it's all about the little things!

This past week God has been teaching me a lot about patience and grace. Things usually don't go as planned here in India. Our days are often filled with lots of waiting, traveling, and improvising new plans if old plans fall through. It's often during these moments that I ask God, "Why am I here?" "Did you really send me halfway across the world to spend so much time hanging out with people?" Why yes. Yes He did. I'm here to love and during this waiting I get to love on women, kids, or people in the street! This waiting also leads to wonderful conversations that would not have happened otherwise. For example, on Tuesdays and Thursdays we teach a Bible story at the after school program in a slum. The first day was amazing. There were 100 kids packed into a room all beaming! We had countless kids call us 'auntie' or 'aca' which is a respectful term for an older person or sister. And then...the best part came. 100 kids sang, no...shouted, praises to the Lord both in English and Tamil. It was quite possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life. Talk about joy and gladness..these kids have got it! Then we came back on Tuesday and God tested my patience and my grace. First, Darci and I waited to teach the little kids. and waited... Then we finally got to teach but I'm not sure a single child was listening, it was madness. Then we headed over to the older girls class but it started down pouring. Between the wind, rain, and squeals of all the girls it was impossible to hear anything. So we joined the boys but it was so crowded and loud that no lesson was taught. I was pretty bummed because I really have started to form relationships with some of the older girls. BUT! God still had a pretty awesome plan. During that time I got to sit and chat with about 5 of the older girls. We talked about how sin came (which was going to be our lesson) and why God had to send his Son. They were all full of questions and very open to talking about faith. Two told me they were Christian and the other three were Hindu. One girl pulled out her Bible and I showed her my favorite passage and she marked it to read! This is a small step, but it's an awesome step that wouldn't have occurred had things gone according to our plans.

This week God has reminded me that it really is all about the little things. God has given me something wonderful to learn or experience each day. On Monday, we had the opportunity to play games with the AIDS patients which was so fun! They were so happy and it was a blessing to see them smile, clap, cheer, and laugh because that's not exactly the norm around there. My joy came from helping one girl walk back to her room. Small thing, right? but so much joy. Her left side is partially paralyzed so it's very difficult for her on her own so I got to hold her hand and talk with her a bit. I learned she has two children living at a nearby orphanage and I'm not sure if her husband is living anymore so she has been in my thoughts and prayers often lately...she's the sweetest.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday it was great to hang out with the women at the stitching center and see relationships beginning to form. Two of them are teaching me all I need to know about how to survive in India :) There are three younger girls there too so that's been cool to be able to hang out with them as well.

Friday we served at the hospital again. One girl sang beautifully to us and we were blessed with some good, broken English conversations. All we know in Kanada is 'channagiday' which means good or pretty so we say that allllll the time and people always laugh at us. We also spent the afternoon at the aftercare center. Instead of teaching a lesson we just told them how Jesus came to serve us so we wanted to serve them that day because we love and care about them. For some reason, when Jill explained that to them it almost brought tears to my eyes because even though I barely know these women I really do love and care about each of them! We painted each others nails and I got to know some of the women better. One women is transitioning to another center so it's very cool to see God at work in the lives of these women! He truly is bringing redemption and restoration even though it can be a slow and long process. God is at work in this city!

Prayers for this week:
- I'm doing so well and this finally feels like home but satan seems to attack me in the quiet moments in the house so pray that God sustains me during those moments! This does not happen often, but when it does I often don't feel well physically or spiritually which is difficult to work through.
- that God continues to work in India! We've met a lot of different young people from the States here this week and it's so cool to see God working through this generation. Lately my prayer is that our generation would bring a revival, not only in India, but until the ends of the earth are reached.
- continued growth for the women in the aftercare center, both mentally and spiritually
- open hearts at the stitching center. I often get to pray for the women there and it's so interesting to see some praying to God alone and some Hindus praying fervently, but simply to one of their gods.
- we have a short term team coming this week so pray for their safe travels and that God would prepare their hearts
- and finally, that God would lead here and we would follow his calling. Our team cannot do it by our own strength, and when we try, God always reminds us! His thoughts are higher than our and His ways our higher than ours so pray that we would listen to His thoughts and follow His ways.


- Kels

so much to tell!

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Where to begin? It’s almost been two weeks and I could probably go on forever! I am overjoyed to be back in India ministering to God’s beloved children. I have so much to tell and wish each of you could experience what I’m experience..but you can’t. So I’ll do my best to tell you as much as I can, but I apologize if none of this makes sense.

After about 28 exhausting hours of travel, and no problems with my visa (PTL!), Lydia and Jill greeted us at the airport with hugs and big smiles, especially for 3:00 am. The first week here was rough. I didn’t sleep well, and my body just seemed to be confused and adjusting to all the changes. It definitely is true that India doesn’t taste, smell, look, sound, or feel like home. Some things that are different: I’m becoming more adventurous with Indian food, and am actually enjoying most of it! (Ry and Ash…you’d be proud) The streets are always busy and loud here, at every hour day or night. Seeing cows, dogs, goats, and chickens roaming the streets has become normal. Rickshaws are our most common form of transportation. I’m getting adjusted to power flickering on and off and understanding how “India time” works. I speak in short phrases often to communicate through the language barrier such as, "You eat?" "What your name?" "Very pretty." We’re also stared at like we’re unicorns around here, but we also get pretty excited when we see other white people so we understand!

Even in these first few weeks, days have not always been easy but the Lord has blessed me richly through those times. First, I absolutely love my team. Discipleship with them has been absolutely beautiful. Personally, God has been teaching me what it looks like to daily abide in Him and stand under His waterfall of grace. Since there is not a lot of communication, I’ve talked to God A LOT. He’s taught me so much in these two short weeks and has so much more in store for the next 5!

So…ministry. We don’t have a set schedule but our weeks often look similar. Mondays and Fridays are usually spent serving at the AIDS orphanage and hospital. We clean, do laundry, and talk with the patients or whatever else they need done! Although this is humbling work I find complete satisfaction and joy in it. I think it’s largely because I know the importance of a clean hospital (the nursing student in me really comes out here) and I love caring for the unlovable and letting them know they are loved by the creator of the universe! We try to find time to spend with the 18 orphans as well, but that’s been difficult scheduling wise. (We’re learning a lot about India time, flexibility, patience, and grace) All 18 orphans are HIV+ but you would never know by interacting with them. They are such a blessing to talk and giggle with and are overflowing with joy! The stigma of HIV/AIDS truly astounds me. Most of these people have not done anything “bad” to contract this disease, they’ve just been dealt some not so great circumstances and still need love, most importantly…the love of our Father!

Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are spent at the stitching center in the slum. We do gospel stories through henna on Wednesdays and life-skills class on Thursdays. A lot of our time here is just spent talking with, learning from, and loving on the women. My favorite experience thus far has been with a little girl there whom I’ve grown quite fond of…we even have a super cool handshake! It went a little like this:

Girl: you doctor?

Me: no, studying to be nurse.

Girl: Nurse?! Come! (and takes me outside alone) Doctor listen to heart. Boom, boom and say is bad

…so I listened to her heart, took her pulse, and let her feel mine. I told her her heart was okay and the doctor wasn’t bad. Her face lit up so bright and it made me SO happy. Little moments like these often seem silly and unimportant, but these are the moments that bring such joy and peace.

Friday afternoon we went to the aftercare center. My heart physically hurt going there. About 30 women live there and they’ve all been trafficked. Seeing the smiles on their faces and hearing them giggle, I simply could not imagine what they’ve been through. The language barrier is difficult here, but the easiest way to communicate is to smile…a lot! Though it was hard to go and see the faces of the many statistics I’ve researched it was here that I also saw redemption. I saw hope and I saw joy. Through the short time I’ve spent there I can feel God at work. He does so much behind the scenes work here, even though it’s not always evident to us. I cannot wait to see more of His work, His healing, and His restoration in the next few weeks!

I could tell so much more, and a lot of this is probably word vomit but it’s so difficult to sum up my experience! Here are a few moments that have brought joy:

-       successfully packing six people into a rickshaw

-       neighbor kids with smiles as big as the moon asking for “chocolate” aka any form of candy

-       successfully getting home from the grocery store in an auto with Erin

-       trying a cucumber for the first time in India, even though we have them in our garden back home (by the way dad, I loved them…be ready to share)

-       finding oreos, peanut butter, and diet coke at the store...mmm!
-    running through the street during a downpour while all the natives laugh at us

-       Erin laughing hysterically at my face each time I get really excited

-       Chicken at a restaurant that reminded me of mama’s smothered chicken and plain spaghetti to remind me of dad!

-       ALL of the notes in my encouragement book. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve read them all already and them bring so much encouragement each time I re-read them

I just want to let y’all know that I love you and am so thankful for each of you! I won’t get on too often, so only expect about 5 more posts (which are hopefully more organized) You all make my trip possible with prayer, so finally some prayer requests:

-       health and strength for the team, that we would rely fully on God for our strength and no one else

-       rest. For the first week, I didn’t sleep much which caused a great deal of anxiety. Anxiety has always been something I’ve struggled with, but I know that Christ alone can break those chains! BUT! God has already answered prayers and I’ve been sleeping much better so pray for continued rest and peace

-       hearts open to hearing the gospel at the centers

-       deepening relationships with the women and children at the center

Two verses that have spoken to me while here are Romans 8:15 and Jeremiah 17:5-8. These are among many that have strengthened me here, but I think they paint a beautiful picture of what it means to dwell with the Lord.

today is the day!

     Well folks, today is the day. June 10, 2013 is finally here! I've had so many emotions running through my head this past weekend. At the moment though, I feel extremely excited. After months of preparation with my team, with family, with Darci, and with myself I feel ready. My bags are packed, my goodbyes are said, and my heart is itching to be in India once again. I'm ready to see what God has planned this summer and I'm ready to leap outside of my comfort zone. I'm ready to live in another culture and have my eyes opened over and over again to God's workmanship! Last night I slept like a rock, which is quite surprising, usually I am a basket case before traveling, but lately I've been overwhelmed with a peace that can only be given through our Lord. While I am excited, and overwhelmed with peace, I do have a few worries but God has continually reminded me through my devotional "Jesus Calling" that I do not need to worry. Here are a few of my wake up calls the past few days:
   " My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life. However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is anathema to Me. Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But if it is I, then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive."
   and here is todays... " Rest in Me, My child. Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen. Pray continually asking My Spirit to take charge of the details of THIS day. Remember that you are on a journey with Me. When you try to peer into the future and plan for every possibility, you ignore your constant Companion who sustains you moment by moment. . . Never lose sight of My Presence with you. This will keep you resting in Me all day, every day"
Yupp, God knew what I needed. I am so thankful God is in charge of my life. He has me in the palm of his hand on this journey!
     There have also been a few tears shed this morning with some tough see you later's. I had to say goodbye to my daddio this morning and will have to say goodbye to my mama mia at the airport. These aren't tears of sadness necessarily just "I'm really really going to miss you" tears. For those of you who don't know, my parents are the rocks in my life. They're my best friends and a lot of nights I'll willingly spend watching movies with them instead of going out. I've never been away from them for more than two weeks so this summer will be tough in that aspect, but I think that's good. My prayer this summer is that my parents stay safe and healthy here and I grow closer to my heavenly Father during my time apart from my earthly parents. 
  So as I head out to the airport today prayers would be greatly appreciated for:
 - safe travels
- ease through customs
- smooth transition into a new culture
- unity as a team
- that this overwhelming peace would continue throughout the next two days of travel

I have been beyond blessed throughout this journey, especially these past two days with texts, phone calls, notes, and conversations with people expressing their love, concern, and commitment to praying for me this summer and I want to say thank you to each and every one of you. You make this journey effective and I love you! See you in seven weeks, Sioux Center!

- Kelsey

one week!

ONE WEEK! I leave in one week...woah! Most of my SOS team is already on their way or settled in at their sites and in one week I will be on my way to Bangalore! So exciting and so nerve-racking at the same time. I'm feeling a whole mix of emotions in the midst of this past week as well as the upcoming week. Those of you who know me know that I get nervous for things and always have. Once in sixth grade I got so nervous to go back to school after Christmas break that I made myself sick. Now, this doesn't mean I'm not excited for my journey and it doesn't mean that I doubt God's plans. I am beyond excited and I know that God is bigger than any storm I face, but I still get nervous. So my major prayer requests right now are:

• peace! That the Holy Spirit would wash over me this next week and give me peace and comfort about my journey
• safe travels and that my passport and Visa still work! As many of you know, our house flooded and my passport was slightly damaged. I'm most nervous about my visa at this point and have gotten many different answers concerning its validity, but don't have enough time to get a new one. So please, please PRAY MY VISA IS VALID and I make it into India without any complications. 
• preparation and unity for the three of us girls going and working together.