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. :)
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