Telling Stories Again

This past week, I did a story crafting workshop in M Town. About 15 ladies came and we had a wonderful time together. A few of the teenagers that came testified that they have now placed their trust in Him. This picture is of us singing during the opening session. I think this turned out well because it shows how active singing can be around here.

B jamming out on the drum.

This is how I spend a lot of my time. Sitting in circles and listening listening listening to stories. People often ask me "how do you learn Hindi"? and I say well...I listen to ya'll alot....

In the evenings, we went out into the villages and listened to them tell the stories to their neighbors. This is B telling the story about the paralytic man being brought through the roof to JC.

There was a swing at the training center and the village ladies just couldn't resist....

We sometimes have them act out the story after they hear it a few times. Its amazing how this simple, fun technique really helps to solidify the story in their minds. This picture is of the ladies reclining at the 'table' (it was the story of the woman with the alabaster box)

Poverty and The Heart of God

There is no mistake by anyone who reads the Word that God's love and care for the poor are a central theme in His message. In Proverbs it says "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God".

As I learn to navigate this culture with all its twists and turns, one thing remains constant- people are in need. And to be honest, I am not actually sure how to respond to every situation. I have never actually gone a single day without food, water, shelter or love. So no, I don't exactly know what people are going through. I don't know which need or request I should respond to. But I DO know that I need to respond.

I believe that God is trying to show me a bit of His heart through my encounters with the poor. For the past month, there has been one particular persistent lady who has come to ask me for many things. Money, food, clothes, table scraps. I tried to give her work. But from the moment she enters my house she starts complaining about her life. Her pain. Her need. Her back. When I make her tea and cookies, she gobbles it down and asks for more.

To be honest, I started to resent her. It kinda reminds me of that book If You Give a Mouse A Cookie.... She wants me to pay her for work that she doesn't do in addition to giving her everything she lays her eyes on. In every corner of my house, she finds something she wants. Even crazy things that I never in a million years would have considered valuable. If only...if only she would respond to the ONE who can give her so much more than money or things. But her heart remains unmoved.

As resentment built up in my heart, I thought about how I should respond to my persistent friend. And this is where the Lord revealed some of His heart. I am just like the women. Asking asking asking constantly for Him to take the pain away. I gobble down the cookies without ever thinking about the Hand that gave them to me. I would rather have His blessing than His presence.

When she came back today, I prayed that the Lord would allow me to love her as He loves her. Allow me to see her as He sees her. And I did give her some food, clothes and some old shoes today (but I didn't give up one of my favorite bags). As she left, I hugged her. Her body just crumpled into my arms. And I felt like a jerk for ever having resented her. There is no way I can understand her life. But I can show her the One that does. I still have a lot to learn. I am sure I will get irritated at her again. But little by little, He is showing me His heart.

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a popular holiday celebrated every year by Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. It celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It mainly consists of the sister placing a bracelet (called a Rakhi) around the brother's wrist, signifying the sister's love and prayers towards her brother's well being. The brother, in turn, gives a life long vow to protect her. This tradition also extends to sisters and close friends not apart of the family. Last night, as I was turning in the for the night, I heard a knock on my door. And as I opened up to see who it was, I saw three excited faces staring at me. My neighbors had come to give me a bracelet. This was their way to show me that they consider me apart of the family.

Now, I normally don't take the tikka (the painted dot) because I am never sure what it means in any given situation. But I have also learned it does more for the cause of the Father to react to these situations in a loving manner. And the truth of it was, the girls were just trying to love on me. So, in this situation, I let them do it. I find that there is a lot of black and white. But there also are shades of gray that I have learn how to navigate. And I think this was just one of those times.

Its a sign of love and friendship to feed someone. So, here R is feeding me a sweet. (It was disgusting by the way)

And my ever so beautiful bracelets

Hand To The Plow

Today I had the chance to help out with a newly formed house fellowship. This house fellowship consists of new believers in the faith. Because of this, they didn't know how to 'do' house fellowship. It took us hours to reach the home where we were to meet. Our hosts consisted of a man and wife whose job it is to run the boats along the Ganga River. The husband sports a big smile and has a gentle way about him. His wife, on the other hand, has a harder disposition. She stares at you with a straight face and barely says a word. I bet she would win, hands down, if I ever challenged her to a staring contest. But when she speaks, you can her hunger for His Word.

This week, we talked about sharing our testimonies and then learned the Demon Possessed Man story together. We sat in a small sunny room without electricity. The food that we had ordered never showed up. So, we were essentially sitting there- hot, hungry and distracted. The room was so crowded, some people had to stand in the doorway. Neighbors were in and out. I never quite had their full attention. Kids were up and down, crying, tripping... one kid even threw up at my feet. It was at this point that I thought "should I just keep going"?

But then, I was able to see little glimpses of His grace. We enjoyed learning a new praise song together. One of the ladies opened up to us about a real problem she was having. One woman talked about how He had changed her life. We shared struggles. We prayed together. Evidence of Him were all around.

When we finished our fellowship I asked "shall we meet together again"? I was really expecting them to say no. After all, it was way too much trouble. Some people had to stand out in the sun. The kids were cranky. The other house fellowships had dismissed earlier than them and beat them to Luby's. Our time together was messy and not pretty. But for them, the answer was easy. They all said quickly said 'yes, we will meet again'. And my heart was humbled. Its days like these that you just have to put your hand to the plow and keep moving ahead trusting that He is at work. And despite the mess, its worth it to meet again.

Sweet Friend

I have been sorta under the weather this week with all the rain, dust and such. The other day, I told my friend, N, that I was feeling only teek teek (so-so) She called tonight and I didn't recognize the number when I picked up. 'Cathy, this N, I was calling to see how you are doing. I have been worried. Are you eating? (this is THE question they ask to determine your level of wellness)

My heart was touched that the Lord can use His people, from all walks of life and corners of the world, to encourage. Here is a picture of N holding a co worker's baby.

Nurse Cat is Back

Recently, I had prayed that the Lord would allow me to use my nursing skills more directly. And He answered that prayer twice on the same day. Over the course of a year or so, I have been visiting a local believer's house to encourage and disciple her. She live in a tiny little room and basically lives in squalor. I had known for awhile that her oldest son, who is 4, was developmentally delayed. But I just chalked it up to poor nutrition and lack of education. Well, she just recently told me "AJ's tongue is tied to his gums, that's why he can't speak" Due to some special monetary gifts given in the past (thanks to those of you who gave) I think that our house fellowship will be able to pay for the simple procedure.

Being the nursecat that I am, I was the chosen one to go enquire about the possible procedure at a nearby hospital. While walking along the muddy path that led to the hospital, I noticed another one of my neighbors who looked like death. She was hunched over, barely able to hold herself up.

"D, what is WRONG"? I asked
Me beemar huin (I am sick) she croaked. I assisted her inside and made her lay down. Upon quick assessment, she seemed to be very dehydrated. Well...thankfully I was already close by the hospital so I was able to quickly buy some ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). Upon reentering the house of my sick neighbor, I started giving orders. Normally, my Hindi gets shaky under pressure but I guess old instincts trumped lingustical barriers in this instance. D's kids stared at me through their dark oval eyes as I barked orders. They knew I was serious. I forced D to drink the ORS. I sat with her until she had gotten one liter down and then made her oldest daughter promise on her life she would give her another liter the next morning.

I was able to go on my and finally made it to the hospital to enquire about the surgery. This morning, I passed by D's house to check on her. She didn't look like death anymore. I am glad it was a simple fix.

It took me awhile to realize that the Lord had answered my prayer. Not that I wanted AJ's tongue to be tied. Or for D to be dehydrated. But I felt like He very directly me put in those two places to be His hands and His feet. I like it that we serve a God who intervenes.