Contentment

As I'm making lists and starting to pack, one refrain keeps coming into my mind, "use what you have."  Which in theory, sounds like a good idea.  But when faced with wanting to bring things that will make my trip more comfortable and even fun, it's hard not to go out and buy it.  Besides, I'm already spending some on a new Visa, immunizations, traveling food and supplies, etc.  And I'm finding that what I think I need to purchase for this trip, somehow shows up a little later. 

As a side note, we moved from Minnesota to Montana a few years ago and are in a rental so we have not unpacked everything.  So that's what all those boxes in the basement are about.

1. I found one of my trip journals from the 2nd & 3rd mission trips and had a fun few hours reading through it.  Then next week, the Missionary said I should do the "Work of Our Hands" devotion I did before.  It is only written out as I did it in that trip journal!  So I had it before I needed it.
2. Along with that journal, I found my first trip journal.  It told about my first experience with spiritual warfare on the mission field.  Which in turn sparked a renewal for me.  It reinforced what I believe God is doing and working in me.
3. My hubby researched noise cancelling earbuds for me, one of the few things I thought I might like to purchase.  During his research for a good pair, he realized we already had a pair!  He got them when we went to England.
4. Purses.  I have lots of them, apparently but not quite right for traveling with luggage.  But then I came across the one that I used for England.  It's perfect and it's even cute!
5. Outlet converters.  Now, I really, really wanted to order one that would convert to a usb port or multiple usb's because I have several things that could use it.  But when I found my converters for India, I realized I had 3-4 already plus a small power strip.  I should be ok, even though I desire something more convenient.
6. Technology.  I didn't want to bring my laptop as it could get damaged or stolen.  So using my phone with a bluetooth keyboard was a good option.  However, I don't have a bluetooth keyboard, so I'd need to buy one.  Then as I was thinking about it, I realized I could use an old tabled that we never use.  It won't matter if it gets damaged since it's pretty outdated but will still work to type and access the internet.
7. Footrest.  I need this because my legs are so short, and my hip gets out of whack if my legs and feet don't have support.  I do have an inflatable one, but the one I had bought awhile ago is easier to clean and smaller and packs flat.  After going through the boxes downstairs, I couldn't find it and strongly considered ordering a new one.  But then after my last plane ride, I decided I could get by with what I have.  And then today, when we were looking through boxes, I found my original one!!  I was so happy.
8. I've also found various little things like packing cubes, tote bags, little gifty items and more.

All this is to say, that I really don't need to buy new.  Something will work if I think on it.  And if not, I can always make do.  After all, "use what you have" is also something Indians do very well at.  If I do find myself in India without a certain something or another that would've made my life easier, it's not the end of the world.  Perhaps it's at that moment that I lean more into God and what He has for me.

You Know You've Been In India Awhile When -

I keep finding my old trip journals in the boxes that we moved from Minnesota to Montana.  Here's a gem I found:

You Know You've Been in India Awhile When:

• You bobble your head while talking on the phone
• You think honking the horn is a positive thing
• You think a person wearing shorts looks indecent
• You see men holding hands and think they are just good friends
• You think 2" between cars on the road is plenty of room
• When agreeing with someone you say, "ha" 
• A 3 bottle day does not include beer.

Weaving Together

Before this trip was solidified, I had a craft idea to teach to the women and orphans -Cardboard loom Weaving.  This is a project made from recycled items and a pen, scissors, ruler and needle, things most people will already have.  The threads can be scraps of yarn, thread, ribbon, fabric or anything they can think of to use.  Very little expense with a nicely finished item.

Through Youtube and websites, I taught myself how to make a loom and weave on it.  And then I taught it to others at local venues.  I had all the materials I needed to take it to India.

But a couple months ago, the itinerary for the trip took shape.  There was no block of time long enough to teach Cardboard Weaving.  I sadly set the plans aside and packed the kits away.  Instead, we'd do shorter length crafts and devotions.  

Fast forward to this morning where the dream revived.  We heard from our partner who oversees the orphan home for girls.  The girls will have one and a half days to be with us - a luxurious amount of time!  My team leader said she didn't expect to be with them so long because of school, what were we going to do with them all day?  Cardboard Weaving to the rescue!

The idea that was planted almost two years ago will become reality at last.  God knew all along, the time we'd have with the girls.  He knew that I needed the time to learn, hone the techniques and prepare the materials.  

If God has been planning something like this for this long, I wonder what else He has in the works for us to do?  May we be as Mother Teresa said, "a little pencil in God's hands."

India - March 2019

I am deep in the planning of the 4th trip to India in March.  But first, we had some plumbing issues which caused water to leak in the basement.  And the water always leaks in the room with the most cardboard boxes.  These are boxes that we packed up in Minnesota, moved to Billings then moved a little further out west.

We opened the boxes to see what was damaged and to air things out.  And what did I find near to the bottom of one of the boxes?  My India journal from the 2nd and 3rd trips!  What perfect timing.  And better yet, it wasn't wet.

Then a few days later, the Leader said I should use the same devotional as I did on our last trip.  It was very powerful with the women.  That devotional was written in that journal, my only copy.  In fact, it was written while I was sick, feverish and written, not typed,  It's a wonder I can read my own writing (mostly).

Isn't that just like God?  Providing for something I needed BEFORE I asked for it.  And even though it wasn't a fun way to find it (who enjoys plumbing problems?), it was the perfect way for me to discover it.

More stories later!  In the meantime, to invest in this project,  Visit my Go Fund Me page.  It has more of the details of the trip.

Solo Deo Gloria!

First Sunday

One of my favorite things about visiting India is their church services.  I love the worship, the excitement, the way the people act toward each other.  I often think that if you can't find a church community where you live, try another culture!  It will either become home for you, or help you appreciate what you have.

There was a special speaker, Dr. Sam who is from South India, now a missionary to the north.  He spoke in English which was translated to Hindi.  His message on everyone having a purpose, was in the same vein as the message I had prepared to share with the women, "God Doesn't Make Mistakes."  As I sat there, sniffling with my cold, my back aching, I heard the symphony of other coughs, sniffles and groans and felt at one with the congregation.  Forget the pain, the aches, the culture changes, we were all there for one purpose - to worship God.

The painting presented to me during church service

The church presented us with some lovely gifts, paintings done by one of the pastors.  He had done all three in a week!  I was glad to see that our paintings were slightly smaller and could fit in a luggage.  And it did make it safely home, without glass and frame.  

We had lunch with Dr. Sam and his wife, and Rajeev. I enjoyed talking with Dr. Sam and his wife, hearing the story of how they gave up their medical careers to become missionaries and reach the people in remote villages.  They travel around the mountains to share the gospel.  I promised to pray for them, and if you think of them, pray for them too.

February 2-4

The Hotel New Balloon in Dehradun

I flew out on Thursday afternoon with a stopover in Amsterdam.  There, I met up with Cris and we flew to Delhi together.  With a brief "nap" at a hotel (about 3-4 hours sleep), we took the early train northward to Dehradun. Vijay and Rajeev met us off the train and brought us to our hotel.

We settled in and rested up a little, and then we had a dinner to go to.  Rajeev had been invited to a family's home for dinner and brought us with.  I was tired and my cold was getting worse, but I did not want to miss an opportunity that God had set before me.

Before we went, he told us that the two older sons had both committed suicide.  The house was filled with strife, there was no peace.  He had met with the family after they lost their sons to counsel and pray with them.

The home was beautiful, they are well to do people or "hi-fi."  We were received in a sitting room and visited with the couple and their son, Moon.  To our surprise, we found out that it was the wife's birthday.  She said she was very honored to have us as guests!  Now, if I had unexpected guests (I didn't know we were unexpected) for my birthday dinner which involved making more food, more clean up and serving people while I ate in the kitchen, it would not have been a happy time.  But in that culture, it is a true honor to have the privilidge of serving guests, especially foreigners for a special day.

She brought out her birthday cake and we sang to her.  Then she fed us each a piece of cake with her hand, a tradition I had heard about, but hadn't experienced until then. We prayed with them and then we went to dinner.  It was delicious yet spicy and we ended it with a sweet and coffee.  Afterward, the family surprised us by giving us a gift.  The woman said that she had been honored to have us with them for their birthday, and it was the best birthday that she had ever had.

Their home is now filled with peace, after the restoration of their marriage and healing in their family.  There was a sadness sometimes when they talked of having one son, but the strife was gone.

It is humbling sometimes to think that all I was doing was going to someone's house for dinner and blessed a woman with having her best birthday.  And yet, I believe that this visit and everywhere we went, each place was a divine appointment.  This was one sweet taste of what the trip would be like.

Back and Recovering

Can you pick out the American in this picture?

I returned safely home last Friday afternoon.  The first stop, was the doctor's office!  What started as a mild cold before I left, became a respiratory infection of some sort.  I am now recovering from the travels, jet lag and sickness. 

My brain is finally catching up to my body, so I'll be posting day by day what happened while in India starting this week.  I wasn't able to access the internet much while away, we were in some remote places where not even the hotels had a connection. 

All in all it was a good trip. Good with many challenges.  And I look forward to sharing it with you!