That's What ___ Said--Memorable Quotes, Phrases, Proverbs and Stories Told in India

"Learn your lessons well and in His timing, He will tell you what to do."

"You must wait, wait, wait on the Lord."

 

"To be Indian is to be Hindu."

"The god of India is not Hindu, it's cricket!"

That is why the verse, "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you" (Joel 2:25), is my favorite verse because after all of the tears and worrying, God has returned to us everything plus more.--stated by a Christian missionary/English teacher who had lived in Nigeria for 6 years and had to send her young children (ages 2 and 4) back to the international boarding school they had just left because the only schooling available to children in Nigeria for the first five years was in the Koran.  With no access to electricity and mobile phones having not even entered onto the world stage yet, it would often times be days before they could even speak to their children through a pay phone.  The sounds of their voices would bring tears to their eyes.  They were later reunited as a family, and now not only have grandchildren, but are able to be involved in the years they missed with their own children.
 

  

"India is mentioned in the Bible." 

 

 

"Guests are like god.  We treat them as such."

 

 

"If God can use a child like David or a child like Samuel, then why is the church standing in the way of our youth."

 

 

"I have to practice hard to learn your English accent. It's superb!"

 

  

"Look!  There's a rabbit.  That's some good curry there." 

 

 

"Please read these two Bible verses."

"I can't read that, ma'am."

"Yes, you can.  It's just two verses.  Look, I will help you."

"I can't read that ma'am.  I am a Hindu."

 

 

Indian: "You are one of the most easy-going Americans I have met."
Me: "Really?"
Indian: "Yes. There is this sense of tension with most Americans I meet. I mean, I met some Americans as a boy growing up, but they were like hippies. Easy-going--like they were on Prozac or something...are you taking Prozac?"

Me: (Laughing hysterically)

 

 

"All gods are the same god."

"The faces are different, but the powers are the same."

 

 

"I'd rather be an outlaw than have inlaws."

 

 

"Before you desire to help others, be sure to first check and make sure you haven't become the monkey that took the fish out of the water in an effort to save it."

 

 



"Is he the bank's security guard?"

"Yes."

"Does he have a gun?"

"No."

"Does he have a whistle?"

"No.  He has strength in his heart."

"Bahahaha."

 

 

"Pastors of the past went after the sheep, unlike today where Pastors sit in air-conditioned offices and expect the sheep to come to them."

 

 

Redemption from a New Perspective

       Attended the final day of a human trafficking seminar and had my eyes opened to a whole new practical meaning of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus from slavery to a life of freedom, from powerlessness to power, from no value or worth to purpose. Redemption through Christ is so much bigger than walking down a church aisle and saying "yes." That is just the beginning. It's the powerful upheaval of a world full of limits, economic and political chains, discrimination, pain, empty labels, stigmas of worthlessness (the list goes on)--Jesus bought and brought us back from all of these things and empowers us to overcome them, but above all, it is a power that must be shared with a world that can be so cruel and heartless, shared through the fight for and rehabilitation of girls and boys trafficked at ages young as 7 or 8 (if not younger). I don't know about you, but my faith requires--no demands--so much more than just a declaration of faith and attendance on Sunday because it comes from a source that is far greater and far more powerful than any four walls can hold.

Love your children, especially your daughters, and esteem them because if Jesus said they were worth the ransom, then you have no excuse but to fall in line and fight for their lives.

Pictures!!!--Mumbai

FIRST STOP....MUMBAI!!!

Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris...shops even in the airport!

 

 



This is where I stayed at while in Mumbai

Showering is a little different, but it gets the job done

The Arabian Sea beaches of Mumbai

Steering wheel is on the right:)

 

Life in Mumbai

Let's Get Busy!

For all of those wondering what exactly it is that I will be doing while in India, here it is...

1. In the morning, starting at 8:15am, I will train with the athletics group for about an hour/hour and a half--this is great because I do enjoy running and working out and with all of the food that I have been eating, this will be a critical part of my experience!

 

2. Following my athletic workout, for 2x a week, I will teach a values education course at a local school (high school junior and senior grade ages).--this will be interesting, as I will be required to teach such a course to a classroom full of different religious backgrounds, while still presenting my lessons in a theological manner

 

3. I will help develop a year-long Bible study curriculum for young adults (ages 18-25)for the church with which I am working-- India too has the same issue of this age group dropping off in the church's membership category.

 

4. I will create and lead a gospel choir with the interested church choir members, bringing a little "soul" to India, where we will then travel to several schools in the city putting on a concert and performing the learned pieces for children--I keep saying I am a group singer, but no one seems to want to listen to me. Anyway, we will clap and praise our way through;)...will definitely keep you updated about the status of this one...lol.

 

5. 5x a week in the evening for one hour, about 5 to 6pm, I will meet with various age groups from the local school's hostel where I will present my own age-appropriate lesson-- The hostel works like a boarding school for the children at the school in which I will be teaching and the ages range from 5 to 18. Each night will be a different group, and thus a different topic and activity. It will be like VBS on steroids!!! And if you know me, then you know how much I LOVE VBS! Additionally, on one day a week I will stay an extra hour and work with a group of kids who are interested in music/singing and try to develop a choir with the children. I don't know what the Lord is trying to do, even with my music training and background, I am just not that confident in this area as far as leading a group. Nonetheless, I do love it and I'm hoping that will overcompensate for any shortcomings.

 

6. I will have to preach once or twice-- YIKES!! The Lord knows my struggle with this one...keep me in your prayers.

 

7. On a few occasions, I will travel to other cities within Tamil Nadu, visiting people, encouraging, giving help where needed, holding Bible studies, etc.-- In other words, going forth and sharing the gospel--imagine that concept!

 

Suddenly, 10 weeks doesn't look like enough time;)...looking forward to getting busy!

Two Worlds and 17 Hours

       The magic number is 17. 17 hours to fly from New York to Mumbai. 17 hours of a day lost in the air. 17 hours of what feels like eternally lost sleep. 17 hours to enter a different world, different culture, different tradition. 17 hours to be reminded that God is greater than any number of hours which separates one side of the world from the other.

 

        I have only been in India for three full days, and I have gained so much. In case you had forgotten, God is really BIG. Although poverty rates are high, corruption is a norm, children are trafficked according to their value sexually, and many other issues that the "haves" so easily point out to the "have-nots," there are so many organizations and groups who are fighting such issues in the name of Jesus. From arranged marriages to organizations dealing with victims of child abuse, I have heard some powerful testimonies and had some thought-provoking conversations. One of my main prayers was that God would reveal and speak to my heart about spreading a gospel of love, freedom and justice within a social context (both on a personal and socio-political level) where none of these seem to exist. How do I, coming from a life of many blessings, speak to an audience where (in plain terms)life just sucks and may never change? How do you encourage? What do you say? This is my struggle. I believe that God can do the ultimately impossible, but when He doesn't... Be careful what you pray for, is all I can say. My first day at my internship site and the preached word spoke directly to this. Funny how God works. I guess 17 hours was worth something;). Anyway, I will end this thought for now, as I really need to get my body on India time. I sleep for a couple of hours and then I am up, writing a blog. Lord, help me, because I am going to feel it tomorrow morning...again!

*He is not through with me yet

On YoUr MaRk, GeT sEt...

Wait, wait, wait!! Don't say go yet. Please DO NOT say go. I am not ready.

       I will be leaving for India in five days and I can't help but worry about some very important things--do I have enough Red Vines and Hot Tamale candy to last for 10 weeks! On a serious note, although my mind is racing through various checklists, wondering whether or not I have completed every listed task regarding my apartment, school, packing, health, hair, transportation, mail, bills, etc., I can't deny this feeling of knowing that everything is going to be just fine. I am excited, yet nervous; anxious, yet looking forward to the time to be away from it all. It will not only be a change in scenery, but a change in family life as well, as this will be the first time in six years where my daughter will be away from me for an extended period of time. It's funny how ideas and opportunities glitter in the distance, but once you realize that these same ideas and opportunities are now knocking at your front door, you begin to question whether or not you should open it. Nonetheless, I am opening the door and continuing to step along the path God has specially constructed for me. I know that it will include difficult times and lonely moments, but I know more importantly that both I and my daughter will be taken care of. In spite of the chaos, the unknown, and unfamiliar territory, I have peace..."And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7).

       Going into India, I desire to be stretched--I know, I know, be careful what you ask for, but I want to return to the U.S. stronger in my faith and who I am as a woman. Gold is only made pure until after it has been through the fire...so let's watch and experience together what the summer, what my fire, will reveal. Until next week...