Sarah's birthday has just passed. Daddy's birthday is coming. Mother's Day and Father's Day are gone for this year. Maddon has turned 2 years old. Sawyer will be 1 in September. Ellie started 4th grade, and Mason has started 1st.
This is what I miss most. My heart is sad on the special days that I miss. I love birthdays and holidays and first days of school. How can I make it special from half a world away?
How can I share with you my own special days?
Yesterday was a special day. Granted, the past two days have included my chasing a mouse, who has yet to be exterminated, around my apartment. However, an amazing phone call came mid-afternoon that just made my heart smile.
Around 2 o'clock I was out at the market and the phone rang. The market isn't a very easy place to take a call, but I answered none the less. It was my sweet friend who is living in A'bad. She called to share with me how the Father is truly at work there.
Ari has continued to read the book of truth and asked to be dunked two weeks ago. She is still the only believer in her family, but she wanted to follow the Father obediently, knowing that this included going swimming. The arrangements were made for the ceremony to take place. However, when the time came, her family told her that if she did this that she would no longer be welcome as part of the family. Emotions were high and this young lady was placed in a position that most of us can't imagine. She has not yet been able to follow through in this act of obedience.
She has been sharing with her friends what the Father is teaching her. She shares stories of truth with them. She, along with 7 others, have decided to meet together weekly to share the Father's stories! These are really amazing steps for a young lady to take. She understands what the Father is asking of her and is stepping out in faith. I know that the Father has even more incredible plans in store for Ari! He is faithful and my heart is smiling. Oh, that one day this nation would share His stories far and wide, that they would sing out in one voice of praise and honor to the Lord Most High!
~Heather
*Praise the Father for Ari's boldness to step out in faith and share His truth with those around her.
*Thank the Father for allowing me to get to share in His plan and goodness.
*Ask the Father to give Ari courage to openly speak the truth.
*Ask the Father to bring the other 7 girls to a knowledge and understanding of the truth.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Life on Pothole Lane
Yes, the days continue to pass. Life in M-town is good. The days are rainy now. The rains bring an occasional breeze and lots of humidity with them. The road that runs in front of our 
apartments has extremely large potholes in it. I don't think our road has a name, and I needed to have something to call it for when I give Cathy directions, so I have affectionaly named it Pothole Lane.
apartments has extremely large potholes in it. I don't think our road has a name, and I needed to have something to call it for when I give Cathy directions, so I have affectionaly named it Pothole Lane.Most days, there are several pigs that spend their day wollering in the mud. I am quite sure a couple of them are bigger than I am! Every day holds numerous adventures and I can hardly wait to see all the Father has in store. I am completely convinced that now is the time for South Asia!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
blah
I'm tired.
Actually, tired doesn't come close to describing how I feel.
I'm utterly exhausted.
This exhaustion has nothing to do with sleeping; it has to do with rest.
It has to do with perseverance.
It has to do with resting in the arms of the Father, even amidst all the busyness and choas that surrounds me.
It so often seems that there is so much to do and so little time to do it.
He has called each of us to a task.
I am surrounded by a nation who does not yet know the truth.
There is so much to do.
"... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:2)
"Be still, and know..." (Psalm 46:10)
I am earnestly seeking to find the balance between the two.
~Heather
*Ask Him to grant the endurance needed to run the race He has set before me.
*Ask Him to guide me in finding the balance necessary to rest in Him and run with Him.
Actually, tired doesn't come close to describing how I feel.
I'm utterly exhausted.
This exhaustion has nothing to do with sleeping; it has to do with rest.
It has to do with perseverance.
It has to do with resting in the arms of the Father, even amidst all the busyness and choas that surrounds me.
It so often seems that there is so much to do and so little time to do it.
He has called each of us to a task.
I am surrounded by a nation who does not yet know the truth.
There is so much to do.
"... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:2)
"Be still, and know..." (Psalm 46:10)
I am earnestly seeking to find the balance between the two.
~Heather
*Ask Him to grant the endurance needed to run the race He has set before me.
*Ask Him to guide me in finding the balance necessary to rest in Him and run with Him.
the change
As one of only a handful of foreigners living in M-town, it is quite common to be seen as somewhat of an attraction. I am often looked at with inquisitive eyes. Only the most daring of school children will shout a quick, "Hello!" or, "How are you?"
As I walk through the community, it is often my intent to smile and make eye contact with each woman I pass, in the hopes that, after a moment, I will receive a smile in return. When possible, along with the smile, I extend a Hindi greeting.
The responses of women vary. Sometimes I get a smile, sometimes a head-nod, sometimes a verbal greeting in return. But, always, there is a curious look in their eyes. This look says, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
Each day I walk down the dirt road that runs beside my new home. This is the path I take to get to the main road. I find women, children, families, and animals all along the way. With some, I have talked, with others, I have laughed. With many, in my broken Hindi, I have attempted to share a bit of who I am, and find out more of who they are.
Saturday was different. Saturday as I walked along the road, I received smiles. I received greetings. I received invitations to be part of the lives of those along this long dirt road. As I reached the main road, I smiled. My heart smiled. On Saturday, to those who comprise my new community, I was no longer an outsider. I belonged. I was welcomed.
Great is His faithfulness!
~Heather
*Thank Him for giving me a sense of belonging.
*Ask Him to increase my ability to communicate with those along the way.
*Ask Him to soften the hearts of these and to draw them to Himself, so that they may come to know the truth.
As I walk through the community, it is often my intent to smile and make eye contact with each woman I pass, in the hopes that, after a moment, I will receive a smile in return. When possible, along with the smile, I extend a Hindi greeting.
The responses of women vary. Sometimes I get a smile, sometimes a head-nod, sometimes a verbal greeting in return. But, always, there is a curious look in their eyes. This look says, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
Each day I walk down the dirt road that runs beside my new home. This is the path I take to get to the main road. I find women, children, families, and animals all along the way. With some, I have talked, with others, I have laughed. With many, in my broken Hindi, I have attempted to share a bit of who I am, and find out more of who they are.
Saturday was different. Saturday as I walked along the road, I received smiles. I received greetings. I received invitations to be part of the lives of those along this long dirt road. As I reached the main road, I smiled. My heart smiled. On Saturday, to those who comprise my new community, I was no longer an outsider. I belonged. I was welcomed.
Great is His faithfulness!
~Heather
*Thank Him for giving me a sense of belonging.
*Ask Him to increase my ability to communicate with those along the way.
*Ask Him to soften the hearts of these and to draw them to Himself, so that they may come to know the truth.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
A place to call home
The time has come! I am officially settling into a new home in M-town. It is wonderful to be settling, and feel like I have a place to call home. Thank you for asking that the father would provide the right place. Cathy & I each have our own apartment, but they are quite near one another, which is perfect!
The apartments are surrounded by multiple families. We are already building so many new relationships. We are so excited to see what he has in store for those we are getting to know, and already love! May these relationships be the beginning of something truly amazing, eternally amazing!
~Heather
*Thank the father for providing this home and for the relationships that are already beginning.
*Ask the father to bless and multiply the relationships that have already begun to take root.
*Ask the father to provide the right language learning setting and to bless our language learning efforts.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Only the beginning!
The saga continues. Well, it has been days and we are officially negotiating for the third or fourth set of apartments. Everyone has a reason for not wanting to rent to us. We are trusting that the Father will make a way for us to be just where he has for us. He continues to demand our total surrender and require nothing less than trusting fully in him. His strength is perfect, when our strength is gone.
In the meantime, we are staying with the S family. They are wonderful, truly. They have welcomed us into their home and lives with open arms. Last night, we were a family of 7 in a two bedroom/ one bathroom house. Tonight, we will increase to a family of 9, our supervisors are en route to M-town!
~Heather
*Thank the father for the S family, their support and encouragement, as well as, their welcoming us into their family & home.
*Thank the father for being all-sufficient.
*Ask the father to provide homes for Cathy & I.
*Ask for favor in the eyes of nationals, that they would become people of peace and goodwill.
In the meantime, we are staying with the S family. They are wonderful, truly. They have welcomed us into their home and lives with open arms. Last night, we were a family of 7 in a two bedroom/ one bathroom house. Tonight, we will increase to a family of 9, our supervisors are en route to M-town!
~Heather
*Thank the father for the S family, their support and encouragement, as well as, their welcoming us into their family & home.
*Thank the father for being all-sufficient.
*Ask the father to provide homes for Cathy & I.
*Ask for favor in the eyes of nationals, that they would become people of peace and goodwill.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
A day in the life...
The first days in M-town have been full. Every day is an adventure. We laugh, we cry, we sing, we shout. God is faithful, and we are his, so we trust.
What does a day in M-town look like? Well, every single day is a brand new adventure. There is never any telling what the next hour will bring. Monday was one of those days!
Monday morning, the alarm sounded and the day began. Cathy & I had agreed to help prepare for a training that was to begin at 10am. The center for the training had been rented, but the floors needed sweeping and to be mopped. The beds had to be made, and the bathrooms had to be cleaned. Now, I know it won't surprise you that we did these things, but imagine it in a salwar kameez, complete with dupatta (large scarf)!
A couple of hours was enough time to finish that task. I don't think I have been quite that hot, nor have I sweated that much since an Alabama July mid-afternoon softball game. It was just hot and humid! But, the opportunity to serve made the task sweeter.
We have a friend who also lives in the city, Ashley. Ashley has only been in country a few weeks and wanted to go to an open market, one that only takes place on Mondays. So, we told her to come on over and we would head out. In the meantime, the househelper was here, so I was trying to continually dialogue with her in Hindi. Before Ashley arrived, a sweet national girl stopped by for a visit. It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with her, share a snack, and be encouraged by her testimony.
Ashley arrived during Monica's visit. Shortly after Monica took her leave, Ashley, Cathy & I walked down the road and caught a local bus. This happened to be my first Indian bus experience. I typically use alternate forms of transportation. The bus was quicker than a bicycle rickshaw, but it was quite crowded, to say the least. We arrived at the market and shopped for a while, mingling with so many women and picking up a few new items, as well.
After finishing up at the market, we headed back to the bus route to catch a bus back to the home of the family with whom we are staying until we have apartments of our own. During the bus ride back, a friend called and told us to hop off of the bus and go to the apartments that we are wanting to rent. We reached the apartments and the property dealer was not in sight. I called and I had misunderstood. He was expecting us at his office. We waited and he came to the apartments. He reported that we would not be able to rent the apartments that we wanted, the owners were not comfortable renting to us. So, on to the next plan. There were two other apartments that we looked at and agreed for the negotiating with the owners to begin.
We left the apartments and grabbed a rickshaw back to the house. We arrived and showered. The water ran out between my shower and Cathy's, but returned after some time. Some friends who happened to be in the area stopped by. I greeted them, served them some cold water, and got them settled. A few minutes later, a national stopped by with her 1 year old little girl. We sat and chatted a little while. Supper had to be started and since the house was full, we would be serving a houseful!
When bedtime finally came, exhausted only grazed the surface of my condition. I praise him because his mercies are new every morning and his faithfulness is great!
There is no typical day. The only constant right now, is the necessity of flexibility with the ever-changing plan. These are good days, they are hard days. We are hearing language and seeing culture take place all around us. It is such fun to continue to interact with people more deeply every single day.
~Heather
*Ask the father to allow Cathy & I to be enabled to rent apartments and get settled soon.
*Ask that my language abilities would increase quickly.
*Ask that the father would provide language helpers that would become long-term partners.
* Ask that the father would call the people of the state of UP (where M-town is located) unto himself.
*Ask that the father would continue to strengthen Cathy & I's relationship, that he would use us to encourage and support one another, and to share his love with those around us.
*Thank the father for his continued protection and provision.
*Thank him for new friends.
What does a day in M-town look like? Well, every single day is a brand new adventure. There is never any telling what the next hour will bring. Monday was one of those days!
Monday morning, the alarm sounded and the day began. Cathy & I had agreed to help prepare for a training that was to begin at 10am. The center for the training had been rented, but the floors needed sweeping and to be mopped. The beds had to be made, and the bathrooms had to be cleaned. Now, I know it won't surprise you that we did these things, but imagine it in a salwar kameez, complete with dupatta (large scarf)!
A couple of hours was enough time to finish that task. I don't think I have been quite that hot, nor have I sweated that much since an Alabama July mid-afternoon softball game. It was just hot and humid! But, the opportunity to serve made the task sweeter.
We have a friend who also lives in the city, Ashley. Ashley has only been in country a few weeks and wanted to go to an open market, one that only takes place on Mondays. So, we told her to come on over and we would head out. In the meantime, the househelper was here, so I was trying to continually dialogue with her in Hindi. Before Ashley arrived, a sweet national girl stopped by for a visit. It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with her, share a snack, and be encouraged by her testimony.
Ashley arrived during Monica's visit. Shortly after Monica took her leave, Ashley, Cathy & I walked down the road and caught a local bus. This happened to be my first Indian bus experience. I typically use alternate forms of transportation. The bus was quicker than a bicycle rickshaw, but it was quite crowded, to say the least. We arrived at the market and shopped for a while, mingling with so many women and picking up a few new items, as well.
After finishing up at the market, we headed back to the bus route to catch a bus back to the home of the family with whom we are staying until we have apartments of our own. During the bus ride back, a friend called and told us to hop off of the bus and go to the apartments that we are wanting to rent. We reached the apartments and the property dealer was not in sight. I called and I had misunderstood. He was expecting us at his office. We waited and he came to the apartments. He reported that we would not be able to rent the apartments that we wanted, the owners were not comfortable renting to us. So, on to the next plan. There were two other apartments that we looked at and agreed for the negotiating with the owners to begin.
We left the apartments and grabbed a rickshaw back to the house. We arrived and showered. The water ran out between my shower and Cathy's, but returned after some time. Some friends who happened to be in the area stopped by. I greeted them, served them some cold water, and got them settled. A few minutes later, a national stopped by with her 1 year old little girl. We sat and chatted a little while. Supper had to be started and since the house was full, we would be serving a houseful!
When bedtime finally came, exhausted only grazed the surface of my condition. I praise him because his mercies are new every morning and his faithfulness is great!
There is no typical day. The only constant right now, is the necessity of flexibility with the ever-changing plan. These are good days, they are hard days. We are hearing language and seeing culture take place all around us. It is such fun to continue to interact with people more deeply every single day.
~Heather
*Ask the father to allow Cathy & I to be enabled to rent apartments and get settled soon.
*Ask that my language abilities would increase quickly.
*Ask that the father would provide language helpers that would become long-term partners.
* Ask that the father would call the people of the state of UP (where M-town is located) unto himself.
*Ask that the father would continue to strengthen Cathy & I's relationship, that he would use us to encourage and support one another, and to share his love with those around us.
*Thank the father for his continued protection and provision.
*Thank him for new friends.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Goodbye A'bad
The A'bad days of Cathy, Rachel & Heather have come to a close. It was an adventurous 6 weeks. We laughed, we cried, we learned from one another, we served one another, we thrived and survived, together.
Rachel has moved on toward her new assignment now. We miss her being with us, but can hardly wait to see what the father has in store for her months ahead.
Cathy & I are currently taking Hindi Intensive classes in the capital, but a move is coming soon! We have decided to move to M-town. We will complete our language learning time there, begin forming networks & relationships, and hope to get to tell and craft some stories over the next several months. These are exciting times! May he continue to show his hand at work in, around, and through us!
~Heather
*Ask the father to give us the stamina to finish Hindi Intensives well.
*Ask the father to grant us great housing, quickly, in M-town.
*Ask him to give us wonderful relationships with national women who will be captivated by his amazing story, that they would come to know the truth, and that he would use them to draw others into his family.
Rachel has moved on toward her new assignment now. We miss her being with us, but can hardly wait to see what the father has in store for her months ahead.
Cathy & I are currently taking Hindi Intensive classes in the capital, but a move is coming soon! We have decided to move to M-town. We will complete our language learning time there, begin forming networks & relationships, and hope to get to tell and craft some stories over the next several months. These are exciting times! May he continue to show his hand at work in, around, and through us!
~Heather
*Ask the father to give us the stamina to finish Hindi Intensives well.
*Ask the father to grant us great housing, quickly, in M-town.
*Ask him to give us wonderful relationships with national women who will be captivated by his amazing story, that they would come to know the truth, and that he would use them to draw others into his family.
Brokenness
Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for.
Brokenness is what I need.
Brokenness, brokenness is what you want from me.
Take my heart and form it.
Take my mind, transform it.
Take my will, conform it,
to your's, to your's, O Lord.
Brokenness is what the Father wants us to bring to him. Brokenness is truly what we need. Only the Lord can heal our brokenness. But, is brokenness really something we long for?
The Father is at work. He is at work in me, and I pray that he is at work in you. I am quite stubborn. I like things done my way. I like to be in control of how things are done. Too often, my strong, independent spirit becomes an obstacle. I have to often ask the Father's forgiveness for doing things my own way, rather than his. He loves each of us so much though, so much that he doesn't ever stop working on us, to mold us and make us who he has for us to be, vessels through which he chooses to work. I want to be one the father chooses to work through.
In order for the Father to work through me, I must allow him to empty me of myself and fill me with himself. This means altering my prideful, I can do anything, WonderWoman attitude, and coming before him, and others, humbly, to be used to love, share, and serve.
The last months have been full of lessons on humility. I am so thankful that the Lord doesn't give up, he just keeps working on us and loving us. He accepts us each and every time we return to him. The task that is ahead is so much larger than anything any person could accomplish in and of themselves. The father has used and is using this time to show us that he is still in the miracle making business. He is, and will continue to be, at work in, around, and through us.
These weeks and lessons haven't been easy ones. Hindi has become difficult for me. I haven't enjoyed the learning process that must take place. My body isn't handling life overseas near as well as I would like. I have experienced hospitals in two countries in less than a month. Cathy & I have been on the move and without a home of our own since our arrival. We are so ready to settle. I miss people and places in America. I miss getting to be present for special occasions and I miss being part of ordinary days. These are just hard things.
I know that our God is faithful. I look back and see his faithfulness. I am choosing to look forward and trust his faithfulness. He has truly amazing plans. He will see his plans come to fruition. What an honor it is to be part of them. There are incredible days behind us, and before us. May we humbly choose to accept each opportunity as one through which to praise him!
Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for.
Brokenness is what I need.
Brokenness, brokenness is what you want from me.
Take my heart and form it.
Take my mind, transform it.
Take my will, conform it,
to your's, to your's, O Lord.
~Heather
*Ask the father to continue to heal my body completely and to protect me from further illness.
*Ask the father to allow Cathy & I to find wonderful homes quickly in our new city.
*Ask the father to grant sweet relationships with fellow workers and nationals in our new city.
*Ask the father to provide the mental capabilities and attitude to learn Hindi well and joyfully.
*Ask the father to continue to mold me into a vessel that he can use to make himself known amongst the nations.
Brokenness is what I need.
Brokenness, brokenness is what you want from me.
Take my heart and form it.
Take my mind, transform it.
Take my will, conform it,
to your's, to your's, O Lord.
Brokenness is what the Father wants us to bring to him. Brokenness is truly what we need. Only the Lord can heal our brokenness. But, is brokenness really something we long for?
The Father is at work. He is at work in me, and I pray that he is at work in you. I am quite stubborn. I like things done my way. I like to be in control of how things are done. Too often, my strong, independent spirit becomes an obstacle. I have to often ask the Father's forgiveness for doing things my own way, rather than his. He loves each of us so much though, so much that he doesn't ever stop working on us, to mold us and make us who he has for us to be, vessels through which he chooses to work. I want to be one the father chooses to work through.
In order for the Father to work through me, I must allow him to empty me of myself and fill me with himself. This means altering my prideful, I can do anything, WonderWoman attitude, and coming before him, and others, humbly, to be used to love, share, and serve.
The last months have been full of lessons on humility. I am so thankful that the Lord doesn't give up, he just keeps working on us and loving us. He accepts us each and every time we return to him. The task that is ahead is so much larger than anything any person could accomplish in and of themselves. The father has used and is using this time to show us that he is still in the miracle making business. He is, and will continue to be, at work in, around, and through us.
These weeks and lessons haven't been easy ones. Hindi has become difficult for me. I haven't enjoyed the learning process that must take place. My body isn't handling life overseas near as well as I would like. I have experienced hospitals in two countries in less than a month. Cathy & I have been on the move and without a home of our own since our arrival. We are so ready to settle. I miss people and places in America. I miss getting to be present for special occasions and I miss being part of ordinary days. These are just hard things.
I know that our God is faithful. I look back and see his faithfulness. I am choosing to look forward and trust his faithfulness. He has truly amazing plans. He will see his plans come to fruition. What an honor it is to be part of them. There are incredible days behind us, and before us. May we humbly choose to accept each opportunity as one through which to praise him!
Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for.
Brokenness is what I need.
Brokenness, brokenness is what you want from me.
Take my heart and form it.
Take my mind, transform it.
Take my will, conform it,
to your's, to your's, O Lord.
~Heather
*Ask the father to continue to heal my body completely and to protect me from further illness.
*Ask the father to allow Cathy & I to find wonderful homes quickly in our new city.
*Ask the father to grant sweet relationships with fellow workers and nationals in our new city.
*Ask the father to provide the mental capabilities and attitude to learn Hindi well and joyfully.
*Ask the father to continue to mold me into a vessel that he can use to make himself known amongst the nations.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Worth it all!
On a hot Sunday morning, Cathy, Rachel & I were worshipping the father with our fellow workers in A'bad.
Rose is a househelper of one of the families. She speaks no English. We usually speak only Engish during worship. It was hot. The electricity had been out for quite a while. Worship usually lasted about 2 hours. This particular morning it lasted over 3 hours. Sometimes a few nationals joined us for worship. On this morning, one of our Indian brothers was happy to translate the entire service (which is why it lasted an extra hour).
The father had a divine appointment for us on this, our last Sunday in A'bad. He allowed us to see his hand at work. He called Rose to be a daughter in his kingdom. She accepted. The angels in heaven rejoiced. Our hearts leapt for joy. The father reminded me, "This my child, is why I have brought you here."
Mornings like that last Sunday morning in A'bad make it all worthwhile.
~Heather
*Ask the father to continue to reveal himself to Rose.
*Ask the father to use Rose to draw her family, and others, to know and trust only him.
*Ask the father to allow there to be many more mornings of seeing new brothers and sisters added to the fold.
Rose is a househelper of one of the families. She speaks no English. We usually speak only Engish during worship. It was hot. The electricity had been out for quite a while. Worship usually lasted about 2 hours. This particular morning it lasted over 3 hours. Sometimes a few nationals joined us for worship. On this morning, one of our Indian brothers was happy to translate the entire service (which is why it lasted an extra hour).
The father had a divine appointment for us on this, our last Sunday in A'bad. He allowed us to see his hand at work. He called Rose to be a daughter in his kingdom. She accepted. The angels in heaven rejoiced. Our hearts leapt for joy. The father reminded me, "This my child, is why I have brought you here."
Mornings like that last Sunday morning in A'bad make it all worthwhile.
~Heather
*Ask the father to continue to reveal himself to Rose.
*Ask the father to use Rose to draw her family, and others, to know and trust only him.
*Ask the father to allow there to be many more mornings of seeing new brothers and sisters added to the fold.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
More to come...
Life is a great adventure! Living cross-culturally is a fairly wild adventure. Each day is sure to bring about something new.
Last week I became quite ill. Not to worry, I am doing much better now. However, I did spend a few days in a local hospital. I am so thankful for the services that were provided, but, it was an extreme cultural experience, to say the least.
I have thoughts to share and stories that will be priceless, but am just not quite ready to share those yet. I will share them as I am able to fully process this crazy experience. Know that the father has continued to provide for and take wonderful care of me.
Last week I became quite ill. Not to worry, I am doing much better now. However, I did spend a few days in a local hospital. I am so thankful for the services that were provided, but, it was an extreme cultural experience, to say the least.
I have thoughts to share and stories that will be priceless, but am just not quite ready to share those yet. I will share them as I am able to fully process this crazy experience. Know that the father has continued to provide for and take wonderful care of me.
- Please ask him to continue to strengthen and heal my body so that I am able to soon be up and going, as strong as ever.
- Please ask him to protect Cathy, Rachel, and I from illness. It certainly seems to be the enemy's sharpest and most relied upon weapon these days.
Ari's Family
Ari comes each morning and patiently assists in the learning of Hindi. Some days are certainly better than others, but she is ever patient, continually listening to and correcting my toddler-like Hindi sentences.
Ari happened to join us for fellowship and worship on Sunday morning. She became a believer just last year. Monday morning as she arrived for a language session, we had a sweet, honest discussion about believers in this culture, especially regarding how they are viewed by those who have not yet become believers.
Ari brought her cousin with her to fellowship on Sunday morning, so I enquired of whether she was a fellow believer and of her siblings, as well. Ari's cousin, Pippy, has two older brothers, one who is a believer, and one who is not. Pippy's father is a believer, but her mother is not. Ari has two younger sisters, neither of whom are believers. Also, her father is a believer, but her mother is not. As the conversation continued to get more complicated in trying to label members of Ari's family as being believers, or non, she finally looked up with the most gentle, compassionate expression on her face, and said, "I am praying for the day that my whole family believes."
Ari happened to join us for fellowship and worship on Sunday morning. She became a believer just last year. Monday morning as she arrived for a language session, we had a sweet, honest discussion about believers in this culture, especially regarding how they are viewed by those who have not yet become believers.
Ari brought her cousin with her to fellowship on Sunday morning, so I enquired of whether she was a fellow believer and of her siblings, as well. Ari's cousin, Pippy, has two older brothers, one who is a believer, and one who is not. Pippy's father is a believer, but her mother is not. Ari has two younger sisters, neither of whom are believers. Also, her father is a believer, but her mother is not. As the conversation continued to get more complicated in trying to label members of Ari's family as being believers, or non, she finally looked up with the most gentle, compassionate expression on her face, and said, "I am praying for the day that my whole family believes."
- Please join Ari and I in pleading with the father to bring this desire to complete fullfilment.
- Ask the father to use Ari to make an eternal difference from within her family.
- Ask the father to use me as an encouregement for Ari.
~Heather
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