Our week together has come and gone.
It flew by more quickly than I could even imagine possible.
There was laughter. There were tears.
There were long talks & quiet times, late nights & early mornings, times of reminiscing and, of course, making new memories.
It was wonderful. I am incredibly thankful for it; already dreaming ahead, as I smile, looking behind.
~Heather
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Eager Anticipation
I'm honestly not sure how to feel or what to think. I have known for months now that today would come. But, now that it has arrived, I still don't think my heart knows what it means.
Sarah is due to land in Delhi in about 4 hours. What will it feel like to see her today? What will my reaction be? What will I think? What will I do?
Amidst all the uncertainties that are floating around my mind, this I know for sure: The Lord is good. He created a friendship between Sarah and I in a way that only He could. His plans are perfect. As I look back I see His unfailing love and faithfulness through each and every journey. I can hardly wait to see what He has in store for the days ahead! I smile as I wonder of what our days will include. I plan to savor each moment. What an amazing Father we serve.
As I sit and wait, eagerly, with great anticipation, I am in awe of all that the Lord chooses to bless me with and count it pure joy to be His daughter, His princess.
~Heather
Sarah is due to land in Delhi in about 4 hours. What will it feel like to see her today? What will my reaction be? What will I think? What will I do?
Amidst all the uncertainties that are floating around my mind, this I know for sure: The Lord is good. He created a friendship between Sarah and I in a way that only He could. His plans are perfect. As I look back I see His unfailing love and faithfulness through each and every journey. I can hardly wait to see what He has in store for the days ahead! I smile as I wonder of what our days will include. I plan to savor each moment. What an amazing Father we serve.
As I sit and wait, eagerly, with great anticipation, I am in awe of all that the Lord chooses to bless me with and count it pure joy to be His daughter, His princess.
~Heather
Saturday, August 7, 2010
To India I Go!
This morning I sit less than 24 hours shy of stepping foot out of the country for the first time. I am not sure my mind has completely wrapped itself around the adventure that awaits!
I think its funny that I am going to India, right now, when the world, and Julia Roberts, are so interested in eating, praying and loving in and around this country. But, I am not jealous of the adventure portrayed there. I am not longing to go to some spiritual country to find myself. I have already been found. Actually, I have been adopted, bought with a priced, sealed in a covenant with Christ.
On the ground, in India, waits my best friend! That is why I am going. I am going to see a friend. Friendship is priceless. I spend a lot of days thanking the Lord for my singleness. Through singleness I have learned the value of a friend - both how to be one and what it is to have one. No ring on a finger to demand commitment, no DNA to require loyalty. Just grace and love - because He first showed us grace and love.
Thank the Father with me for friendship. For His ability to sustain it. For allowing the plans He has for each of us to intersect, to weave in and out, and come together again.
Pictures to come!!
Sarah
The Story of Katie Rose
Storying!
This summer I fell in love with storying! When I first got my project confirmation email, and caught the title of it- "Storytelling Gurus" -I was a bit taken aback and afraid. What had I gotten myself into?
Upon arrival in India, I became excited when I recived the storying materials. As I started learning stories, they came oh so naturally. I mean, one might expect that, because they are stories we grew up with, but I didn't expect to be so confindent. Usually I stumble over words and such, but once I learned these stories, all I wanted to do was share them!
To watch the women learn as we shared was amazing. As they listened, despite the millions of constant distractions (kids, animals, etc), their eyes would light up as they began to truly understand who Jesus is and what He has done for them. And then to see some of them deciding to share the stories with others, as well!
It is really rewarding when you are storying- you learn, you teach, God joins in, they learn, they share with others. God has truly blessed my life with this experience of storying.
In fact, that is how I open when I speak with a group. I tell the story of the Great Commission, and say, "That's what I did... and this is what happened!" Because God is truly using these stories- His stories- to draw for Hinself a people for His own possession! I was so glad to be part of it!
~Katie Rose (a summer M-town guest)
This summer I fell in love with storying! When I first got my project confirmation email, and caught the title of it- "Storytelling Gurus" -I was a bit taken aback and afraid. What had I gotten myself into?
Upon arrival in India, I became excited when I recived the storying materials. As I started learning stories, they came oh so naturally. I mean, one might expect that, because they are stories we grew up with, but I didn't expect to be so confindent. Usually I stumble over words and such, but once I learned these stories, all I wanted to do was share them!
To watch the women learn as we shared was amazing. As they listened, despite the millions of constant distractions (kids, animals, etc), their eyes would light up as they began to truly understand who Jesus is and what He has done for them. And then to see some of them deciding to share the stories with others, as well!
It is really rewarding when you are storying- you learn, you teach, God joins in, they learn, they share with others. God has truly blessed my life with this experience of storying.
In fact, that is how I open when I speak with a group. I tell the story of the Great Commission, and say, "That's what I did... and this is what happened!" Because God is truly using these stories- His stories- to draw for Hinself a people for His own possession! I was so glad to be part of it!
~Katie Rose (a summer M-town guest)
Friday, August 6, 2010
Prowling around like a lion...
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
The Father is at work in and around M-town!
Therefore, the enemy is on the hunt in and around M-town.
The Hindi is being learned. The stories are being shared. The light is being shone in the midst of great darkness.
~Heather
*Would you plead with the Father not to allow the enemy to be a discouragement, an obstacle?
*Would you ask Him to give His servants courage and boldness as we continue to seek to serve and share Him?
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
The Father is at work in and around M-town!
Therefore, the enemy is on the hunt in and around M-town.
The Hindi is being learned. The stories are being shared. The light is being shone in the midst of great darkness.
~Heather
*Would you plead with the Father not to allow the enemy to be a discouragement, an obstacle?
*Would you ask Him to give His servants courage and boldness as we continue to seek to serve and share Him?
J-Nagar
My heart loves to teach. My heart loves a classroom setting. My teacher's heart is filled each time I get to visit J-Nagar.
As the afternoon comes, I'm tired. As I think about boarding the hot bus, I'm exhausted. As I walk to the gate, I'm dragging.
As I open the gate and move into the yard, 25 to 30 bouncing children rise to their feet to eagerly greet me. Somehow I'm not quite so tired. From somewhere comes a smile and an excitement, as I reach for my chalk.
These children, who live in a slum and some who have never been to a formal school, take out their tattered notebooks and broken pencils. Somehow, over the months and through my limited Hindi, they have learned to read and write English.
Their smiles beam as I praise them for a job well done. Their notebooks wave in the air, as I hear "M'am, Ji! M'am, Ji!," to receive my glance over their work and a word of approval. Their faces light up with understanding as they now sound out words to read a story from the chalkboard. "This is a true story from God's word," I say as I begin with the story portion of our lesson.
These amazing children are learning stories from God's word in their heart language, reading and writing them in simple English, and blessing my sandals off while they do so! How I praise the Father who ordains our days.
~Heather
*Would you ask the Father to show the children of J-Nagar His truth through His stories?
*Would you ask the Father to draw these children and their families to a saving faith in who He is?
As the afternoon comes, I'm tired. As I think about boarding the hot bus, I'm exhausted. As I walk to the gate, I'm dragging.
As I open the gate and move into the yard, 25 to 30 bouncing children rise to their feet to eagerly greet me. Somehow I'm not quite so tired. From somewhere comes a smile and an excitement, as I reach for my chalk.
These children, who live in a slum and some who have never been to a formal school, take out their tattered notebooks and broken pencils. Somehow, over the months and through my limited Hindi, they have learned to read and write English.
Their smiles beam as I praise them for a job well done. Their notebooks wave in the air, as I hear "M'am, Ji! M'am, Ji!," to receive my glance over their work and a word of approval. Their faces light up with understanding as they now sound out words to read a story from the chalkboard. "This is a true story from God's word," I say as I begin with the story portion of our lesson.
These amazing children are learning stories from God's word in their heart language, reading and writing them in simple English, and blessing my sandals off while they do so! How I praise the Father who ordains our days.
~Heather
*Would you ask the Father to show the children of J-Nagar His truth through His stories?
*Would you ask the Father to draw these children and their families to a saving faith in who He is?
K-Ville
About halfway between M-town and a smaller nearby town, sits a little village. K-ville is a place that only by the Lord's divine provision did we ever happen upon. Logistically, it makes no sense as to why it appeared on our radar. But, the Father is at work in K-ville.
The first visits to K-ville included a few of the M-town summer guests, who call themselves the M-Girlz. They fell in love with this little place. They met a brand new sister who was excited to learn more about being a true follower. The M-Girlz visited in her home 5 or 6 times, sharing stories, singing songs, praying for neighbors and friends.
The Father led me to accept the task of continuing visits to K-ville, to story, and to share His love and truth. Each week, I call our K-ville sister to let her know I am coming. Each week, she has not been home upon my arrival.
However, the women of K-ville greet me, and beckon me to sit with them, to share a story, to sing His praises, to pray with them, and to help them in seeking Him. These women have not yet chosen to call Him, Father, but I trust that day will come.
As I sit cross-legged on a rope woven cot pearched on a roof, I share God's story and see eyes and hearts engaged in soaking up His love and truth. Oh, how I long for the day that these women would choose to call Him, Father, and take His stories into the places that have yet to hear them.
~Heather
*Would you ask the Father to draw the K-ville women unto Himself?
*Would you ask the Father to allow my Hindi to continue to improve, to flow smoothly, to not be an obstacle in the understanding of His story?
The first visits to K-ville included a few of the M-town summer guests, who call themselves the M-Girlz. They fell in love with this little place. They met a brand new sister who was excited to learn more about being a true follower. The M-Girlz visited in her home 5 or 6 times, sharing stories, singing songs, praying for neighbors and friends.
The Father led me to accept the task of continuing visits to K-ville, to story, and to share His love and truth. Each week, I call our K-ville sister to let her know I am coming. Each week, she has not been home upon my arrival.
However, the women of K-ville greet me, and beckon me to sit with them, to share a story, to sing His praises, to pray with them, and to help them in seeking Him. These women have not yet chosen to call Him, Father, but I trust that day will come.
As I sit cross-legged on a rope woven cot pearched on a roof, I share God's story and see eyes and hearts engaged in soaking up His love and truth. Oh, how I long for the day that these women would choose to call Him, Father, and take His stories into the places that have yet to hear them.
~Heather
*Would you ask the Father to draw the K-ville women unto Himself?
*Would you ask the Father to allow my Hindi to continue to improve, to flow smoothly, to not be an obstacle in the understanding of His story?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
My Heart's Song
May we run this race, may we keep the faith;
may our eyes be fixed on Jesus-
That we'll not lose heart in our struggle with sin,
and through suffering know endurance.
May we arm ourselves with the mind of Christ-
To rejoice in trials and be not surprised.
May our hearts be so consumed by You,
That we never cease to praise!
May our compnay be the saints you've called,
May we all stand firm in one spirit.
That the gospel's truth may resound on earth,
that all living things may hear it.
May the fruits of faith mark the path we trod,
through the life of Christ to the Glory of God,
May our hearts be so comsumed by you,
That we never cease to praise!
May the words we share be Your grace and peace;
May our tongues speak Your proclamation-
That the many parts of the body of Christ
be affirmed in their right relation.
As we long and wait for the groom to come,
May we learn to love, and spur each other on.
May our hearts be so consumed by You,
That we never cease to praise!
When that day arrives, and their race is won.
When our griefs give way to deliverance.
We will fully know as we're fully known,
All our groans will end as new songs begin.
And a multitude from every tribe and tongue,
Wearing robes of white, will stand before Your throne,
And our hearts will be so consumed by You,
That we'll never cease to praise!
~Heather (borrowed lyrics)
may our eyes be fixed on Jesus-
That we'll not lose heart in our struggle with sin,
and through suffering know endurance.
May we arm ourselves with the mind of Christ-
To rejoice in trials and be not surprised.
May our hearts be so consumed by You,
That we never cease to praise!
May our compnay be the saints you've called,
May we all stand firm in one spirit.
That the gospel's truth may resound on earth,
that all living things may hear it.
May the fruits of faith mark the path we trod,
through the life of Christ to the Glory of God,
May our hearts be so comsumed by you,
That we never cease to praise!
May the words we share be Your grace and peace;
May our tongues speak Your proclamation-
That the many parts of the body of Christ
be affirmed in their right relation.
As we long and wait for the groom to come,
May we learn to love, and spur each other on.
May our hearts be so consumed by You,
That we never cease to praise!
When that day arrives, and their race is won.
When our griefs give way to deliverance.
We will fully know as we're fully known,
All our groans will end as new songs begin.
And a multitude from every tribe and tongue,
Wearing robes of white, will stand before Your throne,
And our hearts will be so consumed by You,
That we'll never cease to praise!
~Heather (borrowed lyrics)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Praising Him
There are so many people. There is so much darkness. It is easy to believe there is no one who truly believes, no one who praises Him with all their hearts.
But, there are. They are here. They are singing His praises and seeking to share His name, to be a light in such a dark place.
Worshipping in a second language and culture has always been somewhat difficult for me. I struggle to keep my mind engaged. I struggle to understand all that is taking place. It is just one of my hard things.
Sunday, I worshipped with a group of fellowships. They meet together every couple of months, and meet in small groups for worship and fellowship weekly.
Let me tell you, these brothers and sisters have a great time praising our Father. I have begun to learn their songs of praise and follow along as the message is shared. This sweet fellowship has allowed me to be part of who they are and what they do. It is so much fun!
On a weekly basis, we are around 25 or 30, but this week, as we met as a group of fellowships, there were 300 or 350, maybe more. Weekly we meet on the front porch of a school, but this week, a building was provided. Let me promise, it was tight in there, with no room to spare (well, actually, there is always room for one more).
I love to sing out praises to our God. I love for my voice to get lost in a sea of voices singing out. Oh, how my cup is filled to overflowing as our amazing God gives so much more than we ask. How I praise Him for the blessings He bestows.
~Heather
But, there are. They are here. They are singing His praises and seeking to share His name, to be a light in such a dark place.
Worshipping in a second language and culture has always been somewhat difficult for me. I struggle to keep my mind engaged. I struggle to understand all that is taking place. It is just one of my hard things.
Sunday, I worshipped with a group of fellowships. They meet together every couple of months, and meet in small groups for worship and fellowship weekly.
Let me tell you, these brothers and sisters have a great time praising our Father. I have begun to learn their songs of praise and follow along as the message is shared. This sweet fellowship has allowed me to be part of who they are and what they do. It is so much fun!
On a weekly basis, we are around 25 or 30, but this week, as we met as a group of fellowships, there were 300 or 350, maybe more. Weekly we meet on the front porch of a school, but this week, a building was provided. Let me promise, it was tight in there, with no room to spare (well, actually, there is always room for one more).
I love to sing out praises to our God. I love for my voice to get lost in a sea of voices singing out. Oh, how my cup is filled to overflowing as our amazing God gives so much more than we ask. How I praise Him for the blessings He bestows.
~Heather
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Pothole Lane
A glimpse of what Pothole Lane looks like today:
It is certainly holding up to its name! Just getting home is an adventure.
~Heather
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