Slumdog Millionaire

Have you seen Slumdog Millionaire?

I watched the movie on our last day in India.

We were in a country full of people and stories and poverty so severe that many people spend their days digging through trash trying to find essentials for survival, all the while they believe with all of their heart that this task is their life's only purpose.

While in Delhi, we visited a new mall. The mall was very westernized; it was the most westernized of all the places that we visited. It mirrored any shopping mall in a large U.S. city. 

Slumdog Millionaire had premiered only days before in India, the country in which the film is based. We had Gold Class tickets to see the movie on the big screen at the theatre located in the mall. At the theater, we were escorted downstairs to the lounge where we ordered food from the menu and waited to enter our exclusive viewing room. Upon entering, we climbed into our oversized leather chairs, reclined the seats and wrapped up in a blanket to sip our drink and enjoy the movie. 

Little did I know about the intense drama I would soon be watching. Slumdog Millionaire is an accurate picture of the secret lives of many Indian children and adults. The only difference: the movie portrays everything to be much more clean and much less chaotic.

Sitting in the luxury of the theater, watching the horrendous actions take place on the screen, knowing that when we left the theater, I would be witnessing the very thing I was watching along the roadside was almost more than my mind could take. I knew that the film was well made and entertaining, but I could not bring myself to say or even think that the movie was good. Gut-wrenching, yes. True, yes. Heart breaking, yes. But good...no. To me, good is right. Good is just. Good brings a smile. 

I still cannot say that the movie is good. But it is accurate and it is real life and it is a movie I would encourage you to see. It gives a clear picture of a people and culture many people will never visit. 

Please go see Slumdog Millionaire, but when you watch it, know that it is not made solely for your entertainment. What you will see is real life for many, many people. Just because we cannot imagine it, does not mean that it doesn't happen. After you are exposed to the people of India, pray for them. Please pray for the countless people that live lives that we cannot not imagine living. And I will pray that God gives the people of India a place in your heart for all the days of your life, just as he has done for me. 

A Picture is Worth...

...One Thousand Rupees

A few pictures of India. I did not take many pictures and after I was home there are several things I wish that I had photographed in order to give you a better picture of what we encountered. I wish I could show you the train station and train that we traveled on. I wish I could show you the traffic. I wish I could show you a picture of what I saw when looking out the window of the train. I wish I could show you the market and the stores. I wish I could show you the faces of the children. I wish I could show you the flags the women carried from each state represented at the seminar. There are so many things I wish I could show you, but I will settle for the few pictures I took. 

The Taj Mahal is incredible. Honestly, it is very surreal to look at the pictures knowing that I took them myself. It is such a beautiful masterpiece. The precision and detail are magnificant and there are no words or pictures that can capture seeing such a site. 

All of the images in the white marble are made of semi-precious stone. They replaced the precious stones after many of them were stolen. The black Hindi writing in the picture below is Onyx. 

I am so grateful that my dear friend, Lezlie, took this journey with me. Without her, I would have been so lonely. :)

When entering the Taj Mahal, you see room after room like this one. Each was used as a guest room for the king's guests. 

We went to the back side of the Taj Mahal at sunrise to see the sun come over the water. It was a little too overcast to get a great picture with the sun rising, but as soon as we drove away the sun peaked through the clouds. It would have been a perfect picture. 

Henna and the Taj.

I loved these birds. They are something common, you will probably know the name, but I don't remember. I'm not a bird watcher. 

Feisty Cobra

Khjaruraho Temples

Nasty. Yes.

Red Bull--my lifeline for a few days.

Home Sweet Home

I am home! And more grateful than ever to be here. I got home about 1:30 this afternoon and have spent the day kissing my beloved family members.

I cannot wait to show pictures and fill you in on the trip, but right now I am going to enjoy making up missed time with my husband and kids...and sleeping. 

Thank you for praying!

In case you have nothing better to do...

...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!

Sweet India

A people full of life, a culture abouding in tradition and a God full of majesty working in the midst....welcome to India.

I am watching the pages of National Geographic come to life before my eyes as I learn of the stories behind the people. Most stories tell of hands that labor with no end, feet the have traveled hundreds of miles to meet life's most basic needs and spirits that are continually joyful. Looking into the dark eyes of a child allows one to see directly into a heart that God is after. 

I have seen God in power through the worship of seventy five grown men who secretly worship together and then return to villages where they presume the role of church leader in a culture that makes outcasts of Christians. 

I have seen God's love for his people as I held a new born child who wore clothing of rags while his parents lovingly adored him from across a room of concrete walls and floor.

I have seen the mercy of God in the smiles of mentally challenged children taken in by strangers who understand that they are worthy of love and attention. 

I have watched the serenity of God in the swaying fields of grain that sprout mustard plants with tiny seeds. 

I have experienced the blessing of God when we are welcomed as royalty to a people who have never seen a white man. 

I have seen the creativity of God in a culture full of color, dance, and music. 

Things are great in India. I had a hard day yesterday missing my family, but today was wonderful and such a blessing to me. I am already really thankful for the things I have witnessed and the images ingrained in my mind. I know one reason for having such great days is because there are so many of you praying for our journey, thank you. 

Saying that I have experienced culture shock would be an understatement...geckos in the toilet, goats wearing clothing with children running around naked, and three year olds walking alone in a street with cars, motor scooters and buses swerving are only a few of the fascinating sights I have seen. 

Much love everyone,

Ash

See more pictures and updates on Lezlie's blog or here.

From the oposite side of the world...

Greetings from India! 

We arrived safely and I am having a great time. I have been overwhelmed and awestruck by the country of India. I am hoping I will have time to paint a mental picture for you of our encounters, but for now, you can see a bit of the beauty that God created in India. My internal clock is still a bit off, but I am slowly adjusting. An eleven and a half hour time difference makes a body confused. 

Check out Lezlie's blog.

Thank you for praying.

For my prayer warriors.

Tomorrow is the big day. For months, I have been anticipating January 15th, with a mix of emotions. Now, the time has arrived and God has already been doing a tremendous work in my heart. 

I wish I could tell you the amount of phone calls, letters, gifts, emails and encouragement that I have been given over the past week. I started weeping on the phone to Brad this morning at the though of how much the Lord has been loving on me as I prepare to leave. All I could ask Brad was why do people care so much? Why have so many people taken the time to be so good to me over the past week? I am doing nothing extravagant. I am going on a small trip to share Jesus and his love. People do this all the time. 

Yet, I know the answer. God has prompted them to do so because he has known just what my torn heart needed. 

One friend, that I barely know, brought by the a sweet card full of prophecies and symbolic gifts that will mean so much to me on my journey. I want to tell you all about her gift, but for sake of time, I will save the story. 

We have been taken to dinner, cooked for and prayed over. 

My beloved friends, gave me a bouquet of envelopes pouring with words of love and encouragement. I cannot wait to open one on each day of my trip. Thank you girls, so much!

Enough about that, but know that God is so good to meet all of us where we need to be met. 

Here is what I promised, a prayer assignment and specific ways you can be praying. My friend, Lezlie, is also going on the trip. Be sure to take her name to the Lord, too. 

I had asked the Lord for three people per day to pray. For our twelve day journey, that would be 36 people. Between the comments I received and the emails, guess how many people committed to pray? THIRTY SIX.  

For the sake of making this easier to read, I am going to do an assignment part and then a list of specific prayers for each day.  I put a few of you who I knew wouldn't mind on there twice since we will be finishing our travel home on the 27th. :)

Thursday 1/15- Tara, Kari, Sarah B.

Friday 1/16- Jessica V, Lindsey H, Jill

Saturday 1/17- Tessa,  Lindsay S., Taylor F. 

Sunday 1/18- Brittani, Katie, Donna G. 

Monday 1/19- Texas4Ever, Kristin, Nina

Tuesday 1/20- Sarah W., Ashley, Amber S. 

Wednesday 1/21-Amber D, Amy K, Kenzie

Thursday 1/22-Magen, Mandy, Megan

Friday 1/23-Amy B, Lindsey P, Kelly

Saturday 1/24-Robin, Tyler, Lauren

Sunday 1/25- Brenda, Taylor C, Heather

Monday 1/26- Denise, Avrie, Brooke S.

Tuesday 1/27-Sarah B., Magen, Amber D. 

Clear as mudd?

Now, this has been the kicker for me. I wanted people to be able to pray for the things we will do before we actually do them. With the time change, it has taken me a while to figure out how to best work this out. I believe this is correct...

Th 1/15- travel

F 1/16- travel, visit girls orphanage, visit house church

S 1/17- travel, half day vbs

Su 1/18- half day vbs

M 1/19- half day vbs

T 1/20- travel

W 1/21- Womens Retreat

Th 1/22- Women's Retreat (this is the day I will speak)

F 1/23- Women's Retreat 

S 1/24- travel, sight seeing

Su 1/25- travel, safety, independence parade

M 1/26- travel, flight from India to Chicago

T 1/27- travel, Chicago to home!

Daily ways to pray: 

My family at home. 

My husband as he cares for our angles. 

My heart to be focused on what God has called me to do. 

That God would protect my heart and mind from the desire to focus on 'home'. 

That the Lord would use me to minister.

Work in the hearts of those we encounter. 

Provision.

Favor.

Safety. 

Protection.

Other than what I have listed, I will just let the Lord direct you in specific ways to pray. 

Again, thank you so much. 

I will try to update the blog when I can, but you can also follow the trip here. 

A Ginormous Favor

One week from today, I will be boarding an airplane to fly half way across the world. As I have told you before, I am part of a team of people going to India to minister in a Hindu culture. We will be ministering to children, visiting girl's orphanages and holding a women's conference for pastors wives. 

What I would like to ask of you is a big favor and I grasp that fully, so please do not feel pressured to participate if you are too busy, just don't think that it will fit into your schedule, or just are not up for it. Trust me, I am not up for a lot of things. I won't hold it against you. 

But, for those of you who are willing, I would love to ask you to pray for our journey. In fact, I want to take it one step further. In the midst of my journey, I would love to know that I have one, two or even three people going to the Lord on our behalf each day. If you would like to volunteer to spend one day in prayer for our team, please leave a comment with your name. After I have received comments, I will make a prayer assignment and give you one day to pray and let you know what will be taking place on that particular day so that you can pray specifically. 

Like I said before, I realize this is asking a lot of you so please feel no pressure to participate. But if the Lord lays it on your heart, I would be honored for you to pray for our journey. Even if you have never left a comment or do not have a blog, you can still comment and leave your name and I will add you in (ahem, mom). 

I just know that this will bring so much comfort to my spirit. 

I cannot thank you enough...

To participate:

Leave a comment

I will make an assignment

You will be given ONE day to pray. 

That is it!

The First of Many, I'm Sure

In January, I will be a part of a team traveling to the opposite side of the world.  While in India, we will take part in two different ministry agendas; orphanage ministry and a women's conference.

To say that I never imagined myself doing this type of ministry at this point in my life would be an understatement. I mean, after my children were grown and out of the house is one thing, but I have 2 babies who very much depend on their momma. When asked to join the group, my initial reaction was an instant no, but the the Lord really began to work in my heart showing me how my small world needed to be expanded, how my narrow mind needed to be broadened and how my ministry needed to be taken to the ends of the Earth.   Brad has encouraged me to go from day one. He is so great about knowing what is best for me long before I can see it.

Brad spent 10 days in India in the spring of 2007. It changed his life. He loved the thought of us being able to connect based on this journey, even though our trips will be almost 2 years apart. My husband has never once discouraged me in any area of ministry. He is willing to do whatever it takes so that I can be involved in most anything I choose. I am very aware of his sacrifices for me and his desire for me to constantly grow and become.  

My two biggest concerns, my children and the funding, are in the Lord's hands. I have raised the large sum I needed to be a part of the trip. I was blown away by the ways the Lord provided for me and how he blessed me beyond what I could have conjured up. My children will be in great care and my anxieties about leaving them for 12 days have began to decrease dramatically. I am sure as the departure gets closer I will feel many motherly emotions, but the Lord continues to remind me that he loves my children far more than I do. He is their protector and their greatest advocate. They are his, not mine. I, too, am his and not mine. For that very reason, I will now and forever go when the Lord calls me. 

I cannot fathom what ministering to hundreds of pastors wives on the other side of the world might be like. I am excited to see what this step of faith looks like for me, and am eager to share all that I learn in the mean time with you. I am sure you will hear much more about India from now until January, but I wanted to share the details of my trip and my heart about the journey. 

Midweek Update

Wednesday already, really?

The last week has been such a busy one for us. I finished re-doing Noah's big boy furniture that my mom and I started last week and it is all in his room. He is SO proud of it! Sunday afternoon as Brad and I were putting it up, he was jumping up and down squealing with delight. Those sweet reactions make the hot hours in the garage working on it all worth it. I still have a bookcase that I am going to experiment with and a few wall hangings to change out, but  once I get it all finished, I'll show you. Don't get too anxious because my track records for completing a project falls somewhere in the months category. I am determined to have it done by this weekend though so I may need a bit of encouragement. 

We have all but 2 doors up, and those two have found their proper home, they are just not up yet. Something about hubby misplacing the other hinges and pins sounds accurate.  I know I made a mistake, but not having a pantry door almost two months is more than enough pay back. My spider-man-of-a-two-year-old has scaled the pantry shelves as his form of exercise far too long.  Please please learn from my mistakes. Do not, and I repeat, do not under any circumstances, no matter what form of insanity invades your sweet little mind, take the doors in your house off to paint them without labeling every single part.  Please people. It causes a lot of stress for all involved parties. 

I'm working on making Kayt's birthday party invitations. I can hardly wait to celebrate with my precious Kayter-Bug. (A hint into the party theme.) I need to have them finished by this weekend because all of my family will be in town and I can hand them out rather than mail them. I have alot of family; this would be very cost efficient. 

My family is coming in town because we are having a 90th birthday celebration for my great-grandpa. How great is that? We are also having family pictures made. My kids have 15 grandparents still living. Can you believe that? Since they will all be in such a close proximity this weekend, we have set up a time to take a generational picture with my children and all their grandparents. It is so special to me that we are doing this. That will be a wholelotta love in one place!

Play dates + having people over for dinner most every night + home projects to finish + fall kick off in the youth area = a very busy, entertaining week. 

This afternoon my kitchen was full with 4 adults and 9 children all ages three and under eating lunch. You can only imagine how entertaining it was. I remember at one point thinking of Brad eating lunch with friends in such a calm setting. We had such a great time though. Noah loves having friends over for meals because most of them eat a small portion and then run off to play. Not Noah. He eats his lunch and then goes plate by plate finishing everyone elses uneaten food. 

Wow, I had so much to say. Who knew?

Happy midweek!

p.s. I am going to India in January. More on that later...