Get Published AND Provide Clean Water //

I was recently introduced to Cause Pub and, I have to tell you, I think it's the coolest idea I have ever heard. To compile short stories, around a common theme, together in a book, for a specific cause -- it's just cool! Throw in the fact that you could be published, paid for it and contribute to the cause in such a personal way, and it just gets even more awesome!

I submitted a story about my time in India, it was accepted, and it can be read here. Readers get to vote on whichever stories they like and it is exciting to see my story voted for! Such an honor to share my words about a very special time in India -- I'd be thrilled to have it included in the book and know that I am helping bring clean water to so many people through an organization I already love (Blood:Water Mission). If you've been reading my blog for awhile, the title of the story may sound familiar so you may think you've already read it, but you haven't! There is new material included. So if you get a chance to pop over for a read, I'd be so glad. Feel free to share it with your friends through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or link back to it on your own Blog. And, if you truly like it, don't forget to hit the orange "thumbs up" to vote for it!

Story Telling // Of worshipping in a dump...

During our trip to India we visited a community of people that collect garbage to sell for a living. Their homes, constructed of rubbish, are grouped together to form a type of neighborhood. It is hard to see fellow humans living in such conditions. We were welcomed into the community leader's home where they had "decorated" in their excitement for our coming. The dirt floor, usually bare, was covered with several scarps of tarps. They had collected the only chairs they had (three total) for us to sit in. 

Once we had all been seated, the people from the community gathered inside with us. All packed together in the hut we had a worship service. The people from the community sang songs in Telugu and then we sang songs in English. There, beneath the light of one exposed lightbulb and the weight of humidity that hangs thick in the air even at night, we felt the loving presence of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord is found by all who seek for Him with their whole hearts, and we were seeking Him. 

When our service was over we fed everyone, and they were thankful, but as we left what they thanked us for over and over again was our prayers, our encouragement, and our love. There in the dump community, church has nothing to do with the comfort or the space, the sound equipment or the schedule, its all about the Lord and His people -- which is as it ought to be. The people who live there are beggars on this earth, but they are truly princes before the Lord in worship. 

Their circumstances were some of the worst that we experienced on the trip, but our time with them was the most beautiful experience that we had by far. Christians in India are few and far between so any fellowship with believers is precious. Because we went across the globe and were willing to sit in a hut constructed of garbage we brought this blessing to our Christian brothers and sisters in the dump community. If there was one experience I wish everyone I know at home could have shared with me, it would be that. We blessed them more than we can imagine, but the testimony of their lives blessed us more than they will ever know.

One more day, one day more.

Worn out.
The kind of exhaustion that has you yawning and dragging all day but leaves you with fitful sleep at night. It's a hard way to live, being exhausted. Mine isn't caused by excessive activity or long days of hard work, I'm not weighed down by stress or grief, I have a bug I picked up in India -- several bugs actually. The abdominal cramps and diarrhea are horrible. As accustomed as I've become to the episodes I still feel helpless in the face of them. Then there was the shame of collecting stool samples for medical testing. And now my daily battle is with keeping enough food in me to last the day and the whole night (I've woken up early in the morning with such extreme hunger I couldn't sleep until it was time to get up before eating) and this weariness.

Praise The Lord, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning.
My daddy picked up the test containers and dropped them off again for me. So thankful. I don't think I could have endured the humiliation. My mother is ever patient and sympathetic to my sudden hunger and constant tiredness. Sweet nurse was able to give me the name of the medicine I need. Our doctor is able to have a prescription written up for me without a doctor visit. This is Jesus stuff, people. He is a God of detail orchestration and a Father who delights to give good gifts.

And this is the thing, Jesus had to put on humanity to come to us and He grew so tired apart from His Father. I risked getting bugs in order to go to India to love the ones Jesus wanted to love through me and the result of getting those bugs is this physically drained state. It doesn't keep me from my daily tasks and the calling to love anymore than being away from Heaven made Jesus unable, but weariness does come in life and in service and if we allow it to, it will hinder us.

I am at the end of my rope. He has come through for me there, and He sustained me to that point. Tomorrow, as with the past twenty years of my life, looking to Him will give me the strength and mercy for the day, and when I am weary He carries me and I can see the cure of the weariness just ahead.
I'm talking about the needed medicine and healing from these bugs, but I mean to direct your eyes to our heavenly rest to come. "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."

Story Telling // Of red sand beaches and little brown hands

"They weren't orphans, they were kids to me, and I just love kids."

// excerpt from my journal

We had spent a few hours at the children's home, playing and cuddling and laughing. I was learning a few names and memorizing faces. After dinner Raj packed us all, team and children and staff, up into two vehicles and we drove to the beach.

I didn't take much note of which child sat by me on the way there, I was still learning who they each were. When we arrived, we parked on the side of the road, trash was littered all over the sand by the curb and there was a man selling ice cream from a cart. Some of the children needed to use a bathroom so Colleen took them one at a time out of the bus and helped them go in the bushes -- there aren't public restrooms available out there.

I hadn't been by the ocean in years. I don't think it has ever looked so beautiful to me than it did there in India. The hazy, humid sky was all yellow as the sun slipped away through it. The wonderful red sand getting caked onto our shoes. The foamy waves crashing again and again, a never-ending toy for the children to play with.

I had fully intended to hang back from the water, avoid getting wet and just take in the beauty of where we were... to allow it to sink in that I was finally in India, with children, and to delight in the journey that the Lord had taken me on to get me here. The team had got their toes wet and returned to a dry part of the beach to play soccer and build sand castles. But the children in their excitement were following the waves back out, not realizing that the water was going to come right back up with great force. 

My motherly heart compelled me to stay close to them, holding their hands so the under-tow wouldn't knock them down, and voicing words of warning when the waves began to roll back up to the beach. The boys tried to jump over the waves over and over again. When that got old they found a plastic toy to let the waves pull over the beach as it came and went. It didn't take many times of that before the toy was sucked away with the tide for good. 

Meena had worn her high-heeled sandals down to the water and the tide kept pulling them off. Most times the sandal just got sunk into the sand and was easily retrieved but one time it got pulled away with the receding water. Making sure that the girls stayed far enough back, I scurried after it, catching it up just as another wave crashed up on the shore soaking me up to the knees. The next few waves had a really strong pull as they washed away and Ruthie's footing became unstable. With Meena in one hand, keeping her balanced, I tried to keep Ruthie upright with the other but she ended up on her rear in the water just as the wave disappeared and, whether out of sadness for being wet or fear from being knocked down, Ruthie returned to the rest of the group crying. My heart ached, I so desired to comfort her, dry her off, help her to know how secure she was and that I never would have let the wave pull her away -- ever.

I told the rest of the children it was time to stop playing in the water. Drawing back from the waves I snapped a few photos. The oldest boy, David, caught my eye and, delighted to have an observer, wrote his name and drew an enormous heart around it in the sand. Encouraging his masterful artwork with smiles and enthusiasm, I watched the waves come up and wash away part of his drawing. "Oh no!" I said in a tone that said we had a funny problem on our hands. More than happy to solve the problem the wave had created, David dove straight back into his work. His heart ever happy, no problem too daunting, not a hint of disappointment, only growing joy, as the cycle continued: draw, be praised by "big sister", wave comes, have "big sister" show concern, re-draw.

Evening was coming on, as much I would have liked to have denied it, and it was time to pack up and head back to the home. Not rushing, hanging back as long as we could to enjoy the setting sun and each other's company, eventually the toys and children were collected and guided back to the vans. As I was talking with Brittany (one of my team mates) Glory came up to me, lifting her arms up, asking to be held.

Remaining fully present in the conversation I was having but turning my heart toward the little darling I gladly picked her up and snuggled her. I could tell she was tired, with her head resting on my shoulder and her arm around my neck, her little body growing heavier in my arms the more she relaxed. As Britt and I wrapped up our chat Glory had regained a last little bit of perkiness.

She hammed it up for the camera (sweet Ranuka squeezed in on some more love and attention from the "big sisters" too), never asked to get down from my arms, instead held on tighter as we walked back to the vans. With my soaking wet pants clinging heavily to my legs and my sandals kicking up tons of sand onto them with every step I was uncomfortable, really ready to change into my PJs for the night. Glory was falling asleep in my arms and it felt like she got heavier with each step. Nothing in me wanted to put her down though --- nothing. I scaled the sand dunes with my precious bundle and arrived back at the vans very sweaty and sandy and tired and oh, so content.

Many parts, one Body // Testimonies from my India Travels

As I have aged I have come to truly appreciate individuality. In fact I fall rather in love with people being who they were made to be. And I believe our Father does too.

via Jessica on Pinterest

"A tree gives glory to God by being a tree. For in being what God means it to be it is obeying Him." // Thomas Merton

And the Lord said to Moses, See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, To devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze, And in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of craftsmanship. And behold, I have appointed with him Aholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and to all who are wisehearted I have given wisdom and ability to make all that I have commanded you...

// Exodus 31:1-6 (amp) //

There were nine of us total on the mission trip to India, all very unique people with different backgrounds and in separate stages of life, all with specific skills and passions and each person was on the trip for a reason. Two of the girls on the team had taken ballet for years and that happened to be the perfect blessing for the oldest girl at Impact India. There is no length too great for God to go to. Another girl is a hair-dresser in the States and was able to give all the children at Impact hair cuts before we left. The one man that was on the trip was the father-figure and security all of us young girls needed during our time half way around the world from home. He also did photography throughout the trip and the photos he took will be incredible ministry and advocacy tools. Knowing someone was taking excellent photos on the trip freed me up to focus on quality time with individual children and one-on-one's with my team members, which was what I was meant to do on the trip. There was one girl who tirelessly jumped rope with the children, a girl who patiently kept a stubborn two year old company, a girl who brought her guitar everywhere so that we could teach all the children we met praise songs, and a girl whose sweet and peaceful presence brought comfort to children. Two of the girls stood out as being uniquely suited with both talents and hearts for the special needs children we worked with, which was beautiful to see.

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

// 1 Corinthians 12:14-25 (kjv) //

Among people who are aware of the great need in the world and are burdened to care for the least I hear the most disheartening phrase spoken over and over with urgency, "Just do something!" The Lord has been aware of the needs in the world as long as they have existed, He cares more than we ever can and He has a perfect plan to orchestrate many individuals together to perform His purposes for those in need. If we are so wrapped up in the urgency of the need, we fail to see that He already has a plan in place. If we fail to see His plan, then we frantically rush about making our own plans of how to solve the world's problems. But in the face of such great need and the reality of our limited ability we become discouraged knowing we can't do it all and then comes that phrase, "Just do something!". These words are spoken out of human inability, separation from God's will and, consequently, desperation.

If you take a few steps back from the need you will recognize the nature of our God and the way He goes about things. He is a God of peace, He prepares and equips those He calls, and He calls us to rejoice always (even in the face of great need, because we have a great Christ for that need!). He is not only willing to help the least, but His heart is passionately for them (Isaiah 58). He is able, or can you reasonably say that a God who can make our souls whole cannot provide any physical relief (Mark 2)? He is a God of intricate planning and design, just look at the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1)! If this willing, able, intricate God has placed His heart for the least within you, you can be sure that He has a specific purpose for you to fulfill, in a precise way and time, with the abilities He has and will give you. He fully intends to do the work that must be done, His Body is a channel for Him to do it. A channel is not any help if it is off trying to do something on its own, it needs to be connected with the proper other pieces that are uniquely suited for their jobs, and it needs to do exactly what it's Master asks of it (just as Jesus only did what the Father was doing).

During my time in India I caught a glimpse of the vastness of the Body, of the intricacy of the members, and of the incredible importance of each member doing exactly what it was made to do. The person who gave $5 toward the cost of my trip, the person who gave $500, the Bible study groups that were praying for our team, the individuals lifting us up for 30min everyday of our trip at 2pm and at 2am (and every half hour in between), each person who sent encouragement or checked in with any member of the team was perfectly timed to our needs in those moments. Are you catching a glimpse of the vastness? If just one of those pieces had not fallen into place any one of my team members or I would not have been able to go on the trip, or we would not have made it through customs (I saw God open doors into the country for us through prayer alone), or been able to minister as specifically and personally to the families in the slums or the children in the homes or the ministry partners we worked with. Each person was called for a seemingly small but specific role in that trip and altogether we were the Body, used as a channel for the rich and free love of God to minister to souls in India.

So, please, don't just do something, do the something that the Lord has called, and will equip, you to do, no matter how small (giving $5) or how impossible (moving forward in faith that I was called to be on the trip to India even though I could not pay for it at all) it appears. For if He is glorified in a tree's obedience to be a tree, how much more must He be glorified in His individual children being exactly who and what He uniquely made them to be?

Good News for ALL // Testimonies from my India Travels

Since I was out of the country, in a rather tropical part of the world, and we didn't set up our tree or decorations until about one week before Christmas I am still in "gear up" mode. I realize it is after Christmas now but my anticipation of the season has just begun to grow. So for now it's still Christmas time around here.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

// Luke 2:10-11 //

(emphasis added)

     See min 1:06. "He is for all mankind."

The separation is great between the privileged of first world countries and the impoverished of third world countries. But, contrary to sub-conscious belief, we did not earn or privileged lives by good deeds, nor were the poor born into a life devoid of privilege because of the lack of them. Class and rank, caste and income have nothing to do with our merit. Jesus chose to be born in the lowliest place. Rich, white Christians do not "own" Him. The persecuted Christians of the Middle East do not "own" Him. He is for all mankind.

The classic characters of the Nativity scene are varied, from a carpenter and young virgin, to hundreds of angels, from shepherds that were weather-worn and dirty, to the magi who bore extravagant gifts... but are those the only people who would have been welcome to visit the newborn King? Certainly not! He is for all mankind.

{I am sure there are many families that could tell the same story but my Pastor told this tale of his fascination with the Nativity scene as a child...} Imagine a nativity scene, set up in a special place in a home with young kids, with all the original characters positioned to be looking on at the baby Jesus. As the days to Christmas progress additional characters are added to the scene: a batman action figure, a transformer, a few Veggie Tale characters, a teddy bear, and a T-Rex all appear on the scene, trying to catch a glimpse of Jesus. No one turned away, all welcome to come and see. He is for all mankind.

Nothing has changed. Everyone is welcome to come to Him, He came to provide a way to the Father for anyone who would take it. No matter who came to Him, they all had to get on their knees in a very humble place to see Him. So regardless of whether we are from wealthy America or from desperate India, we are all humbled before Him, welcome in His presence, and invited to be co-heirs with Him. He is for all mankind.

This heart, our King's heart, His Father's heart -- a heart that is for us! -- is something I was very aware of during my time in India. I felt the depth of His love for people I had never met... I experienced His heart for America. Like you can sense and feel the love of people in your life, I assure you that you can sense and feel God's love for you, and that love is beyond description, beyond comprehension. I am certain that I only experienced a drop of the ocean that is His love -- and that drop was enough to knock the air out of me or cause me to soar. You are welcome to the fullness of that love. It is what motivated Christ to leave His home in heaven and be born as a human, to live among us and die for us. It is the gift offered to us by His sacrifice. It is what we celebrate at Christmas. May you know the love of God! He is for all mankind.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

// Ephesians 3:14-19 //

(emphasis added)

--- --- ---

Happy New Year!
Happy, because JOY is not dependent on circumstance, only upon Jesus' presence.
He is for all mankind.

I left my heart behind // Testimonies from my India Travels

I left part of my heart in India. It was so at home there, I couldn't convince it to return to the States.

For a girl who doesn't care much for change and gets stressed about the unknown, going to India, where the culture and climate is so opposite of my snug little Midwest life, should have been uncomfortable, stretching and maybe even miserable. There were uncomfortable moments, but they didn't last long. I was stretched, but in a slow and steady, almost unnoticeable, way, spread out over the entirety of the trip. I was miserable in body as I went from one physical ailment to the next over the two weeks we were there, but in spite of that I was so full of pure joy.

I loved waking up with the sun, watching the day become hot and hazy. I loved the cool concrete walls and tile floors of our guest house and the children's home. I loved the sound of prayers being chanted early in the morning (not to our God), thinking how many souls there are that are longing for my God -- the only true one. I loved seeing children's faces out our kitchen and balcony widows as they peered in, curious about the white girls inside, and tickled with delight when we smiled or waved at them. I loved getting in our quiet, faithful driver's van and waiting, with an excited expectancy, for his adult heart to let down its guard and surrender to the childlike yearning that stirs in him for the Father I have. I loved watching him observe us as we loved the people in our path, it was as delightful as seeing seeds planted and little green stems begin to sprout.

I loved walking into the children's home and feeling entirely in-place, not questioning that I belonged right there. I loved the exuberant and trusting embraces and greetings I was welcomed with each day by the kids. I loved to see on their faces a complete abandon to love. I loved seeing them light up when they recognized me, loved their hands sliding into mine, loved their contentment to sit on my lap and just be held. I loved giving all my attention to them one at a time, all my affection to each one who was in front of me, all my love for them gushing forth in prayers. I loved seeing the children learn and sing and play and create. I loved hearing them cry "Big Sister! Big Sister!" in Telugu over and over. I loved having my heart silently stolen by two young sisters at the home. I never got it back from them, and I never want to. I want them to have all the love I can give, forever.

I loved the chaotic traffic of those desperate Indian streets, and getting a peek into so many lives as we passed homes and shops and people headed somewhere. I loved every jaw-dropping glance of God's incredible creation. I loved feeling thankful from my head to my toes for every warm, delicious meal that was labored over for us three times a day. I loved being tired from my head to my toes every night to the point that even my hard bed with one blanket was truly warm and inviting. I loved every western toilet I encountered like you cannot believe.

I loved heart to hearts in our rooms with my team mates. I loved that God provided wifi for me to keep in touch with my family because He knows how important that is to me. I loved looking up at the moon and remembering how my mom, as she drove me to the airport, had said, "It's the same moon in India as it is here."

I loved the dirt that got on my shoes and clothes as I sat in the slums with children who spoke with me even though we didn't understand one another. I love that even now my flip flops are coated in red sand from our trip to the beach with the children. I love remembering that night on the beach at sunset, holding one of my darlings on my hip and having her lay her head on my shoulder, completely secure with me... And how on the ride home my other little dear was sitting in the seat beside me and nodded off so I scooped her into my lap and put my head back and we both slept the whole way back. I loved our goodbye, my darlings and me, how I hugged them tight, with one in either arm, they nestled their faces into my neck and I kissed their cheeks and they kissed mine and we all were FULL of hope and of peace. And as I said goodbye and whispered "I love you" in their precious ears, I was aware of a whole new level of love that one can experience. That is where I left a portion of my heart, and that is where it will stay -- there with my Beloved and our girls.

The necessity and the gift of Family // Testimonies from my India Travels

family |ˈfam(ə)lē|noun ( pl. -lies)1 [treated as sing. or pl. ] a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.

• a person or people related to one and so to be treated with a special loyalty or intimacy

   We are not made to be alone. It is amazing what you can get through, endure, and be content with as long as you have family. In India I met children who had been given up by their parents... but who were happy and secure because they had been taken in by a couple that became "Mom" and "Dad" to them. I saw kids who lived in a slum, exposed to the elements day and night, with little to eat, no sanitation, worn clothing, no toys, who spent their days begging... but they were happy and secure because they had parents and community; family.

   And as I returned home it occurred to me that growing up with a family is what has fostered security, confidence, and happiness in me. Where would I be without these people? These flawed, confusing, difficult, wonderful, beautiful, perfect people.

Never underestimate the power of family. Never take them for granted.

Family is invaluable.

Break my heart for what breaks Yours // Testimonies from my India Travels

It is Christmas time! For me that means snow falling, it means Christmas music playing in the background, it means the only light in the house coming from the kitchen where mom is hard at work and the tree all strung up with twinkle lights, it means marveling at "Emmanuel" and the gift of His presence. Christmas time means shopping when no one knows and wrapping special gifts to shower my family with on Christmas day, it means knowing the delight of giving. Christmas time means that the gift catalogs from World Vision, Compassion Intl., Gospel for Asia and Samaritan's Purse have come in the mail, it means I am spending my free time pouring through those pages looking for how I can best bless people who have so much less than I do during this time of sacrificial giving and abundant blessings.

I just returned from a trip to India. There is a lot of need in India, for physical things like food and water and shelter and medical care, for emotional things like rehab from trafficking or abuse or abandonment, for spiritual things like breaking free from the bondage of Hinduism. Everywhere I went we were bringing ourselves, bringing our time to pour out as an offering before the feet of Jesus, bringing our voices to sing songs and speak blessings and tell testimonies, bringing what we could to bring physical relief such as a meal for a community or first aid supplies for people with burns and no access to medical care. Everywhere we went, as grateful as the people were for our fellowship and our gifts, what their hearts gnawed with hunger for was prayer, was Jesus.

Here in the U.S. we sing, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours, everything I am for Your kingdom's cause" and while I was in India I prayed the Lord would show me what it is that truly breaks His heart. I was actually surprised to find that it is not the physical poverty these people find themselves in that breaks His heart... His heart is for the impoverished souls. I saw a lot of need, an overwhelming amount... but I was not overwhelmed by it. Far from it. What my senses (spiritual and physical) were overwhelmed by was the undeniable presence of God hanging thick in the air everywhere I turned. I was overwhelmed with a spirit of rejoicing as I saw hungry hearts for Jesus and open hearts for truth all over the place. I was overcome with praise as I saw so many who want to hear and believe and live in the Good News, and that no matter how few messengers of that News there are it is Jesus who mobilized them and uses them and makes them effective. Jesus is doing this work and whatever part He has us play in it, accomplishes His purposes.

So, with that reality burned into my heart and mind, I believe very strongly that the purchases I make from gift catalogs this year ought all to be Bibles. The request I would like to set before you, as my readers, is to pray about sponsoring a missionary. The workers are few, but Jesus does provide workers and they have needs to be met while they work. You can be sure that they are taking no thought for their life as they spend every day ministering Jesus, ministering life, to hungry souls all over the world. A small financial gift each month is hardly a sacrifice for us, but it would mean a world of difference to them. Take my word for that. I have seen the tremendous impact monthly sponsorship brings to lives. So there are two ways to get involved in the kingdom's cause this season once your heart has been broken by what is currently breaking our Lord's heart:
1) Purchase a print. One for one: each print purchased provides a Bible for a hungry soul!

2) Sponsor a missionary. GFA is at work in the desperate streets of India (and all over Asia) and your monthly gift is key to reaching hearts that are just waiting to hear Jesus' name!