...you can read what is taking place in my life.
I had a bit of free time this afternoon and just wanted to give more detail on what we have been up to in India.
India is really a beautiful country. It is winter here and the temperature is perfect (mid 70's). Everything is green and lush and I love looking at the country side. We spent the first few days traveling quite a bit, but the last four (or so...I've lost count) days in the same location. We will be here two more days before we take an overnight train ride to visit the Taj Mahal and then onto Deli. Honestly, I have lost count of days. I am not even sure what day of the week it is. I try to keep up with what day it is here, what time it is here, what day it is at home and what time it is at home. My brain is on overload. India is eleven and a half hours ahead of Texas. Confusing! And don't ask me where the half hour came from?!?
We have visited a girl's orphanage and three villages. The girls at the orphanage were amazing. I wanted to bring all forty home! Each village was very different from the other. The first village was very tribal. They live in a very remote location and when monsoons occur, they are cut off from the rest of society. We were the first white people they had ever seen. The adults thought we were gods and the children were terrified. It was an odd mix of welcomes!
Yesterday we spent the day traveling and visited Kama Sutra temples. It is one of the wonders of the world. It was really beautiful and intricate. The craftsmanship would be difficult to accomplish today, much less 1100 years ago.
Today was the first day of the Women's Seminar. It went really well. There are hundreds of beautiful women who have come to the first women's event of their life. First thing tomorrow morning, I will have the chance to speak to them. I am really excited. I think I am going to speak on 'moments'. As you well know, I am a procrastinator. This too, will be decided at the last minute.
We also did a bit of shopping today. I LOVE shopping in India, it is the best! It is a bargainers dream.
I don't want to bore you too much. I know how hard it is to understand or be interested in a journey that you have not experienced. I want to be sensitive to that. Plus, I don't have any pictures to share. Maybe I will steal more from Lezlie :)
I will just tell you this...
India is a non-linear country. Meaning, they do not use a system of lines like we are accustomed to using. They do not have driving lanes. If there is a line painted, which is VERY uncommon, they don't stay in the lines. You do not have to stop at a traffic light (we have yet to stop for a red light) or a stop sign. There is no speed limit. In fact, there are no rules. And even if there were, there is no way to enforce them with contestant mass chaos. It is so odd to me.
Drivers stop to let herds of cattle, a goat, a pig or a dog cross the road. They will not stop for a human unless it is a child. Children of age two or three freely walk on the road with no supervision.
People are everywhere. There are more people than you can image. Everyone should visit India at least once in their life. It is hard to put into words.
I am missing my family so much, but they are doing well. The kids are having so much fun with their daddy and the rest of our family. Kayt rode a horse for the first time today and I missed it. I can't lie, I started tearing up when I heard what she did, but apparently she loved it. I wish I could have seen that little munchkin on a horse. Soon enough.
Earlier, I had a little time to catch up with some friend's blogs. I remembered that Kelly was supposed to have her baby soon after I left. I was so excited to see her beautiful little girl, but was soon saddened by the complications Harper is having. Please pray for this sweet baby girl and her parents. I believe God is going to provide healing to her!
I love you Brad, Noah and Kayt! Watch the video I left for you on the computer. :)
Hugs everyone!
~Okay, this is funny...as I was finishing this up, I was just told that my speaking time had been moved to tonight. Like in 1 hour. Remember that I told you I wasn't prepared? Haha. Gotta run figure out what God wants me to share :)
If you read this soon, pray that God speaks to and through me!
11 comments:
I would love to go visit India! Thanks for describing it! Praying for you!
You really do such an amazing job with words...always have! I really should have paid you to write all my papers at Tech! :)
Sorry for writing the wrong date! I am so glad that you corrected me...I definitely don't want you staying any longer than you planned on! I can't wait to see what you got at the market for me!!!! I LOVE gifts! Especially from a place I've never been!
Miss you!
Kama Sutra???? Hmmm...
Ok, so this time thing is really confusing me. Good thing I am praying for you constantly b/c I can't seem to get things right. I think you should be heading to bed soon right now, which means that you spoke while I was sleeping. Hum, I think! Anyways, I'm sure you did amazing and spoke what the Lord put on your heart. Pretty sweet to know that you don't have to prepare that much b/c he is faithful to give you the words to speak! I love that you are able to update your blog so that we know what's going on! Love you!
I love hearing these stories. It sounds like God is doing amazing things through all of you. Kayt on a horse??? What?? I didn't hear about this! I miss you lots, even though I don't see you much anyway...just knowing you're on the other side of the globe, makes me miss you more! Well...good night or good morning, whichever it is now :) Praying for you :)
Love that you get to blog!! I like reading the updates. I really liked reading Hillside Missions blog to see all the great things yall are doing and lives you are changing! Still praying :)
Well even though I have been praying for you since the day you left, today is my official day. All week I have been struggling with not being able to lift you up enough and then I stopped and realized that I will never be able to do enough, but that all God has to know is my heart. He already knows your needs and how to bring you peace, joy and comfort. I know that this concept is not anything new, but I sometimes forget how powerful God is. It takes stories like yours from around the world to remind me that he is the God of EVERY thing, even my humble prayers. We love you and miss you.
What an amazing insight to another group of God's loving children! Thank you for sharing! I will continue to pray for His faithfulness and Promises! SLEEP as much as you can on the plane ride home and you won't have jet lag 1/2 as bad!!! I can't wait to hear your how God worked and what you were used to share to those hungry women!
Hello my friend. I am so proud of you and am touched by what you and your friend Lezlie have shared of your ttrip. I am praying for all that God has in store for this trip to be accomplished. For you and your team and for the women and children that y'all are ministering to. God Bless you. -I can't wait to read more.
Oh that picture below. I will take one. Anyone of those sweet faces! Wow, I am sure you will be forever changed as I was from Africa! Enjoy! H
love love love reading all you write. particularly what you've written as you've been gone. it will be a treasure for you to have sweet words to go back to and remind you of the small things, and the not so small things, of this precious journey.
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