De-licing Party and a Change of Heart

So here we are, the last few days in my specific city here in South Asia, and only 8 full days left in this country. Wow, where has the time gone?! It's funny really, in June I was crying because I wanted to come home and now here I am crying because I want to stay longer. Yeah, I never thought those words would come out of my mouth. My campus minister asked me at the end of June if I was loving it? liking it? tolerating it? never wanted to leave USA again?, and I responded "some days I like it, but most days I'm tolerating it. I really wanted to love it, but it's just not there for me, you know. I would leave the USA again, but come back to South Asia .... I'm not so sure. I mean I would if God told me to, but it's not like I'm going to say "hey you know what, I think I want to go back to South Asia.' " It's funny how God can change your heart, because he defiantly has mine these past few weeks. I've started to see the people the way He does more and more, and fall in love with them more and more.

Yesterday my team and I held a "de-licing party" at "P's" house, hints the picture above. We de-liced about 30 kids and ladies in the time span of 7 hours. Megan would wash their hair, then we would let it dry, once it was dry I would put anti-lice shampoo all over their hair and they would leave it on for about 15 minuets. After that they would go rinse, and then we would pick through their hair with an "kint comb". These people all live in small slum tents made of scrap tin, tarp, plastic, and whatever else they can find. When it rains the ground they sleep on turns into mud and water because their tents leak so bad.  Lice is just a part of their life because of their living conditions, and they were so grateful that we helped them remove those little critters. JC himself did not come to be served but to serve, and I felt honored to serve people who literally could give nothing to me in return, apart from a smile and a hug. :)
 

All the women and children who come to "P's" house beg for food or money to buy food because their husbands and fathers only work 2-3 days a week, and then drink with the money they make. If the women and children don't beg, they don't eat. The hot meal that they get at "P's" house is more than likely the only food they get most days. I've became sooooo close to these beggar ladies and their small children. Getting to see them multiple times a week will do that to you I suppose. "P's" house like I've stated before is a place where they can come and take a shower, get a hot meal, and hear the word. Right when I walk through the door I have little children running up to me yelling "Auntie". Before they eat their hot meal they all pr@y "Thank you J-sus for this food. I love you J-sus, Amen." My team and I share Bible stories with them, sing songs with them, play games with them, and just love on them. Thanks be to God that they are so passionate about JC. It warms my heart to go there every Sunday afternoon and hear them lifting their sweet little voices to the Great I AM. When I look into their eyes I understand what JC meant when He said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). These people know what it's like to need God, a God who is real and can hear their pr@yers rather than some stone image formed by the art and imagination of man. They realize their own sin, spiritual emptiness, and poverty. They come to God with a humble spirit, and have shown me that I am lacking in my humility towards Him. Before I left I stated, "I think I need South Asia more than South Asia needs me" and that statement holds true. I've severed in ways I never thought I would before. I've seen hard things to see, heard hard things to hear, but it's all been worth it. I'm going to miss this place. Not the horns honking, temples on every corner, trash everywhere, parasite that left me sick for the first month, or any of the other challenging things South Asia threw my way... no, but I am going to miss the people. The people who I've come to know and love, and the people who will forever hold a special place in my heart.   

 "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory." - 1 Samuel 2:8

In Him,

  Heather

Camel Meat, Camel Rides, and the Fourth of July.

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
    He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
¹⁶ for through him God created everything
    in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
    and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
    Everything was created through him and for him.
¹⁷ He existed before anything else,
    and he holds all creation together.
¹⁸ Christ is also the head of the church,
    which is his body.
He is the beginning,
    supreme over all who rise from the dead.
    So he is first in everything.
¹⁹ For God in all his fullness
    was pleased to live in Christ,
²⁰ and through him God reconciled
    everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
    by means of Christ’s blood on the cross."

- Colossians 1:15-20 

I'm thankful I serve a God that is described in the above passage. Most people in South Asia can not say that. They believe that there are many gods, or a god who did not live in Christ. I've had the opportunity to share with many people who believe in Hinduism or Islam. Me and my teammate Megan shared with 5 girls today! Two of which are Muslim and the other three are Hindu. The two Muslim girls believe that their god will judge their good deeds from their bad deeds, and if you they have more good than bad then they will go to heaven. The three Hindu girls believe that they should worship many gods because all gods deserve to be worshiped and that the ultimate god will judge them when their life is over and if they have more good deeds than bad then they also will go to heaven. We were able to share with all of them and told them what we believe and why. The conversations went really well. We talked with the two Muslim girls for over an hour and the three Hindu girls for about 30 minuets. We're also meeting two of the Hindu girls tomorrow night to go to a temple with them, so please be in prayer about that.

I'm coming to realize through more and more people that I meet that there is no cookie cutter way of believing the religions of Islam or Hinduism. I studied both religions before I left America and no one I've met believes the exact way that I thought they believed. Not all Hindus believe in reincarnation, and not all Muslims believe that Jesus did not die on the cross. It's been really interesting to hear different point of views then I originally thought, and I'm thankful that my knowledge to different religions have been expanded. 

Some of you may have seen the picture I posted of the camel meat last night on Facebook. Yes, I did eat camel and yes it was pretty good except that it was really spicy. Last night my team and I went to an area of the city that is predominantly Muslim. If you have any knowledge of the religion of Islam then you'll know about Ramadan, If not I'll feel you in. Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting, it is the month in which the Quran was revealed, and it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims fast from dawn until sunset; they refrain from consuming food and drinking liquids, some even go to the extreme of not swallowing their own saliva,  which results to a lot of spit on the sidewalks (gross isn't it?). At night they have a big feast as they break fast, and in the part of town my team and I went to they have a Ramadan festival. Huge tents line the streets filled with all types of food, except for pork ;), and that is where we had dinner last night. Let me just say it was definitely different. SO many people, and SO many beggars. I've not seen that many beggars all at one time since the capital city of this country. 

Another exciting thing I was able to experience this week was going to a village for church. Man, what an amazing experience!! Those people have literally nothing, but yet they are worshiping Jesus so passionately! My team and I were considered "special guests". We sat in chairs while everyone else sat on the floor, and they gave us all necklaces made of real flowers. I was able to share my story with all of them, which was a memory I'll carious forever. I was so encouraged that day, and I'm excited to know that I will see them again in heaven!

The next few days are going to be very busy but also so much fun! Tomorrow everyone here with the company is having a big 4th of July party. We're going to have barbeque chicken and pork and just celebrate being an American, it's going to be GREAT! My team and I are all wearing red, white, and blue, and I even found an American flag scarf today that I'm going to wear as well. Who would have thought I'd find something like that here?! Saturday we're going to spend the day in a town that is a few hours away by train. The plan is to ride elephants, camels, go to a big South Asian market, and see a palace. I'll be posting lots of pictures, so keep your eye out for them! :)

My time here in South Asia has been challenging at times but overall it's been an amazing experience, and one that I do not regret making. My team and I have shared the go_pel over 50 times, got to love on children who literally have nothing, and have learned so much about South Asian culture. It's crazy to think that I've got less than 3 weeks left!

***Prayer requests***

• A company women here runs a house for outcast people ( I've mentioned going to her house in my blog) well, she has a Hindu neighbor who is a government worker and a Brahmin who is asking a lot of questions and thinks they are converting people. She has threatened to take it to the government and have the place shut down and the company woman and her husband kicked out of the country, since the laws have changed due to the new prim minister. Please pray that God will soften the lady's heart and that she will not take this issue to the government.
• Several of my teammates have been sick with stomach issues, and sinus problems so please left them up to the Lord that they will be back to 100% soon. 
• Pray for the people I've encountered and shared with. Pray that a seed was planted and that they will have a desire to know more about Jesus. 
• There is a Muslim women here who I've become very good friends with. She has made several outfits for me and I've gone to her house multiple times. She is also friends with many company members and she has heard the truth numerous times. She knows the truth, but does not believe it. Please pray that God will work in her heart and that her eyes will be opened to the fact that she can not get to heaven apart from Jesus. 

• A fellow student m whom I met at filed training was serving in another part of the country this summer got word last week that his father was killed in a tragic auto accident last Tuesday. He flew back to America last week to bury his father and be with his family. He was also uncertain of his father's relationship with the Lord. Please lift him and his family up in your prayers, I can not begin to imagine what he is going through. 

I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking an interest in knowing what the Lord is doing in and through me as I serve Him in South Asia. I'm blessed to have godly people in my life who pray for my daily. I definitely can feel your prayers and I don't think I would have made it through some days without them. 

Oh, and Happy Independence Day!!!! 

In His love,

 Heather

1 Month Already, WHAT?!

Wow! Has been a month already? This past week I saw God move in new ways. Saturday, my partner Megan and I was at the mall again doing Soularium. Megan approached a group of girls and asked them to take the survey we had (that's what we call Soularium) and one came over and answered the questions through pictures. She wasn't really interested, so she returned to her group of friends. By now Megan and I were about to leave and then one of her friends comes over and says, "You are a follower of Jesus?" We respond, "Yes." and she says, "I want to know about Jesus." at this point Megan and I both look at each other like, "okay this is totally a God thing!". We shared with her the full story of the go_pel and she had tons of questions. We talked for a while and I even got to pr@y for her in the name of JC! We exchanged phone numbers and we're going to try and meet up with her again! Man, I love moments like that! Just when you least expect it God shows up and shows out.

I'm constantly having to depend of Him here. I'm learning how to walk by the spirit more and more. Asking Him to show me who to speak to, knowing when to bring up the go_pel , and letting Him use me the way He want's me to be used. I've only got 24 more days in this city and only 28 more days in this country. I want to make the most of it! Please continue to lift me up in your pr@yers. Pr@y that I will continue to depend upon God, and abide in Him. Pr@y for the people here as well. Like I've said so many times before this country is very dark, but there's no darkness that's too dark for Jesus.

( Funny story) After we left the mall, we got an auto to take us home,which is always a nightmare because they see white people and think "Oh yeah, I can overcharge them!".  We finally got one and he seems relatively nice, then we stopped on the side of the road because he had to go to the bathroom (yes, on the side of the road). He got out said he'd be right back and about three minutes  later he comes back and offers Megan and I both a piece of candy....We both took it, don't ask me why but we did and it was pretty good for the most part.

(Fun fact) You've not truly experienced South Asia until you walk beside a concrete wall that is used as a "pee wall" and gag at least 35 times.

I've got many more stories I could share but that would take too long, you'll just have to ask me when I get back in the States! :)

Living for Him,
Heather

Living in Old Testament times in a New Testament world.

Life in South Asia is different. VERY different from America. The power goes out at least once a day and sometimes it stays out for hours, and I do mean hours at a time. When the power is out the water does not work because it runs on a pump, which is always fun... Not. Men here pee in public places all the time, I mean I cannot ride in a auto for 20 minutes without seeing at least 10 men peeing on the side of the road. Your senses are in overload. You smell weird things, hear weird things, and see weird things all at the same time. Cows stand in the middle of the street, goats eat the garbage on the side of the street, and hundreds of dogs lay lifeless on the sidewalks. You can not go outside your flat without beggars approaching you asking for money. Some are old, some are young, some are men, some are women, some are a mixture of both, some are crippled, and some are blind.

You know in the Old Testament where it talks about idol worship? Yeah, that's real life here in South Asia. People go into temples and worship things made with human hands. They ring bells to wake them up, (side note, who wants to serve a god you have to wake up, not me!), they bring them food to eat... yes like real food, they kiss their stone feet, and lay face down on the floor and pray to a god that they created in hopes that the god would do something for them. Sad isn't it? 

Most of the Christi@ns here are Catholic, which is basically syncretism. I visited a Catholic church called Saint Mary's the other day and people were lighting candles to pray to Mother Mary. They were kissing the feet of a stone image of what they think JC looks like, and they would throw money on a statue of JC after he died on the cross. Satan has twisted the truth into a lie there, and nothing about that place resembles the God I know and worship.

 I knew going into this that is was going to be rough, I just didn't realize how rough it was going to be. I mean this is literally the hardest thing I've ever done. Looking back now I wounder if God looked down on me and said "You just wait and see. I'm going to show you just how much you've got it made in America." when I told him yes I'll go and serve you in South Asia. He's really stretching me, which is a good thing I suppose. I'm learning that His ways are not my ways more and more.  It's easy to look around here and ask yourself, "Where is my God, the God of mercy, grace, and peace?" because if you don't intentionally look, you'll miss Him. He is here though, and He's working. It's my job to find where He is working and be there. One thing He's showed me since being here is that He always gives me opportunities to share, it's just whether or not I see those opportunities and take those opportunities. 

One opportunity that I saw and took this week was sharing through soularium with 2 girls. One is 21 and the other is 24. I walked up to them and said "Hey, we're here doing a cultural exchange and wanted to know if you'll take a survey with some pictures we have?" They both agreed and I was able to share the full go_pel with them. They are differently persons of peace like Luke 10 mentions. Both are Hindu, but they also go to Saint Mary's church to worship because they love Jesus. I'm said to say that their idea of Jesus and my idea of Jesus are two very different things. We talked with them for 4 hours and are even going to their house on Wednesday. Please pray for them. Pray that their eyes will be opened to the truth of who God really is, and that they will stop worshiping their other gods and the twisted idea of who they think JC is. Pray that they will grow in heart knowledge and head knowledge of the word, and that they will be a light in their community. Also pray that my partner and I will be able to continue a friendship with them, and have boldness to share.

South Asia is very spiritual but it's the wrong kind of spiritual, and if you're not worshiping Je_us you're worshiping his enemy. It's encouraging to know that God is bringing people to himself and people are worshiping Him here, and in the right way. The work is not over. There is much more to be done, and He's allowing me to be used as a tool to bring them to himself. What an honor!!! When times get rough (which is often), and I want to go back home (which is also often), I remind myself of that. It's worth it. He choose me to go... and I'm here, and I'm here for a reason. So even amongst all the frustrations and disappointments I still have Joy, cauz Praise the Lord ain't nobody takin' that from me!!!   

"You oh God are my shepherd. Lead me and I will follow. You are my strength and my shield; in you my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart will forever exult you. You are my song and in you I will give thanks."

Psalm 28 & John 10:1-21 (paraphrased)

 

In Him,
Heather

 

Fighting Sickness and Sharing through Soularium

Greetings from South Asia! First off I want to thank everyone who has been lifting me up in pr@yer these past few days. I must say, this week hit me hard. I apparently came in contact with some contaminated water and have been sick since last Friday. My field nurse came Wednesday and gave me some medication, and today is the first day that I've actually felt somewhat like myself. I'm still not 100% recovered, but I'm getting there! 

Although I've been fighting sickness I have seen the Spirit's hand at work this week. Sunday I went to a worship service at "P's" house and let me just say it is amazing to hear people worship JC in a language you don't understand.  "P's" house is a place where street children, beggars, and people living in slums can come and take a shower, get a hot meal, and hear the word. Tuesday I wasn't feeling so great but I still went out and a sweet young lady who I had been seeing at "P's" house pr@yed to JC that I would feel better. Although I did not understand a word she said because it wasn't English, I was completely moved to the fact that she pr@yed for me. 

Today me and my team went to a mall and walked around looking for opportunities to share His story. Me and my partner decided to sit at a table at the food court and do Soularium cards. Soularium was created by campus crusade and is designed to create a dialogue with people about their life and spiritual journey, and campus crusade created cards specifically for South Asia. I love Soularium cards!!!!! I've used them multiple times at UA, so I think it's awesome that the Lord is allowing me to use them here in South Asia as well. We were able to talk to 6 girls and share His story with them, which is awesome!!! Please pr@y for these girls that JC will work in their hearts and open their eyes to the truth. One girl asked, "Why did you come here?", and I told her that I'm a follower of Je_us and he told me to come. She then said, "We are very lucky to have you." Needless to say that made my day!!!

Please continue to lift me up in your pr@yers, not only for my physical heath, but also for my spiritual heath as well. I'll be honest this past week I've wanted to come home at least 100 times, just because I didn't feel well and I wanted to be in my bed, with air conditioning, and my sweet momma taking care of me, but when that girl told me today that this country is lucky to have me, that still small voice reminded me of the reason I came, and what I'm here to do. JC never said it would be easy, (and trust me, it isn't) but He did say it will be worth it, (and it totally is).

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." 

- Deuteronomy 31:8

Hugs from my heart to yours,

Heather

Namaste

Namaste. 

Namaste is the traditional South Asian hello and goodbye, it literally means my soul honers your soul. I'm happy to report that I made it to South Asia with no problems. I arrived for training last Wednesday, and yesterday I arrived in the city where I'll be working all summer. I am going to be honest, I'm going through quite a bit of culture shock. This is a place where men do not talk to women unless they're flirting with them, and women do not make eye contact with men. There are street children and beggars everywhere, and you can't give them anything because if you do then all of them come to you. You can't walk down the sidewalk without seeing dieing dogs everywhere. People honk their horns all the time, and I do mean ALL the time. Crosswalks do not exist, and people drive on both sides of the street at the same time. So needless to say, it's very different from America.

During training I was able to visit two different places of worship. The first one was a Mosque. We arrived and I forgot they told us that if we had cameras we'd have to pay 300 rupees per camera and I had two so I ended up paying 600 rupees, and was only there for maybe 20 min. because they kicked us out because they were about to pray. The second day we visited a Hindu temple. When I walked in I felt this heaviness on my chest and it was really hard for me to breath. Our supervisors told us to be aware that this could happen since many people who follow JC do experience spiritual attacks when in Hindu temples. My partner and I were only in there maybe 5 or 10 mins. and then we had to leave because the spiritual attack was getting worse. Once we got outside the temple we were approached by at least 20 street children who wanted money, many of which was younger than 5 years old. Handling that was very hard because I have a nephew who is 3 and seeing these children living on the streets with no mother or father breaks my heart. I knew going into this that I was going to see all these things, but it's different when it's in your face.

One passage that I read over these past few days is Psalm 115: 2-8:

“Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

This is the exact epiphany of the people here in South Asia. They walk around with no human emotion. Darkness is everywhere here. One of the field personal said, "Satan does not just have his toenail here, he has he's whole body here, and has had for thousands of years." Although this is very, very sad, JC is at work here. I was able to hear stories during training of how God is calling people to himself, which is such an encouragement. 

On our last day of training I was able to share my story and His story with a 16 year old Muslim girl. We talked for several mins. and she even allowed for me to pr@y for her in the name of JC. Let me just say it was awesome!!!! There's a quote from John Piper which says that,"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." I can not begin to tell you what an awesome feeling it is when you are able to share the "good news" to someone!

It is currently 9:30 am here, and I'm about to get ready to go to a big group meeting which is across the city. I'm excited to see what today, this week, and these two months will hold. Please continue to lift me up in pr@yer. Pr@y that I will have boldness, and confidence to share with people. Pr@y that God will help me adjust to the culture, and pr@y that I will have discernment and know when God is giving me an opportunity to share. Love and lots of hugs from South Asia!!!  

Namaste,

Heather

It's Here

Well, it's finally here. The day I've been waiting for since September. Wow! This is actually happening. My bags are packed and I think I'm ready to go. I've had this peace come over me in the past few days, and I know it's the Lord showing His grace upon me. 

The passage that I'm holding onto and claiming during this amazing journey is Psalm 18:30-36 which says, "As for God, his way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength; he has made my way safe. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights. He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand supports me; your gentleness has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping." I find comfort in that passage to know that the Lord will equip me with all that I need this summer, and that my strength is in him. He knows the battles that I will face and can already see the victory. Like I've said so many times before, I know in my heart that He will never put me in a situation where He hasn’t already made a way for me to go. I'm so joyous that He called me... a girl from a small town of Alabama to go and share of His "Good News" with the people of South Asia. 

Thank you all so much so all your prayers. I leave at 6am tomorrow morning to drive to the airport. My first flight leaves at 12 noon, second at 7:30pm. I can't say I'm not a little anxious but I'm trusting the One who holds the universe, so I'm going to sit back and enjoy the ride with Jesus.

To know Him and make Him known,

 Heather