Nashville to India

The Hand of the LORD

2012-01-17T06:40:00.000+05:30

Ya know those times you just feel God's hand upon you? It is strong, yet gentle and kind. It is powerful and moving. Yet tender and compassionate.

When I left India in December, I was a little frustrated that I would be in the US for 6 weeks, despite that it was for so many good reasons (vacation, meeting with supporters, and a YL Conference). But I hate uncertainty. And feeling out of control. And waiting.

But a mentor reminded me that we can be certain in the uncertainty as Christians, because Jesus is our Rock and the only constant in an ever-changing world. So I chose faith over fear and worry. Again. (Cuz let's be honest, we have to choose faith over fear DAILY; it's a constant battle) And God has shown up in crazy ways.

He provided for my "lak" (Indian currency: 1 lak = 100,000 rupees = about $2000) that I needed to go to this YL conference, given me peace about what is going on in Siliguri without me, helping me dream more big dreams for YL in India and a possible way to generate income for YL leaders there, led me to be ok with exploring what I could possibly do in American when I come home (possibly in June), opened my eyes to new and big possibilities for my life wherever I am (in India OR Nashville), and confirming these things with the people I have been meeting with over the past 3 weeks.

May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us;
Establish the work of our hands for us,
Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:17

I am truly resting in God and marveling at the way He is leading me. It is the best place to be in. I am content, being confident in His plan for me. What a blessing to be content in uncertainty! To know my Daddy has a plan. A good plan.

Thanksgiving and more

2011-11-27T21:55:00.000+05:30

Some Indian friends on Thanksgiving! Munnu, Chokey, Salvi, and Athing. There were many more, but this was the cool table :)

My Thanksgiving centerpiece. I improvised with what we had...not too shabby. Yes, those are candles inside apples!

Hannah with my apron on, drinking our hot cider...learning the sound "th" for Thanksgiving. She's really coming along and has started to read words. So neat!

Last week I talked about club at our meeting and we spent time praying for kids. Pray for them by name if you have a few minutes.

I employed some of the guys to change a lightbulb :) Thanks Shakar and Mingure!

Javeen and her brother Happy. Seriously, that's his name. Amazing! By the way, I love having a house full of YL leaders. Feels like family and is tons of fun.

Bacon, Cheddar Biscuits anyone??? DUH! Me, Mingure, and Mona made breakfast at 7am! Woot woot!

Boasting in Jesus

2011-11-24T12:27:00.001+05:30

At our house church, we had been going through the book of Galatians. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, rebuking them for believing that it was by the Law they were saved. Other people, who were only concerned with their own reputation and glory, were convincing them to be circumcised and to rely on the Law for their salvation. But if we could be saved by the Law, then Christ came for nothing! Paul had such concern for the Galatians that he wanted them to live in the freedom of the gospel: that they were saved by faith in Christ and NOTHING else.

A couple of weeks ago we finished with chapter 6, verses 11-18. It talks about how we don't have anything to boast about but Jesus. Verses 14, 15:

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.

A couple weeks ago, I talked to the YL leaders about Contact Work aka meeting high school kids. Since then, God has really given them great opportunities to hang out with teenagers and become friends with them. He has given us SO much to boast in Him about!

Last Monday was Children's Day in India, so 2 of the schools where we're starting YL had football (soccer) matches, both girls and boys. So me and Munnu attended. This is the ceremony they had before the games.

Had to get a pic with the girls! They were awesome...well, for playing for the 1st time ever :) We had tons of fun cheering them on. The red team won (IB Thapa) 1-0.

Munnu (maroon shirt on left) was really great with the Ravi Ratana High School girls after they lost the soccer game. Some of them were really upset, crying or just angry, and she was really comforting and encouraging. I was really proud of her.

Ravi Ratana girls eating "kitcheri" after the game (it's a mixture of rice, dal, vegetables, and spices). They even let me and Munnu have a plate. All the girls ate with spoons, and I ate with my hands so we joked that they were all foreigners and I was the Indian for the day!

If you read my last post about towels, you'll appreciate these pics...

Decided to cover up my towels (and be more prepared!) for the next meeting :)

tea n community

2011-11-07T20:54:00.000+05:30

An answered prayer request these past couple of weeks has been the growing friendships among YL leaders. Sharing experiences are the best times to grow friendships - classes, meetings, rice and dal lunches, prayer-walking around high schools, auto rides, football practice with high school girls, concerts, early morning wake-up surprises, 6am walks, and of course TEA time!

Me, Victoria, and Beena (short girl in the front) were guests at the English class that Mingure teaches

A key leader meeting with Enos, Mingure, and Javeen...lots of honest conversation about the great things God is doing but also the struggles. Great time of prayer too.

Me and Munnu went to the market with these awesome high school girls on Saturday...experienced my 1st Siliguri bus ride (high schoolers only have to pay 2 rupees!) and ate pani puri and cake

To sum it up, we've shared a lot of good times, and they've really brought us closer as a team. Pray that we'll continue to grow closer (seems overwhelming cuz there's about 20 of us, but God has obviously been working so we'll continue to trust that He will do it!)

Counting Towels

2011-10-30T09:27:00.001+05:30

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Proverbs 27:5-6

Oh man. Being a leader is a gift and blessing, meant to help others...but sometimes it can feel like a curse...because it requires courage to lead other people. And many times you fail...and feel like an idiot for ever even trying. Those are the valleys of being a leader - making mistakes and leading others into them. Stink. I hate that, because sometimes the consequences don't just affect you, but many other people.

On Friday we had our 1st official YL Siliguri leader meeting. We've had a lot of smaller meetings in the past but this was the first time we were all together (well, a few were missing, but that's how it goes).

I wanted to give them an overview of YL and then spend time praying for teenagers in Siliguri and talking about where they could meet high school kids (one of the main challenges here in India b/c you can't go into the high schools any time). Essentially I just wanted us to be united in heart and mind before we started meeting high school kids.

I wasn't prepared. The meeting wasn't very focused. I was trying to cover way too much. I wasn't explicit in what I wanted from them. I should have talked strategy with just a few leaders beforehand. And so...

They counted towels. Seriously. That's when you know you haven't led your team very well...when they start counting the towels in your house. And planning which towel I should use each day of the week. Haha!

Just to clarify, I inherited 7 towels from the previous renter, ok!

Yesterday I met with my friend and fellow leader, Mingure, to talk strategy. We decided that working in the same area of town is probably better because it will unite us as leaders because we're going together to the same place. And we'll have a greater impact.

Not only did we talk about strategy, but Mingure asked me about the meeting and gave me many critiques. Many of it was hard to hear, but he's always good about lightening the mood (hence the towel story!). I left that place not with bitterness towards Mingure but gratefulness for his honesty. If I'm going to be a leader I need to be open to constructive criticism, especially from valid sources. So, as the verse above says, I left a little wounded but it was a wound that will hopefully produce much fruit because it came from someone I trust.

I also realized that it's not going to be in the big meetings with 20 people that they really understand YL. But it's the one-on-one conversations that I'm able to have with them where they have those "a-ha" moments. However, I will definitely be re-evaluating how those big group meetings can be more effective :) Thanks Mingure!

Nepal? NEPAL!

2011-10-04T22:29:00.003+05:30

So I have this little card that I keep on my desk with specific prayer requests for Young Life Siliguri. One of them was about visiting a YL camp in Pokhara, Nepal with 2 potential girl leaders. It was the only prayer request that had a question mark beside it.

Did God answer that prayer? OH YEAH! More than you can imagine! I thought that only 2 girls would come, but 3 came! And the night before they flew to Kathmandu, there was a plane crash that killed 19 people on the airlines they were supposed to fly on. So their plane was cancelled and they had to ride 3 hours in a taxi to another airport to get a flight with another airlines. There were definitely obstacles in getting there, but by the grace of God they met me in Kathmandu late that night.

Mona, Munnu, and Javan

Not only did we get to see the beautiful Annapurna mtns...

But they were able to see for themselves some amazingly committed YL leaders who love kids sacrificially and how they do club and camp. The fact that these 3 girls are Nepali and spoke the same language as the leaders in Pokhara was HUGE. They took more ownership of learning about YL from the leaders because I couldn't understand much of anything because it was all in Nepali. Frustrating at times, but good because I was able to ask them questions and process through things that way.

It was definitely fun to watch their silly skits and games and songs...

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

John 10:9-10

Link to TONS more pics of our time in Pokhara:
Nepal YL Camp 2011

Nepal YL Leaders with Siliguri girls

Bangalore YL Retreat

2011-10-04T22:29:00.002+05:30

A couple of weeks ago I travelled to South India to meet 6 Young Life leaders for a retreat just outside their city. It was such a blessing to spend time with them in the Word and in prayer. We also had some great discussions about how to move forward with YL there and in India. It's great to partner with Indians who will pray for Siliguri Young Life. And hopefully someday they'll be able to come to Siliguri to encourage leaders here and maybe help with a training or camp.

Some great truths we discussed:

*Most discipleship doesn't take place at formal trainings. It's day in, day out, walking through life with people (lots of shared meals too!)
*Leaders also need to be discipled
*There are so many unseen things God is doing that we need to rely on Him and not ourselves for the work to reach high school kids with the gospel. We need to fix our eyes on what is unseen.
*After weighing the risks, we must be relentlessly dedicated to the task because high school kids are worth it...picture the Fellowship of the Ring
*Don't shoot someone with a paintball gun who is only 5 feet away from you...and who's on your team! Thanks for the bruise Godly :)

Vinod, me, Andrew, Sharola (area director), Sharon, Chinky, and Godly

Here's the facebook link to some pics from that weekend:
Retreat Pics

Aunt Daisy

2011-10-04T22:29:00.001+05:30

This is Mona, and she is one of the coolest girls I know. She's 21, in college, and sings and plays guitar. She could seriously be picked up by a record label in Nashville. This girl is LEGIT I'm telling you. And she's so in love with the Lord, it's infectious! Here's a pic of me and her about 6 months ago:

Her mom and dad were the 1st Christians in their family, which was from a Hindu background. They experienced a lot of persecution from their family and friends. Since she was 5, they've been praying for the rest of her family to know the One true and Living God. I think her Grandmother and Uncle have come to Christ and maybe a few others.

One Saturday she asked me to come talk to her Aunt Daisy, who has been suffering with intense back and leg pain for many, many years. Recently she had a bad pain attack and came down to stay with Mona and her parents for a couple weeks because she wanted them to pray for her. She said she always feels peace and joy when she stays with them.

I stayed at their house for 4 hours on a rainy Saturday morning, listening to her story...how she had gone to church in her 20's and was going to get baptized but then decided to marry a Muslim, got divorced then remarried a Hindu man.

Her husband was also at Mona's house that day. He is the oldest in a Hindu family so they rely on him to lead "puja's" (worship). But he told us that he likes Jesus and he feels good every time they have been to church. But he sees people who call themselves "Christian" in his village that aren't really following Jesus. And there's a man in their village who always makes fun of Christians. So he is not fully convinced that following Jesus is a good choice.

That day I shared about the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment. Her reach was one of faith that Jesus was powerful enough to heal her. Daisy wants to be healed physically and spiritually, and she wants to experience that peace and freedom (she said she knew that when she would accept Christ, she would feel this overwhelming flood of freedom). So I told her what my dad had told me that morning...he said, "Just ask her if she wants to be a Christian. It doesn't hurt to ask...and what if she says yes!" So I asked her, and after much conversation about obstacles and claiming her husband should come to Christ also, she decided to pray and ask Jesus to forgive her. I can't tell you how beautiful it was to hear her pray in Nepali with tears streaming down her face, repenting of her sin and asking to be washed clean.

It seemed to me it wasn't about her husband receiving Christ that day. And it wasn't even about Daisy's physically healing. It was about Daisy reaching out in faith to touch the hem of Jesus' garment. To be spiritually healed by the Savior she had resisted for so long.

I spoke with her on the phone last week when I was in Bangalore. Her child-like faith was so evident when she said she has been learning to pray and has been reading God's Word every day. She is getting to know her Heavenly Father. What a beautiful picture of a prodigal daughter coming home.

Please pray for her husband, that He would see the Light that is inside of her and how it is changing her. May it draw him to the Savior's feet also.

Random Pics

2011-10-04T22:29:00.000+05:30

1, 2, 3's in our Counting Corner...yes, my apartment has become a pre-school :)

The aftermath of our 20-second earthquake on Sunday Sept 18. The epicenter was only 30 miles from us in a state called Sikkim. Talk about scary! Felt like I was on a boat going back and forth.

Link to info about the earthquake:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14982155

Homemade pico and tortilla chips!

Practicing letters in shaving cream

Homemade pizza

Sorry I don't really take pictures when I'm doing ministry stuff, doesn't really cross my mind. So most of the pics are teaching and cooking :) More to come from Bangalore and Nepal trips

4 Dimes

2011-09-17T15:57:00.000+05:30

In order to get to the seminary where I teach English (lots of potential YL leaders there), I have to take 2 auto's (small taxi that fits 8, usually more, Indians) and 1 rickshaw. But lately I've had to take 2 rickshaws...because the auto's from our house haven't been coming often, and if they do they're packed. I like to take rickshaws but they're more expensive (40 cents as opposed to 10 cents for an auto). I know, "expensive" shouldn't even be the word I use. But what can I say? I've become Indian and have to pay attention to the local prices!

Here's a video from my rickshaw ride last week. Feel free to fast forward or just watch the interesting scenes, honking, and traffic of India. And yes, you can imagine the smoke you inhale on those rides too. But when you go through a part with less traffic, it's a nice, jolly ride!

ps - my driver looked like Rambo :)

Letters, Banana Leaves, and Mountains

2011-09-14T09:10:00.000+05:30

Hannah is the cutest, so photogenic with her big and little E's!

Ok, so I'm pretty close to this family in our neighborhood who are also missionaries...they're from South India - a state called Kerala. Sophi loves to cook...she's a super amazing cook, I mean, there are no words for her cooking! So last week there was a festival in Kerala called Onam. I think it started out as a Hindu festival, but they said it's one of those secular holidays now that everyone celebrates just for fun. A good excuse to not go to school and work, be with family, and EAT ON BANANA LEAVES! haha! yeah, pretty awesome! So in honor of that festival, she made me a special meal. Oh, and they only eat vegetables on that day...no meat.

Me and Sophi

Her son, Steve, snuck in :) Love that crazy guy.

I'm hoping to visit Nepal at the end of September. They have Young Life there and are having camp for a week in a city called Pokhara, west of Kathmandu. Below is a picture on a clear day. Basically the back door of the tallest mountains in the world! Can you imagine going to camp there as a high school kid?! Yeah, pretty awesome.

Please pray that 2 potential girl YL leaders will be able to come with me....I probably won't go unless they come along. I want them to see a picture of YL in a culture that is similar to Siliguri, as well as have the opportunity to talk with the area director there. These girls (Munnu and Mona) I would take are both Nepali so they would feel comfortable with the language, would hopefully gain a lot from the experience, and be inspired to reach high school kids here in Siliguri.

Spinach: my Simple Staple

2011-09-06T23:13:00.001+05:30

When I first moved to India 2 years ago, I ate a lot of rice (lunch every day). That's definitely the staple here, and most Indians eat it at least 2 meals a day...a whole plate full. However, I realized as I was puttin' on the pounds that I was gonna have to make some changes. I discovered that they actually have spinach here. So, except for the days I teach at the seminary and eat with them, I have a simple spinach salad for lunch. I know, boring schmoring. Unfortunately the spinach isn't packaged so nice and neat like in Kroger or Publix. It's definitely a process...

You buy it by the bundle (now we can get it at this new and great grocery-store just built this summer)...stems and all. Only about 30 cents for this one. Yeah, pretty awesome.

Then I tear off the stems or bad leaves...

And throw the good ones in bowls with a little bit of potassium (that's what makes the water purple) to clean it real nice :)

My first real dinner...pineapple bbq chicken quesadillas! The Pioneer Woman is the schniz.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SIMPLE, DELICIOUS RECIPES?

I WANT THEM!

ABC...Easy as 1, 2, 3!

2011-09-06T22:54:00.003+05:30

For the past 2 years, I taught an American high school missionary kid. She just graduated high school in May, and now I'm teaching two 4-year-old missionary kids. I'm also teaching English to first-year students at a local seminary. It is funny how different these teaching experiences are from the past 2 years. Now I'm teaching ABC's/123's and verbs/nouns/adjectives...as opposed to philosophy, chemistry, and trigonometry. But I'm so thankful for the decreased stress so that I can spend more of my time focusing on Young Life - pursuing/training Indian leaders as well as high school kids. So I'm currently seeking out committed leaders and building that community while training them in the basic principles of YL.

Teaching pics:

Me, Hannah, and Kaitlyn (Liana's Teacher/Nanny). Liana didn't want to take a pic with us :(

Liana practicing letter "a"

Hannah enjoying snacktime...favorite part? Duh!

C for cat and chocolate-chip cupcakes!

Two of my students (Numrata and Teju) at the seminary performing a Nepali dance on Teacher's Day (Sept 5 in India)

Mahi and Eliza, the MC's...surprisingly funny!

Atillo, one of my students who won the school's "Indian Idol" competition

Home

2011-09-06T22:19:00.001+05:30

So I moved back to India 3 weeks ago. I'm pretty settled in my apartment...yes, jolly things galore! Tried to make it more "Meg." Still in progress. Me and living by myself have a love/hate relationship. I'm an extrovert and don't love to be alone most of the time. But as I am getting more into my regular routine, it's becoming apparent that my apartment will be a refuge in the midst of chaos.

Love this tribute to Nashville in my kitchen!

My ghetto, manual washer

The infamous squatty - it's pretty high-tech, though, with a flusher! Probably won't get a western toilet till December

A few things I'm hoping to add to my apartment soon:

*Indian cloth to hang on my wall as decoration (maybe have some wooden frames to be covered with the cloth)
*YL logo-decorated mirror (I had the idea from Victoria, who bought mirrors and glass paint last week)

Squatty Potty

2011-08-12T21:06:00.000+05:30

The infamous "squatty." Having lived in India almost 2 years, you have to get used to squatties because they're everywhere...even at nicer places like malls and airports.

Funny story: Last summer I spoke at a kids' sunday school class, and I showed them this picture. At the end, they took up an offering for me (a total of $4.46...my 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish!) and a little girl screamed, "Now she can buy a toilet!" Hilarious! Well, that dream has come true...

Sometimes I think I'm a pretty tough "missionary" because of some of the places/food/customs I've endured in India, but when I found out that the only toilet in my apartment next year is a squatty...well, I was less than thrilled.

Reasons I am having them put in a western toilet :)

1. I hate the stench of most Indian bathrooms with squatty potties...that's why Indians keep the bathroom door closed at ALL times.

2. I got really sick last year (yes, it was coming out both ends) and had to use a squatty potty. Gross? DUH! Me and squatties don't get along.

*to be continued (pictures to come when I get back to India)*

Paying for What's Already Paid

2011-07-30T04:00:00.000+05:30

Isaiah has been a book of the Bible that I've been coming back to over and over again recently. I have truly tasted and seen that the Lord is good. Have felt in ways never before how truly amazing and overwhelming His grace is. Because, whether we'll admit it or not, I think most Christians only let Jesus cover/forgive some of their sins and shame. We think other parts of our life are just too dark and too far gone. And those parts...well, WE have to take care of, or pay for. We pay penance (literally, inflict self-punishment) for the stuff we've struggled with for a long time.

I've been blessed to have a consistent meeting with a woman this summer who is on YL staff in Nashville. She is absolutely outta control (in the best way possible!). Such a blessing in my life to mentor me thru YL stuff and just life in general. She helped me realize that I was in this cycle of paying penance, but that's not Jesus' voice. I know His voice. It is one of tenderness and compassion and freedom. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28) Jesus has truly paid it all, and whether we can comprehend it or not, IT IS FINISHED. Whether we think we deserve it or not, His freedom is instant. Abba, I am Yours. Been breathing in the fresh air of forgiveness and God's love.

My friend Daniel (my 2nd big brother) has an awesome tatoo that sums this up:

son, I loved you in your darkest

Oh, and the Isaiah stuff that I've been reading a lot is chapters 50-51 and 62.

Some pitcha fun:

My cousin, Matt and his sweet family: Allison, Tobin, Evan, and newest addition Lauren

Sweet friends from way back when, Jonathan and Alli

Linds! At our new favorite ice cream place: Jeni's in East Nashville

Gettin' some awesome BBQ from Memphis with Marzipan

Went to Chattanooga this week and got to see this crazy couple, Josh and Christa. If you can't tell, this is a Smart Wool (socks) outlet in Cleveland, TN. Amazing. 50 cent socks. Such a jolly way to kick off my birthday!

ps - Jeni's ice cream is literally the best stuff i've EVER had IN. MY. LIFE. check it: http://www.jenisicecreams.com/

Young Life India Video

2011-06-26T03:44:00.000+05:30

Hey ya'll! I've been back in the "South" for a month and have definitely regained my southern accent :) I threw this video together to show you some of the Indian leaders who are passionate about youth in India. I am so blessed by their faith and desire to share the greatest Story ever told with Indians teenagers. To show them that it is real and true and something they can cling to, no matter what life throws at them.

Some things I've enjoyed since being home - the smell of real coffee in the mornings (even though I don't drink it! haha!), meals with my family, consistent meetings with a Young Life staffer who is pouring into me weekly, strawberries and blueberries, air conditioning, God's pursuit and love for me, refreshing times with friends/family/spiritual family, being encouraged by supporters/friends when I feel completely inadequate and overwhelmed by the task, seeing TN and NC mountains (although they'd be considered "hills" in India!), and driving!

Ok, that list could go on a long time, but those are just some that came to mind. I'm trying to soak in all these moments because I have learned to cherish them in the past 2 years of being away. Love how God teaches us contentment and dependency in Him wherever we are. Aight, I'm signing off! Peace! More lata!

Me and Debster the Webster :)

Mama and Becca

Love these old camp friends!

Outdoor Nashville Symphony concert

Yaks and Such: A Picture Update

2011-05-20T10:18:00.000+05:30

Mother's Day...lots of mothers and LOTS of kids! haha!

Pioneer Woman cinnamon rolls...my first homemade batch ever...with maple frosting. Were they as good as they look? Um, DUH!

I went to Gangtok, a hill station 4 hours from Siliguri, with my friend Kaitlyn for the weekend. We soaked up these beautiful mtns. It was a great and refreshing getaway!

We spent hours and hours drinking tea and reading. My drink of choice: "hara chai" (green tea in Hindi)

Kaitlyn was reading "The Heavenly Man"...and crying. If you haven't read the book, go read it. It was challenge and inspire your faith. And punch you in the face...in the best way :)

On Saturday we went to Changu Lake, about 2 hours from Gangtok. There was a landslide halfway up, though, so Kaitlyn and I decided to hike! Our driver eventually caught up :)

We stopped at one jolly tea stall to drink chai...7 rupees each, about 15 cents. Amazing! Starbucks, I HATE your prices!

Changu Lake. It was cloudy as we came up the mountain but cleared up a little bit. So beautiful! My soul was made for the mtns!...although the altitude was so high that we got a little dizzy and nauseous :(

Yes, this is a yak, and yes, we rode them around the lake! haha! And my yak had curly hair on top of his head...fate :)

Jolly colors!

Me and Kaitlyn with our guide, Bishal

Momo's for lunch!

Some awesome Nepali Christians we met (the pastor is in the white shirt). We met the guy in the back, Elijah, at an umbrella shop and went with him to their house fellowship on Sunday. Even though it was all spoken in Nepali (people translated for us), it was so evident that God's presence was there. They are filled with faith and dedication to Christ. So encouraging!

At our guest house on the porch. What a jolly place to read and drink tea in the mornings! The garden in the back was so peaceful.

The guest house

Jeff's birthday was on Tuesday. So Trish made an Italian Cream Cake. While Victoria was trying to light the candle, he was blowing out the match. Yes, he's 5 years old.

For those who don't know, Jeff and Trish are avid University of Texas fans. So when Trish saw this little puddle that had formed on the counter in the shape of a longhorn, she flipped a lid! haha! Happy Birthday Jeff. Roll Tide! We still beat you in the championship :)

For more pics, go to this link:

Sikkim and more

Rejoicing in the Days of "Small Things"

2011-05-09T23:03:00.000+05:30

There have been many times in the past 2 years that I have questioned God's timing. Even my main purpose in coming to India 2 years ago (teaching a missionary's daughter) was not what I ultimately felt called to do. But God kept reminding me of Isaiah 30 - "Blessed are those who wait on Him." So I have continually prayed that God would make me faithful in the small things until I saw His bigger vision and purposes.

In Zechariah 4, God tells the people that His will will be accomplished by His Spirit and in the right timing. "Who despises the day of small things (or small beginnings)?" (verse 10) If you're a newly-wed and about to have your first house built, you're not disappointed when the contractor takes the measurements or the builders lay the foundation, are you?! NO! You're elated! We know those things take time, and we rejoice and invite all our friends to rejoice even in those "small" beginnings.

The "small" things for me these days are meeting with potential YL leaders to share with them the vision/mission of Young Life. Spending time in prayer. Packing to move to an apartment just down the street in August. Preparing to meet with people in the States who will be partners in this corner of kingdom work.

And I'm reminded that if one high school kid comes to know Jesus as Lord because of it...it's worth it (Luke 15). Rejoice with me in the day small things. Let's not despise these days but look to the Lord in every step.

Here are 2 awesome girls, Lisa and Mona (yes, together, they are Mona Lisa! haha!), who are praying about becoming Young Life leaders. Pray for them to hear God's voice clearly.

"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the LORD Almighty.

-Zechariah 4:6

The Obituary of a "god"

2011-05-03T23:24:00.000+05:30

On Easter a couple weeks ago, a very famous Indian Hindu guru, known as "Sai Baba," died at a South Indian hospital. He not only claimed to be a teacher/guru but also a reincarnation of a god. He even predicted that he would die in his 90's. But death came sooner for this guru.

He had millions of followers. But someone who they looked to for healing and forgiveness couldn't even heal himself. It brings up the question of what kind of god you want to serve. One who cannot defeat darkness, sickness, and sin? Or One who has overcome death and hell itself?

It seems almost fitting that Sai Baba would die on Easter. Compared to Jesus (who also claimed to be God), this so-called "god-man" does not measure up. He comes short in every way.

It is amazing to reflect on the power, authority, perfection, and mercy of the Living God...not only to raise Jesus Christ from the grave but to forgive us of past, present, and future sins...to transform us by the saving work of Jesus. It is a radical, transforming, freeing, peace-filled power. There is none like it. NONE. I challenge anyone who has experienced this power to find any other like it, here in India or across the world. All else comes up short.

"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." (1 Corinth. 15:17)

"...but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always LIVES to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7:24-25)

Sai Baba's Obituary: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13153536

You can only imagine what people said after some Indians saw a picture of my hair all brushed out..."Megan looks like Sai Baba!" I gotta admit he's probably the only Indian to have a fro :)

Spring is Springing in India!

2011-04-16T19:06:00.000+05:30

Thank You?

2011-04-13T23:59:00.000+05:30

Today I went to ANTS graduation..."All Nations Theological Seminary." I wonder if they thought about the acronym when they named the school? Hmmm. It's unforgettable, that's for sure!

Anyway, yesterday I received what I thought was a compliment, although I had slight hesitation in saying "thank you" because I am pretty familiar with Indian culture by now. But today, it was confirmed that the "compliment" I had received was basically a rebuke!

Picture this: any American girl gets told she looks "thin." What's her reaction going to be? Sheer excitement, right? DUH. That was my reaction to an Indian's comment to me yesterday. However, you can only imagine what a "LOL" moment I had when I overheard a conversation today that went something like this:

Boy says to girl, "You're looking very fat these days."

Girl replies in an excited voice, "THANK YOU!"

Haha! I laughed not only because this would NEVER be a compliment to an American girl (and you'd get the "Jerk of the Year Award" for saying it), but mainly for the fact that I had expressed gratitude for a "compliment" yesterday that wasn't really a compliment. Oh man! Were there any Americans around to share my cultural story? Of course not. So I just had to hold in my laughs and chuckle at the irony.

Oh, and if you're labeled "healthy," it doesn't mean you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. It means you eat a lot of rice...aka too much. So I guess I'm not eating enough rice :) I love learning and using the cultural terminology of "Indian English."

ps - another cultural twist is that Indians want to be "fair," (they have BOATLOADS of fair creams, even for men) while Americans want to be dark. Today in the service, a pastor was talking about pride and said, "For example, if you think, 'I'm more fair than that person..." Haha! I also smiled at this, thinking that my sister would have a lot of pride issues here in India :)

Megan Susan Stephens...Calling Us By Name

2011-04-08T08:42:00.000+05:30

This morning I'm thankful that our God is not only a living God but is personal and that he knows us, he knows me, by name. He doesn't just deal with us on a universally human level but on an intimately personal level. Isn't that amazing? No other god does that. No other god knows you by name....and desires such a relationship with you that he would die for you. THAT is love.

I've been reading about some old testament prophets, who God called out by name. Elijah and Isaiah. Remember the time when Elijah called down fire on the false prophets of Baal? Well, everybody was pretty mad after that and wanted to kill Elijah. So what did this mighty prophet of God do? HE RAN. Not the most courageous thing to do. But who could blame him? After he'd been running for 40 days, God confronted him. "What are you doing here?!" haha! So Elijah explained he was on every "Wanted" list in the country, although I'm pretty sure God didn't need his explanation :) Sometimes God asks us questions for our own benefit, to show us our sin. After that, God told him to get ready b/c His presence was going to pass by. He sent a wind, earthquake, and fire but God wasn't in any of them. Then he sent a still, small whisper.

what are you doing here, Elijah?

God did not abandon Elijah simply because he ran. His mercy covered him in love and compassion, one that didn't destroy him but mercifully confronted him. After Elijah gave him the same explanation, God told him to go back and anoint some kings and finish the job he had started.

And it's not just a one time deal. I've been dwelling on these verses recently:

"Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He HAS delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he WILL deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will CONTINUE to deliver us" (2 Corinthians 1:9-10)

God delivers us.

Past

Present

Future

He is the God who knows you by name. Do you know Him? Do you know His continuing deliverance? Let the truth of these verses and truths wash over your heart. This is the spring of living water that is inside us who call Jesus our Hope.

Indian "Lunch"

2011-04-04T21:12:00.000+05:30

On Saturday two of my friends (and potential Young Life leaders!), Munnu and Anu, came over to make and eat lunch. However, because they are Indians and arrived an hour late, coupled with the fact that any Indian meal takes at least an hour to prepare...our "lunch" turned into dunch...or linner, whatever you want to call it. We didn't eat til 4pm! haha! However, this is a somewhat typical time for most Indians to eat lunch. Dinner is usually around 9 or 10pm.

The time, effort, and large amounts of oil paid off! We had roti (kinda like a baby tortilla), ahloo dahm (potato with lots of chili powder), and green bean/pea mixture. Sounds a little strange. But a great Indian meal. Use that roti to grab a scoop of veggies, and enjoy!

Oh, and we watched some of the World Cup Cricket Final - India vs. Sri Lanka. INDIA WON for the first time since 1983!!! I'm finally understanding the game of Cricket so it was fun to watch the cricket tournament last month. Our city (and the whole of India) went absolutely NUTS after they won at 11pm (a cricket game lasts 8 hours...i know, insane). Fireworks, drums, screaming, etc. It cannot be adequately explained how much Indians love cricket. It's an obsession unlike anything I've ever seen. Below is a picture Jeff and Trish took while in Sikkim, a few hours from our house.

Pray for me as I show leaders like Munnu and Anu how to meet and build relationships with high school kids (in order to earn the right to be heard to share the greatest Story ever told). Sometimes it can be pretty intimidating but you just need someone to show you. I never thought that's what I'd be helping them do. But many of these potential leaders have asked me to show them how to meet kids where they are and build friendships. Although it comes naturally to some people, many people need guidance along the way. Here's some advice I was given when I first became a Young Life leader:

*Give them a compliment - no one can resist a compliment

*Find something they are interested in and ask questions about it to get them talking

(Don't ask yes and no questions. They can be conversation killers)

*Be consistent and show up often (yes, they might think you're a weirdo, but that's inevitable...at least they'll recognize your face!)

*Once you meet one kid and have talked to them a few times, get them to introduce you to their friends

What advice would you give to leaders who are trying to build friendships with young people?

As of Late...

2011-03-27T23:06:00.001+05:30

I just got back from a 10 day trip to Tennessee. Feelin' a little jet lag but hoping to get back on track this week. Me and Victoria only have 2 months of school left together. I think I speak for both of us..."WOOHOO!" haha! It's been fun and challenging, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I hope she wouldn't either ;) Anyway, here's some happenings...

The day before I left for Nashville was Jeff and Trish's (missionaries I live with) 20th wedding anniversary. We had a little shindig for em at Awor's house...with KFC for dinner! One of about 2 American restaurants in Siliguri

This is my dear Indian friend, Rupa

She married an American, Brian. I had the privilege of being in her wedding last weekend.

Happy 1st day of Spring in Nashville!

Got to spend a lot of time with this lovely lady...my mama!

And this guy...BROTHA! No, not my brother...my dad. Everybody calls him the "brotha." Notice he's pointing to his Alabama shirt. What can I say? He's a diehard fan. Roll Tide!

Because we don't have strawberries in Siliguri, my mom made my favorite cake when I got home. Strawberry! DUH!

Although I had a great time at home, it's good to be back in India (despite my jet lag!). Already seeing God at work...specifically my Buddhist friend Chokey, who started reading a book about a fictional conversation between Jesus and Buddha by Ravi Zacharias. Pray that she has the courage to continue to seek the truth and that she'll understand God's deep love for her.

I also saw a potential Young Life leader in our neighborhood who is still very interested and asked when our next prayer meeting was. Psyched about meeting with people who want to love high school kids like Jesus does. Continue to pray for wisdom for me in casting this vision to leaders.

The Workers

2011-03-07T21:55:00.000+05:30

36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 9:36-38

Praise God for sending workers to the harvest field of teenagers. These 16 young adults (plus Pastor Enos in the back left) are interested and passionate about Indian and Nepali high school kids knowing Jesus as LORD. Pray for them, as they try to meet at least 1 new high school kid in the next couple of weeks and begin to build relationships with them.

Continue to pray for more "workers." It is difficult to find faithful workers. Pray for me also, that I would pour into these potential Young Life leaders the vision of YL, which is ultimately the vision of the gospel.

Thank you for being the arms of Christ by your prayers and support.

We Just Had a Baby Owl in our House...

2011-03-04T22:03:00.001+05:30

This little guy fell from a building and lost his mommy. Nelson and some other guys in the neighborhood rescued him.

Trish endearingly called him "Sunshine," til she realized that he should really be called "Owlbert"...her son, Luke, has a stuffed animal owl that he calls Owlbert...who also has a facebook :)

Um, I was a little nervous about those talons to say the least.

How cool is his face!

Trish trying to feed him chicken...yes, he's a cannibal owl now.

He was the softest, jolliest little guy...besides the screeching sound he made before he ate each piece of chicken (see video)

ps - nelson also spotted a cobra in our drain today. glad i wasn't home!

Video of Owlbert experience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0lePTCeyS8

It's Laundry Day!

2011-02-27T22:19:00.001+05:30

Yesterday I did 3 loads of laundry (our washer was broken last week). It looked like my whole closet was on the roof. You can only imagine clipping all those clothes to the line! I got a nice tan though (it was probably 85 degrees). Dryers are definitely something I took for granted in America. However, hanging your clothes on the line is economically efficient and only takes about an hour to dry...if the weather is nice. Monsoon season...whole different story!

My jolly craft-fair chair! It was only 5 bucks! I sit and read on the roof almost every day...soaking up all that Vitamin D!

Not only was it laundry day but it was also cracked-tub-removal day! See that little crack about 6 inches long (not near the drain part)?

After Trish and Nelson cracked all the tile around the bathtub and got it out, they found this GIANT crack on the bottom of the tub...almost 3 feet!

They're so strong! By the way, Jeff and Trish's 19th anniversary is coming up next week. Guess what they got each other? Yep, a tub!

My American "Dost"

2011-02-21T21:14:00.000+05:30

This is Em. She's my go-to "dost" (doast, like toast!) here in India. Dost, in Hindi, means friend. And she's one of the best.

God has blessed me SO much with such a jolly American friend here in India. Her name is Emily Whistance. She's a cool, funny, married journeyman who lives in our neighborhood here in Siliguri. I don't know what I'd do without her. It's been so cool to see how God puts the perfect people in my life at the perfect time. She is someone who I hope is a lifelong friend. Someday I hope that we're able to start a bakery together with my other friend Virginia. It's quickly becoming a big jolly dream :) Love those!

Anyway, she challenges me to have more faith and is a faithful prayer partner. Example: Last month she invited me to a women's meeting she was asked to lead. She taught in Hindi for the first time. WOW. She's only been here for a year and she taught the Mary/Martha story.

That takes courage, trust me. Seriously she's a champ. I know those women were blessed to hear the Word of God in their heart language from someone who is learning it. Em's faith encouraged me to take steps of faith in my own life - to memorize the story in John 3 about Nicodemus to share with my friend Chokey. I'm so thankful for the ways God is working in her life because it spurs me on toward love and good deeds, fo sho! Hebrews 10:24

check out her and her husband's blog here: http://whistanceadventures.blogspot.com/

Being Obedient, Even in Our Weakness

2011-02-18T19:45:00.000+05:30

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." (Prov 3:5-6)

Right now I'm writing a lesson plan on Thermodynamics. Earlier today I was reading about philosophy and Christian apologetics. Last week I was studying Keynesian and Demand/Supply-Side Economics and making a silly video on Economics in One Lesson.

I think I've spent 85% of my time in the last 3 weeks inside our house. I forget that I live in India during these times. It's really sad.

But on Sunday night, I get to speak at a local Bible School's chapel service (funny, the school is called "ANTS" - i forgot what it stands for...so all I can think of is the Ben Stiller movie Zoolander..."what is this? a reading center for ants?!" haha!). ANYWAY. Honestly, I feel incredibly inadequate and intimidated. Who am I to speak about youth ministry (Young Life), when I'm locked up in a room all day, feeling incredibly "ineffective?"

Maybe because God wants me to understand pre-calculus so I can help a high school girl who I met recently named Priya with her math homework. Maybe God is teaching me about true discipleship through Victoria (during his ministry, Jesus spent most of his time with 12 guys, not 12,000). Maybe God is growing my patience and trust in His plan and not my own. Maybe it's because God wants to be strong in my weakness.

I think He gets a lot more glory that way...when our lives are dependent on His power and faithfulness, not our own plans/glory.

Please pray for me on Sunday (I'll be speaking on incarnational ministry - Jesus being the example of meeting us where we are b/c of our inability to get to Him), and pray that God would send workers to the youth of Siliguri, India (Matthew 9:37). They are desperately searching for something bigger to live for, an answer to life's questions.

Krispy Kreme Anyone?

2011-02-15T11:49:00.002+05:30

So, among other things, I've become a baker in the past year living in India...craving things from America that I could just go to the grocery store and buy. Well, as you probably could've guessed, they don't have Kroger or Krispy Kreme or really amazing bakeries here in India. I've limited my cravings since they're not the healthiest :) But for Valentine's Day, I decided to try something new.

Donuts.

I know. Why would you ever try to make homemade donuts. That just sounds gross. Well, let me tell you, they were OUT OF THIS WORLD! Why? Because I trust PioneerWoman.com. She's the man, I mean woman. I know that any/all of her recipes will taste incredible.

Don't know if you can see it, but I had to put a bowl of hot water below the donuts and stick em in the oven so they'd rise. It's still not warm enough here in India for bread to rise.

I know, so healthy, right?...

Just adding more nutrition :)

Our new househelper, Susma...she was a little skeptical (b/c most indians don't like sweets) but she said, "Bahoot Acha" (very good!)

Victoria's first reaction was, "They are seriously better than Krispy Kreme!" Wow, I think that's the nicest compliment anyone's ever given me :)

When it comes to sweet, a good friend once told me, "Just drink a lot of water." Even if the water doesn't necessarily make up for those amazing donuts...it made me feel a little better, right? Haha! Needless to say, I drank A LOT of water yesterday :)

Chai, Economics, and Rapping

2011-02-05T10:53:00.000+05:30

Yesterday after I finished my afternoon cup of chai, I literally exclaimed, "I LOVE chai!" Actually I said, "I love milk tea!" Chai and milk tea. Same thing. Check out this great article about some cultural and economic issues in India...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9385244.stm

After visiting Calcutta a few times, I brought home some of these clay tea cups. They now serve as great little candle holders in my room.

Did you read the article??? IF NOT, READ IT!!!

I love how this article highlights one of the economic problems that many Indians are facing - being left behind in the new technology age. It's so strange seeing villagers talking on cell phones and watching TV...and yet they live in a bamboo hut. Seeing men and women make roads by hand. It's surreal. I have to step back and say, "Yes Megan, you really do live in India. This is India." What will those people do when their jobs are "taken" by machines? What did people do in the Industrial Revolution? They would burn or destroy machines because they thought their jobs were being taken. But in reality, many more jobs are being created because the different parts of that machine have to be created, etc. The question is...how will those people adapt? Do they know how to learn a new skill? Are they willing to put the time and effort into learning, even at an older age?

Because Victoria and I have been studying economics, these kinds of questions intrigue me. Instead of a whole year in economics, we're only devoting 4 weeks to it. So it's difficult to get our minds wrapped around this sometimes difficult topic (with all the varying opinions...from the Classical Economists to Keynesians to Monetarists). I'm glad I ran into this article because I want to incorporate practical information into our discussion of theories. It's easy to get bogged down in the theories and not see actual economic realities. If you have any questions, ideas for discussion, don't hesitate to comment!

If you're an economics junkie...or just a fan of some intelligent rap :) watch this video. I know, it's ridiculous. But what can I say? I'm a sucker for a good rap!

Making of the rap (more informative if you're less schooled in economics):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwsjPZgBOdU

Rap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0nERTFo-Sk&feature=fvw

The Flower is Finally Plucked

2011-01-18T23:05:00.001+05:30

Menuka got married December 15. I'm a little late on this posting but thought ya'll might want to see some pics!

The "flower!"

(if you haven't read the blog posting on her engagement, go read it and you'll understand the reference!)

The reception tent

Me and Chokey having a morning snack before getting ready - chai and fried bread (not sure the name)

The ladies who made breakfast

yum!

Sunita was in charge of pinning a little flower on each guest

My sweet friends, Nick and Emily aka "Nickily" :)

Victoria, Em, me, and Chokey all dressed in our saree's

Jeff and Trish (aka Uncle and Aunty) Trish's 1st time to wear a saree...and she's lived in India for 5 years!

Jeff escorting the bride - he's like a father/big brother figure for Menuka because her father passed away when she was younger and she has lived on her own for the past 5 years

Reciting the vows

"Menuka Weds Rajesh"

The wedding was over an hour long...partly because Indian and Nepali weddings are long anyway. But also because Rajesh forgot the ring, so someone had to go back and get it! Therefore, the pastor stalled...for an hour. Man! Fortunately, there wasn't much room in the church so we sat outside.

They took family pictures for about an hour! Whew!

The Indian Picture - no one smiles

Honoring the couple with simple scarves

Lots of Nepali's!

The best man and maid of honor was Rajesh's nephew and Menuka's niece. Because they are young and single, they claim they're able to help out more and are available whenever.

Cousins - Menuka and Nelson

The chai girls! And Nelson being silly

Lunch

Lunch after the wedding - rice, dal, fried cauliflower and potatoes, etc

Gopal's wife, Sermula, and son, Grayson - because they're Manipuri, Sermula wears the traditional skirt instead of a saree

Love this little girl! haha!

Chan Chan and Angamla

This is Menuka's uncle and grandmother, a very strong (she's 84 and still works) and strong-willed lady (I'd heard many, many stories about her and they all seemed true when I met her! I wouldn't want to get in a fight with her!)

V, Menuka (basically her older sister), and Chokey, now like a sister too :)

Me and Chokey. So glad she got to come to the wedding.

Rajesh, Menuka, and Trish - lots of crying for Trish...Menuka is like a daughter to her. It wasn't easy to give her away! But as we've found out in the month after the wedding, Rajesh has taken good care of our flower :)

Christmas Break

2011-01-14T16:58:00.000+05:30

Although I missed my family a lot during the Christmas season, it was neat to spend my first Christmas in Siliguri (last year I was in Hyderabad, India) with my "family" here. I am truly blessed to have some stinkin' awesome people to live life with here - people who I could see myself being friends with back in the states. That's pretty rare to find here.

Some things we did in December:

*We celebrated Advent in our house church. It was neat to teach the kids (even Victoria) the meaning of Advent and how cool it is to anticipate and celebrate the coming of Christ. Here's an example:

*We had lots of snowball fights...ok, I'm obviously kidding. But it feels like it could snow here...it's been the coldest winter in India in 5 years. So we decided to make snow flakes (many of which Victoria taped around my room) and even hung them from the trees outside for our Christmas party.

*We went to a craft fair and I got some jolly, cheap earrings and woven tea cups.

*On December 23, we had a Christmas party for our neighbors. Me and emily decorated the backyard and people brought Indian snacks (salty) and American desserts (sweet!).

There, we shared a lot of laughs and conversations and were able to share with our friends the reason why we celebrate Christmas. And ultimately what God did for us that we couldn't do for ourselves...forgive us and save us. We had a scavenger hunt of clues that hinted at the Christmas Story. Then, inside, Nathan (the missionary who lives below us) told the Story.

And then we gave fruit cakes and Bibles. haha! What a hilarious and awesome combination! To end the night, Emily and I made CHAI!

How else are you supposed to end an Indian party? DUH! haha! Anyway, as a result, one high school guys - Sheriff (yes, that is his name. awesome) - has been coming to our house church and hanging out with Adam, another missionary here. He is learning more about what the church is and is getting to see us live out our faith daily. Please pray that God will show him more of who He is. It is obvious that God is pursuing him. Below is a pic of some good friends - Nick, Emily, Anu, Munnu, Mary, and Nimesh

*For New Year's Eve, we had a fire on the basketball court and made smores! This was such a treat because you can't get marshmallows here and a couple in our church gave us some of theirs from America to eat. It was a jolly time of laughing and being together. That day we also found out that foreigners no longer need permits to get into some eastern Indian states, which has been a long-time prayer for many missionaries who feel called to those places. This will free them up to travel there often. Kari and Emily also shared that at their medical camp that day, a prostitute named Diya became a sister in Christ! The first prostitute to come to Christ in that area, Manju, had shared with her and invited her to come to this camp. Kari's Bengali partner was able to share with Diya and it was obvious she wanted this forgiveness and freedom! Please pray for Diya, that God would provide her a job (just as He did for Manju, who now works as a teacher) so that she won't have to work as a prostitute to survive. This is a huge step of faith for her to trust God to provide for her. But He is faithful and calls us not to worry/fret over these things but to seek His kingdom first and all of them will be given to us. Pray for faith. more at Kari's blog: http://www.nateandkari.blogspot.com/

Also, Kari said that the daughter (11 yrs old) of the Indian man (not a Christian) - who is in charge of an NGO to help these prostitutes and who is partnering with Kari and their group - could not walk because of a bone disease and was going to go to Chennai to have surgery. They have been praying for her to be healed for months. Her father carried her everywhere. And we also prayed for her when they came to the Christmas party. And at the medical camp, Kari saw her RUNNING! Praise God! And her mother told Kari that it was because they had prayed for her that she was healed! Yes! We truly have a God who listens and answers our prayers! Pray that the whole family will decide to follow Jesus, the powerful and yet loving God who created them.

*Among other things, we had Nepali Christmas carolers/dancers, made over 100 sugar cookies, opened presents (2 packages from the States! what a treat! thanks mom, dad, and aunt beckie!), and had a birthday cake for Jesus

*Oh, and I've been reading Lord of the Rings, which has been a nice break from school work. Love that jolly book and those jolly hobbits!

ps - next post is menuka's wedding

The Impact of Casting Vision

2011-01-12T22:46:00.000+05:30

Catch up time. Stay tuned for updates galore. This one I started 2 weeks ago. I'm such a procrastinator.

Been watching "Band of Brothers" for the past week with Jeff and Trish...2 episodes each night. It's about the 506 parachute infantry regiment, "Easy Company," who fought in WWII. When the first date rolled across the screen...D-day, June 6, 1944...I realized my grandmother was 23 when that happened (my age). And she got married that year (I think, or maybe it was 1943). Thankfully my grandfather (in the navy) didn't have to go to war because he was one of very few men who could type. So they put him in a recruiting office in Chattanooga, where he met a fiery girl named Robbie, my grandmother, who worked across the street.

*I love these pictures below. My grandfather died before I was born, but I can't wait to meet him someday*

I can't imagine what it was like to live through this kind of war or even to live in America during that time. But I couldn't stop thinking about the impact of this "band of brothers." They were put on the front lines of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, among others. Men in command of the war were confident in their ability so they assigned them to some of the most difficult missions. What was the key to their success in the midst of a stressful, seemingly hopeless war?

Of course there were many things, but two have really stuck with me: good training and leadership. Jeff, Trish, and I watched every possible "extra" on the DVD, including the interviews of the actual men of Easy Company. Men kept reiterating the fact that they were so well-trained and were led by exceptional officers.

Easy Company was trained for 2 years before they went to Europe. They endured grueling marches and exercises, one specifically to Atlanta, GA that was 118 miles. I mean, RIDICULOUS stuff. But they were disciplined like no other regiment. And maybe that helped them endure the things in Europe they couldn't have fathomed.

The leaders that stood out were those who were selfless and who led by example. They instilled bravery and confidence in the men. Major Winters (who I found out just died on January 2 of this year at the age of 92) was the most inspiring. Everyone loved him - for his competency, humility, quick decisions, selflessness, and care for his men.

As a leader, Winters knew it wasn't about him. He knew it was about equipping his men to do the mission they were called to do. Because of the vision casted by their training and leadership, the men were confident and determined to complete their tasks. And through these common experiences, a bond was formed that is impossible to imagine.

In starting Young Life in Siliguri, I know God isn't calling me to tell every teenager here about Jesus. But he's calling me to cast that vision to workers here. To train, to lead, to show by example. And even more than hearing my voice, my desire is that these future Young Life leaders would here God's voice saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)

We're having our 2nd leader meeting next Monday. I'll be sharing the story of Luke 5, where 4 men lower their friend thru a roof because they're so desperate for him to meet Jesus. Pray that the Word will pierce our hearts and spur us on to love the teenagers of India like this. Pray for this vision to take root in our hearts. God is already bonding our hearts together, as a result of His faithfulness and amazing work already taking place. I'm thankful this bond is eternal and centered on Someone who is never-changing and ever faithful.

Pitcha Update!

2010-12-11T22:34:00.001+05:30

Well, Trish had surgery the week of Thanksgiving to remove her appendix. It was crazy but she was a trooper and came home after 2 days in the Siliguri hospital.

Chokey spent Thanksgiving with us...we hosted about 30 people. Insanity! But so fun!

Esther is such a great Native American!

Of course we had our annual Flour Bomb War. Except this time the adults had all the fun with a surprise attack from the roof. Of course I was in on the surprise attack....with my accomplice, Angamla.

The Wards' friend (and now my friend!), Ping, came to visit from Thailand! This is the "Thai pose." Apparently they don't smile in pictures...

Victoria couldn't stop laughing at Ping. She's seriously a hoot! You wouldn't be able to stop laughing either. She's the jolliest!

Me, Chokey, and V at the Orchid...what a special and fun dinner! Ping, the Wards, and another American family with the IMB came.

What did we do to celebrate the first day of December?! Make red and green pancakes, OF COURSE! (and wear the Christmas scarf. duh)

For those of you who don't believe I have (had) ants infesting my life. The aftermath of a slaughter.

Abe Lincoln visited our house b/c we're studying the Civil War. Thanks for saving the Union, Abe!

Ok, so this might not look like much, but this is Kangchenjunga (K3...3rd highest mtn in the world. HELLO!) And you can see it from our backyard on a clear day. Over the past couple days it's been surprisingly clear, so it's been jolly being able to see this beautiful sight!

So, we have a pile of puppies (5 to be exact)...they're almost 4 weeks old. Because me and Victoria are crazy, we named them after philosophers. I know, weird. My favorites are Augustine and Spinoza.

Victoria created an incredible, life-sized Table of Elements. So we took crazy pictures in front of it...at midnight. Like...

Leap Frog, of course!

ps - Menuka's wedding is this Tuesday, so get ready for some pics next week. All the American women are wearing saree's!

Chai

2010-12-01T23:14:00.001+05:30

My college roommate, Julie Zaloba, first got me into the habit of drinking tea...specifically green tea. I hated the taste at first but now it is an aesthetically pleasing and jolly morning (and afternoon...and night) routine. I love green tea (and the added health benefits don't hurt either). Straight up, no sugar, no nothin'. I know, weird.

When I first came to India 2 years ago, I was introduced to Masala Chai (spiced chai). When I moved to Siliguri, I was introduced to Milk Tea. Also delightful. And now I welcome tea as a daily (sometimes hourly!) drinking ritual.

Although I've lived in India for almost a year and a half, I'm still thoroughly American in regards to time. Things are fast in America, and people have schedules they HAVE to keep...or so we claim. In India, it's the exact opposite for most. Slower is better, even if you're late.

This week I realized more and more that Indians use chai as a lasso to reel you in for sometimes hours at a time. On two different occasions (Sunday and Wednesday), I had been visiting friends and was getting ready to leave...when, low and behold, the chai comes. "Oh no no, you can't leave. Just one cup!" Riiiiiight.

Hot chai isn't something that you can just chug. You don't even pick it up for 10 minutes because it's so hot. And then you have to sip. Unless you want to leave with a burnt tongue. Oh, AND, despite the fact that Indians drink from wee cups...they give Americans their HUGE cups! Go figure! Well, there goes your next hour and a half.

I love chai. And I love Indians. But PLEASE, give us smaller cups!

Arranged Marriage - Part 2

2010-11-16T17:29:00.000+05:30

the engagement...

Indian engagements can be much like the wedding itself. There were about 10 girls in a tiny room, "helping" Menuka get ready. Doing her hair and makeup 20 different ways.

Menuka's sister's daughter-in-law is doing her make-up. When Indians tell you that she is their "sister" or their "cousin"...make sure you ask if it's their actual sister or cousin. Because it's usually not. But here, everyone is family :)

Me and V tryin' to get out of the way! I secretly like to sit back and just observe what's going on. It was chaos fo sho!

Jeff submissively observing the "no boys allowed" rule. No worries though, he was practicing telling the story of Jesus' baptism to himself. We would peek out just to make fun of him.

Everyone from the girls' side inside the church, waiting for the boy and his family to knock on the door. It's tradition for Nepali's that he and his family will knock, and a leader from the girl's side will ask why he came and what he wants. It's really silly - the leader will accuse them of being thieves and they don't have anything for them to take. So then, the family says they have come for a "flower." Yeah, this is where it gets funny....

So then the leader brings in girls with veils over their faces and ask whether this is the "flower" they want. Nope, not this one. She's too short.

Not this one either...she has jeans on. And well, this fellow doesn't like flowers with jeans...seriously.

Ahhh....I think this might be the right flower!

Ding ding ding! The aunty takes off her veil and finds that this is the "original" flower - the one they saw a couple weeks ago. haha! And everyone laughs and claps. It's pretty jolly.

So then the family gives a tray of snacks/food (eggs, juice, biscuits) and Rajesh and Menuka exchanged gifts. Rajesh gave a ring and Menuka gave him a watch.

Finally, a few people speak about each one of them. Since Menuka's parents are not alive, Jeff and Trish and one of Menuka's uncles spoke. Because Trish started crying and wasn't able to finish (she LOVES Menuka...she's like a daughter to her...they've known her for 5 years), Jeff told Rajesh that he hoped he would love her well and care for her like a newly uprooted flower that it getting a new home. It might take awhile for the roots to grow, but with much love and care and "watering" it will develop deep roots. Pretty good analogy I thought!

Oh, and Rajesh's pastor said that they weren't to speak or see each other until the day of the wedding. Well, sorry sir, but I don't think that's going to happen. Immediately after the service, Trish asked Rajesh about that, and he whispered, "We have cell phones. And I'll have to go with my sister to get Menuka's measurements." (Menuka is supposed to buy his suit and he is supposed to buy her dress...yeah, how would you like your fiancee to pick out your WEDDING DRESS?! haha!) So anyway, although they're willing to go along with most of the traditions, the one of not speaking or seeing one another will not be followed.

Then...drum roll please...they bring in CHAI. Yesssss!!! I immediately said (almost shouted), "Praise the LORD! I love chai!" It's times like those, when you love being there but have not understood much at all because it's all in Nepali so you have a splitting headache...that chai tastes like HEAVEN. Then, to top it off, we had a wonderful dinner of rice, dahl, cauliflower, potatoes, beans, and chicken. Although it was a tad spicy, it was delightful to share a meal with so many sweet people, celebrating Menuka's engagement.

Yes, we were there for 5 hours. Yes, everything in India takes 3 times as long :)

Why Do We Go Through Trials?

2010-11-14T17:10:00.001+05:30

Life is Hard.

That's what a lot of people say...not just the cynics. The optimists say it too. Why?

Because it's TRUE.

We don't usually have a choice in the trials we go through. But at the end of them, most people would say that they wouldn't trade that experience for the world. Why?

Because the trials CHANGE us.

At our house church a couple weeks ago we talked about the possible reasons God allows us to go through trials. Here's what we came up with:

*Test our faith - is it genuine? To refine and sanctify us (1 Peter)
*Develop perseverance/endurance (James)
*Teach us to run to Him as our refuge (Psalm 11)
*Bring us closer to Jesus - creates more intimate relationship
*Discipline/train us (Hebrew 12)
*Grow our faith

I've been thinking about it a lot because I realized how much more I desire and love Jesus and the gospel because of my trials. Because I've had to cling to Him, and in the clinging I learned that our God is a personal, empathetic God. He's been here (Hebrews 4:14-16). In pain, despair, fear, loneliness, death, disrespect, chaos, temptation. So when I am faced with hard things, He has been teaching me that He wants me to run to Him, be in His presence, hear His voice, talk to Him.

And yet we don't serve a wimpy Savior but one who overcame evil with good, who defeated death so we could have life. So while we're still on earth, experiencing pain and trials, be comforted by the fact that Jesus has overcome (which gives us victory and peace) and He stands beside you and says, "I know."

Puja Sacrifices

2010-11-03T09:15:00.000+05:30

A sacrifice is something offered to a higher power in order to appease their anger, receive forgiveness for sins, incite blessings, etc. People all over India can be seen worshipping and offering sacrifices to idols at temples and their own homes, especially during this time (Friday is Diwali...festival of lights). What many people outside India don't know is the cost involved (especially to the poor).

Sophie talked with a woman yesterday who said that the gods she worships are greedy...they demand many sacrifices - oil, incense, foods, flowers...often things poor people must steal in order to sacrifice. Our night guard will now come from 8:30pm to 8:30am over the next few days in order to watch for thieves who will steal bananas, flowers, and other fruits from our yard. Even this morning when I returned from walking with Sophie, there were two Nepali women who had buckets of flowers. I said, "Good morning" and as soon as I passed them I realized they were taking flowers from people's yards (I'm assuming for Puja).

Sophie was able to share with the woman that our god is a Living God and desires our heart, not our physical sacrifices. At this explanation of the gospel, the woman started to cry and asked Sophie to pray for her, as she would consider this God of mercy who BECAME the one and only sacrifice for us. Now that is radical.

"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6)

Arranged Marriages

2010-11-02T08:51:00.000+05:30

Ok, so yesterday I got the shock of my life...well, not my life. Maybe just my day.

Our househelper, Menuka (May-noo-ka) found out yesterday that she's getting married...in a month. UM...I didn't believe Victoria when she told me. No, that's not true. That's just not possible. SERIOUSLY?!

I mean, I knew people had arranged marriages (and we were pretty sure that Menuka's would be arranged...she's 27...that's pretty old for an indian girl), but I never knew anyone personally who actually went through with it (because they were hoping to fall in love before it came to that). Wow. If Jeff and Trish told me yesterday that they had arranged my marriage and I was marrying the guy in December...I would flip out, to say the least.

Menuka said that he wasn't talking (he's 31, by the way, and a pastor) and she wasn't talking cuz she was so stinkin' nervous and overwhelmed. She said she even had a fever because she was so nervous. Haha! Me and Trish laughed pretty hard about that. But his mom was excited out of her mind to have a daughter-in-law...AKA acting like it had already happened. WEIRD. They asked her if she wanted to marry him (after having JUST met him!) and she said she needed a few days. And then his mom basically pleaded with her, so she said ok. WOW. And Menuka didn't seem to be very attracted to him. She said he wasn't ugly, at least. Well, ok.

So, as you can see, this is my first true collision with arranged marriage (thankfully i'm not the one experiencing it!), so culture shock is invading. haha! But I guess I just have to go with the flow, ask a lot of questions, and pray for Menuka!

Kitchen Dancin' and Book Quotin'

2010-10-17T00:11:00.001+05:30

So I've become a little too uptight lately...maybe burned out, maybe stressed out, maybe thinking too much...maybe ALL OF THE ABOVE! I'm gonna go with D.

Sometimes you just have to let loose. I haven't been able to be by myself a lot lately, but this evening I had the house to myself for a few hours. So after I worked on a Chemistry lesson plan, I did the dishes (this is letting loose for me...I know, weird) then danced in the kitchen to a Brooke Fraser song called "Jack Kerouac" I imagined I was in the middle of a big dance floor wearing a beautiful, flow-y dress. Of course there was a live band :) Jolly times of not being self conscious.

What helps you loosen up?

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On a different note...

I am an active reader, meaning I can never read a book without pen in hand. Underlining and writing in the margins characterizes my books. That's why it is extremely difficult for me to read other people's books. I'm afraid I'll forget something because I can't underline, etc.

In order to further ingrain the serious truths or funny/silly/jolly lines I read in books, I compile the things I've underlined (which can end up being quite a lot) in my book of quotes. So far in this particular little red moleskin, the books I've written from are:

*So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore? (Jake Colsen)

*A Million Miles in a Thousand Years (Donald Miller)

*Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire (Rafe Esquith)

*Jesus for President (Shane Claiborne)

I just finished the last book...it only took me 2 months. That's ridiculous. I want to be a more dedicated reader, but I just get so distracted sometimes.

My next read: The Hobbit

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ps - there are ants EVERYWHERE. they are currently crawling on my computer, my bed, the wall, and even me (i have bites to prove it, as well as the many bodies i've murdered). i loathe these creatures.

Pitchas from the Past Few Days

2010-10-12T23:12:00.000+05:30

Sweet baby Esther...this was after house church on Sunday. Chingmi was being a good big brother and toting her around on his back, acting like a horse. She's the most fun little Indian child.

Pete showing off his new, Indian-made suit. One of his national partners gave him the material for a wedding present. Pete's getting married in January (after serving as a journeyman in India for 2 years) and will probably wear this nice grey suit to the rehearsal dinner. Pretty schnazzy!

Since Jeff and Trish are both gone (Jeff at language school but now with Trish in Delhi, where she's having tests done), me and V have had lots and lots of parties :) Just kidding! However, we have had lots of fun. On Monday night Adam came over to help make a Southern dinner. Yes, Victoria's crazy in this pic, as usual.

Barbeque chicken, fried okra (next time we'll use a little less breading) and cinnamon carrots. And a pumpkin in the background. Jolly.

Tuesday night's sunset - a beautiful end to a surprisingly hot October day (about 101 degrees)

The fruit stands at Darjeeling More (the intersection close to our house) - what's in season, you ask? Good ole Apples and Bananas...oh, and Pomegranates! But they're pretty expensive so we don't buy them often

The Puja holidays have officially started and these kinds of "pandels" (places to house their gods) are everywhere, big and small. I'll post more pics later.

Most Hindu's don't even realize what they are worshipping or why they are worshipping (besides to try and keep evil/curses from their house). Pray that people would have eyes to see and ears to hear the gospel, and that the believers here would share with boldness the good news of Jesus.

Who is my neighbor?

2010-10-07T22:08:00.000+05:30

Sunjeet Tamoung

My friend recently told me about this sermon:
http://www.2pc.org/resources/audio/

So I started praying. God, how can I be a neighbor to the neighborless? Please give me that opportunity and show me what to do.

Well, God never disappoints, and He does things in the least expected ways and times.

I was in Gangtok, Sikkim this weekend (hill station in northeast India) with some friends for a mini-vacation. On Sunday, my friend Brittany and I and a Nepali teenager (Priyanka) went to the market to roam around. We stopped for ice cream and sat down, when a homeless man came up to us to ask for money. Brittany and I both had the same thought, "He's just asking us b/c we're white." I told Priyanka to ask him if we could buy him medicine (he said he'd been to the hospital) or food, but he said no. Then he said he wanted some ginger tea.

So we went to a nice coffee shop and bought the man a cup of tea. We started asking him questions like, "Did you grow up in Sikkim?" "Where is your family?" "How were you injured?" "What do you believe in?"

And we found out (thanks to our 16-year-old Nepali translator) that Sunjit Tamoung has lived in Gangtok all his life and was in a car accident last year, when his wife and son died. His daughter and son-in-law (a pastor) live in Gangtok but ran him out of their house (admittedly, I don't know the whole story...a lot can get lost in translation, but it definitely made me question what had happened for them not to take care of him).

We were shocked when he told us he believes in Jesus and wanted to find a church. He basically told us the gospel, including John 3:16 (he's read a lot of the Bible, given to him by a man in Darjeeling) and how much God loves him. He said that Jesus spoke to him in a dream when he was still a Buddhist, telling him to follow Him. So he's been praying for a church to go to.

He didn't realize we were believers until I said, "Jay-ma-see" (Hindi for "Praise the LORD"...Christian greeting) and his eyes got wide and he started crying. It was like we were God's messengers. He couldn't stop looking up and thanking God. When we asked if was a believer, he pounded his chest and raised his hand to the sky and said, "I would die for Jesus." Wow! Well, there ya go!

Another sweet moment in that coffee shop (while waiting for a Nepali pastor) was when he started singing a Christian Nepali worship song. He didn't know all the words, so Priyanka started singing it with him. He was SO HAPPY! It was such a jolly time of praise, thanksgiving, and laughter with God's family.

People with no neighbors.

Jesus saw those with no neighbors, like sheep without a shepherd. So the God of the universe came to the earth to be a neighbor to the neighborless. As Christians (little Christs), we're called to do the same. Be neighbors to people with no neighbors. (see Luke 10 and Proverbs 19...the word "friend" is literally "neighbor")

I didn't mention this at the beginning, but the day we met Sunjeet I was having a horrible attitude b/c my "vacation" was not going as I had pictured. I wished Priyanka was not with Brittany and I because she was getting on my nerves. But we wouldn't have been able to speak to Sunjeet, find out about his life, connect him with a Nepali pastor, and help with a few days of his hotel and food if she hadn't been with us to translate.

I say that because God doesn't use perfect people. He uses sinners, screw-ups, the least likely. It's crazy. It's ridiculous. It's kinda dumb...to us humans. But you see, God gets more glory like that. If we were perfect, it would all be attributed to us. When we love our neighbor as ourself, we reflect our Savior Jesus, who was merciful and compassionate and gave His life for the neighborless.

Who's your neighbor? I encourage you to just start praying for God to show you and lead you to act when He does show you.

Siliguri Young Life

2010-09-25T20:35:00.003+05:30

Last Thursday I met with a Nepali pastor in our city: Enos Simick. He is one of the jolliest people I know (although you might not be able to tell from the picture. haha!) and is so genuine and passionate about Jesus.

I met with him to cast the vision of Young Life and its mission to reach high school kids by going where kids are...cricket fields, neighborhoods, high schools, etc. Earning the right to be heard, to tell them the greatest news they could ever hear.

I had been praying for Siliguri YL for the past 5 months, with Enos on my heart as a potential leader. I was a little nervous about the meeting because this kind of "incarnational" youth ministry (older people humbling themselves to become friends with high school kids) is RADICAL for a place like India...or anywhere really. But I felt confident that God had called me to share and knew He would give me the words.

Even before I began to tell him about YL, he was telling me all about different youth who were inspiring to him and who God had allowed him to mentor and form relationships with. They call him and text him and joke around with him. Wow! I was immediately put at ease, with the confidence that God had gone before me to prepare Enos' heart.

I shared this video:

In the World of Kids

And told him about Jim Rayburn, the founder of YL, and leaders in Nashville who are loving kids for Jesus...like Ross Barnes (youth pastor) and Wendy Kerr (a doctor)...

I also told him what India YL looks like and how, honestly, it's not much different from the US...because kids are kids everywhere you go. Maybe songs in a different language or eating dinner with a kids' entire family instead of just them (b/c of the cultural importance of the family). But ultimately, kids have the same hopes and needs and desires.

Then I told him my vision for Siliguri YL over the next 5 years:

*Oct - May: Meet with potential leaders and share what I shared with Enos

*May 2011: Vision casting meeting with representatives from different churches who are passionate about youth coming to Christ

*June or July 2011: More formal training about Young Life - leaders from Bangalore (south India) and US would help

*August - December 2011: Have at least 10 committed leaders who are assigned to local high schools going out and building relationships with students

*December 2011: First YL club in Siliguri
*By 2015: 3 clubs in Siliguri area

Finally, I asked him (an extremely busy and important pastor) a crazy question...

Enos, will you pray about being a Young Life leader?

Will you leave your rightful place and meet kids where they are? Will you be an example to other leaders?

It was like he was already on board, though, saying things like, "This is the time." He said he knows so many college students who are ready to share their faith; they just need the opportunity and direction to do it. He prayed at the end of our time and asked that this seed would grow and that God would continue to reveal things to us about this ministry in Siliguri. Will you pray with us?

*For open doors into high schools.

*For God to connect me to potential leaders.

*For softened hearts for lost teenagers in Siliguri.

May Buckri Whoo!!!

2010-09-25T19:51:00.000+05:30

I AM A SHEEP!!!!!!
(In Hindi, literally, "I am a goat!" This makes more sense to them because many of their families own goats. Not many people here have sheep)

Imagine 10 Indian children screaming this in Hindi as loud as they can, in a small shack by the river. You can only imagine the crowd they drew. I saw almost every neighbor in the village peeking out of their house to see what was going on.

These children were hearing the gospel.

That God had come to rescue them, to save them. Because we are lost sheep and God leaves the 99 to look for the one who is lost.

There was so much jolly laughter when Sophie (the woman I go with to share) picked up one of the little boys as if he were the lost goat she had found. They laughed so hard. And when we were leaving, they waved goodbye and I said, "Bye Buckri's!" They laughter just couldn't stop. That is the kind of joy our Father has when his little sheep are "found."

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:7)

A Day in the Life...

2010-09-16T22:56:00.000+05:30

A lot of people ask me what a normal day is like for me here in India. Well, I'm warning you, it's not very exciting and doesn't vary much. But here goes...at least for today...

7 am - wake up, take a cold shower to stop sweating (even if only briefly)

7:30 - read the Word, read a book, check email, eat breakfast - not always in that particularly order

9 am - start school - this means talking to Victoria for about 30-45 minutes to "help her wake up" - she claims it helps her get going. we drink tea around 9:30...that kinda helps the process but sometimes she has lots to say :) i share a short passage of Scripture and we pray together.

9:30 am - Menuka comes and says, "Which one?" This means, What kind of tea...green, red, or milk tea? I usually choose green and Victoria usually says, "I don't care"...although I remind her she would care if Menuka brought her green tea :) I think I'm the only person in india who drinks green tea.

10 am - i check her math and other notes while she writes a short journal

10:30 am - we go over all the math problems she got wrong and then go over the next lesson (lately we've been doing 2 lessons a day, though, so it takes longer)

1 pm - lunch...rice, dahl, and Nepali-style vegetables

2 pm - usually a Worldview (her philosophy, literature, history, religion subject) discussion that lasts an hour...sometimes Chemistry discussion (usually only twice a week)

3-4 pm - lesson planning for the following week

4 pm - frisbee or soccer...today it was frisbee with Victoria, Kari, and Trish :) so jolly.

4:30 pm - went to share the Zacchaeus story with a family I've been praying for...I met the little girl, Nedu, on an auto ride to our village. my friend Sophie went with me to translate. we're gonna try to go once a week to share a story about Jesus with them. please pray for this family, especially during this time - for the next month there are Hindu festivals where they worship different things each day/week. pray that Jesus would reveal that He is the only one worthy of worship.

5:30 pm - work out (elliptical) while listening to David Platt's new book Radical - would DEFINITELY recommend it!

6:30 pm - cool off while watching Hannah and "Aunty" Trish scare each other (they took turns). hilarious.

7 pm - dinner...fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn

7:30-9:30 - lesson planning. woohoo!

11 - turn the fan on and hit the sack!

***more pics to come***

What's the Purpose of School? Completion, Grades or Understanding?

2010-09-09T09:05:00.000+05:30

Every public/private school system would want with all their being for the purpose of school to be understanding. And yet, for whatever reason - efficiency, money, student-teacher ratio - the purpose of school has become simply completion and grades.

I think at the heart of the "No Child Left Behind" was this frightening realization: that we are creating robots out of our kids and not learners. However, the government and school systems just couldn't practically carry out our belief that understanding is more important than grades and simply getting it done - however good or bad the work is.

To understand or NOT to understand! That is the QUESTION!!!

Today Victoria and I had a discussion on the book The Plague (by Albert Camus - 1947). Awesome book! Reveals so much about nihilism, existentialism and the human need for hope and meaning in a fallen world.

Yet, as I kept asking questions about the basic subplots of the characters, it seemed that she hadn't read the book. Now, I'm not her judge and can't say with 100% confidence that she didn't read the book. However, the evidence just didn't add up. So I asked her mom to come in and facilitate the conversation a little more. This led to more frustration, reinforcement that she needs to take initiative if she doesn't understand something, and ultimately that her comprehension is much more important than completion of an essay, which she could undoubtedly BS.

I'm all too familiar with BS-ing schoolwork. And I don't want to pass that on to Victoria. I want to engrain in her the importance of comprehension, the satisfaction of discovering truth in a novel, and ultimately of doing things with excellence, as to the LORD and not to men.

SO, all that to say, I've decided to make her read the book again and summarize each part (5 parts in all). I'll let you know how all this plays out. Hopefully in the long run it will give the desired effects. For now, we gotta get down to the dirty work.

(drink in hand)..."here's to you, school! you WILL be conquered!"

Good Friends and Pizza

2010-09-07T14:20:00.000+05:30

These are a few of my American friends who live in Siliguri...Nick and Emily Whistance and Pete. As you can see we're all about the same age and living through lots of the same things here in India. Trying to live as "bideshi's" (foreigners) and share the love of Christ. Last night was a sweet night of sharing the joys, sufferings, and fears of living here. I'm grateful for this particular part of my community because we are in similar stages of life (although Nick and Emily are married and Pete is engaged). And we have a unified vision of wanting to see Indians come to know Jesus, whether that be through church planting or building relationships with college kids and sharing Jesus. We all desire that God's kingdom would be made known to others, that they'd know there's a different way of living and profound meaning to life other than materialism, being "happy," or self-gratifying/self-seeking love.

As we sat drinking coffee and then eating Domino's Pizza (I know, such a luxury here!) and then praying together, I was so thankful for people to share life with. They spur me on to keep going, toward "love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10)

"Community is the way that God confronts and redeems our desire to give up."

(Pastor Pete from Crosspoint Community Church)

LINKS! Pics, Wards, Commonwealth Games

2010-09-07T00:45:00.000+05:30

Here's some pics as of the past month...I need to start taking better pictures, but it's hard because I don't want to be like a tourist.

http://picasaweb.google.com/moogsmullet/BackInIndia?authkey=Gv1sRgCOPU_trUq-rmMQ&feat=directlink

Here is the Wards (Jeff, Trish, and Victoria) Blog:

http://wardswordsindia.blogspot.com/

What's going on in India? The Commonwealth Games are supposedly going to be held in Delhi in October...we'll see if that actually happens:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11101288

Earaches and Frustrations

2010-09-07T00:34:00.000+05:30

I finally went to an Indian doctor and got ear drops and antibiotics for my ear ache

Living in a foreign country is difficult:

I know the past month this frustration has been elevated particularly because I just got back from the US and I have also had an ear infection and cold the past week. However, Satan uses being a foreigner in many ways, including fear. Something as simple as fear of going out to the market or to talk to someone because we can't speak the same language or they might not fully understand my Hindi or we don't have anything to talk about.

Another recent frustration:

I am so tempted to be complacent because sometimes I think that nothing I'm doing really matters (maybe we all feel that way sometimes). I've noticed that when I'm not doing something well or I'm putting it on the backburner, it means I have come to believe that it doesn't matter. This past week God gave me a reality check on many aspects of my life - from teaching Victoria to relationships with Indians. I hate half-assing my life...pardon the language. Not because I want to please other people, but because it means that somewhere along the way I've come to believe the lie that "it" doesn't matter.

Victoria matters. Jeff and Trish being confident that their daughter is learning matters. My friend Chhokey, who isn't a Christian, matters. My friend Munnu, who is a Christian, matters. Indians knowing Jesus matters.

Your story tells everything about you...your materials, actions, and words. I want to live my life like I really believe those things matter.

Pakistan and India floods

2010-08-25T09:39:00.001+05:30

So it's been raining here for the past 10 days straight...literally. Good thing I love when it rains in India or I would be completely depressed! This morning, the blue skies were a welcome sight at 7am when I woke up.

However, for many people across India and Pakistan it has been more than just a depressing few days without the sun. Even just the mud that it is creating washes people's houses away and makes the roads almost impossible to drive on. The potholes are so bad that you're thankful to be on smooth road for 30 seconds.

There are daily articles from Pakistan especially regarding the flooding. Pray that God would use this time of disaster to reveal Jesus to many people, the light in the midst of utter darkness. Pray for the people of Pakistan and India. Because I know many of you know firsthand the effects of a flood. Imagine it in a third world country.

¹⁶the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned." (Matt. 4:16)

BBC article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11060686

Young Life India

2010-08-19T21:46:00.000+05:30

This is a little taste of the Young Life training I went to in Bangalore (south India) in May. Please pray with me for Indian leaders in Siliguri who are passionate about young people knowing Jesus. It is my hope that God raises up these people in order to start Young Life in Siliguri.

Meg's Journal from Aug 13 - BACK IN INDIA

2010-08-15T16:49:00.000+05:30

It's Friday the 13th! AH! Haha! I'm in the Delhi domestic airport. Thankful for familiarity this morning. Being a foreigner is difficult here, so even small things like listening to Needtobreathe (an American band) or knowing my way around the airport is a blessing and a comfort. Even toilet paper in the bathrooms! Ha!

But I'm also reminded that Jesus is my anchor, my refuge, my strong tower. Oh Father, how thankful I am for your presence and your peace. I literally could not survive without it! This life would be utterly meaningless without you, without your grace!

"I have told you these things, so that in Me (Jesus) you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world" (John 16:33)

Here's some pics from the last few days:

I spent a day in Delhi with some friends before returning to Siliguri. My first experience on the Delhi Metro! Crazy! It's surprisingly nice and only costs about 50 cents to ride a long way! My only complaint...it's WAY crowded. Guess I should accept that, knowing there's 17 million people in Delhi :)

This is my friend Annabel (right) with my new teenage friend, Julie. She got a kick out of the fact that my 2 roommates in college were Julie's.

These are the girls and leader (she's a believer) from a program called "Horizon." These girls came from really tough backgrounds and are being helped to get education and jobs. The organization (called Catalyst) is extremely effective but does not have proper funds to hire new staff, so they're not able to bring in more girls. I'm praying about giving to their ministry. It's cool to see how Indians are being used as the hands and feet of Jesus here.

Come!

2010-07-09T19:09:00.000+05:30

Seems I've been reading a lot about living water lately. Thought I'd share.

"My people have committed 2 sins:

They have forsaken Me, the spring of living water,

and have dug their own cisterns,

broken cisterns that cannot hold water." (Jeremiah 2:13)

Most of the time, we are unknowingly digging our own cisterns, looking to something that will satisfy this innate thirst that we all have. Yet, we don't realize our own brokenness and inability to produce satisfaction. Jesus says that he offers a spring of water that will never run dry. This is unfathomable to us who can only dig cisterns that are broken and wanting. It is almost unexplainable, this spring of living and eternal water. And yet, God gives us opportunity to tell others about this living water - Jesus - because we've experienced it first hand.

"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!'

And let him who hears say, 'Come!'

Whoever is thirsty, let him come;

and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." (Rev. 22:17)

This water is not exclusive. It doesn't discriminate. It's for whoever who is willing to admit that they are thirsty and cannot dig a satisfying cistern for themselves.

The cool thing about the Revelation passage is that not just the Spirit invites people to come, but the BRIDE OF CHRIST (that's us) also invites people to come and taste of this living water!

My dad is on a World Changers trip with my old church's youth group in New York. And my mom said that yesterday he told someone about this living water, Jesus, and they said, "YES! I WANT THAT LIVING WATER - THAT SPRING OF ETERNAL LIFE!" That is stinkin' awesome!!! The bride of Christ said, "Come!" Not out of force or pride, but out of love and out of personal, deep experience of living water in his own life. And now this new brother in Christ also has the opportunity to say "Come!" because he has experienced the forgiveness and renewal of living water that will never run dry.

I've heard countless stories like that this summer where us broken people are being redeemed because we're letting Jesus fill our brokenness.

TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!

Indian Culture 101

2010-05-10T10:41:00.000+05:30

It has occurred to me over the past weeks that I am so immersed in Indian Culture that I assume that my friends/family in the US know the things I know and have learned about India/Indians. However, this is a very wrong assumption. Although they have seen pictures, they have not experienced the clash of 2 very different cultures. Yes, maybe they know that Indians eat rice all the time, that many women wear sari's, and they don't use toilet paper. But those are general stereotypes, knowledge gained from movies or media articles.

So I've decided to give people a little taste of Indian culture. But please know this: India is just as, if not more, diverse as America and the differences in culture between the south, east, west, hills, city, country, villages, etc are enormous. And I look forward to learning more about these differences myself as I have opportunity to visit different parts of India.

The infamous "squatty potty" - found in most houses. And no, no toilet paper. I'll let you come to your own conclusions. *Hint-they eat with their right hand :)

These jolly little chairs are found in many Indian houses...I think they're mostly in the North, but not really sure. Haven't been in the South much - although I'm going to Bangalore next week!

Masala! (spices)

Most people burn their trash...hence the horrible pollution. Not sure what the cities do. Surely they have some kind of garbage system

Ok, not sure what this stuff is called. But yes, it is a leaf with some mint and other stuff that's "good for digestion" - they wrap it up into a small little package and you just eat it. Kinda weird to straight up eat a leaf.

Example of Indian light switches. The red light is to tell you if the power is on/off...it goes off quite often here, especially during monsoon season. The controller is for the AC, which we don't use very much at all b/c it's so expensive. The round button is for the fan, which we use a lot. The dome thing at the bottom is the mosquito repellant plug-in. VITAL.

Indian bathroom. All Indian households have plenty of buckets...one of which they use for "bucket baths." Get a cup and you're good to go - only uses maybe a few cups per bath. Water Conservation 101. I recommend this method for Nashville's current flooding/water shortage! However, it's difficult to use this method when trying to wash my hair...it's like a sponge and takes a bunch of water to even get wet. So I usually have to use the shower.

Water Heater. Also very important. Turn it on at least 15 minutes before your shower and you're good to go with hot water.

Dish rack and water filter/water bottles. Since we don't drink the water straight out of the tap, we fill these bottles daily for drinking/cooking.

ps - we get excited when we get American treats...like POP ROCKS!!! haha!

Football!

2010-04-14T21:22:00.001+05:30

2 Women's Stories

2010-03-30T13:09:00.000+05:30

Ramesh & Sampa

On Friday I went to a Mt. Carmel Church's Bible School Graduation in our village. After the ceremony, I was talking to a man and his wife (Ramesh and Sampa) who have been wanting to learn more English. They absolutely insisted (even after I had declined multiple times) that I come to their house so I would know where to come in the future. So they gave me water and bananas (pani and cayla in Hindi) and Ramesh told me how he became a Christian as well as the story of how they were married. At the end of our time, I agreed to come over at least once a week to help them with their English.

So this morning I went to their house, where Sampa was cooking lunch. Ramesh works with the Indian police and was unexpectedly called for duty. So I was able to talk with Sampa for more than an hour before she was called to the school where she works. She began to tell me her story. She became a Christians when she was 17, but her family is Hindu. When she got married, she had to live with her in-laws for 4 months because Ramesh had to do military training. During that time, his parents made her (at least externally) worship their household god. But because they knew she and Ramesh believed in Jesus and because she is of a lower caste, they treated her with much contempt. They provided her with only 2 pairs of clothes, which she wore many times every week. Ramesh told me of the physical and spiritual evil that is in his parents' house. The evil kingdom of darkness reigns where Jesus is not Lord of people's hearts. Thankfully, Ramesh and Sampa were able to get away from his family where they are now free to worship Jesus. Pray that they would be baptized soon and even have the courage to tell their families about it. Many Indian believers do not get baptized right away because of fear of what their family will say. But many are not allowed to receive baptism by the churches because either they are not "of age" (usually 18) or they haven't proven repentance. This is a practice which cripples many believers in regards to sharing the gospel with others. They feel unworthy/inadequate/not confident.

One more story...

Sophie with her class

Later that day I met with a dear sister, Sophie. She and her husband are from south India (Kerala, where supposedly Thomas first brought the gospel to India) but moved to Siliguri as missionaries. We talked for literally an hour straight about God's amazing provision. She barely even took a breath in between stories of God's goodness in providing for her family while they have been here. It is very difficult for many pastors here because their churches do not give enough to support them. So they often look for sponsors, similar to the way many people support me :) God uses many Indians who have given sacrificially to support Sophie and Titus. There was even one time where the principal of their daughter's school gave them 1000 rupees to cancel their debt. Sophie told me that she is a worrier...like most women :) But when she starts to fret, Titus says not to worry but to pray because our God is a big God and HE WILL PROVIDE. She just kept saying over and over, "Our God is great." And no one forced her to say it. It overflowed from her heart. She couldn't help but praise Him.

Isn't that what God wants? In the midst of uncertainty, to know that He will keep His promise somehow. When we can't see the road ahead, may we choose to keep walking, trusting that He will guide the way.

What if...

2010-03-26T10:16:00.000+05:30

First, go read Donald Miller's blog post...

http://donmilleris.com/2010/03/25/the-single-most-powerful-question-you-can-ask/comment-page-2/#comments

I thought this was really inspiring and something we don't think about very often, so me and Victoria took the time to write a few ourselves. Here are 2 of 5 she came up with...

What if I shared my story with my youth group?

What if I started a band?

Here are a few of mine...although I could've gone on and on, I think. It was kinda fun!

I was a better teacher?

I could be still and wait on the Lord when all I want to do is go, go, go?

I actually talked to my brother more than once every 6 months?

I spent more time at home this summer than with other people?

I actually talked to the college girls just down the street?

I bought a bicycle?

People with disabilities became more than simply my college thesis?

My sister had curly hair?

I climbed a mountain?

I trusted God, even when my money was gone?

I really took God at His Word?

I started memorizing Scripture?

Victoria went to Belmont?

I stopped watching TV?

What if...you rode an elephant to work?

What if...you wore a sari every day?

What if...you got to look at this face every day? Oh wait! I do! This is Sammy and his family live below us and are the jolliest ones! I just had to find a way to put this picture up!

ok, now it's YOUR turn! What if...

Words of Wisdom from Dr. Byrd

2010-03-22T14:09:00.000+05:30

He is demonstrating how people in Jesus' day reclined

My Greek professor and Honors' tutor in college, Dr. Bob Byrd, is a wise ole bird. He would be ok with me calling him a bird, considering he has a picture of big bird from Sesame Street on his office door :) He has been a professor in the Religion department at Belmont since before it was called Belmont College, and I greatly respect him. All that to say, he played a key role in my education...having sat in over 10 semesters of classes with him and countless hours in his office discussing my thesis.

However, one simple phrase has seemed to stick in my brain from first year Greek class. I wrote it on the back of my Greek book (created by Dr. Byrd...who reads his Greek Bible instead of an English version...yes ladies and gentlemen, he's legit) and it has been etched on my heart ever since...

We think we have to do EVERYTHING, so we end up doing NOTHING.

This phrase puts into words what I have been feeling over the past few months. Being in India, you're surrounded by obvious needs, both spiritual and physical. There are tons of needs in America, too (I don't mean to belittle them) but they seem more apparent here. Here are some visions I've been milling over in the past months...

*Sharing the gospel intentionally, specifically with youth

*Equipping Indian teachers with effective and engaging teaching methods

*Orphanage

*Discipling Indian Christians, specifically young people

Even things as simple as exercise can overwhelm us because when thinking of the 30 pounds we should lose, we set out an outrageous and overwhelming plan of working out 7 days a week and eating only raw vegetables. SO WE END UP DOING NOTHING.

I look at the above list and I think, "Megan, you're only 1 person!" Yes. I am. So, God, help me to be able to focus on one thing at a time, one step at a time. Because these things are important. They shouldn't simply be tossed aside because they seem overwhelming. Help me not to give in to what Satan wants...lukewarm-ness and giving up, satisfaction in the comfortable. And ultimately, You're gonna have to do it through me because I'm so prone to giving up and losing heart. Your kingdom come, Your will be done...on earth, as it is in heaven.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Phillippians 2:13)

Comparison

2010-03-07T22:09:00.000+05:30

I don't know about you, but something I struggle with, regrettably frequently, is comparison to others (sometimes even those closest to me). I think this is probably one of the biggest struggles women, in particular, face. It creates discontentment, an inward focus, causes us to give up b/c we think we're not as good as someone else, causes us to deny our own unique-ness and image of God, etc...you can fill in the blank.

Comparison is Satan's attack at our IDENTITY

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Prov. 4:23)

We should guard our heart, our identity, because if we don't I believe we miss out on that abundant life Jesus talks about in John 10:10. We start believing lies like:

*"I don't look this way, so I won't be loved as much by others"

*"I'm a failure because I don't do as much as that person"

*"She's getting more attention than me...what can I do to get that kind of attention?"

*"God can't love you...you've done too much to hurt him. But maybe if you prove yourself worthy, he'll love you a little more or at least listen to your prayers."

*"He's a lot better at this or that, so I should just give up because I'll never be able to do it like that person."

*"Look at her. She's a better mother than you. She's judging you, so should stay away from her b/c she makes you feel inferior."

None of these come from God. They are lies from the world and Satan. But how often we listen to them! They are PARALYZING. And they keep us from God's specific call on each of our lives. These lies keep us from experiencing abundant life. So instead of comparing ourselves to one another, let's remind ourselves who we are in Christ and that ultimately Jesus is on the throne of our lives, not us. This is something I need to be reminded of often.

"Therefore, in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)

Our plans and God's plans + I'm not the Holy Spirit

2010-03-04T11:43:00.000+05:30

Me and Chokey

Tuesday I went with my friend Munnu to a hillstation 3 hours from Siliguri called Kalimpong. The climate is perfect and the water tastes...incredible! I couldn't believe how much cleaner it tasted. Gotta love that mountain spring water you can drink straight from the tap! Oh, and Michelle (IMB Missionary living in Kalimpong who drove us up) changed Caleb's diaper on the side of the mountain. Hysterical.

Jeff and Trish graciously allowed me to go so I could to see one of my friends, Chokey. She's a college student there (we met b/c her and her friends came to our house to play basketball one day when she was in town) and we've stayed in touch for the past 3 months. I've been able to share Jesus with her a few times...it seems like He always comes up in conversation. But I wanted to hang out with her in person. And my friend Munnu randomly wanted to come too.

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

So I planned to go to Kalimpong to spend some time with Chokey and hopefully share the gospel with her. But it turned out I only really got to talk with her one time for lunch on Wednesday. When I got back to Siliguri I realized that maybe the main purpose of my trip was to grow closer to Munnu. We went all over Kalimpong shopping for stuff for her brother's shop in Siliguri and just had a jolly time. We've been friends since last October and are really starting to get close. She feels called to do ministry but is still praying for God's vision for her life. I'm excited to walk with her in this journey.

Brittany, Munnu, and Me

It's cool to see God calling Indians to different parts of India for His kingdom. Munnu, a Nepali, is originally from Kalimpong, where mostly Nepali's live. So moving to Siliguri was difficult. But God has used her in many people's lives here and it is obvious He is growing her faith. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide her steps into His will and not her own. Sometimes I get myself confused with the Holy Spirit, thinking it's my job to convict people or lead people into His will. But God continues to give me rest in the fact that He is God and accomplishes His purposes. His words are powerful and effective.

"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." (1 Cor. 2:4-5)

I have to remember this in regards to Chokey too. It's not my job to convince her of the truth. That's God's job. I'm only called to plant the seed of the gospel and love her. Pray that Chokey would know the forgiveness and freedom and life found only in Jesus.

ps - i'm so thankful for my sweet friend Brittany (journeyman for the IMB) and allowing us to stay with her. she's such an encouragement! (and makes incredible omelettes!)

Week in Pictures! (click on the link below)

2010-02-09T19:37:00.000+05:30

Wedding/Naga Church

Prayer

2010-02-02T08:21:00.000+05:30

So last night a couple of my Indian girlfriends came over - Mary and Munnu. They are crazy 21 year-olds and full of fun and laughter. But they also, like most Indian Christians, know the importance of prayer. A few days ago I went to Munnu's house, and as I was about to leave she said, "Wow, we've been talking this whole time and haven't even thought to pray." It kind of made me chuckle, but I agreed so we ended our time together in prayer. I love it!

But what is unique about many group prayers here is that, to start, everyone will pray individually at the same time. So it sounds like a jumbled mess, most likely with 5 different languages being spoken too. But then after everyone has finished, one person will close the prayer aloud. That is what we do at the house church I go to (maybe sometime I'll try to get it on video) and that's what me, Mary, and Munnu did last night. It was really neat because Mary was praying in Nagamese, Munnu in Nepali, and me in English. And then Munnu finished the prayer. I love the picture that Jesus hears and understands all of our prayers at once.

My Indian friends have encouraged God and prayer to be central, even when we're just hanging out. Gives this verse "pray continually" new meaning. It's cool when God isn't simply someone who we talk about on Sunday but someone who's in our everyday lives. I think that's how He wants it to be.

¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Indian Houses/Buildings = NO INSULATION

2010-01-31T14:41:00.000+05:30

Ok, this statement isn't completely true. However, Jeff noted this morning that one of the major differences from buildings in the US is that there is almost zippo insulation in buildings here...resulting in hearing every single sound outside when you're inside (and trust me, India is VERY loud - street dogs barking 24/7, Bhuddist chanting next door or some kind of annoying music, motorcycles/trucks/honking, constant construction, birds - not just sweet chirping birds, people on loudspeakers protesting anything/everything, etc) and letting the cold/hot air in depending on the season. Oh, and mosquitoes.

This post might appear to be a complaint (ok, maybe it is :); however, I am simply relaying cultural differences to my American amigos.

Sincerely,

Maggie

(a nickname Indians gave me because they say my hair looks like noodles, and "maggie" in Hindi means noodles...logical...and jolly)

Back in India

2010-01-27T02:48:00.001+05:30

Well, it's official...I get an "F" in the subject of blogging because I haven't written a post in almost 2 months!

A lot has happened over the past couple months...including the outdoor youth concert we had been planning since October, finishing up Victoria's school semester, vacationing in Hyderabad with my sweet Indian friends, and visiting my family/friends in Nashville for 2 weeks as well as getting my business visa. My time away from Siliguri was refreshing, renewing, and much needed. The Wards and I flew back from Chicago last Friday and arrived in Siliguri on Sunday afternoon. It was great to see so many sweet people in Tennessee, but it was definitely good to come back to my second home in India (although jet lag is hitting me pretty hard this time!). Here's some bulletpoint tidbits:

*there were over 2000 people who came to the outdoor youth concert and heard the gospel through song, rap, dance, skits, and a message. pray for God to water those planted seeds as Christians in Siliguri continue to build relationships and share Jesus with those seeking life. there is actually another Christian concert right down the street that will happen January 29th, 30th, and 31st. please pray for this event as well.

*i spent 16 days in Hyderabad with one of my favorite groups of Indians...i stayed at the church with the pastor's family and spent Christmas, New Years, and many days in between with these friends. words cannot express how much they mean to me. God has truly used them in my life to lead me closer to Him. they challenge me to be a person of prayer and one who gives generously. i am grateful to God for putting them in my life.

*it was really fun to be at home, spending time with the familia. it was snowing when i got to Nashville, and mom, dad, and Becca all cried when they saw me. what a sweet time to all be together for a couple of weeks. pray for my sister, who's been going through some health issues...not fun for a senior in high school in her last semester.

*i got to go to my Community Group while I was in Nashville. it was SO sweet. to hear and share truth with my sweet brothers and sisters was much needed. oh, and below are john martin and william moseley, 2 of my favorite wee ones from Grace Community Church. i got to meet their new baby brother too! Congratulations Jamie and Suzanne!

*i met 3 of my Young Life girls for coffee. it was sweet to share life with them again in person.

*went to one of my best friend's (Christa) wedding and was reunited with my college roommates, known as Gangsta's Paradise

*got to hang out with my mom and go to lots of doctors' visits. below is a picture of her with the mask she has to wear for radiation treatment for the next 14 days. yes, she looks like a fencer. ha! thank you for all who have been/are praying for her...she is strengthened by them for sure.

I am looking forward to this spring...getting back into the routine of teaching (and learning! i feel like a student just as much as victoria but love trying to engage her in critical thinking and soaking up the material), going on a medical mission trip to Manipur (state in Northeast India), and continuing to build relationships with Indians. And I want to update more frequently as well!

Check out my facebook pics of the past month...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2089587&id=34102968&l=a3f938af9e

WARNING: this post explodes with JOLLINESS!

2009-12-02T21:30:00.000+05:30

Yesterday a package arrived in the mail...to my surprise, the Christmas package my mom sent a few weeks ago! The box was full of about 25 small, wrapped presents for me, Trish, Jeff, and Victoria. Because I'll be in Hyderabad for Christmas, we decided to open one present a day (22 days of Christmas!). So the first day I pulled out some colored paper! ha! Silly, right? Wrong! It was exactly what we needed for our paper fire place (a tradition my roommates and I started in college at our apartment "Gangsta's Paradise"). When I told my sister how excited I was about the colored paper, she said, "Wow Meg, you're such a missionary." haha! I guess you learn to be more appreciative even for the small things.

They have at least 10 Texas ornaments...oh TX, you're too big for your own good

Trish decorating the tree!

Yes, this was the jolliest surprise! Thanks Fam!

Yes, I was so excited about this colored paper. duh.

Our tree and paper fireplace...every time I turn the corner and see these displays of joy, I just chuckle to myself, exploding with jolliness

the 2nd day of Christmas, my mommy gave to Victoria...a beaded necklace book

ps - we decided you have to wear this jolly Christmas scarf they included while opening presents

Ok, I kinda cheated on this one b/c it wasn't wrapped and I just couldn't wait to open them. They're my favorite pens...I mean, I need them for teaching, ok. ha.

Picture Update

2009-11-14T12:35:00.000+05:30

More pics on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2085075&id=34102968&l=7644287d43

Pictures taken by me and Victoria - maybe for promotion for the youth concert

Indian "School Bus" - they do have big yellow ones, but for smaller children, they have these cage buses. It's actually pretty funny...makes me chuckle.

Our 3-week-old puppies!

Sleepy ones

My new friend Mary (girl next to me) with her friends Minakshri & Ruben...celebrating Mary's birthday. What a sweet new friend! (I met her at a Campus Crusade student leader meeting)

Mary's brother, Dipak, and sister-in-law to the left

Ginger - our language teacher's dog - one of about 5 cute dogs in India. ha!

Ruff Ruff

2009-11-03T22:52:00.000+05:30

ps - I ate dog for the first time in my life. Shhh! Don't tell Zippy!

Badminton Tournament!

2009-11-01T18:37:00.001+05:30

Here's a video of some of the badminton tournament we had at Havillah School, where I teach Sports & Games. It was so jolly because all of the kids were cheering (we motivated them with chocolate...of course. ha! it always works!) and there were some really fun matches.

Touch of Faith

2009-10-22T20:17:00.000+05:30

Sometimes faith is really hard.

When life doesn't look like what we planned, when the present circumstances require stepping into unknown territory in what seems like the dark, when all control is out of your hands....it's hard.

Victoria and I read a part of Scripture every morning before school. This morning I read the story of Jairus' daughter and the bleeding woman (Luke 8) from the Jesus Story Book Bible. I almost started crying because it was exactly what I needed...

"Daughter, your faith has made you well." All she did was touch the hem of Jesus' garment. Jesus stopped because he felt power go out from him. That's odd...so many people were bumping up against him and yet one particular touch made him stop in the midst of the crowd (on their way to Jairus' house). Because Jesus knew this wasn't just any touch or brush against him.

It was a touch of faith.

Oh Jesus, I need your power. I need your healing. Give me faith, and give me the courage to act on that faith. See, this woman didn't just believe in her heart. She took action because she was so sure.

I need and want that kind of action-filled faith. Not just a silent faith but one that trusts so much that I will do what seems ridiculous to the world. God, give me this faith every step of the way.

You can definitely pray for me in this regard about the upcoming youth concert we are putting together on November 19th or 26th. Please pray that God would move you to faith, asking if He wants you to help financially with this seemingly God-size event (it will cost about 350,000 rupees, or $7500). If you want to know more, please email me at moogsmullet@gmail.com.

Also, here's a link to my October Update if you didn't receive it:

http://www.goingforgod.com/webalizer/OctoberUpdate.pdf

"Most Jolly Meal" Award Goes To...

2009-10-21T00:04:00.000+05:30

Surprisingly, I don't crave many things from America so far. Maybe turkey and salad occasionally. But that's about it. I really didn't eat a lot of beef in the US anyway, so I don't really crave it here in India (although, also to my surprise at first, we do have it...we get it from the Muslims!).

HOWEVER, tonight I had a cheeseburger for the 1st time in 3 months, and well...it was so JOLLY!!! Not only b/c we had homemade buns, but also because we had star fruit from Nagaland (state in East India). It was like a jolly solar system on my plate and in my mouth! haha!

ps - I know I have been MIA in the last month as far as blogging goes...I apologize. A LOT has been going on...so I will update very soon. I'm also working on posting a link to my monthly update here, too (PDF file). So look for it soon!

Fun Facts

2009-09-26T01:21:00.000+05:30

Indian or...?

Surprisingly, many Indians look Chinese or Korean - there are a billion kinds of Indians (Naga, Bengali, Nepali, Manipori, Assamese, South Indian just to name a few). This is Chotu; he's a wee Naga Indian. He's the cutest!

22 completed, 23 running

Indians count birthdays a little different...Pawal turned "23" this week (even though he was born in 1987) b/c he completed 22 years and is "running" 23 years. It's actually pretty logical. So I guess I'm 23. Cool.

Indian Mail

Receiving letters and packages are jolly - I got my 1st letter and package this week...over a month after they were sent. ha! The package had been opened on one side, but my iPod was actually still tucked inside...amongst Alabama memorabilia. You can probably guess who that was from...brotha! Roll Tide!

P.E. 101, Indian Style

I taught Freeze Tag and Badminton to almost 300 Indian kids on Wednesday at Havillah School. It was so jolly to see them having so much fun. And God continues to open doors for relationships with teachers there.

Pandels for Puja

Pray that God would provide opportunity to talk to people about Jesus, who does not dwell in earthly temples and is not made by human hands. Many Hindus do not even understand why they worship or do the things they do. It is tradition and maybe even just cultural tradition that is void of true life (maybe not unlike cultural Christianity in America).

These are made out of bamboo and cloth and are all over the city

What's jolly about this picture is that Sujay, boy who I met playing soccer, is waving. He's like my little brother!...who I can't understand b/c he doesn't speak English. ha! So I practice my Hindi with him.

Update on Jaazaniah

Trish got back from Delhi today, where she was helping Kikon (guy who works with Jeff) and his wife get medical care for their baby, Jaazaniah. He's been diagnosed with West Syndrome and is undergoing a 10-14 day course of steroids as treatment. Kikon and Lireni are staying in a private room with him during this time. The doctor said "his prognosis is guarded." Please pray for his healing.

Indian English

Many Indians don't know past or future tense verbs, so they speak in present tense all the time. And they repeat the verbs many times for some reason. For example, Menuka (our househelper) says, "Morning time, so much is paining, paining, paining..." So you find yourself talking like that so they can understand...and even when you're not talking to them. Bad habits! This is Menuka and me:

Week in Pictures

2009-09-19T22:16:00.001+05:30

Sunday Market with Menuka. This one's for my sister Becca...she loves the Farmer's Market in Nashville and this reminded me of it. However, most Indian markets aren't like this...they're just on the sides of the road. This was a jolly reminder of home.

Well, it's official...geckos love my room. I think there are about 5 regulars (2 big and 3 small). I think this is Rufus. Victoria accidentally beheaded one the other day by smashing the window...half a gecko sticking out of the window. Yeah, gross.

There were municipal elections last week, so I guess they determined the winner. And a lot of people were really happy about it!

There was a huge parade of cars, motorcycles, walkers who put colored powder on their bodies. Strange, but funny. Gopal and I got a kick out of it!

Drums and powdered faces...it was like a dance party in the street!

Gopal and his wife, Sermula (who is pregnant and due in November...so exciting!)

Me and Pawal, the Sports & Games teacher. He was fascinated by my Mac and the video camera. I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I basically became a P.E. teacher at Havillah School this week. ha! The principal came in and told Pawal that I would be in charge for the next 3 months and that I was to "train him." I was thinking, "Um...when were you going to tell me that?" Ha! That's the Indian way! But I'm excited about it, and it's only 1 day a week (Wednesdays for 3 hours). I feel like God has opened a lot of doors at this school, and I'm excited to walk through them this year.

Ministering out of Brokenness

2009-09-17T23:38:00.000+05:30

As many of you know, Trish has been pretty sick lately - in bed, fever, sore throat, shaky muscles, headaches, neck pain, etc. So we have been praying for her, that God would heal her and in a sense bring her back to life! This morning she said she woke up and felt that God had laid on her heart to help Kikon (a guy who works with Jeff) and his wife as they take their 4-month-old son to Delhi for tests, care, etc. Their son has been having seizures for a few months and is just not getting any better. So they felt it best to go to Delhi to receive better care. Jeff would have gone with them, but he has to teach all weekend. So he asked Trish if she would consider it, and I think it's so awesome how God confirms things by speaking to many people about it. I don't think Trish would have been willing to go if she had not heard God's voice this morning.

So why would God call someone who is feeling sick and weak to serve a family who is also struggling with the emotional and physical pain of their son? Because when we are weak, HE IS STRONG. His grace is enough for us. I am so humbled to see Trish willing to serve out of her own brokenness and pain. Please pray that God's power would shine through her weakness, that His grace would be so real to her during this time (she doesn't know how long she'll be there). And for Kikon's son, that they would find some answers in this frustrating season of life.

Walls

2009-09-14T23:58:00.000+05:30

Remember my post about playing "football?" Well, I went about 5 times but was not able to go for the past couple of weeks because I have been experiencing constant shortness of breath (trouble taking deep breaths but no wheezing). So a few days ago, Victoria and I were going to walk to the field just to watch and maybe talk to some people.

But, low and behold, there was a wall.

I guess some people got tired of people walking through their "yards" (dirt area around their house) to get to the field...understandable. So they built a brick wall. Now you have to walk about a mile to the main road and back around in order to get to the field. And as a result, I think the guys have stopped playing...at least the past 3 days when we walked to the field, no one was there. And they used to play every day!

I really feel like it is not only a physical wall, but a spiritual wall. As soon as I started building relationships and seeing God open doors to share Jesus, a wall was built. Pray that God would show up in a mighty way, despite this obstacle.

"My grace is all that you need. For my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 cor. 12:9