Rough weekend

It's been a tough couple of days!  Yesterday, I did a lot of computer work for Prabhudas and I was fine as long as I was busy.  But when the work was finished, I was feeling quite homesick and just could not seem to focus when I tried to spend time praying and reading my Bible.  I made it through the day, but was so glad to see it end!  


My companions all morning!

This morning, I woke up glad to be getting out of my room.  I went up for breakfast, got ready for church and was waiting until it was time to leave when I suddenly got sick to my stomach.  I made the decision to stay home and promised Ruth I would take some medicine and lay down.  I spent the morning listening to the IHOP prayer room archives, reading, journaling and praying.  The meds seemed to help, but my stomach just hurt, I had a headache and felt really weak.  I managed to eat some rice with yogurt and sugar for lunch before taking a nap.  I woke up feeling much better.  After another serving of rice with yogurt and sugar for dinner, I am heading to bed early.

Out of the comfort zone...just a little further!!!

Anyone that knows me knows that I do not like to talk in front of people.  One on one I am okay, but talking in front of a group makes me really nervous.  Put a microphone in front of me and it's even worse!  So I was so relieved when Prabhudas told me in our meeting last Friday that he would not push me to speak in church and I can just let him know when I want to share something.  But Sunday morning, in church as I was reading in different places, I stumbled upon these verses which really convicted me about proclaiming the goodness and faithfulness of God!  Psalm 40:9-10 "I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I will not restrain my lips, O Lord, You know.  I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation."  So I realized God was not going to let me take a free pass from speaking and I began praying for His wisdom in what to say when I was asked to speak and boldness to share from my heart no matter how many people were listening.  I am here to honor and bless these people and I pray that will be my attitude and mindset every time I stand before them!

So I was asked to go with Ruth to a women's meeting Tuesday morning instead of teaching in the "littles" class.  I had no idea what to expect, but was pretty confident I would be asked to say something!  Sure enough, on the way, Ruth asked if I would give a greeting and a word of encouragement.  Keeping the verses in mind from Sunday, I read from Psalm 66 about declaring what God has done for me before sharing a little of my testimony and encouraging them to trust God and believe that He has a plan for their life.  After the meeting, 5 of us ladies crammed into one of the auto rickshaws and headed back home. 

Wednesday night was the youth meeting at the church.  Ruth asked me again to share some encouragement like I did at the women's meeting but to also teach them an English chorus.  This time it was with a microphone!  So I shared a little encouragement about being like Jesus and then taught them a song about Jesus that I've been singing since I got here.  When my part was done, it was really fun to watch them do Bible drills! 

Interesting week

We started testing the students at school today.  They had to write their letters and numbers.  I was surprised by how well some of them did as I was expecting it to be really difficult for them, and surprised that others did not do a little better.  After all the testing was done, we gave them their "art" books and let them color for a while before lunch.

After lunch, I noticed a group of Children's Home girls sitting on a tarp outside so went to see what they were up to.  They had a whole bunch of chilis they were taking the stems off of.  I sat out there with them for a little bit and took a few pictures.  It was fun to just be able to visit.  They are out of school for a while for a holiday so most of the Children's Home kids are going home.  It will be very quiet around here!!!

Evenings

I have not met with all the groups yet, but each evening I'll be doing class with boys and girls separately according to grade level for 7th-9th grades.  This is proving to be one of my favorite times!  We have a lot of fun and I am working on learning their names.  Here are a couple of my groups!!!

8th grade boys

9th grade girls





Fun day!!!

Had a great time at church this morning even though I could not understand.  I spent the time reading my Bible and praying.  There were 2 baptisms following the service and then I headed back to campus. 

The sky was ominous and I hoped for another downpour, but we barely got sprinkled.  Still, the clouds and lightning were incredible to watch. 

In the afternoon, I got to have some fun with the Children's Home kids.  The boys wanted me to play soccer with them, but I learned rather quickly it was best for all if I just get out of their way!!! 

 With the girls, they just wanted me to take pictures when we first went out into the drive.  But we finally got together to play "Duck, Duck, Goose" which was a blast! 

While I was playing with some of the smaller girls, a few of the older girls took over my camera.  When we finished playing, these girls decided I needed to participate in an Indian photo shoot and here is a few of their shots!  It was tons of fun with lots of laughs!!! 

 These pictures don't really do it justice!  But look at those colors!  Best sunset yet!!!!

Life is good!!!

I enjoyed sleeping in a bit this morning!  After talking on Skype for a little bit, I headed up the prayer room!!!

This is the little room on the roof of Prabhudas and Ruth's house that is available 24/7 for anyone that wants to go in and pray.  It was empty when I got there, but shortly after settling into the corner on the left of the picture above, 3 young men came in and knelt down to pray.  A few minutes later a woman joined us, and then a few more ladies came in.  People filtered in and out the whole time I was in there, and it was pretty crowded when I left.  It was awesome and convicting to sit in there as they would kneel for an hour or more and voice their cries to the Lord!  I did not understand their words, but it was obvious they were pouring their hearts out with fervency.  I ended up staying a little more than 3 hours!  I loved it!!!

Back in my room, I started listening to a teaching on my computer when I suddenly heard screaming just outside my window.  I went out to find that it was pouring down rain and the screams came from a couple of girls that were trying to get the laundry off the line before they got soaked.  =)  I stood out in the rain despite their pleas of "Sister, come!" as they took shelter in the carport.  I got fairly wet before joining them and watching them rehang the laundry they had saved.  I went back inside to finish listening to the teaching, then took my Bible, journal and camera to the roof for the sunset!  What a great day!!!!!!!

  

Chapati for dinner!!!

End of the week, beginning of new month!

I was quite glad today was Friday!  We had a meeting this afternoon about the school and came out to find it was raining - the perfect kind of rain for walking.  So Ramya (Ruth's neice) and I took off down the road.  We walked further than I had before and had a great time talking.  We came back to find Ruth and Prabhudas crammed into the new ministry vehicle.  It's like the little auto rickshaw's but has a truck bed on the back for moving stuff.  Prabhudas was taking it for a spin around the drive.  As we stood around it talking, I had to laugh and take a quick picture as Das climbed in to check it out.  We stood around that little truck talking and laughing around for a little while.  I managed to make it up to the roof for the sunset before going to eat dinner.  I'm really looking forward to this weekend!!!