Ohh. Tank Kouu. Tank Kouu.

Vishwaasi = विश्वासी = Faithful


     So, obviously this is one of those times where I have "Great intentions, horrible follow through". So I apologize for that. Don't get me wrong every single girl here is truly incredible, don't let my lack of commitment reflect on them and their character in any way! I love each one dearly! You guys are awesome! I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to share my summer with you all! However, as my time here is coming to a close I have been distracted by life here and haven't had much time to write to you guys, but today I would like to share a story...

     A few days back (Saturday) I was sitting and talking with Leela, (She is one of the most beautifully genuine, sweet hearted giving people I have ever met. She has a shop on the beach where we stay is always happy to share time with us) she was sharing with me and my friend Ashlyn how her son Robby hasn't gone to school in 2 weeks because he cries the whole time he is there. She told us how much he hates to go and wants only to sit at home to play games and to watch cartoons. (by the way they have cartoon network here! I just got a kick out of that, anyways...) This story reminded me of when I was a very little girl. I have had 2 scull fractures as a child and after my second one I was required to wear this helmet all the time, so I didn't hit it on something and hurt or even kill myself.  I hated the helmet more than anything and would scream and cry all day. My mother was so worried, she asked my aunt and my cousin Kelly to pray for the situation. Kelly was just a girl at the time, but you know what scripture says about chid like faith. Well, Kelly got on her hands and knees and prayed to the Lord to change my heart,  to let me be at peace with having to wear it. The next morning I woke up and asked my mommy to put my helmet on. This incident in my life seems so small to share, but is a great example of God's faithfulness with us, if we are faithful with Him. He cares if we care no matter how small.

Robby and his new watch! He was so proud of it!

      Leela continued to share with us how the man who owns the shop she rents only lets her use it 6 months of the year; she has 4 children of her own and is taking care of her niece. Her niece is living with them because the girls parents do not want her, or care for her because she is a burden, a.k.a. a girl. Her husband does not have a job so the entire family depends on her income alone. This has been very hard on her, but is sadly the case for most families here, where the women are the sole source of income for the family.  The conversation continued and as we went to say goodbye I asked her if we could pray with her. We prayed that things with the shop owner would work out and she could open year round. We prayed for the Lord to truly bless her the way she has blessed us in our short time here. And then we prayed for the Lord to change Robby's heart, for him to desire to go to school.  The next morning I was doing her family pictures and she told me when Robby woke up that Sunday morning he said, "Mommy, are we going to school today?" she said, "Not today Robby." He said, "Tomorrow can we go?! please Mommy!".... The Lord is so amazing in how quickly He moves. Robby has now gone to school everyday so far this week and is now so excited to come home and show what he is learning! God is so good!

"You faithfully answer prayers with awesome deeds, oh God our savior.  You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those in far off seas." - Psalm 65:5

Ciao Bella.

The Randy Disher Project!

Prōtsāhana =प्रोत्साहना = Encouragement    

      So this really cool girl I know did this blog where she would write all about a really cool person she knew each day. So for 365 days she wrote.. I thought this was a great idea so I decided to do the same. Except each day I am going to share with you about someone awesome here in India! We all spend ALOT of time together and can often times find ourselves frustrated with each other because everyone is different. Different tendencies. Different personalities. Different struggles. This can sometimes attract attention to the negative in a person instead of the positive. Today I thought I would start with the girl who began it all.  She is one of the most encouraging, genuine people I known.  She never has a bad word to say about anyone and it is truly encouraging! She goes by Kate Miller... or Emily Watson... or Peter Pan. Pretty sure she will respond to them all!

Top Row: Courtney & Callie. (AIM Leaders)
Middle Row: Jillian, Beka, Amanda, Tara, Lindsay, Gopi, Kaitlyn, Sara Beth,  Evette
Extras: Ashlyn,  Ella, Nancy, Kate, Katie, Steph

     I met Kate our first day here in India. She had come in a few days ahead of me and Nancy and was slightly more rested than we were. We landed early Sunday morning and, against my better judgement went to church. I put on my blue salwar kamese outfit and headed off to church. At this point I'm pretty sure she thought I was In. Sane. actually I known she did, cause to told me later. Where these outfits are normal Indian clothes to me. To her they looked like ridiculous P.J.s with a funny little scarf. We then got to church... exhausted. jet lagged. starving. I did everything in my power to stay awake through the longest 3 hour, out door church services of my life. I mean everything. There was a constant standing and sitting, leaning forward and back. hand drumming and leg shaking, an occasional head nod... Oh yea. Talk about good first impressions right?
     Well, as crazy as she undoubtedly thought I was, she was kind enough to hide it, and we became fast friends. She has the greatest since of humor and finds humor in every situation.  She always knows what to say and how to lighten the mood. I have learned so much from her just through the way she views people, with so much grace and love.  She has showed me how to be open with friends in a way that I never thought I could, just in being totally raw with people. Kate truly has nothing but good things to say about people. Every person from her life back at home is so praised and loved through every word she says. So uplifting and focused on the positive, its incredible. And its so real, and honest when she says it that you know its from the heart. She is so intensional in all she does and in relationships she forms with the people around her. Always striving to understand the heart of those she is with.  We are polar opposites in that she hates to upset someone or confront, and I am overly honest... She has shown me the importance of sharing in love and not out of frustration, which is such a beautiful thing we as christians are called to do.  Her ears and and heart are always open to deal with my many problems and situations I just need a level headed person to talk me through. Her love for the Lord just flows through her in all these ways and all the things she does. Her heart is sold out to Him and she is constantly trying to walk in His footsteps, just as she did her mothers on the beach as a child! I love you Kate! I'm going to miss our Nestle Coffee Day Dates. You are such an encouragement  in all you do!
Love you Peter Pan.

Ciao Bella.
    

Home Is Where The Heart Is.

Vada = वादा = Promise

     These past few days have been filled with thoughts of the first of many goodbyes to come.  With Thursday fast approaching, we all prepare to say goodbye to my roommates, as they prepare to head back to the states. It's also the mark of my last 3 weeks in India, and at the rate time flies here I'll be home before I know it... before I'm ready. My question is, will I ever be ready? In the past year, I have spent 6 months of my life in this tragically beautiful country, surrounded by some of the most incredible people. My heart and soul is here in India with the women and children, with the food and culture and even with the monsoon rains.  Their is something so genuine here, a peace, try thought I might I just can't seem to find in the states, and a peace I will be so far from as I spend my last few weeks home, before venturing out to my latest adventure... Samford. I am truly excited by my new life ahead and for all the Lord has to teach me both in and out of class, but my heart breaks at the thought of leaving India. With Nancy and Kate heading out so soon it already has me in tears about what's to come for me as well. I just want to freeze time and cherish these moments forever. My head is full of so many questions... I know I will be where I am supposed to be in the fall (college) but it isn't where my heart desperately longs to be.

Beautiful Stephanie!

Nancy. Me. Kate. I love you roomies!

Baby NeeshaNeesha!

My incredible girls!

Preetu! Means the world to me.

Happy Birthday Leela

"1 photo teachuhh, teacher teacher, 1!"

Home sweet home.

preschool:)

Manjunad! My tuition buddy with the greatest heart!

Nutrition Family.

Here. India. Home. I am so afraid my love for this country and my family here will keep me from hearing and keeping my promise to the Lord. A promise I made when I was a very little girl, a promise, at the time I didn't even realize I was making. A promise to go. To tell. To share. To love. Love as the my Heavenly Father loves. To love people in China, India, Africa, Israel, Egypt and wherever else He has planned. But in have loved India. More than that, I am in love with India, and that scares me. It's scares me that though I will be here to serve Him, I will come for my own selfishness and not for His glory.  That I will ignore His call to others gravely in need of His amazing grace.  It is in this amazing grace I find comfort.

"...Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid of discouraged.  For the Lord your god is with you wherever you go!" ~ Joshua 1:9

 Comfort in the fact that He will be understanding and kind to my weak and selfish heart. He will be with me and He in turn will keep His promise to me. He promise to be with me and guide me where ever I go. And I find peace in that. A peace greater even than the peace I find in I India. A peace only found in my Lord and Savior.

"Thank the Lord! Praise His name! Tell the nations what He has done! Shout the news of His great might!" ~ Isaiah 12:4


Ciao Bella.