Tonight I had my first chance to walk into the slums that are just across the street from my house. As I approached the first alley the smell of urine was overwhelming. Men sat, barely clothed, on outdoor cots just to escape the heat of the inside of their "home". A little boy stood in the alleyway wearing absolutely nothing.
As we got further in the smell turned slightly more pleasant due to the little pots of burning coal used to heat the food that they have.
We passed a larger than life Hindu idol sitting out in the street amidst all the homes as if his job was to protect them or give them good fortune. Something tells me he's not answering.
As we approached some women, S was able to start some conversations just talking about children and how they are a blessing from The Lord. One woman said no we are in charge of how many children we have.
We continued chatting and were eventually invited in after having our picture taken by a man who attempted to speak English. It's really a big deal here to see Americans as we are far enough away from a major city and there are only 2 families from the States in this town.
The home we entered was only lived in by a family of five but when we went inside practically the whole community followed. There were probably 30 people inside this little concrete living room complete with a fridge and a pot of coals for heating food. What should have been the kitchen held an old fashioned sowing machine which the lady used to make pillow cases.
We were offered water and of course did not refuse for fear of offending the ones who had invited us in.
At one point, a little boy about 12 or so, was so in awe that two white women were sitting on his couch that he was bent over head cocked staring in the face of my friend as she spoke. His sister promptly slapped him to get him to come back to his senses. I looked to my left and saw the crowd that had gathered. At that moment, I thought to myself "if they are this excited to see two average Americans, what would be their reaction should they have the chance to come face to face with their savior. What a life changing day that would be!
I plan to go back to that little community just across the street from my house to practice language among the people there. And hopefully one day soon I can introduce them to Someone really worth gawking at, the one who gave up everything.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Blessed
The Internet is down for the time being which should be fine but I'm wide awake at 2 a.m. so it would have been nice to be able to make some phone calls and check some things out on the World Wide Web but instead I'll just type up a blog to post later.
I gotta say, things are really going great! Now, before I sound all super-human, I have to preface this with the fact that I know there will be major hard times to come and I know we are not above culture shock and Delhi belly and days when we just want to come home but at this point we are taking it one day at a time and this day is great.
Not to say there aren't trials because there are. But, there are so many joys to go with those few trials that right now it hardly feels like a sacrifice.
We were blessed with a beautiful home! Sure, one toilet is a squatty potty, the power will go out unlimited times during the day (but we get an inverter to help with times like that), we get a fridge but it seems like it won't do much seeing as how the power will be out fairly often, but did I mention that the house is truly beautiful?! Something I really prayed for that I would be able to make my home feel like home and I am pleased to say that the prayer was answered.
Jason is totally in his element here. He's loving the challenge, making some really funny mistakes (I'll let him tell his own stories), and really just doing a great job as usual. I just love him!
And both girls are doing well! Kamden is tired, hot, and four. Four being the most difficult of those ;)! But she's doing great. And Kiley really seems to be loving it! Their favorite part of today was that mommy was their teacher (I taught science and gymnastics to all 5 girls today) and Kiley was most thankful that when her tummy hurt today that I cuddled her and made her feel better! So, I'm pleased with those few little accomplishments!
Jason spent most of the day at our new house listening to people "discuss" home improvement repairs in Hindi. It was quite humorous to try to ask a simple opinion of someone and that get turned into a few nationals arguing over where the curtains needed hung in a completely different room. Explanation needed? We were curious if a curtain was needed in the girls' bathroom. So, in English I asked "do you think we need a curtain in here?" So, to elaborate I pointed at the window I was discussing and then walked into the next room and pointed to the curtain that is already installed. And then pointed back at the other window. Simple enough? Nahi! (That means no, by the way, in Hindi! ;) Suddenly, there were 5 nationals crowded around using hand motions, talking all excitedly about that window in that room when that decision had already been settled! Ha! We just stood back, nodded, and smiled!
I did have one major accomplishment! I successfully asked my landlord's wife if I could watch her make chai! :) and I got across the point that "KamKam piar chai!" (KamKam loves chai!) That's what they all call her here because Kamden is too hard to say.
The girls are opening up to the landlord's little girl and Kamden at least let a few people hold her and give her hugs. She's four, people, what more do you expect! ;)
Like the name of a store here, "all is well"! Oh, and, by the way, the name of our town means "place of revival"! How cool is that!
So... Are we tired? Yes! Getting over a cold? Yes! Dealing with minor adjustment issues? Yes! Struggling with the silly dupatta falling off all the time? YES! But are we thankful to be here and excited about what's next?!? A resounding yes! It doesn't hurt that our team leaders are fantastic either! Or that we have amazing people praying for us constantly! So we are blessed! So very blessed!
I gotta say, things are really going great! Now, before I sound all super-human, I have to preface this with the fact that I know there will be major hard times to come and I know we are not above culture shock and Delhi belly and days when we just want to come home but at this point we are taking it one day at a time and this day is great.
Not to say there aren't trials because there are. But, there are so many joys to go with those few trials that right now it hardly feels like a sacrifice.
We were blessed with a beautiful home! Sure, one toilet is a squatty potty, the power will go out unlimited times during the day (but we get an inverter to help with times like that), we get a fridge but it seems like it won't do much seeing as how the power will be out fairly often, but did I mention that the house is truly beautiful?! Something I really prayed for that I would be able to make my home feel like home and I am pleased to say that the prayer was answered.
Jason is totally in his element here. He's loving the challenge, making some really funny mistakes (I'll let him tell his own stories), and really just doing a great job as usual. I just love him!
And both girls are doing well! Kamden is tired, hot, and four. Four being the most difficult of those ;)! But she's doing great. And Kiley really seems to be loving it! Their favorite part of today was that mommy was their teacher (I taught science and gymnastics to all 5 girls today) and Kiley was most thankful that when her tummy hurt today that I cuddled her and made her feel better! So, I'm pleased with those few little accomplishments!
Jason spent most of the day at our new house listening to people "discuss" home improvement repairs in Hindi. It was quite humorous to try to ask a simple opinion of someone and that get turned into a few nationals arguing over where the curtains needed hung in a completely different room. Explanation needed? We were curious if a curtain was needed in the girls' bathroom. So, in English I asked "do you think we need a curtain in here?" So, to elaborate I pointed at the window I was discussing and then walked into the next room and pointed to the curtain that is already installed. And then pointed back at the other window. Simple enough? Nahi! (That means no, by the way, in Hindi! ;) Suddenly, there were 5 nationals crowded around using hand motions, talking all excitedly about that window in that room when that decision had already been settled! Ha! We just stood back, nodded, and smiled!
I did have one major accomplishment! I successfully asked my landlord's wife if I could watch her make chai! :) and I got across the point that "KamKam piar chai!" (KamKam loves chai!) That's what they all call her here because Kamden is too hard to say.
The girls are opening up to the landlord's little girl and Kamden at least let a few people hold her and give her hugs. She's four, people, what more do you expect! ;)
Like the name of a store here, "all is well"! Oh, and, by the way, the name of our town means "place of revival"! How cool is that!
So... Are we tired? Yes! Getting over a cold? Yes! Dealing with minor adjustment issues? Yes! Struggling with the silly dupatta falling off all the time? YES! But are we thankful to be here and excited about what's next?!? A resounding yes! It doesn't hurt that our team leaders are fantastic either! Or that we have amazing people praying for us constantly! So we are blessed! So very blessed!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
First Day in our Host Country
Kiley's first blog post:
"Welcome to real South Asia. It is so crowded but its a really good view. The first night we slept in a hotel and I got the top bunk. I've seen baby taxis and rickshaws. I even saw a baby. The mommy was carrying it on a bicycle. And it is so cool! I always want to stay in South Asia!"
*as spoken by Kiley. Names of places have been changed. ;)
If you can't tell, Kiley is very pleased with her host country. She woke up her first morning here and said "Good morning, South Asia!"
Pictures:
-Some airplane fun
-Kamden rides up front after feeling like she was going to throw up
-Girls watching a movie at 4am
Both girls have been superstars. They did amazing on the plane. And hit it off with their new friends almost instantly. Now you'd see them walking hand in hand and dancing around the house with people they didn't know only a few short hours ago.
As promised, we've already had a couple of embarrassing moments. Such as asking Clinton Kelly if he was married and then proceeding to ask him about his "wife". Oops! (You figure that one out).
And, of course, after getting off the airplane, getting our bags, and talking about how unbelievably smooth everything went, Jason managed to dump a cart full of our luggage. But it didn't end there. We were on the moving walkway. And he was in the front. Get the picture? When his dumped, the rest of us had to try to run backward, pulling our carts to keep from slamming into his spilled one. We were, of course, unsuccessful. So, the rest of the carts dumped too! We couldn't help but laugh (after making sure the girls didn't get trampled). We learned a very important lesson not to speak too soon!
We are so blessed that everything is exceeding our expectations. Our home ( no pics yet) is far better than we imagined. We still need to work out some logistics and have a long road ahead to learn how to buy everything we need for our house but in a different language!
We are definitely suffering from jet lag. Even though we managed to keep everyone awake from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm without even a nap, Kiley woke up at 1 am and asked if she could get up now! Kamden soon followed and Jason & I are wide awake too. So, the girls are watching a movie after we pushed them as long as we could to stay in bed. We will try again tomorrow.
What an awesome adventure so far. One day at a time!!!! He's got this!
"Welcome to real South Asia. It is so crowded but its a really good view. The first night we slept in a hotel and I got the top bunk. I've seen baby taxis and rickshaws. I even saw a baby. The mommy was carrying it on a bicycle. And it is so cool! I always want to stay in South Asia!"
*as spoken by Kiley. Names of places have been changed. ;)
If you can't tell, Kiley is very pleased with her host country. She woke up her first morning here and said "Good morning, South Asia!"
Pictures:
-Some airplane fun
-Kamden rides up front after feeling like she was going to throw up
-Girls watching a movie at 4am
Both girls have been superstars. They did amazing on the plane. And hit it off with their new friends almost instantly. Now you'd see them walking hand in hand and dancing around the house with people they didn't know only a few short hours ago.
As promised, we've already had a couple of embarrassing moments. Such as asking Clinton Kelly if he was married and then proceeding to ask him about his "wife". Oops! (You figure that one out).
And, of course, after getting off the airplane, getting our bags, and talking about how unbelievably smooth everything went, Jason managed to dump a cart full of our luggage. But it didn't end there. We were on the moving walkway. And he was in the front. Get the picture? When his dumped, the rest of us had to try to run backward, pulling our carts to keep from slamming into his spilled one. We were, of course, unsuccessful. So, the rest of the carts dumped too! We couldn't help but laugh (after making sure the girls didn't get trampled). We learned a very important lesson not to speak too soon!
We are so blessed that everything is exceeding our expectations. Our home ( no pics yet) is far better than we imagined. We still need to work out some logistics and have a long road ahead to learn how to buy everything we need for our house but in a different language!
We are definitely suffering from jet lag. Even though we managed to keep everyone awake from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm without even a nap, Kiley woke up at 1 am and asked if she could get up now! Kamden soon followed and Jason & I are wide awake too. So, the girls are watching a movie after we pushed them as long as we could to stay in bed. We will try again tomorrow.
What an awesome adventure so far. One day at a time!!!! He's got this!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Luke 9:62
Here it is, folks. The time we've all been waiting for, dreading, anticipating, fearing, counting down till.
There are moments that I wish for just one second that I could go back in time and un-break everyone's hearts. Including my own. But I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am directly in the center of what God has for me. And so... Luke 9:62.
My prayer for you is that you'll join in this incredible task in your own big way!!!! What an incredible way that would be to spend your life!!!
There are moments that I wish for just one second that I could go back in time and un-break everyone's hearts. Including my own. But I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am directly in the center of what God has for me. And so... Luke 9:62.
My prayer for you is that you'll join in this incredible task in your own big way!!!! What an incredible way that would be to spend your life!!!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Reflections
Psalm 40:3 "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
It's hard to believe that these eight weeks are actually coming to a close. We've made this our home for the time-being and so as you can imagine, saying goodbye will bring some sadness. It's exciting though because our time here has served us well, it has fulfilled its purpose of preparing us (as much as is possible on this side of the world) for the future.
I'm thankful today as I sit and reflect that the Lord gave me a new song to dwell on over the next stage of my life. Many of you know that over the past year my song has been "Take My Life" which has carried me through many challenging days. Now, I have a new song that I'm excited to share with you all. And as the verse says, I hope the result will be "many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
"All the Way My Savior Leads Me"
version by Chris Tomlin
All the way my Savior leads me
Who have I to ask beside
How could I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide
All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial
Feeds me with the living Bread
You lead me and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me
All the way my Savior leads me
O, the fullness of His love
O, the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood
And when my spirit clothed immortal
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way
Jesus led me all the way
All the way my Savior leads me
All the way my Savior leads me
It's hard to believe that these eight weeks are actually coming to a close. We've made this our home for the time-being and so as you can imagine, saying goodbye will bring some sadness. It's exciting though because our time here has served us well, it has fulfilled its purpose of preparing us (as much as is possible on this side of the world) for the future.
I'm thankful today as I sit and reflect that the Lord gave me a new song to dwell on over the next stage of my life. Many of you know that over the past year my song has been "Take My Life" which has carried me through many challenging days. Now, I have a new song that I'm excited to share with you all. And as the verse says, I hope the result will be "many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
"All the Way My Savior Leads Me"
version by Chris Tomlin
All the way my Savior leads me
Who have I to ask beside
How could I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide
All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial
Feeds me with the living Bread
You lead me and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me
All the way my Savior leads me
O, the fullness of His love
O, the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood
And when my spirit clothed immortal
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way
Jesus led me all the way
All the way my Savior leads me
All the way my Savior leads me
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)