Along with others, I had the chance to share about the India trip at our Tuesday night prayer meeting. It's hard to believe it was just a week ago that we arrived back (after our 20+ hour airplane trek from Bombay, India!) and greeted everyone.
Last night I talked about what stood out to me so much--how the Asian believers have so very little as far as this world's goods, but yet are so rich in their devotion to Jesus and reaching the lost around them. Praise God. May their lives ever be an example to us as we seek to bring glory to Jesus and labor for His kingdom.
Welcome, dear friends! Here you will find an assortment of snippets and reflections ... and hopefully some encouraging quotes from people like John Piper and C.S. Lewis and ... most of all ... the Scriptures. :-) Leave a comment if you'd like - I would love to hear from you! Have a GREAT day.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Two people on staff invited the rest of us young people to their apartment last night for fajitas and fellowship. The fajitas were yummy, and I sure did enjoy chatting with everyone--and the good laughs we shared. Having just gotten back from India, I marvel at how different the lives of the people there are, when compared with our lives. I was incredibly impacted by the utter simplicity yet radical dedication to Christ that I saw in the lives of the believers there. They may not have much in material possessions, but their committment to give their lives for Christ's sake is SO deep.
It definitely challenged me to be more sold out for His kingdom. Who am I that I get to work alongside these Asian believers who are so utterly abandoned to the cause of Christ? At the same time, too, I was so encouraged when the leaders there thanked us and said how we do things that they aren't able to do, and this allows them to go forth and reach their people with the Gospel. Wow. Incredible!
It definitely challenged me to be more sold out for His kingdom. Who am I that I get to work alongside these Asian believers who are so utterly abandoned to the cause of Christ? At the same time, too, I was so encouraged when the leaders there thanked us and said how we do things that they aren't able to do, and this allows them to go forth and reach their people with the Gospel. Wow. Incredible!
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Today was a good day. I was able to put in just about a full day at work. It's so good to be back. I went by and saw my coworker Jen. She hasn't been here very long, but already I am so thankful for her friendship. :o) And my good friend Cara and I went to lunch and dropped off some of my India trip film at Costco. I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out. I got doubles ... I'm sure some of them will end up with family members and coworkers from the trip, and maybe even in my next newsletter. :o)
It's good to be alive. It may sound goofy, but I love life ... and yet we live in a fallen world, tainted by sin. Just think of how it's going to be in Heaven. I want the children I saw on the streets of Bombay to be there ... and the children who live in the slums in little shacks made of garbage bags, sticks and straw. I will never forget what it felt like to see them with my own eyes, riding to our hotel in Bombay our first night. I couldn't believe it. I mean, I had read stories about people who lived like this, but there's nothing like seeing it for yourself, to make it come alive.
We had the opportunity to actually visit a slum a few days later, and I couldn't get over the joy of the Christians living there. As we looked out over the field of makeshift huts made of garbage bags, sticks, straw, you name it--basically anything people could get their hands on--a lady standing off in the distance bounded toward us. We found out her name is Gretcha, and she's a believer in Christ. As Gretcha greeted us with warm handshakes, I searched her face and was utterly amazed at what I saw. The whole time, she was beaming from ear to ear. It was like there was a joy within her--a sacred joy that couldn't be contained but just had to bubble out of her.
Our group leader had the privilege of encouraging the congregation of a slum church a few days later. He shared a truth that no doubt was on their hearts even before we came, for it is likely such a driving force for the contentment that sustains these precious believers and keeps them going forth with such joy, day to day. "We will see you in Heaven," he said. "That is where life begins." Such fitting words for these people. I was touched by the testimony of their pastor--how he left his home to go to Bible college and then ultimately bring the Gospel to these people, making his home among them and living just like they do. I am so thankful for the thousands of people just like him throughout Asia--people whose sacrificial lives God is using to bring the Good News of Christ to so many who are unreached and downtrodden.
It reminds me of how Abraham obeyed God and left the comforts of his city to dwell in tents. (Hebrews 11:8-10) Like these believers ministering in the slums, he knew this world is not his true home--that Heaven is where life truly begins.
It's good to be alive. It may sound goofy, but I love life ... and yet we live in a fallen world, tainted by sin. Just think of how it's going to be in Heaven. I want the children I saw on the streets of Bombay to be there ... and the children who live in the slums in little shacks made of garbage bags, sticks and straw. I will never forget what it felt like to see them with my own eyes, riding to our hotel in Bombay our first night. I couldn't believe it. I mean, I had read stories about people who lived like this, but there's nothing like seeing it for yourself, to make it come alive.
We had the opportunity to actually visit a slum a few days later, and I couldn't get over the joy of the Christians living there. As we looked out over the field of makeshift huts made of garbage bags, sticks, straw, you name it--basically anything people could get their hands on--a lady standing off in the distance bounded toward us. We found out her name is Gretcha, and she's a believer in Christ. As Gretcha greeted us with warm handshakes, I searched her face and was utterly amazed at what I saw. The whole time, she was beaming from ear to ear. It was like there was a joy within her--a sacred joy that couldn't be contained but just had to bubble out of her.
Our group leader had the privilege of encouraging the congregation of a slum church a few days later. He shared a truth that no doubt was on their hearts even before we came, for it is likely such a driving force for the contentment that sustains these precious believers and keeps them going forth with such joy, day to day. "We will see you in Heaven," he said. "That is where life begins." Such fitting words for these people. I was touched by the testimony of their pastor--how he left his home to go to Bible college and then ultimately bring the Gospel to these people, making his home among them and living just like they do. I am so thankful for the thousands of people just like him throughout Asia--people whose sacrificial lives God is using to bring the Good News of Christ to so many who are unreached and downtrodden.
It reminds me of how Abraham obeyed God and left the comforts of his city to dwell in tents. (Hebrews 11:8-10) Like these believers ministering in the slums, he knew this world is not his true home--that Heaven is where life truly begins.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Here I am, back from India! Our group arrived home about 8 p.m. tonight. It's so good to be back. At the same time, the trip was incredible, and I wouldn't mind perhaps going back someday. Several nights I stayed up an hour or more, writing the impact of the day in my journal. I would like to share some of these entries, but right now I should get ready for bed. Tomorrow, by faith, I will put in a full day at the office. I'm eager to get back and continue to thank the Lord for the privilege of being used to reach villages in Asia. I was telling my mom tonight how I have such a contentment. Truly He has been so kind to me.
When our group reached the office from the airport, everyone eagerly greeted us. That was such a good feeling. I've missed everyone. It sure was a sweet time, as we could see that they had missed us, too, and were praying for us often. My roommates said each night they wrote (on our kitchen dry erase board) prayer requests on my behalf, as though they had come from me. That meant so much to me. :o) We three had a time of roommate bonding tonight, doing guess what? After two and a half weeks of Indian food, I suddenly decided today I had a craving for a BK Whopper. So we each decided to partake in some food and fellowship. It was a good time!
When our group reached the office from the airport, everyone eagerly greeted us. That was such a good feeling. I've missed everyone. It sure was a sweet time, as we could see that they had missed us, too, and were praying for us often. My roommates said each night they wrote (on our kitchen dry erase board) prayer requests on my behalf, as though they had come from me. That meant so much to me. :o) We three had a time of roommate bonding tonight, doing guess what? After two and a half weeks of Indian food, I suddenly decided today I had a craving for a BK Whopper. So we each decided to partake in some food and fellowship. It was a good time!
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Wow. Everything seems to be coming together for my India trip. Tonight I pretty much finished all my packing--I think--and it didn't take very long at all!
My time at the office has continued to be very busy, especially since we received exciting news about Manja today. Yet this day felt very productive. I can see how the Lord has given me the energy both for my projects at work and for this trip, and that's been encouraging.
Tomorrow morning I need to finish a profile on India for our 2003 Annual Report. It's hard to believe I'll be there in less than a week. Almost feels like a dream. :o)
My time at the office has continued to be very busy, especially since we received exciting news about Manja today. Yet this day felt very productive. I can see how the Lord has given me the energy both for my projects at work and for this trip, and that's been encouraging.
Tomorrow morning I need to finish a profile on India for our 2003 Annual Report. It's hard to believe I'll be there in less than a week. Almost feels like a dream. :o)
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Another good day. Passed quickly--as many do. I get to working on things and don't know where the time goes sometimes. I enjoy my job! There is much to be done in these next few days before I go to India.
Tonight at prayer time we got to go from person to person, praying for each other. It was so much fun, and a really special time of fellowship. Then afterwards my preschool friend Sarah bounded up to me and we got to play together.
Tonight at prayer time we got to go from person to person, praying for each other. It was so much fun, and a really special time of fellowship. Then afterwards my preschool friend Sarah bounded up to me and we got to play together.
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