Half Way Thru Phase One

As I was walking down the road through town to get to the internet cafe, I was struck again by the thought "I'm in India." Of course, I know I'm in India, but I guess I feel like I'm really here. The first few weeks are novel and you just feel like a visitor. But I've been here now for six weeks so that visitor feeling has worn off and I feel more "in place" I guess.

I must confess, for a couple weeks I was not overly happy about being here. I didn't dislike it, but I was at best just tolerating things. But I'm past that now and really enjoying both India and my teammates and the program. I have to say I'm glad God led me to do a DTS. He's been doing great things in my heart, just pouring out His love and helping me to feel secure just as I am; that His love is unconditional and that I can rely on Him to sustain me in my difficult moments.

And I really appreciate my teammates and the staff. They are a fun, generous bunch and have been very kind and encouraging to me.

Last week I had some difficult moments, feeling useless and hopeless about the future and God was able to show me how I've been relying on my own feelings instead of His word. I had a good cry and a good talk with one of the staff and spent time talking with God and I really received encouragement from Him about my future. My future has felt like a bit of a blank but I have some ideas percolating in my brain now and I'm so thankful that God has helped me with this. But it's not so much that I have ideas for what to do after the DTS but that I'm growing more sure of God's love for me and that He does have good plans for me. I've always believed that in my head but it didn't transfer so well to my heart. I'm sure some of you reading this know what that's like!

Anyway, we have a couple presentations of drama and music to do at a couple churches tomorrow and then next week I believe our lectures will be on ministry to Muslim's.

Don't know if I mentioned but I've seen a few elephant's by now! And a chipmunk in a banana tree!

One month down, four to go...

Well, I've been in India for one month now. This weekend was nice. On Friday it was Indepedence Day and we were invited to a church to participate in their service. I had a chance to participate in the singing contest, performing Steve Bell's "Wings of an Eagle" and eight of us team members performed a dance to "This is my Desire". During the message I was a little distracted by the geckos on the wall chasing a dragonfly that was fluttering around the lights! In my room at the house there is a little gecko that usually spends the night on the wall close to the ceiling - I call him our "little friend."

On Saturday the whole team was invited to the home of the pastor of the church we have been attending and we had a good time of worship and games. The pastor was also very encouraging, telling us examples from his own experience of how the Lord has provided for him and his family and praying for each of us individually. We had a very good dinner of chicken and rice and beef stew which we shared with other church members who came to visit with us. I so appreciate the hospitality.

This past week our lectures were on the subject of "Submission to Authority" and we looked at the life of King David and of Jesus as our exemplars. It was a very good series and so pertinent for life as a Christian. Please pray that I will continue to open my heart to accept God's love for me and to stop trying to earn love from Him and from others.

Thank you all for your prayers and emails.

In Christ,

Amy