Caroline Out

I have been back in Ohio for a week now.  This means that my summer mission is over.  And thus my contribution to this blog.  I know that there is a lot that I need to take from this trip.  I need to learn not to limit God.  He is the Ocean and my brain is a soda can.  I cannot kid myself by thinking that I can fit the ocean in my soda can. (I.E. I am limited in what I can understand.)  Also, I have learned a lot about trust.  I have learned a lot about the time I spend with God.  And I have learned about acceptance.

I want to carry this knowledge with me throughout the rest of my life.  So...here I am writing my last blog post.  I am waiting to here from future jobs and trusting God always for my future.  I guess that is all I can say.

Blessings, Peace, Love, and Grace to you all.

Caroline Out

Home Again but Not Really

I am back in the states.  Not in Ohio but in Colorado at the Base.  Tomorrow I go home...so I am psyched about getting a bubble bath (instead of washing from a spigot), and sleeping in my own bed will feel nice.

I stole some photos from our team leader and thought I should put them on here...especially since Alesha loves my photos!  Haha!  Miss you Alesha!

Brittany and myself doing the comical pantomime for the kids.

Megan helping with a craft.

Leading an "Action Song"!  This is the Lord's Army...can't you tell this is the part where you ride in the Calvary!  Haha!

Photos

This is Vijaya.  We work together in the mornings in the kitchen to make breakfast.  She is a very good cook.  She has taught me to make Chai and now that I have bought some from a vendor, I am excited to try my hand at it back in the States.

Yesterday we did some slum ministries.  Basically they are illegal hut communities within the city.  We prayed for people and loved on the children.  We brought toothbrushes and toothpastes for the people there and also played games, told stories, and blew lots of bubbles.  :-)

Today

The day before yesterday we spent the day with orphans affected by AIDS and yesterday we went to the clinic that treats HIV, TB, and Leprosy.  Those are diseases with stigmas in this culture so this clinic is one of the few that help them.  It is run by Christians who not only treat the diseases but help the families.  They get jobs for widows and pay school fees for children. At the clinic some people sorted pills, assisted doctors or prayed over patients.  I did a lot of praying.

After that we did a program at a school for the untouchables.  They are the children from the lowest class in this society (the beggars and trash collectors).  I loved on these kids and yes...we touched them.  We showed them that they are equal in God's eyes not matter what the society says.

Today, we are going to take a break.  We are going to Old City for a fun day.  It is a well needed break.

Wish I had more time but I have to go.

WOW!

Things are going great here...I wish I could explain everything but time is short.  We put on a program at one school of 200 yesterday.  There was dance, skits, testimonies, songs, and such.  After it was over we had to walk past the swarming kids to leave.  They all reached out hoping we would touch their hands and begged for autographs.  This was a humbling experience for me...because we were being treated like super-stars, and we are not.  We are there for Jesus and no one else deserves the praise.

This morn I learned to make Chai in the kitchen.  I have been helping out there lately which is a very good experience.  Vagia has been teaching me a lot about cooking and especially tea making.  I told her that I would make the best tea in America because I was taught by the lady who makes the best tea in India.

Today we drove over 5 hours total to go to a church and an orphanage.  This was great.  We sat on floor mats at church (girls on one side and boys on the other).  And even though I could not understand the praise songs I clapped along.  Afterwards people came up to me seeking prayer and I gave it.  Then we took a break for some Chai.

At the orphanage we ate.  Then we crammed into the small building that couldn't hold us all.  Only 4 of us stayed in the building because it was so crammed.  So they lead the kids in songs, crafts, and stories.  I was one who sat outside waiting.  I normally would have been put out because I seemed unhelpful but this time I felt peace.  God was up to something.  Outside the little courtyard I was sitting in, there were maybe 20 children with their faces pressed against the surrounding fence.  They heard the kids singing and wanted to join.  I went and spoke to the mission leader.  He said that the pastor told him the children were not allowed in because they were not orphans, but later he changed his mind and all of us in the courtyard (all who couldn't fit in the building) joined the kids with candy and coloring pages.  IT WAS AWESOME!  The outcasts on the other side of the fence got to join the fun because we were there.  I believe that was God's plan all along.

Lastly, I think I should tell you something funny.  After leaving the Squatty Potty (which is an experience because of all the clothing I am wearing...seriously, I could fit two of me in my pants), I didn't realize that I had my top tucked into the back of my pants.  This is bad!  The Punjabi tops must always cover the butt.  I was digging in my bag for Hand Santizer (which you must do descreetly so as to not insult your hosts) and a woman approach me.  She asked if I needed help.  I thought she meant with my bag...and I was like, no thank you, smile.  Then she left, came back and asked if I needed help.  Still no...then she came back one more time and pulled my shirt out of my pants.  I was so embarrased.  but it was really funny.  Now I have learned, always ask, "help with what?"

~Caroline

Luke 12:31

I am really learning what it means to die to self.  You see, you can't afford to be selfish here.  It would drive you crazy and ruin you.

So even if you are hot and wearing a ton of clothes while trying to use the Squatty Potty, you deal with it.  Even if you are sleeping on a floor mat in a crowded room with no floor space and people put their junk on the only space you can call your own (your mat), you deal with it. Even if you can't sleep or if you spend so much time helping cook breakfast that you didn't eat your own, you deal with it.

But, you see, once you can truly die to the selfish desires of the flesh, then you can lie spiritually.  I pray that my flesh no longer holds me back.  I trust that God will provide for my needs if I make others my primary concern.

Luke 12:31
"He will give you all you need from day to day IF you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."

I capitalized IF because we too often forget that there is a clause there.  That we have to keep up our side of the bargin to reap the reward.

Anyway, on a happier note.  I love tea time (left over from the British reign).  It is Chai and it is amazing.  Also, people speak British English...So if you are asked in the airport if you are carrying a "torch" in you bag. Don't panic!  It is not a blow torch and you will not be tackled by TSA...it is just a flashlight.

Love to all,
Caroline

Update

Yesterday was soo long..but good.  We spent about 3 hours sitting in the church praying for the people in the prostitute colony.  The pastor would bring a few people in who were seeking prayer and then after we finished he would bring in more.  Then, we played with the children of the prostitutes...they were so excited.  Some of the younger ones were a little skiddish about the strange pasty white people..haha!

After that we went to the pastors home for lunch. Some of the food was very spicy so even if your lips are turning red and the tears are flowing, you still had to smile.  You also eat with your hands...well hand, the right one only.  And in this process I kept dropping stuff.  I ended up dropping a handful of rice in my drink....haha.  But to be polite you must finish all your food and drink so I downed the rice water.

Things are great here, even in the heat.  And the people are very generous.  We are going to a kids home today to do VBS (Joshua and Jericho).  Pray for us...:-)

Blessings,
Caroline