Traveling back home and thoughts

Oh boy, where to begin?

Well, I've been back in the states now for about 11 days. 11 days. I can't believe I've already been back home for this long, but it also seems like I've been back for an eternity.

The night my team and I left with Augustine, Sam, and Shannon-akka for the airport was surprisingly anti-clamatic. As a team, we'd gotten so used to arriving and leaving so many different places during our short time in India. I had journeyed to Kodaikanal, Kodaikanal, Madurai, Chennai, Malihabiberpurum, Chennai, Pudicherry and villages, Chennai, Mumbai, Chennai, Madurai, Chennai, Chingalpet, Chennai, Chingalpet, Chennai... As we pulled out of the street late that night, although I knew this was the last time I'd ever see Aunti or Jim-anna or David, Annun, and the rest of the boys, it felt like just another temporary goodbye. I knew in my mind that this might truly be the last time I'd ever see these people in this life, but God blessed my heart with a lot of peace that night. I KNOW I will see them all again one day - either in this life or in the presence of our Creator. And who knows, I'm not entirely convinced I'm done with India yet. A year ago I never would have imagined I would spend my summer in India encountered these beautiful people, seeing and experiencing the things I did, or growing the ways God grew me. I never would have imagined myself where I was in the car that night saying goodbye to my home in India. So, who is to say where I'll be in the (hopefully) many years to come? I'm the kind of person who likes to try to plan out my life (like as in I actually have a tentative list of goals for the next 5 years. ha. Yeah I know, that's weird XP). I just have so many passions I want to share with the world and so many dreams I want to live out! But to be honest, I barely know what this next semester at Northwestern is going to bring me. And God continues to prove that He has bigger, better, scarier, more exciting and fufillingly beautiful plans for my life than someone like me could ever come up with on my own. So, although my summer in India was brought to an inevitable close, I am blessed with a peace and hope that God will continue to work through the memories and relationships and lessons we learned to bring us closer to Him - whatever that may look like in the future.

We arrived at the airport around 10pm and said goodbye to Augustine, Shannon-akka, and Sam. My team and I walked to the international departure section. They wouldn't let my teammates in yet because their flight to Italy for the Bryan Collage debreifing week wouldn't take off until 4am. My flight to the US through Brussel, however, left at 1am. My teammates stepped out of line and I stepped forward. It was another anti-clamatic fairwell. We hugged breifly, I showed the man at the door my passport, and I stepped inside and out my final taste of the Chennai night air. I looked back once or twice before I got too far inside away from the glass windows, but at some point you just have to turn around and walk forward. 

Eventually I walked out of the crowded, humid turminal and boarded the spacious, air-conditioned jet equiped with personal t.v.'s, radios, and a lot of really fancy food. As the plane pulled out, scenes from that last week in India flooded my vision. I thought about my teammates on their way to a week in Italy together. It had been weird walking through the airport alone and feeling even somewhat independant again. I'd just spent the entire summer surrounded by these people, always doing and experiencing everything together. Although we had each been given big responsibilities in classrooms and the ministry, we had always functioned as a team. At the very least, we had always been together. And now they were on their way somewhere else together. And I was on a plane traveling back to the US alone. Just me. As pathetic as it might sound to you, I couldn't help but wonder, "Why me?" I looked back over my life and I could see so many wonderful people and the friends and community and family I had been blessed with. I looked back over my time in India and thought about the moments that touched me and the people I'm going to have to go back and live without. It wasn't fair. What was the point to this? I thought of all the people I've known and loved and who are no longer part of my life. All their faces and those old, bitter-sweet feelings flooded me as I thought about the Indian people and as I sat in my cold, over-sized airplane seat missing my teammates. I prayed that at least maybe I'd left them - everyone - better off from knowing me. Yeah. And then I cried. Just one glistening teardrop as my plane made its way through the airfield.

But something I keep on reminding myself of is the eternal nature of God. God is eternal, relational, and He is holy beyond anything I can comprehend. And when God the Holy Spirit dwells in us and when He dwells at the center of any relationship we have, that relationship - due to His nature - begins to be transformed into something eternal and holy. We may not see the total results of it yet, but one day we will. And I believe no matter how little communication or distance, that when God is at the center, He will make our friendships with one another long-lasting and glorifying to Him. I have a lot of peace about this. I don't feel like I need to fight to hold on to the relationships in this world as much. Yes, I will never stop loving people and seeking out deeper relationships with the ones I love. But I have also been able to let go inside and give these to God. By doing so, I trust that I will really be giving these relationships to the only one who can truly save them. I've already felt the fruit of this. Friends back in India have already contacted me, and I've connected now with friends back home who I haven't seen in half a year to a year. God has always blessed me with a really natural ability to pick up old friendships. When He is in a relationship, He not only enables us to pick up these friendships but I have seen that He actually makes these frienships deepen and grow in intimacy, vulnerability, and trust through Him despite obstacles such as distance. So, basically what I'm trying to say is that things are going to be ok because God is in it :)

It took only about 30 hours to get back to the US. I bought legit Belgium chocolates for my family in the Brussels airport (and was horrified by the exchange rate between euros and dollars.) It was strange suddenly being back in a westernized nation like Belgium. I had only seen a handfull of foreigners during my time in India, and it had always been kind of a shock. And suddenly I was surrounded by westernized people who looked, dressed, walked, and acted totally different from the Indian people. On one hand, 20 years of habit aren't easily forgotten and so there was something comforting about being surrounded by people who's cultures were familiar. But on the other hand, I was immediately self-consious. I hadn't fit in completely with the Indian people, but I also felt like I now could no longer really fit in with the other westerners I saw. I found things like the way they dressed or did their hair or the way they talked and walked - though familiar - also bizarre in some ways. And I looked down at what I looked like - even just on the outside - and found myself looking totally different. It was actually comforting when I ran across Indians in Indian dress on my travels home. On my flight from Brussels to Chicago I actually sat next to an Christian, Indian-born man who was traveling back to his home in Kentucky with his wife and kids. That coincedence was cool. We were three or five of the only people traveling from India on that flight and we were all Christians who ended up sitting next to each other. I love it.

Anyways, my mom and sisters Beth and Mary met me in the Omaha airport after 10-15 more hours of travel. Much of Omaha and the area near downtown of Sioux City were covered in flood still. I finally got that chocolate x-treme blizzard from DQ I'd been craving. I got a medium because I thought I'd share it with my mom. Who was I kidding? I ate that entire thing by myself and loved every spoonfull of it :) We got home eventually and I was able to show them the gifts I'd gotten them and begin the long process of telling them every lil detail I can remember. Oh! And I ate large, seedless, white grapes with ice-cold, light, 8th Continent chocolate soymilk that night for dinner. I'd been craving that since the second Kodaikanal conference way back at the very beginning of my summer. Glorious :)

The first week back passed by really quickly. I was kind of ill for a while because I was adjusting to the changes in diet and such. I hadn't felt jet-lagged initially after my trip, but the fact that I couldn't sleep later than 4 or 6am kind of indicated I was still trying to get used to being back in the US. I've tried to spend most of this time being around my family - I really learned they're the most important people I need to invest in.

I was blessed to be able to speak for about an hour at my church about my time in India. The people at First EVFree really helped make this summer happen for me through their constant support and prayer. It was touching to be able to share what I could during that short hour and to be able to see how much people were interested in listening to and understanding my experience. It's one thing to be told you have someone's support, it's another thing entirely to actually be embraced by those hands that have folded in prayer so often for you and to see true understanding glistening in the eyes of a church family. Simply said, I think being able to share my experience with my church was a huge blessing for me in many ways. Even just seeing that I can bring the things I learned back here and that the way God grew me can help grow others - this was the biggest blessing to me I think.

Now I'm on my second week of being back. I move in back to NW soon - the 13th actually. That's in only 4 days! Yesterday I drove up to Northwestern to help some friends who were moving in early for RA positions. As I was walking around campus I couldn't help but think how strange it was that I would soon be back here living my life. I don't know what next semester is going to look like - some of my responsibilities are actually kind of intimidating to be honest. But I have a lot of trust now that God is going to enable me and work through me to achieve His glory. This probably won't look like what I envision. It usually doesn't. But the cool thing is that it's probably going to be better. That's one funny thing God continues to show me. Sometimes I think I dream so big and grand, but He always takes what I want and He recreates it into something kind of different but better than what I previously had thought I wanted. God is pretty cool like that.

When I first got back to the US, I thought it would be really easy to integrate everything I'd learned and adjust to living here again. The first week was pretty easy. I focused on a list of tasks I had to accomplish to get ready before I moved back to school, I had debriefing activities NW required me to do, my family asked me a lot of questions - basically, I was in the honeymoon stage of return.

But now little cultural differences have started to rub against me slightly. I feel pretty alienated by the huge focus western nations put on image (especially for young woman). While I was in India I was really starved for choices or options. Now I walk into a restaurant and just stare at the menu. I walk into my closet and stare at all my different clothing. I've already gone through it twice now - my goal is to donate most of it. In India my electronic entertainment options were really just Neo Cricket, Tamil soaps, or the internet (which was usually limited). I don't even need to get into how drastically different it is here in the US. And music. Katlyn was kind enough to bring and share her ipod, and we listened to or sang Christian Tamil and Hindi songs. And there always seemed to be music playing outside everywhere we went. But being back I'm shocked at the sensuality of so many images and lyrics conjured up in entertainment and music and at the multitude of options we have in these areas.

I do want to take a moment to say, however, that though I find these things somewhat alientating, I find my experience in India has helped me to live alongside people who's cultures I don't completely understand/agree with. One thing I was wary about was that I didn't want to come home suddenly "enlightened" and see that as a green light to bash America, my friends, familiy, or communities because they live differently than what I'd seen in India. Both cultures have good and bad things about them and each culture has it's own set of values. I feel blessed that I've been able to come home and see things I now find strange or don't agree with and yet still be able to love and serve the people of this culture. It's difficult to explain, but I think I understand more about cultural relativism so I am finding it easier to adjust back without rushing to label/judge people who are simply moving in a different culture. Does this make sense? Ok. It makes sense in my mind even if I'm not finding the right way to explain it. :)

Anways, the most difficult thing about being back is not being able to addequately explain why I was affected the way I was or why certain experiences were powerful or why I was changed. The most difficult question I've been asked is, "So, how did you change while you were over there?" I stared off into space and was silent. I shook my head, apologized and told my sister I had to go, and handed the phone over to my mom. It's maybe the most important thing for me to grasp and explain to people, but it's the one question where I find the answer most elusive. I don't even know what to write about it.

I guess time will tell.

The best question I've been asked is, "What were some of your top ten moments?" The answers of which (though not in any particular order) are as follow:

1.The Bay of Bengal beach at the youth camp. Everyone slowly moving across the sand walking there. Everyone working to help Jim-anna in his wheel chair and getting him down so he could feel his feet in the sea. My girls Unis, Jennifer, Itsyba, Jack, and Shallin standing in the waves with me holding hands and searching for shells. The enitre camp in one huge circle praying before we left.

2.Dancing to Shakira's "This is Africa" song with all of the girls in the dormitory one of the nights at the youth camp. Up until this point in my trip I had been feeling somewhat disconnected and kind of lonely. These girls came at one of the moments I was most discouraged and showed me that I could forge gloriously vibrant, real, fun friendships regardless of major differences and they helped reafirm that I had something of value to learn and share with others. I seriously miss those girls so much!

3.Holding the leper's hand in the leper hospital in Pudicherry. The way that felt to bend down eye-to-eye and put my hand on their arms. Abandoned by their families, they're used to people avoiding any kind of physical contact. The look in their eyes when I slid my hand into theirs'.

4.My friend Amu and me out in the moonlit garden in Pudicherry sharing our hearts with one another with the help of our young translator Sam. The secrets she shared with me and the trust and love shared in our friendship despite our limited ability to communicate with one another. I was so honored.

5.We were walking through the leprosy slum in Pudicherry when our ears picked up the sound of distant waves crashing somewhere further ahead. The Bay of Bengal hidden somewhere ahead behind all the shacks and slum buildings. Our translator and friend Raja turned to me and said, "Sis, do you hear that - the song of your heart." He couldn't have said it any better. Here I am walking through a leprosy slum evangelizing, praying over people, sharing the gospel amidst such pain and poverty. And I can hear the ocean. It was like I could hear the whispers of God promising to redeem His people.

6.The last day at the Mumbai school we taught at for two weeks. I was still weak with the virus I picked up, but I wouldn't have missed this day for anything. A hundred children screaming they loved and would miss you, running up to beg to get a picture with you or to show you something they made for you to remember them by or to hug, shake your hand, or lay a beautifully innocent goodbye kiss on your cheek.

7.The testimony I shared with Bro. Limma and the family we were staying at in Mumbai. It really opened up my eyes in a lot of ways and pointed out things I hadn't been aware of about myself. I love that family in Mumbai. They told me they'd adopt me and be my Mumbai family. I'm going to remember them and the amazing generosity and trust they taught me forever.

8.Sneaking up to the roof of the house late one night in Mumbai and climbing up to the tallest spot.Simply singing and praying and dancing in the rain by myself but not alone :) God led me into a lot of important prayer that night.. and He led me to call someone special to me I hadn't talked to in a while. I was blessed by it. Plus, I love dancing :) so it was great.

9.Brother Limma and his ministry. How do I choose just one moment? Everywhere I spoke it was only through the grace of the Holy Spirit and by the guidance and examples of the amazing people I've been blessed to serve with. Just the beauty I saw in the slum because of God's amazing presence. You wouldn't think piles of trash shrewn all over the road all over could be vibrantly inspirational, but seen through the eyes God gave me they were. You wouldn't think people living in such a dark, opportunity-less, dirty slum could be so full of kindness, patience, joy and hope. But by the grace of God's power, they were. And even the people Limma self-sacrificially and joyfully ministered to who were still bound by evil - they were so open to the gospel and so hungry for the Word. God is moving there and through the things and relations that Limma built with our team!

10.Visiting the International Justice Mission headquarters in Chennai and getting to speak with the interns. We also were able to sit in on a major presentation by some of the heads of PR, Law, and Social Work for this organization. One word: Inspirational! Hearing from people working and sacrificing daily for justice - I have such a heart for compassion and justice - it just kindled my passion for these issues and the people struggling against them even more!

These are just a few moments which happened to come to mind the quickest. Ah! I could write a book filled with moments like these. Some of the most powerful onces are the most difficult to describe, and sometimes when I think of India, only images - feelings frozen in a picture of time and light - come to mind. And I'm still working out how to describe those.

While I'm at this, I might as well jot down 3 of the most difficult things this trip. I don't love dwelling on these things, but perhaps they're the most important to think about and share because it's the difficult moments we grow the most from:

1. The team conflict at the beginning of the trip (most noticably the first time in Chennai). Details here are irrelevant. Basically there was negativity and instead of responding calmly in a mature, lovingly patient manner I allowed my own pride to get in the way and I stooped down instead of standing above it. There was just really one major point of conflict where I failed to handle the situation as I believe children of God are called to love and SERVE others. A team member more outside the situation called me on it though (they may not even have been aware of it at the time), and I decided that my team were the most important people to love during this trip. It's easy to love the Indian people, it's another thing to consistantly love and serve those closest to you. I realized that if I left India not having loved my teammembers, then I'd leave India having learned nothing. This is all easier said than done. But God taught me a lot of great things through my team and those closest to me this summer. He pointed out the pride issues and self-deception in my own life. I'm thankful for this, but these can be difficult lessons to learn. XP

2. The food. I'd tried Indian food before back in the US. Loved it. Thought I had this whole SOS thing down because at least I knew I'd love the food. WRONG. The food was actually a hugely humbling thing for me. Mostly, our diet consisted of rice (and a lot of it), fried starches, sauces, and breaded meats. And for anyone who knows me, usually my diet here consists of fruits, veggies, soy, and whole grain. There were a lot of cultural norms about the minimum amount you should eat to be polite, and we were also stretched to find variety as well. Sooo, to say the least the food situation threw me off a little. This was perhaps the most humbling thing this trip. I went to India prepared for spiritual or social conflict, but instead I was humbled by something so painfully human as food... It seems so lame but I guess God uses the small things of the world to show us His power and our own need for Him.

3. Another difficult thing for me was when we had free time. We would switch from times of super fast-paced activity to times when we literally had nothing to do but wait a few days for the next programs to start up. This was hard because I'm the kind of person who likes to do things and be active. And it was even difficult just to do these things when we had free time because we had so little freedom to move around, leave the house, or even do chores (I'd sneak into the kitchen to do dishes while Buela-akka wasn't looking. The Asir family would let us help with certain things, but many of our hosts would not). God taught me a lot about being content with just relaxing - something that doesn't always come the most naturally to me. Being content with nothing to do has already helped my relationship with Him because it teaches me to be still and listen in ways I might not be so naturally inclined to do usually. At the very least, it's probably good for my health.

The only thing I regret about my experience was actually when I was in Madurai for the second time staying at the Jim Sam cottage. Looking back I see that I had so much free time I could have been using to interact with and love the handicapped children living downstairs in the center. At the time I can remember wondering if I'd regret not investing more in them. Well, guess what. I do.

The thing I'm most thankful for...hmmm.... can I just say everything and everyone here and in India?

Is that allowed?

Ok :)

Anyways, I think I'm all out of stuff to blog about for now.

Thanks for your time and congrats if you just made it through all of that without skimming :)

I'm not sure I could have.

Someone very wise gave me a list of topics that might be helpful for me to continue to blog about. I intended to go through it today, buuuut all this kind of came out instead XP

So, I'm not sure yet what else I'm going to blog about. I've had people ask me to continue blogging even just about life. I might just do that. But I'd also have to figure out a better name for my blog then because I'm not in India anymore.

Anyways! If I continue to blog (which I very well might), I'll post it on my facebook status so y'all know.

Otherwise, I'm out for now. See ya!

- Jenni

48 Hours

It's hard to believe, but tomorrow (the 27th) is my last full day here in India. The 28th we prepare to leave. My flight doesn't actually take off until 1AM on the 29th, but I'm just going to count it as the 28th I think because I don't plan on sleeping before my flight. I fly through Brussels and Chicago again I think. If all goes as planned, I should be back in the U.S. by dinner time (considering all the time changes and stuff). Crazy. Mom, if you're reading this, please let there be white seedless grapes and ice-cold 8th Continent chocolate soy milk in the fridge. I've been craving that stuff since I got here :)

Katlyn, Shannon, and Andrew will actually be flying out around 4AM the 29th to spend a week in Italy debriefing with other teams from Bryan College.

I don't know how I'm going to say goodbye to everyone here in Chennai -especially my team. They've been my life for the past 2 1/2 months. We've shared this incredibly blessed experience together constantly growing, teaching, and learning from one another. We've become brother and sisters. And in about 48 hours I'm going to say goodbye to them. This isn't even to mention the fact that I'll also be saying goodbye to everyone here in India and Word for the World. But frankly, I don't even know where to begin to process that one just yet.

So, after the Word for the World national leadership conference, the team and I have been mostly just stationed in Chennai. We pilgrimaged (ha drove) to the St. Thomas cathedral and to the St. Thomas mound - by the way, pictures will go up once I'm really able to get back on fb for long periods of time. Augustine and Sharon-akka took us to Sparkies one day for lunch. This is an American-style American-run eatery! Turns out the people who run it are actually from Iowa! Annnnd they were out for the evening. Sooo instead I talked with their manager from Cleveland - where my aunt is from! What a small world - which reminds me! Most of the vehicles here automatically play a tune whenever they're moving in reverse. I think this is for safety reasons, but that's beside the point. Of all the tunes in the world to choose for your vehicle, why "It's a Small World"?? That and the Titanic theme song. This just cracks me up. I love it :)

While we were eating at Sparkies we ran into the head of the IJM headquarters office here in Chennai. He invited us for a visit the very next day and we were able to attend their morning bible study, talk to the interns, and participate in what turned out to be a 2-ish hour presentation from some of the major leaders in the areas of social work, law, PR, and advocacy. It was fascinating, and those who know me might realize just how much this visit meant!

Last Sunday and Monday we traveled to two different leper colonies in Chingelput (about two hours south by bus). These leper colonies were different from the leper hospital and the crowded leper colony we experienced in Pudicherry. The Chingelput colonies were actually more like villages out in the foothills were lepers and their families (that is, the few family members still with them) survive off of street begging in the bigger towns nearby. We gave the service messages and did a youth program at these colonies, and at the second one we got the opportunity to visit two houses and pray and speak with the lepers there. We met one man who had been one of the first lepers converted in his village/colony. He spoke about 7 languages (seven!) including French, English, Tamil, Hindi, Maurati, annnnd some other stuff. It seems like a lot of people I meet here are fluent in several languages. Most of the time I can barely speak English so I am simply amazed.

The rest of our time here has been spent at the house. We've helped out with a little bit of filing for Word for the World, and every morning the team leads the employee bible study. I've really just been trying to enjoy what little time I've had left here with the boys, the family, and my team. As many of you might know, sometimes it's difficult for me to sit still in the same place and just relax without something to do to keep busy. At school and at home I'm always running around doing things, talking to people, and the like - and I love this! So it has been hard sometimes when I haven't had anything to do - especially because so much of this internship has been kind of action-packed and we had all gotten used to doing ministry and such this way. But God's really been teaching me how to be content just existing in His good grace and He's surrounded me with these beautiful people. So, even though these past ten days have seemed really long in some ways, I still see that God has continued to teach me and mold me into something better through my time spent here.

And now it's time to leave. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this. I'm going to miss these people and these places. I'm never going to forget anyone - I never do. But I'm excited for the future and the ways I know God is going to challenge me and work through me back home. I'm ready to take India home with me, I'm ready to take all these experiences, memories, and lessons learned back with me. I've been blessed to find another home and another gigantically huge, vibrant, passionately beautiful family through the Christian ministry in India. And now I need to return to the ones I love in the U.S. and let this blessing shine into their lives.

God needs to humble me.

I need to grow smaller and He needs to be magnified.

My heart must fall in love with Him.

Through His strength alone this will be only the beginning.

Right now I don't know where my path back home will lead or what other adventures God has in store my for life. God hasn't exactly shown me where my journey will take me, but He has has taught me how to take the next step.

Please pray for:

God to be glorified in your life and mine.

What more can I ask for at this moment?

:)

- Jenni

Mumbai bombing

I wanted to encourage everyone to continue praying for the victims of the Mumbai bombing the other week. I realize I hadn't said anything about it in my emails or in my earlier blog. To be honest, I wasn't really sure what to say about it.
The carnage and chaos left in the aftermath of this terrorism are difficult to reflect on. Lima - the missionary who took my team and me around the slums of Mumbai for ministry - was actually at one of the bombing locations the day before it all happened. By the grace of God he had left by the time of the bombing the next day.
It also leaves me with a lot to think about considering my team and I had only been out of Mumbai for about a week before this happened. We hadn't been staying to close to the bombing locations, but this event would have without a doubt made travel more intense.
Indian government officials are still desperately looking for intel on the bombings and whatnot, but really they aren't coming up with much. People suspect certain terrorism groups, but a lot of evidence coming forth is really suspicious and much of it has most likely been fabricated by the polic force in a desperate act to appear in control of the situation.
So yeah, please pray for this situation and for safe travels for my team and the missionaries these next 2-ish weeks. Thanks for all the support you've shown me and my team through your prayers. God has done great things through them and I have been SO encouraged :)

- Jenni

I couldn't think of a cool enough title:

Madurai was awesome. Period. The overnight train rides are always fun - I usually don't get the best night's sleep because of the train motion. Also, there was this guy who kept peaking in through the curtains at our sleep area and another guy riding near us who got up like 30 times in the night. Each time he used my bed as a stepping place to get down from his, and I'd wake up like, "Agh! What are you doing!" Ha. But anyways.

In Madurai we stayed at Jim-anna Asir's home called the Jim Sam cottage (after Jim of course and his nephew Sam). The upstairs is mostly just used as a second home for the Asirs when they visit the ministry in Madurai, but the downstairs is actually the New Life Center for disabled children. About 15 children with disabilities live in this home and are provided with food and funds for special schooling. Some are deaf, some are mute, some suffer from mental retardation, and some have other physical limitations. All have been brought to this center because their families either cannot or will not provide for them. The team and I unfortunately did not get involved with them until later in the Madurai trip - but there was one little boy who stood out to me. His name is Annun and he is a ten year old boy who is both mute and deaf. He has a habit of running outside to peddle a stand-still bike. I think he does this just for fun to pretend he's traveling to new places. If that isn't awesome, I don't know what is. All these children are cared for by Auntie Jayba. But the overwhelming amount of work she has makes me wonder if the children ever just have someone to hold and hug them.

Surprisingly, Madurai provided us more time to relax than I think any of the team or I had expected. During this time we spoke and did programs at churches, youth events, a bunch of old age homes, two Compassion International homes, a nursing students' graduation, and two schools. I was pumped to see the Compassion International homes and how this organization is working in India. As some of you might know, I have sponsored a young girl in Mexico through this organization for several years now. But being able to actually go to these centers made the need for more sponsors so much more real to me. I could actually see the results of Compassion International support. I'm not sure what else to tell you about our short visits at these homes except that these were blessings.

We were in Madurai for 5-6 days (arrived on Saturday around 6am and left late Thursday on another over-night train. I'm telling ya, except for the no sleeping part, those over-night trains are the way to go!). The Asirs were with us untill Tuesday evening when they left to come back early for Chennai leaving us in the hands of Ebbie-anna and our big brother John-anna. One of the nights we were invited to Shalin and Malin's house for dinner (these are two girls I had met at the youth camp way back when in Malihabiperum). It's funny. Here we are traveling all over the southern part of India and yet somehow we manage to keep running into some of the same wonderfully beautiful people. Hallelujer! :)

Wednesday was the busiest day we had. We actually traveled by bus out to a nearby village/town to do ministry and programs all day there. On our way this woman on the bus insisted that I hold her baby the entire way there. That was fine and all, but I was just really shocked at the level of trust I witnessed. They were all asking each other to hold their bags, children, etc. and no one seemed the least bit worried about theft. That was surprising, but really cool.
And I am repeatedly blown away by the generosity of the Indian people we meet. Ebbie-anna's wife Angel-akka gave Shannon, Katlyn, and me the most beautiful necklaces and bangles in remembrance of them. And a young girl Evelyn from one of the boarding schools begged me to keep a small ring from her. Everywhere I go I am just showered with love and hospitality and am left humbled by how others continue to serve me. I don't deserve it. Truthfully, I deserve none of this. And yet I continue to be blessed.

While the team and I weren't running around with the Asirs doing programs and speaking, I had the opportunity to steal away up to the house roof top and have some major time with God. I spent a lot of time on that roof top when I could - basking in God's glory and the sunlight or silently watching the shadow of the palm tress sway under the stars when at night. And just so you know, lonely roof tops at night are the best places to dance :)

The last day in Madurai (Thursday) the team and I were taken around to a few tourist places before we held the last program at the New Life Center. We visited this huge Hindu temple, the Ghandi museum, and an acient palace. It's really to my shame I can't remember the names of these places. And there's no point getting into explaining what only pictures can hope to describe, so you'll just have to wait until I can put a bunch up on facebook. ;p

We've been back in Chennai for the past 3 days now attending and helping out at a leadership conference for Word for the World ministry leaders from all over India. It warmed my heart being able to see Lima from Mumbai and Uncle Raja from Pudicherry again. This conference finally provided a much coveted look into the organizational structure of this ministry, and for this I was glad.

Oh! And today is my birthday (and also my twin Sarah's birthday as well)! HA!
And guess what I did. Only the most awesome thing ever. Yes. I rode a motorcycle! In India! I don't know why, but that seemed to make it just that much cooler.

Well, that's all the news I have so far. It's hard to believe the days are flying by this fast. I have only about ten days left here. Only ten. I don't know what God has in store for my future in the years to come. I don't know how He is going to choose to work through me next semester. I don't even know what tomorrow's schedule is. But I do know that He is good and His purpose is what I want for my life. And you can't really go wrong when it comes to desiring God's heart. I just need Him more and more. End of story :)

Please pray for:

Word for the World missionaries to each reach their goal of raising 3,000 rps by August 15th (about 60$)

Cooperation and harmony within the mission field

Results! Let's see more people freed from sin and brought to life by the love of the Father!


PRAISE!:

God continues to answer prayer. I am completely humbled and sometimes even brought to tears by the reality of this. God is a God of miracles. Don't cheat yourself out of trusting this Truth. The power of prayer is REAL. Sometimes I have so little faith that I begin to doubt this. I once asked a friend why God wasn't giving me the answers I was asking for. She was kind enough to remind me that I need to make sure I'm asking the right questions. Never stop praying. Never, ever even for one moment. Because He is real and when you pray according to His will and desire for your life, He ANSWERS PRAYER. :)

Madurai again

Sooo, we're off again!

Due to that virus the team picked up in the slums, the Word for the World has moved around our schedule a lot to give us time to rest up this week. The entire team has been blessed to get back to almost full health! Aside from Saturday where I think I literally got up like 3 times only to get food, I actually bounced back fairly quickly.

So, this week has been an unusual period of rest for the team which has allowed for some great fellowship! We've celebrated Katlyn's b-day and Annun's b-day this week. We also [partly] participated in a day of prayer and fasting with the ministry workers. And how did we celebrate the 4th of July? Only with the best Chinese take-out ever of course! Seriously though, I think it needs to be a new tradition :P

I've filled my days with reading (power-reading!), prayer, helping out around the house, writing, and fellowship time spent talking, playing games, and going on walks with David, Annun, Tameel, Mohen, Sam, and Jim-anna. I also went for my first real run here ("real" as in it involved jogging further than back and forth a million times in my room). Running free out under the Indian moonlight... sounds more poetic than it really was ha.

Random: They have an actually legit mosquito whacker. It looks like a tennis racket, but when you press the button it sends an electrical current through the chords and zaps whatever it touches. Sweet!

Also, it's been in Chennai the minute I've gotten here. But I just have to say now that I love the heat lightning this city is known for. Bursts of thunderless lightning flash periodically through the night sky. They tell me it's because of the intense heat and humidity. Whatever it is, it's wonderful.

Anyways, tomorrow the team, the Asirs and I take the overnight train back to Madurai and will be staying at Jim-anna's home until the 15th. We'll be speaking at church services, bible studies, a nurses' graduation, elders' meetings.... a bunch of random places! I think we'll end up each speaking about 4-5 times though which isn't too bad. During this time, I believe we will also be working with the disabled through Jim-anna's branch of Word for the World which runs a school in Madurai and works to support children with disabilities. The amazing thing his ministry is that he himself is disabled. He is confined to a wheelchair and cannot move anything except his neck and a few facial muscles. He can't even talk. But through his passionate devotion to Christ and serving others, and with the help of his servant-hearted, fantastically-loving family and friends, he was able to design and run this ministry. I struggle to wrap my mind around it. But simply put, our God is the God of miracles. Amen.

We'll return back to Chennai by overnight train on the 15th if everything goes as planned. I hope to blog when I get back from that.

Please continue to pray foorrrr:

Health - some of the Word for the World staff has come down with fever (different from what we had though)

And that the team (me especially) stays focused on loving and serving God in the here and now. Our departure date is only an unbelievable, precious 20 days away. I need help keeping my focus here instead of on the friends and family I can't wait to see back home :) Also, we need help knowing how to best invest ourselves in the people here with what little precious time we have left!

Thanks guys, love!

- Jenni

MUMBAI (this is a long one)

Ah! Where to begin?

Well, sorry I haven't been in touch much over the last two/two 1/2 weeks. We didn't have access to internet in Mumbai like I'd thought XP Oh well!

So, our flight left at 6am from Chennai to Mumbai. This meant we had to be at the airport by 4am which meant we had to leave the house by 3am. Sooo, what did I do? Yeah. That's right. ALL-NIGHTER! Which was great because David and Annun - two of the boys that live at the Word for the World headquarters - and my team and I all stayed up through the night enjoying some seriously deep convos (and pillow fights of course).

Our plane touched down in the Mumbai airfield around 9am that morning and we were greated by the warm embrace of the Mumbai rains. I guess it's the monsoon season here or something because it gently rains on and off at least 5 or 6 times each day.

We stayed with a Christian missionary family native to Tamil Nadu, so it was comforting to be able to communicate with them using a little bit of their language. And I can honestly say I've never been more humbly served than by this generous family! Seriously, all I ever saw reflected in them was the holy joy of Christ Himself. And for some reason, they really, REALLY took a liking to me. I'm not sure why exactly, but I know I've been blessed SO much through this. I asked if they would adopt me (sorry Mom). They told me yes of course. So now, as Lima put it, I have a Mumbai family forever. :)

My typical day in Mumbai consisted of getting up at 6am (mostly just to get ready and make sure I had space for personal time with God). The team and I would then go into the nearby slum which consisted of about 2 million people. Wow. I don't even have the words to describe what that looked like. The slum we'd visisted in Pudicherry was nothing compared to the violence, poverty of spirit, and filthy living conditions we witnessed in Mumbai. But anyways, we would teach at an English medium slum school from about 8am to 12:15pm every day. Saturdays were half days only going to 10:15am however, and Sundays were free devoted to visiting and preaching at multiple churches and sunday schools.

At the school, Katlyn and I took were placed with the 6th, 7th, and 8th standards (grades) while Shannon and Andrew took the 5th sd. I hope to put up pictures on facebook as soon as I'm back in the states because none of the words I use here will do justice to describing what it was like in this school. To put it simply: it was loud, dark, dirty, chaotic, unorganized,... and wonderful.

Each morning we would start off teaching the children songs, dances, bible verses, and a bible story. Katlyn would usually tackle teaching them English grammer, vocab, and spelling while I taught the kids math, science, and geography. When the 7th and 8th sds requested to be seperated (in other words, moved to the other side of the room), I taught them algebra, geometry, and biology. But each class would recieve at least 5 new kids a day. And the 6th sd eventually grew to have about 50 kids, so I had to move back to help Katlyn with them. This was really difficult for me because this often left the 25 7th and 8th sd kids without a teacher because the school is short on staff.

At first, it was overwhelming how naughty and loud these kids were. They ran up and down the aisles, threw things, screamed, punched, slapped, kicked, bit, and choked eachother until they drew blood or tears or until I could break them up. I still can't believe how much they beat on eachother - even the girls. My sense of justice was absolutely inflamed when I was called into the 7th and 8th sd section of the class to break up a punching fight. Two large boys were going at it hitting and throwing eachother against the desks. But the thing that made me furious was when I found out these boys had been previously trying to beat and cut a 7th sd kid literally about half their size with sharp, broken pop can. I can't remember the last time I was that angry. But it's tough because I'm also filled with such sympathy and sadness because the bruises on their faces tell me that this is the very same way many of them are treated by their parents at home or by other kids/people out on the streets.

So yeah, needless to say, the experience of teaching at that school was something else. And even though it was filled with frustrations, God grew me (of course) and blessed my time there by showing me the beauty and all the wonderful things He is working in these children. You wouldn't believe the way some of these children are thirsting to hear more about Jesus. And the way their eyes would light up in excitement when I stepped into the classroom or when I was teaching them something new - it's difficult to describe fully, but it's miraculous. Everyday, almost without fail, the girls would make origami lotuses for Katlyn and me. The kids would all try to share what little food they'd brought for lunch and ambush us with candies and sweets. Seriously, the ways these beautiful people sought to share and serve us was humbling and so convicting. How can people who have so little give so much while I, who have so much more than I'll ever need, find it difficult to give at all? Messed up. Something I need to change when I'm back at school. Something I need to change right now.

Typically, after school got out, we would find somewhere to eat. Sometimes this meant going back to the house and sometimes this meant visiting Christian families somewhere in the slum for lunch. We'd have a bit of free time to rest and whatnot. But I don't usually make a habit out of taking naps. So I'd usually write poetry, practice ballet, work out, read the bible, connect with the family, journal, or read something. (I've actually worked my way through almost 3 books and am nearly halfway done with a Foundations of Civilization history textbook. ya! I'm def way too school for cool). And then anywhere from 3-6pm we could expect Lima - a missionary, local pastor, and inspirational reflection of Christ - who would pick us up and take us to different homes and areas in the slum for prayer meetings, to give the message at bible studies, or to just visit with people he was evangelizing. 

I've never learned more about what it means to have a zeal for our God than from watching the ways Lima LIVES OUT Christ's love. Lima moved to Mumbai hundreds of miles away from his native state of Orissa because he had the passionate desire to share the love of Christ with others. When he first moved into this slum, he was the only Christian in that area. But he was not alone, the Spirit of our God is ALWAYS by the sides of those who believe and trust in Him. Now, Lima has baptized over 400 people in that area, started at least 3 churches (that I know of), visists, evangelizes, and leads bibles studies all over, houses about 8 boys without families in the area, prays to God for hours?? a day, and amazingly is able to take time to disciple us in God's ministry.

And the Spirit of God is moving strong in these people. Two people I'd met had had visions of a man called Jesus Christ before they ever became Christians. These encounters with our God actually led them to seek Him out. I know this sounds radical, but I truly believe this. While we visited families and preached, children, sick people, and bottles of water were brought to us to be prayed over. I wasn't sure how I felt about this at first. But read John chapters 14-16. I am nothing - this team, these missionaries are nothing - but God is big. And God's Spirit is powerful. People here have faith and I've seen this faith in our God bring about amazing things - I've seen God's Spirit working miracles here. This is evident in the visions people have had, the blessings that have been multiplied, the ways the Spirit has literally put words in our mouths and Lima's (even in other languages??), and the joy, peace, hope, and radically transforming love that have all been poured out. And I've been convicted about how little my faith actually is without the strength of Christ. I met a man well-known to the family I was staying with who prophesied in the name of God to each one of us. I struggled and prayed and cried and searched my bible because this was strange and terrifying and so new to me. But I've decided that when it comes to the Holy Spirit's workings, it is not up to us to use our spiritual measuring sticks to judge how He is working in others. Sure, we must ALWAYS pray and search out truth in scriptures and be discerning in our hearts. But I have asked God to grow my faith in Him, and I believe He has. I trust God will use what was told to each one of us for His glory and to further His Kingdom - no matter what. This is because the Spirit of the Living God resides and lives through me - He lives through all people who've repented, accepted, and believed in Christ. Again, turn to John 14-16! :)

Anyways. So. Needless to say, I'm still trying to sort out a lot of things that happened in Mumbai. I can't forget some of the images I've seen: children playing in piles of filth, a woman sobbing because of the burden idolitry places on her soul... But I will also never forget the smiles on the faces of those school children, the pure and beautiful hunger in the eyes of the new believers, the way street children ran up to us everywhere we went wanting to shake our hands, the joy shining out from peoples' faces as they raised their voices in complete adoration singing to our God.

When you walk in the joy and hope and peace of the Lord, even the poverty of the slums can take on a certain vibrance that I never expected. The vibrant hues of the rooftops reflecting shots of sunlight, the contrast between the bright red stone against the vivid emrald of the grass and distant mountains, the absolute abandon of walking through the mud and the rain with the freedom of knowing it's futile to even pretend to keep up the pretense of staying clean,... Maybe I'm weird, but it almost seems like it'd be a crime to NOT see God's presense and beauty working in a place so shunned and forgotten by the world.

Don't get me wrong. There were those other moments when I didn't want to think about what I'd just stepped in, when the last thing I wanted was to be stared at because I looked so different, when I wished with everything I had for just a small chocolate milkshake... Just something cold and chocolate... Agh.

Matt and Danielle from Spiritual Formation at Bryan College came to visit us a few days in Mumbai. Although I love Indian, it was refreshing to be able to connect so easily with two Americans. They took us to the Gate of India, the Hanging Gardens, and the more touristy side of Mumbai. Danielle was absolutely wonderful :)

The second weekend we were there Shannon got sick. Really sick. Fever, whole body ache, headache, stomach stuff, sore throat, violent coughing, shaking. It came on pretty suddenly and was so bad that Saturday night we took her to the "hospital". That was a whole other experience in and of itself. I'm not even going to blog about it because it still makes me angry. Basically though, hospitals here are not like hospitals I'm used to. I ended up telling them we needed to take Shannon back to the house and that we'd take care of her there. I stayed up with her all night and then Andrew and I went to church the next morning to speak at two services. That weekend Katlyn got sick with the same thing as well. Long story short, we had to quarantine ourselves for the Monday and Tuesday because we couldn't risk getting the children at school sick.
Andrew and I went to school Wed and taught the classes alone (which was a lot). And it looks like Shannon probably picked up the virus from the kids at school because a lot of them and the teachers were also ill with the same fever thing. By Thursday they were all feeling better but I was feeling ill so I had to stay back. And it was bad. Ohmygoodness, it was bad. Friday I made myself go to school though because it was the last day we'd be in Mumbai and I wanted to say goodbye to the kids. I'm glad I did :) They kids scrambled over one another to get pictures with us, a few kids gave us gifts, and all the girls wanted to get hugs from me. All the kids wanted our emails and to hold our hands; a few girls even planted gentle friend kisses on my cheek. Just like it has been everywhere in India I've gone, we were asked to never forget them. As if I could! I know I'm going to treasure everyone at that school forver.
I was also somehow able to go with Lima to a final bible study as well before we caught our 9pm flight back to Chennai. But I def overdid it Friday, so Saturday I was in bed all day back here at the house in Chennai.  I still can't stand for too long and I'm still absolutely exhausted, but I'm getting better. I can actually sit up to blog! :)

Anyways, sorry this is such a long blog XP. There's still so much more to tell! I haven't even begun to scratch the surface yet! I kind of wish I'd done a better job blogging about my experiences throughout this trip, but oh well. I can't look back, only try to do a better job of it in the future!

Please pray fooooorrrrr:

Team health. My health. XP This sickness usually knocks people out for about 10 days. I don't want that.
Deeper spiritual understanding and growing faith in God
Focus on God working HERE and NOW
Lima's ministry in the Mumbai slum area

AND PRAISE!

God has delivered me from two major sins that I have struggled with for years! Simply put, this is a miracle. This has nothing to do with my own strength or spirituality or whatever! God is the God of miracles and new life and new beginnings. I still can't believe the ways He's rescued me. I can't believe it. But I do. Praise God for being Holy and for never giving up on making us more and more to resemble Him!!! He is awesome. I seriously don't even have words to describe how He's rescued me. Of course, this doesn't mean the work is over. I'm kinda a mess without Him and I know the two of us have more difficult work ahead of us. But God is good - God is GOOD! :) Hallelujer
<3

- Jenni

Keepin' busy..

So, we left for Pudicherry on June 6th and were there til the 12th. Pudicherry is located about 3 hours south of Chennai and is situated right on the Bay of Bengal. It had been colonized in the early 1900's by the French and Dutch - the DUTCH - so there were a few traces of those cultures in the more tourist-y areas by the beach.

During our time in Pudicherry we hosted 4 one-day youth camps for boys and girls (ages 5-17) bused in from nearby fishing villages (and a few children from in-town). Overall, we had about 40-60 kids each day. The four of us students had the responsibilities of writing the programs and schedules for the day (we had the kids from 10am-4pm) and pretty much running the thing with the help of our translators.

During the day we gave sessions meant to educate and encourage Christian virtues such as truthfullness, prayer, reading the bible, obediance, self-esteem, and appropriate gender relations (the last three I spoke about). Each team member also guided a discussion group each day, and we did games, skits, and taught the children English (and Tamil!!!) songs. At one point I think I had just about everybody in the room dancing and singing along to my revised version of the chicken dance. Needless to say, it was great being with these kids.

We also told the children the gospel story focusing on how Christ is the ONLY way and the ONLY God. Though many of these children had experienced regular contact with their village Christian missionaries, nearly all of them came from Hindu backgrounds. So, even though many of them knew who Jesus was and many of them claimed to actually pray to them, the idea that Jesus was the ONLY God was still strange and difficult for them to fully accept.

Two of the days in Pudicherry we actually went out to one of the fishing villages to host one of the one-day youth camps and to participate in a fisherman widows' conference. Both these events were held at a children's hostil that housed about 15 orphans that we were blessed to get to teach and look after them those two days.

One of the first evenings after the first one-day youth camps Shannon-aka (Augustine's daughter) and John-ana (a Word for the World employee) took Shannon, Katlyn, Andrew, and me to visit one of the slums. There we met three missionaries who are deeply involved in ministry at this particular slum. For about 2 hours then we walked the slum alleyways with them. We would find a house the missionaries knew, go inside and meet the families there, and then the four of us students would take turns sharing the gospel, giving messages, testimonies, and praying for the people in that home. Yeah. Um, I really don't know what to say about that experience. It was amazing seeing how God's Spirit worked so beautifully through all of us and the people we met. But I really don't have words to describe the disparity and pure spiritual starvation I saw there.

Change of topic: Leprosy.
Friday evening in Pudicherry we left for a Leprosy hospital/slum with Raja (a missionary student about our age who had been working as our translator). There we met two of the missionaries we had worked with at the slum. We visited both the men's and women's wards there at the Leprosy hospital. The four of us students again got to share the gospel, testimonies, and messages and to deliver some bread to them. I know maybe I shouldn't have, but I knelt down on the floor really up close with some of the women when I shared. It might not sound like this makes sense,.. but when we passed out the bread to them I was just overwhelmed. I couldn't just hand them their bread. I had to get close to them sitting on the ground and touch their hands and arms as I handed them their food. I felt so powerless to help their situations; loving them by drawing near and touching them - treating them like people - I had to do it.

After we visited the hospital we walked through the leprosy slums where many lepers and their families lived. Again we went through sharing the gospel, giving messages, praying for and over people, and just talking them. We met so many people in need, but the one the struck me the most was a woman so FULL of JOY in the Lord! She was missing her legs, hands, and was blind. And yet she smiled and smiled and wanted to pray and share the joy of the Lord with us! I'm so glad Andrew was the one who spoke to her, because I didn't even know what to say. She was the last thing I expected to encounter in a place and situation like that. I can't even begin to express the intimate hope God used her to inspire in me.

So, we headed back to Chennai by bus early after church service the 12th. Now we're all just resting up and enjoying the wonderful people here we've missed! We leave for Mumbai in 2 days (so the 16th?). Turns out we won't be there for 4 weeks like we'd been anticipating. Instead, we'll only really be staying there for about 2-2 1/2 weeks. And John-ana is coming with us which will be somewhat of a relief that we'll have an escort (although I'd been kind of looking forward to not having one in a way).

I don't know if I'll have comp access while in Mumbai, so we'll see when I update anything next!

Prayer requests;

Continued good health for the team
Team unity and harmony in the weeks to come
God's continued work perfecting everything concerning His Kingdom!
The Holy Spirit's continued involvement in our relationships
Help learning Tamil and Hindi (it's been going well actually)  :D
Team spiritual growth and reliance on God! :)

With love,
- Jenni

Back in Chennai

So, the team and I just go back from the youth camp. I forget the name of the county is was in (it was a really long name XP), but it was right on the Indian Ocean.

It was amazing! God is working so much here! The entire weekend was a youth (15-25) retreat focused on the 3 aspects of Discission, Determination, and Discipline for living as a follower of Christ. During this camp, the youth attended sessions led by the Asirs, participated in discussion groups, played games, sang and danced, shared their talents, and basically grew Christ-honoring relationships with one another.

The team and I shared our testimonies, taught the youth "American" worship songs, participated in the discussion groups (with the help of some translation), created and performed a skit/dance to Brandon Heath's "Give Me Your Eyes", and spent a lot of time getting to really know the youth. We had also been asked to prepare session programs, but we didn't actually end up getting to use them at this conference (maybe the next?). Anyways, needless to say, this conference - these beautiful people! - are simply amazing. God is teaching me a lot about what my life needs to look like just through interacting with my friends here and being humbled by how much they have to teach me. I can't wait to be able to put these pictures up. I think we've even got a few video clips from their nightly talent shows!

I think my favorite part of the camp was when we all were finally able to visit the beach. Just the image of the grey sky, blue surf, perfectly clear sand, and all the amazing people I've met all standing together in the waves not caring that our clothes were getting soaked by the tide and spray. I love it :) I told some of the girls that I wanted to find some shells to take home for my family. I was so touched by their desire to help me find seashells. It that silly of me? They just kept of running off to find them and then bringing them back to me! I just felt so cared about, it was crazy. It was sad later when we all were leaving the conference. They kept on saying, "Don't forget us." And I never forget people. Ever. And I def don't intend to start now.

So, now the team and I are back in Chennai for a few days before heading out to the town of Pondecherry (spelling?). It's only about a 3 hour drive (which will most likely end up being 4 with traffic?). I've been told we'll be working with the lepers there. I'm not sure exactly what we'll be doing there anymore, and things are sometimes pretty up in the air here. So, I'll letchyall know as soon as I do what's happenin with that! Meanwhile, it's just wonderful being here at the Asir's house/Word for the World headquarters. They have a family of 4 and about other youth 18-21 who usually live here with them, and they have staff and missionaries who work here and visit all the time. So, there's always people :)

David, one of the youth, has requested for us to make him some "American" salad one night for dinner.
(Jeremy Bork! This is a shoutout to you: SALAD.)

So yeah, thanks still to everyone who has encouraged me and who's supported me with prayer. I was a little discouraged a few days ago about my inability to satisfyingly connect with some of the people here. Also, it's coming into contact with street children is... agh. I have no words to describe it. But it's not good.
But, God is giving me a lot of joy, and He always knows just when, how, and who to use to sustain and encourage you!

Please pray for:
Health in the Asir household - a couple people here have caught colds
Team energy and health - we've been warned the next few weeks we might not be getting enough to eat because of food arrangments?? I'm not sure what that means, but it's not as scary as it sounds
Spiritual formation - Let's get the HS intimately involved!
The lepers we will be working with - that we are able to open our hearts to one another and for this to bring us all closer to God and that is would guide us in furthering His kingdom!

Thanks so much!
- :)

Ok, so here's the plan..

The team and I have just been chilling at the Asir's house in Chennai for the past few days shopping, touring the area, and connecting with the youth and people who visit the house. But I just sat down with Augustine Asir and he gave us a brief overview of the intern jobs we'll be doing these next few weeks:

June 1-3: Youth retreat by the Chennai seashore (we'll be planning several programs. Right now it's looking like we'll have a dance program, a song program, a craft program and three different sessions on healthy living, friend relationships (peer pressure, forgiveness, and something else?), and how we view ourselves. All this is up in the air though.

June 4th: Wedding reception for Binesh at the Asir house

June 6th-12th: We'll travel by car to Pondicherry (about 3 hours south of Chennai). I think once there we'll be doing some more program stuff?

June 17th-30th: We'll fly to Mumbai. We'll be staying in our own apt. but family friends of the Asirs will check in on us periodically. We'll also be in touch with staff from the middle school we'll be teaching at. As it stands now, I believe one team member will be teaching English grammer and one will be teaching history for sure. It looks like I will be teaching Biology and helping teach basic algebra.

July 1st: We'll fly back to Chennai

July 4th-6th?: Well be working with missionary staff at a leper colony about 40 minutes away from the Asir's house

July 8th-9th: We'll be taking an overnight train again back to Jim Asir's house in Madurai

July 9th-14th\: We'll be working with local children in Madurai

July 14th-15th: We'll take the overnight train again back to Chennai

July 16th-17th: Leader's retreat (for Word for the World?) at the seaside in Chennai

July 19th-24th - Working in the Chennai Word for the World headquarters with staff in the morning. We're hoping during the evenings to connect with the Chennai headquarters for the International Justice Mission, but we're still waiting on feedback for this. (pray!)

July 25th-27th: Sight seeing and shopping (this may be skipped depending on how the International Justice Mission connection goes! :):)

So, yeah. This is our tentative schedule for the next couple of weeks. We still have a lot of planning and coordinating to do, but I'm not worried because I know God's got it, so it's all good! :)

Please continue to pray for the wholistic health of my team, the Asirs, and everyone we meet.
Please pray for the Holy Spirit to absolutely take control of our lives and of all our interactions with ppl.
Also, please pray for us to understand the Tamil and Hindi languages better. We're picking up on it some, but it will still be a barrier when we're working with the school children.

Awesome! Thanks again for all the support and prayers you've blessed me with! I know seriously none of this would be possible without wonderful people like you  :):) God bless!

- Jenni

First few days in India

So, I've finally made it to a computer!

Everything went well with travel for the most part. I met Andrew - a fellow team member from Bryan college in Tennessee - in the Chicago airport. We had a lot of confusion in the Delhi airport where we almost didn't get our bagage, but the man I had sat next to on the way from the U.S. helped us navigate through customs and whatnot, so it was all good! Also, Andrew and I had to stay in the Chennai airport overnight. But yet again, God sent people along the way who helped us get where we needed to go. Side note: the Indian sunrise = amazing.

Once Andrew and I landed in Madurai, we were picked up at the airport by a pastor, his wife and child, and a driver who took us through Madurai and the surrounding villages and up into the mountains to the village of Kodaikanal for the Word for the World sponsors' conference. It was there I was able to meet the other two team members Shannon and Katelyn and the Asir family. God gave me this time to get used to some of the Indian customs and make some cool connections with the people at this conference. The children I met were so smart and many speak several languages! I've been trying to pick up some Tamil, but so far I've actually been more successful with remembering Hindi.

After about 3 days here (without cell service btw, Mom :P), we moved a little further down the mountain to St. Peter's boarding school which was located actually in the village of Kodaikanal. We stayed here for about another 3-4 days for the Word for the World staff conference. It was more difficult to make as deep of connections at this conference because it was much bigger and more structured. But it was amazing getting to meet some of these missionaries from all over India and see how God is filling such beautiful people with His joy! I also got to speak for a few minutes at this conference wit the help of two translators (Hindi and Tamil) which was a great experience. My team and I also performed a couple of skits for the talent show (one of which I where we taught them some teching moves and the marqareena (did I spell that right? ha, sound it out!). One awesome moment was when Auntie Asir went to the market to get us some bananas. I hadn't had fruit since I had left for India a little over a week ago. And PTL, I nearly cried for joy :) But my favorite part of this conference was meeting the young boy I befriended. God used this child to break my heart. This I know is a good thing.

After this conference we made the trip down the mountains again back to Madurai where we stayed at Jim Asir's house for the night and for most of the next day. It was great actually being down in the heat of the city. I think because I had come to India expecting the heat, the cold mountain air of Kodaikanal was just too much for me and the light clothes I had packed! Madurai was great though because it really gave me time to connect with the Asir family better and feel at home enough to really get some rest in.

Last evening we took the night train from Madurai which was super fun. I seriously love this team God has given to me for this summer - they are amazing and have encouraged me to grow so much! We arrived this morning in Chennai and will be staying at the Asir's house for 3-4 days. It's great here. Really hot. But it's beautiful. These people are beautiful. And God has already been using them to teach me so much about how to grow closer to Himself.

So far the biggest challenges I've had have been extremely human challenges like getting used to their diet of mainly starch and meat or having your food sometimes served to you hand-to-plate - and these challenges are extremely humbling for me. But already God is using this time here to teach me so many things. I already learned so much about love and service and furthering His kingdom. And I can already feel my perceptions of the world changing just from this short time in India. I can't wait to see what else He chooses to reveal to me during the rest of my time here!

Please continue to pray for:
the Asir's ministry
the spiritual, emotional, and physical health of the team
the Asir's family and all those connected to them
my family back home
and for me to continue seeking and being open to God and the people He places in my life

Thanks! :) Hope to post again within the next few days! Love yall! :)

Departure!

Hey,

I can't believe it's here already. INDIA!
Yikes. I don't know if I'm ready. I'm not sure I'm ever going to be ready. But, ready or not, it's happening! Now. Because even if I'm not ready, HE is :)

So, here's the game plan. I get up at 9am tomorrow to drive down to Omaha. I catch a flight at 1:15pm and arrive in Chicago around 2:45pm. There I'm going to meet up with Andrew Smith who is a student from Bryan College and who's team I will be traveling with while in India with Augustine Asir. Once in Chicago, we'll have about two hours before we catch our flight at 4:35pm to Delhi, India. From the looks of this, we'll be in the air here a VERY LONG time. Like, forever basically. We arrive a long time later at 5:45pm THEIR time in Dehli. Sooo I don't really know how long this will translate, but I've heard it's close to a 21-ish hour flight. So yeah. 

Ok, this might be a good moment to let you all know that I struggle to grasp time changes. I think the time difference between Iowa and India though is approx. 10 1/2 hours. So, if it's 7PM here in Iowa (dinner!), then it's 5:30 AM in India.

Once in Dehli, Andrew and I will wait for our 8:00pm (their time) flight to Chennai, India. We'll get in to Chennai around 10:45pm their time and have like a 12 hour layover in the airport until we can catch a flight to Madurai, India. I don't really know what time it'll be once we get there.. But I'm going to pretend jet-lag is just a myth, so it shouldn't be a problem!

I'll try to let everyone know asap that I've arrived safe and sound. Thanks for all your support, people!
You rock! :)

- Jenni

Hi

So, this is my blog!

As you probably already know, I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to India this summer through Northwestern College's Summer of Service (SOS) program. Currently, I'm looking at leaving May 17th (which is coming up here pretty soon!) and returning July 28th or July 29th.

During my time in India, I will meet up in Chennai with Augustine Asir and his family who are missionaries for Word for the World. This organization does outreach to people living in leprosy colonies and slum children. I will also be meeting up with small team of about 3 or 4 students from Bryan College in Tennessee. Although it's difficult to know precisely what we will be doing ahead of time, the team and I will most likely be traveling with the Asirs and doing outreach projects with Word for the World.

I intend to do my best to log on here at least once a week to keep everyone updated on where I am and what I'm doing. But computer access might not be very reliable depending on what parts of India we are staying in, and I will be sharing one laptop with about ten other people. So, I'll do my best and I guess we'll just have to see how it goes! :)

I just want to thank everyone who has played a part spiritually, financially, emotionally, and logistically to help pull this trip together! As many of you may know, God has always given me a passion for justice and showing others the healing love of reconciliation with God through Christ. And I am seriously considering some form of international Social Work as my future profession. So, I joyfully anticipate everything this unique experience is going to teach me about myself and how to serve God better through loving others. Please pray for God to humble my spirit during this time and to bless me with a mind ready to learn, hands ready to serve, and a heart ready to experience a little bit more about what it truly means to love. Also, please pray that I gain a deeper understanding of foreign missions and whether doing Social Work internationally (whether that means in a foreign nation or state-side) is in God's plan for my future.

Thanks again! :)

- Jenni