Back from India

The trip went well. As most of you already know, the project was shut down on the first day of the second week due to some problems we had witha local political party in Hyderabad. The instance made 3 newspapers and a broadcast on the local news channel. Everyone was fine and unscathed, but, spiritually and emotionally it was a bit difficult for the first day or two after the incident. Thankfully, the US Embassy called the very next morning to see if we needed any assistance (which we didn't) and we left the country at our appointed time on Friday evening. I am SO glad to be back home with my family! Back to "normal", a routine and just the everyday modern conveniences that the Lord has blessed us with. I love the USA! Anyway, I've spent the last couple of days trying to catch up on chores, "to-do" lists and getting ready for Morgan to start school next Monday. Thank you to everyone who thought about us and prayed for us while I was in India. And a very special "You'll-never-know-how-much-it-means-to-me Thank You" to all of you who entertained my children and my husband or brought food to them while I was away. It was so comforting to know that so many people helped to look after them. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

One week down, one to go

This is what we look at every day - hundreds or even thousands of children. We teach them songs, do a skit and then share a short message of salvation through God's Son. Here, they are doing the actions with us to one of our songs.

A Muslim woman riding on the back of a motorcyle with her husband. Covered head to toe in a burka. The burka is on top of her normal, everyday clothing in 95 degree weather.

I thought this little girl was adorable and she wanted her picture taken so badly. They were precious and loved to sing!

Here a woman is knocking on the window of our van asking for money. Beggars are everywhere in India and many of them carry children with them, so that they will get more money. I don't know if this is really her baby or not - it's 50/50 chance. Begging is sometimes an industry in India, much like prostitution. People put beggars on the street and then take the money they are given at the end of the day. Of course, I gave her money hoping that she would keep it. The ones with the children just get to me. I don't know what the true situation is, but Jesus tells us to be generous and to take care of the needy.

I left home 9 days ago, 7 more to go before returning. Everyone is doing fine and the trip is going well. I look forward to being back home with my family and eating some good food!!! Here are a few pictures so far...

Weakness

Well, I've debated about what to blog about...nothing really exciting is happening here. That's okay, the ordinary, every day life is exciting to us and we are quite happy with it. I'm getting ready to leave for India tomorrow. It's a bitter sweet feeling. Of course, I'll miss my family and friends, but I'll have the company of a few other friends and the blessing of sharing Christ with tens of thousands of people. As I was reading my Bible this morning, in my feeble attempt to spend time with God while kids are playing and the TV is blaring Dora, I was reading in Matthew chapter 8 about the two men who were willing to follow Jesus, but not understanding the cost of which to do so. In verse 18, a teacher of the law tells Jesus that he will follow him wherever he goes. You wouldn't think that anything is wrong with that and it's not. But, Jesus' answer implies that the man was probably a little to hasty in his decision, without properly understanding that this wouldn't be an easy task. Jesus replies, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Next, another follower of Christ said to Jesus, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." This comment has perplexed me time and time again. What's really wrong with wanting to give your dead parent a proper burial? Is there really something wrong with that? No, there isn't. But, the problem is that it wasn't the right time. I looked up this verse in Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary of the Bible and he states ever so beautifully,

"This seemed reasonable, yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. Burying the dead, especially a dead father, is a good work, but it is not thy work at this time. If Christ requires our service, affection even for the nearest and dearest relatives, and for things otherwise our duty, must give way."

So, that's why I go to India. People have wondered and asked me before, "Why do you go to India? It must be so hard to leave your family, especially having small children."

Believe me, it is.

I can't tell you how many moments that I'm on the verge of tears, feeling guilty about leaving my family. But, you know what, this is what God has called me to do... right here, right now. It's not convenient, it's not fun, it's not pretty, it's not comfortable, it's not gratifying, it's not my will. But, no matter the reason, no matter the cost, I will go. I'm not trying to sound righteous because I certainly don't feel that I am. Actually, I feel the least qualified, the least equipped, the least ready, the least... the least... the least... everything. But in my weakness, He will be glorified. In my weakness, He makes me strong. In my weakness, only He can do it. In my weakness, others will hear about his saving grace.

1 Corinthians 12: 9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Thursday and Friday, The Peachtree Road Race

Chris and I before the race

Me running - probably around mile 4.

Almost finished! These are the cameramen taking pictures at the end of mile 6.

Chris and I had a blast running the Peachtree this last Friday. First, we went down on Thursday night to the Peachtree Roadrace Expo and walked around for a while. We then went to a nice dinner and stayed in a hotel just down the street from the start of the race. It worked out really well because we woke up Friday morning, ate breakfast and literally walked about 2 blocks to the start of the race. We had to wait about an hour before our heat was allowed to start running. They stagger the heats so that everyone doesn't end up trampling each other. We were in heat 7, so it took a while to get to us. But, that was fine because it gave us time to get our nerves out and go potty. Chris and I ran the first three miles together. The idea was for us to stay together the whole time, but Chris starting getting leg cramps at mile 4 so he said it was okay for me to go on. He caught up with me and we finished the race about a minute apart. There were water stations at every mile marker, people cheering us on and a few bands playing. We really did have a great time and will probably do it again next year. And, yes, we got the coveted t-shirts!

Nesting

I'm not pregnant, I assure you, but you would think I am if you came to my house. I've been nesting lately - pretty badly! I want my house clean and for everything to be put in it's proper place. We've also painted and re-done Gavin's room and are now in the process of painting and putting up some new decorations in Ivey's room. Morgan's room is next on the list, but will probably have to wait until I get back from India. I still have more things that I want to do to the house, bookshelves to put up and such, but I'll stretch it out over time. I don't really know why I'm in this weird mode and I'm sure Chris would love for me to get out of it as soon as possible since he does most of the painting after I tape and trim. Oh, well! I'll post pictures of Ivey and Gavin's new rooms as soon as they're finished.

One more day til Peachtree 10K... oh, no!