefully they will by dry by morning.
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