Went On a Venture

Ever since arriving in South Asia, I have wanted to go exploring. My niece used to call it going on a "venture". Today presented the perfect opportunity.I found myself alone in my desire so I decided to go ahead and fly solo. I started this morning with a prayer "Oh Lord, I know I will get lost...just help me to not panic. Amen". I printed out a page from the Lonely Planet travel book of the places that I wanted to go. I walked out of my door, caught a rickshaw and sped away leaving nothing behind but the dust.

The first place I visited was some ancient tombs that is considered a World Heritage Site ( I am not actually sure what that means) As I entered the gates, a man approaches me and made some comment about me being prettier than the Taj Mahal. He somehow attached himself to me and started giving me a lecture about the historical significance of the place. I say repeadly, "No thanks, I can read about it myself" but I can' t seem to shake this guy. I ended up giving him a few bucks and he left me alone after that. From then on, I had the whole place to myself. I strolled around the gardens, climbed the ancient walls and walked on the soft green grass. At one point, I sat on a bench and watched some eagles fly around. It was quite and very restful.

My first place to visit went so well that I decided to go ahead and try another place of interest. As I was leaving, I got accosted by a very pushy rickshaw driver who just "knew" that I needed him to take me around all day. I am pretty sure he ripped me off but I finally negotiate a price with him to take me to the next monument site. As we are drove along, he kept suggesting that I needed to make additional stops. I told him "look....I don't have much money. The economy is failing as you know...please... just take me where I asked you to go" I actuallythought that I had come up with a pretty clever excuse to shut him up.... but oh no...he chatters on for the entire leg of the journey trying to coax me into giving him more money. Oh well... I will have to save the 'failing economy' excuse for another day

I finally reached my second destination. The rickshaw driver sped away- mad that I didn't hire him for the whole day.The second monument I visited had a more Persian flare to it. By this time, it is pretty hot in the day. This place was a lot more crowded so I had decided to not stay long. But providentially, I met up with a college student from the UK. We struck up a conversation and ended up touring the ruins together. She was going to a temple next and asks if I wanted to join her. So, I did. We visited the temple and we actually had a very good conversation about spiritual matters. She has been burned in the past by unkind believers. I just listened to her. I apologized to her for people mistreating and judging her. I told her about the Son. I told her to not look to people but look to Him. I told her that we will always screw it up, thats why we need Him. I told her about grace. By that point in the day, I was really exhausted. But I said goodbye to my new friend and I walked away joyful. It turns out that God had His own "venture" in mind for today. ;-)

Things I Am Thankful For

I am thankful for....S.T.D.'s- its what they call public phones around here. When in trouble and my cell phone doesn't work, I know I can always pick up an S.T.D.

I am thankful for...the purple slippers that I found at Walmart and thought to pack. There is no carpet around here and the floors are dusty. I am thankful I can look down at my feet and see purple sparkle.

I am thankful for...pancake mix. Much to my surprise, we found some the other day at the nearby store and had yummy pancakes with mango topping that lasted us for several meals

I am thankful for...the lady at the store who sold me shampoo "for dull hair". I guess she thought my hair needed some help. I still chuckle every time I look at the bottle.

I am thankful for....the wonderful people I have met along the way. I see God's grace in action every day because they are in my life.

I am thankful for...water. This is something we seem to run out of easily. I am thankful when there is enough to last us through the day.

I am thankful for...God's presence. In a world that is so unfamiliar, its nice to have Him as my familiar.

More Pictures Again

A pretty common site around here


A slum area of town

another temple along the Ganga

me and some friends on Easter morning- I wore my fanciest korta for the occation

More Pictures

Standing in the Ganga River with Heather


A family we chatted with for awhile. They view this river as holy so they are giving offering by pouring milk and placing flowers in it.



A statue of Shiva- one of the many gods

Some women worshipping at the foot of Shiva

Some ladies I met near the statue of Shiva. I didn't even realize those men were behind me, I guess they wanted in the picture too!

Pictures

Pictures from the temple we visted

Standing in front of the temple, dressed in a korta and dupatta (long shirt and scarf)

This is inside an auto rickshaw- a popular method of transportation. I would compare it to a motorbike on steriods

Because He Lives

Ironically, I woke up this morning with the words "Because He Lives" in my head. As I shook off my sleep, I remembered...oh yeah, today is Sunday. Today we celebrate the fact that He lives.

"Because He lives I can face tomorrow." These words are so much more personal now. So much is out of my control these days. I need help with the most simple of tasks. By the end of the day, I am exhausted. But His mercies are new every morning.

"Because He lives all fear is gone" I can ride in an auto rickshaw swerving in and out of traffic. I feel like I narrowly escape death every time I cross the street. I don't understand people. I hear noises that are unfamiliar. There is so much to be afraid of. And yet... I am not. Because He is good.

"Because I know He holds the future" I honestly really don't know what tomorrow will look like. I think I have a plan but it always changes. I am learning to live with this. But I know that He has ordained my days. I know that I can find Him in the midst of the unknown.

"And life is worth the living, just because He lives" Yesterday I noticed how dirty my fingernails and feet were. (and yes I shower daily) But I started thinking about it. ...My feet can be dirty as long as I can always be walking to bring the Good News. My fingernails can be dirty as long as that means I am busy doing His work. Living this life is worth is, because He lives.

First Impressions

Well, I have made it through the first two days. I am up at two in the morning due to jet lag. But I am thankful for this time. It gives me time to be still. I don't have to think or talk or answer questions. The days are filled with honking horns, loud traffic, barking dogs and masses of people. So, I like these early mornings. Of course I will be exhausted by five in the evening but that's jet lag for you. My first day was spent by going shopping. You would think that this would be a fairly simple task but it took most of the day. Yesterday we went on a whirlwind trip to a temple. It was strange, overwhelming and sad. Incense filled the room as I saw people laying prostrate on the floor. They were so devoted but so lost. When we got back from our trip, I was asked where I wanted to eat dinner. And I just couldn't think. I couldn't make a decision. I am suddenly living in a world that is upside down to me. The easiest decisions are all of the sudden hard. Nothing is familiar. Well...almost nothing. I sense a familiar tugging on my heart. The call of my Father. In this overwhelming time, He reminds me that there is no other god that is like Him. He reminds me that He alone deserves my worship. He reminds me that I have to depend on Him for my daily bread. He reminds me to be thankful. He reminds me that HE is my home.

Too Tired To Think of a Clever Title

Well, I have landed in South Asia. The flight went really well. I had several other traveling companions who were with me the entire way. As we landed in our final destination, I felt a peace that passes all understanding. I know this comes from God. There are already new sights and new smells. The drive from the airport reminded me a bit of the Middle East. There were construction signs posted everywhere. There were the sad looking palm trees and shrubs that lined the median of the highway. As we drove through traffic, I was reminded that road rules are only mere "suggestions" on this side of the world. For the next several weeks, we are staying at a guesthouse here in town. We are sleeping on nice firm pieces of foam. There is no water pressure for me to take a shower. And yet I find myself being thankful. I am thankful that I had a chocolate bar to nibble on when we were driving from the airport. I am thankful that I remembered to pack my purple house slippers. I am thankful that Heather is here with me and that I don't have to spend my first night in the country alone.

The agenda is pretty relaxed the next two days and then we start in on an action packed schedule. Tomorrow we go shopping with the gals to get culturally appropriate attire. I have a feeling that adventure lies ahead. Thank you for lifting me up.

The Belly of a Whale

Last Wednesday was our last day of orientation. It was sad to leave the new friends that I had made. My parents traveled with me back to Texas. We stopped by KY for a few days to visit family. It was nice seeing everyone but I must admit, I smiled a little when we crossed the Texas border. This week has been crazy. I feel like I am going through a slight version of culture shock. I just spent 8 week out in the country with cows as my neighbors and now I am expected to navigate the streets of downtown Dallas. I surprisingly have most everything finished. I still need to cancel a few things but overall, I feel ready to go. With my remaining days here, I plan to visit with people and to make the most of every moment that comes my way. At this point, I would feel more afraid to NOT go. One of my friends at orientation was questioned about how he could follow God's call overseas. And he said "well, let me put it to you this way...I don't want to end up in the belly of a whale"