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

In India

I was surprised to find that I would have Internet access during this trip.  But I have been blessed. 

The flight was LONG!  Almost 22 hrs and I haven't slept.  We went straight to work today with our in India orientation.  So I ended up nodding off so much during the talks that they probably think I have seizures..haha.  They are so generous though.  :-)

As for my first impression, I love this place.  Right now it is rainy and very humid, but it is keeping it slightly cooler.  We are sleeping on mats together in the room so it is like one big sleep over.  We hung our mosquito nets and clothes lines up, and we are leaving in like 10 mins for Punjabi suit shopping.

Tomorrow's the Big Day

Ok, this is it.  We are leaving tomorrow.

    I wanted to share something amazing that happened today though.  This is for God's glory!
Okay, we were praying for the people of India.  And we were asked to pray that the Holy Spirit would lay on our hearts what exactly to pray for.  Like clear our minds and let our thoughts be the thoughts of God.
    So, I was like, "Okay, God.  I want to clear my mind but I really suck at it.  I don't really know if you can even speak to me like that but I will try."  After a little struggle to clear my mind, God really laid my team on my heart.  I know we were "supposed" to be praying for India but who am I to stop God.  He especially laid six of the team members on my heart.  These six were struggling a lot (not visibly though...but God showed me things that the people had not even revealed).  I then told the group what had happened, but didn't say who the six were because that would be inappropriate.  But we prayed a general prayer for the team.
    A little later in the prayer meeting, one of the six spoke up and said that my prayer (as general as it was) touched her.  And she laid the struggle down for the team.  AND WHEN SHE SPOKE SHE SAID THE EXACT THINGS THAT GOD TOLD ME SHE WAS STRUGGLING WITH.  I was amazed!  I couldn't believe that God used me in this way.  That is the kind of thing that only the "really strong" Christians do.  But then I am reminded that God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called.
  So I am trying to keep an open mind, expect great things, and not get in God's way but instead have him work through me.  Please keep me in your prayers,

See you when I return,
GRACE AND PEACE,

Caroline

Never Prepared

I have discovered that I will never be prepared for India.  We only had an Hour of culture training today and my head is spinning.  Here is some stuff to remember:

• If you look a guy in the eyes it means that you want to sleep with him...so when talking to guys, look past them.
• Pointing your foot at someone is a BIG offense.  Don't sit in a fashion that points your foot or shows the bottom of it.
• You must reject food or Chai twice when it is offered.  Then accept on the third time.  This way you are not over eager...
• Indians watch American television like Baywatch and Survivor, and they think that all Americans act that way (even Christians because they think because we are a "Christian Nation" all the people on television are Christian.
• Don't touch or disrespect in anyway the cows.
• And so on...

 I have a lot to remember and that is not even the half of it....

~Caroline

SLEEP?

Ok..so it is 1:30ish in the morn and I just finished packing...I think.  I hope.  I really don't want to forget anything important..and I am the type who will always feel like I am forgetting something.  (though I usually am..haha)

I will leave for the airport in 3.5 hrs...But I don't even know if I can sleep.  You know the excitement that you get at the start of an adventure.  OH BOY!  Long night ahead.

I spoke to Laura today on the phone.  This is new.  I really liked it.  You know she is a world away and I miss her.

Anyway...As good as it feels to sit on the bed listening to Owl City and delaying sleep...I really ought to go to bed. 

Goodnight Folks,
~Caroline

2 days...

Wow...it is coming up. Packing is a pain and my room is a mess..(but that is not so different from usual).  Anyway, I wanted to give you a few links. 

If you are interested in receiving a daily text from YWAM starting the 8th (until the end of the trip) follow this link and fill out the thingy in the bottom left hand area.   These texts will tell you what we are doing and where.  In others words.  I will not be able to actually update this blog in India.  Here's the Link!

Ok...if you are curious about the weather where I am Click Here.  This way you too can enjoy temps in the 90's with 75% humidity.  I WILL BE BREATHING WATER!  Oh my!

Anyway...I just got my flight itinerary too..and that looks like a long trip...

Leave - DENVER CO: 840PM

Arrive - LONDON LHR term 5: 1230PM (the next day)

 I wish I could do something fun in London here...but alas..only two hours in the airport.

Leave - LONDON LHR term 5: 230PM

Arrive – HYDERABAD INDIA: 500AM (the next day)

I am looking forward to your prayers on this trip.  Thanks guys!
Blessings all,
~Caroline