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!
- :)
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!
- :)
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