I set out to prayer walk at least a few times each month. It's an amazing time to spend with the Father asking for His hand to move throughout M-town.
He takes this time to show me new places and to meet new people. Sometimes I find myself on a University campus and sometimes I find myself in a field; sometimes He leads me to neighborhoods of middle-class people and sometimes He leads me to the slums; sometimes I walk through busy intersections and sometimes I walk along a dirt footpath.
Last week I set out to prayer walk and found myself walking into a little village. It was a little village right in the middle of M-town.
India is a country of villages. M-town is a city of villages.
This village had such a sweet spirit. The men, women, and children were quite curious of these two foreign women walking along their paths. A crowd of children began to follow Cathy & I. I spoke to them and they giggled as they respectfully replied.
We walked by gates and saw women completing their daily chores. Many of them chose to come close to the walkway to see what was happening. These sweet women invited us in. They were not harsh, they were not rude, they were merely curious and hospitable. They offered all that they had, their time, and possibly a cup of tea.
A village is a small area in which a concentrated number of people live. These people live in tight community. They operate often as one large family.
What an amazing couple of hours is was to be welcomed into this village. It is my prayer that the Father would allow me opportunities to build relationships with those in these villages, that I would have the opportunities to share His stories, and that His stories would ignite and spread rapidly from village to village, calling these precious men, women, and children to know Him as Savior.
~Heather
*Ask the Father to lead me into villages who are open and willing to hear His story.
*Ask the Father to allow communication to flow easily and that His story would be shared in a way that is understood by all those who hear.
*Ask the Father to soften the hearts of the people of M-town and that they would choose to follow only Him.
Monday, November 23, 2009
a teacher's heart
This teacher's heart often longs to return to the classroom, even if only for just a little while. Actually, any teaching could lessen the longing.
I froze. I didn't have a lesson plan. I didn't know these children's names. I don't speak the language of these children well. But, I was there. They were there. So, away we went into unknown territory for us all!
I am in language classes three times a week, but learning isn't nearly as enjoyable as teaching!
I recently spent a day with a lady, Anna, who has around 30 children who come to her house each afternoon for school. The families of these children can't afford schooling. They range in age from 5 to 12 years old. Anna doesn't have any teaching experience, but she does love these children and they in turn, love her. I have returned to Anna's home from time to time to interact with the children and to assist her a bit in teaching. Now, rest assured, Anna doesn't speak any English, so our communicating is often a bit comical.
Anna recently had a baby. The baby is just beautiful. I had planned to make a school visit on Friday. Anna knew I was coming. As I arrived, a bit late due to a long bus journey, I saw the children seated in rows on a large mat on the dirt yard, but I did not see Anna. I asked Anna's husband where she was and he reported that the baby was sick and Anna had taken the baby to the doctor's office. The children were waiting for me to arrive, to teach them.
I froze. I didn't have a lesson plan. I didn't know these children's names. I don't speak the language of these children well. But, I was there. They were there. So, away we went into unknown territory for us all!
As I taught, they often looked at me with confusion. They sometimes didn't respond. But, as I began to affirm their answers and to give them my undivided attention, their little faces lit up with a sense of accomplishment.
My Hindi has such a long way to go. But, my heart lept with joy. I was teaching. Children were learning. What could be better?
~Heather
*Thank the Father for this amazing opportunity for my teacher's heart to be satisfied.
*Ask the Father to continue to increase my abilities to communicate in Hindi.
*Ask the Father to allow opportunities to share His story with these children and their families.
*Ask the Father to draw these families into a relationship with Him.
Friday, November 20, 2009
the quiche is in the oven, well, almost
It has been a difficult week, to say the least. It hasn't been a bad week. It has just been full, and exhausting. It has been one of those weeks that has been all encompassing, there have been sweet times, stressful times, disappointing times, and refreshing times.
Guests are wonderful! I have had so many guests! It is so nice to get to have guests in my home. I have been visited by people from here, there, and everywhere!
Thursday, guests were coming and I planned to bake a quiche for lunch. I was pretty excited to try something new. Now, I didn't have a pie dish, and had unsuccessfully searched for one, but decided to carry on the search. On Wednesday evening I did in fact find a glass pie dish for purchase.
Now, the electricity is turned off from around 8am every morning until 1pm every afternoon. This usually isn't a factor, because typically guests come for dinner, but Thursday's guests were for lunch. Since I had planned to serve quiche and had indeed located a pie dish, I was determined to continue on with this plan.
I decided to get up at 7am on Thursday morning and bake the quiche. I would just serve it at room temperature. However, I was up quite late on Wednesday night cleaning and preparing for the coming day, so Thursday morning I was not thinking too clearly.
Just before 7, the alarm clock sounded and in my groggy state, assembled the quiche in my new glass pie dish. I placed it in the preheated oven, and closed the door. Well, I almost closed the door. The oven door wouldn't close by 2 1/2 or 3 inches. The glass dish was too big!
What to do? Well in my foggy state of mind, I decided that if I covered the opening in the oven door, it would bake just fine. Out of sight, out of mind.
So, I just draped a towel over the door and went back to sleep while the quiche baked. I got up and turned it once just before the cooking time had passed. The electricity was turned off a little early, so the baking time hadn't even had time to lapse. I just had to hope for the best!
I served the quiche for lunch and it was quite a hit. Necessity is truly the mother of invention! Who knew that eggs would indeed bake in an open oven! Just one more adventure to add to the list! Life in India is never dull...
~Heather
Guests are wonderful! I have had so many guests! It is so nice to get to have guests in my home. I have been visited by people from here, there, and everywhere!
Thursday, guests were coming and I planned to bake a quiche for lunch. I was pretty excited to try something new. Now, I didn't have a pie dish, and had unsuccessfully searched for one, but decided to carry on the search. On Wednesday evening I did in fact find a glass pie dish for purchase.
Now, the electricity is turned off from around 8am every morning until 1pm every afternoon. This usually isn't a factor, because typically guests come for dinner, but Thursday's guests were for lunch. Since I had planned to serve quiche and had indeed located a pie dish, I was determined to continue on with this plan.
I decided to get up at 7am on Thursday morning and bake the quiche. I would just serve it at room temperature. However, I was up quite late on Wednesday night cleaning and preparing for the coming day, so Thursday morning I was not thinking too clearly.
Just before 7, the alarm clock sounded and in my groggy state, assembled the quiche in my new glass pie dish. I placed it in the preheated oven, and closed the door. Well, I almost closed the door. The oven door wouldn't close by 2 1/2 or 3 inches. The glass dish was too big!
What to do? Well in my foggy state of mind, I decided that if I covered the opening in the oven door, it would bake just fine. Out of sight, out of mind.
So, I just draped a towel over the door and went back to sleep while the quiche baked. I got up and turned it once just before the cooking time had passed. The electricity was turned off a little early, so the baking time hadn't even had time to lapse. I just had to hope for the best!
I served the quiche for lunch and it was quite a hit. Necessity is truly the mother of invention! Who knew that eggs would indeed bake in an open oven! Just one more adventure to add to the list! Life in India is never dull...
~Heather
hope
"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:2-5
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
for the children
Please join me in pleading with the Father to draw the children of M-town unto Himself.
~Heather
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
"The Bible So Song"
Lately, I have been wondering how I could weave Christ's love for Maddon into our day. And, let's blame it on the seminary training, I have been wanting to communicate to Maddon the deep theological truths of our faith. How do I bundle everything that is so great about Christ, so necessary to know Him and so fascinating to be obedient too? How do you eat a theological elephant?.... One small truth at a time. While driving, I was reminded of a simple song; and, as Maddon and I drove back to his house, I began to sing:
Jesus loves me this I know;
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
they are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.
There is was, everything I wanted to introduce Maddon too. The authority of God's Word, the love of Christ, the strength found only in Him....all in a song I learned when I was two. Maddon loved it! I must have sang those lines 50 times. Fifty times of telling this sweet little boy that the God of the universe loves us and he can know that because His Word says this love is so.
Yesterday started out as an average, creative, adventurous day, with Maddon. The day ended with the Lord reminding and allowing me to share in His work, to invest in a life for eternal purpose. With one little song, containing several Truths, our afternoon went from typical Maddon and Sarah Jacks fun to creative didactic.
Oh, that we do not get so caught up in ideas that we forget to sing a song....
~Sarah
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Road trip
I enjoy a road trip. It often makes for a long day, but usually includes adventures and sweet relationship building.
Friday, a road trip had been planned. It would be an early, early morning, but I knew it would be a great experience, so I consented. At 4:30am, we were ready to go. At 5:45am, the car finally arrived to pick us up. We were on Indian Standard time, for sure.
After picking up the rest of Vikki's family, the cars were filled, and we were on the road. In the three cars were Vikki, her husband, and 8 month old son, along with the baby's paternal grandparents, great-grandmother, uncles, great-aunts, nanny, Cathy, and I. It was quite a crowd. The destination? R-kesh, one of the towns along the sacred Ganga River. The purpose? The baby's Mundan ceremony.
Mundan is an important ceremony in Hindu communities. It is the tradition of shaving the hair of the baby boy, on an auspicious day in the 1st or 3rd year of the child's life, followed by offering the hair as a sacrifice to the sacred Ganga River. It is believed that this ritual will purify the child, that the shaving of the hair will rid the child of his past life's negativity, bestow long life, a better future, and protect the child from the evil eye.
After an almost 6 hour ride, we arrived in R-kesh. We rested and had tea at a resthouse and then made our trek to the Ganga for the ceremony to take place.
The grandfather took a dip in the Ganga and then held the baby and spoke blessings over him. After this, most everyone took a holy dip in the Ganga. They continually told us that they felt peace from doing so. Once the barber arrived, the baby's hair was shaved. The hair was collected and placed, along with money, between pieces of bread and then offered by the father to the Ganga. The family elders held large sums of mony over the baby and spoke blessings, to ensure him a properous life. The baby was wiped with water from the Ganga and was redressed in a fresh set of clothing.
After enjoying a traditional lunch with these sweet family members, we prepared for the long journey home. It was such a long day.
What an experience it was, to see first hand the darkness that is honored. My heart was saddened by the beliefs in the power of holy water and of religious ceremony.
The water was beautiful. The time was cherished. Relationships were deepened. The Father was there.
*Thank the Father for the opportunity to be part this family's special day.
*Ask that the Father would allow Vikki's family to find truth in him.
*Ask that the Father would continue to strengthen local relationships and use Cathy & I as his light, in such a dark place.
~Heather
Friday, a road trip had been planned. It would be an early, early morning, but I knew it would be a great experience, so I consented. At 4:30am, we were ready to go. At 5:45am, the car finally arrived to pick us up. We were on Indian Standard time, for sure.
After picking up the rest of Vikki's family, the cars were filled, and we were on the road. In the three cars were Vikki, her husband, and 8 month old son, along with the baby's paternal grandparents, great-grandmother, uncles, great-aunts, nanny, Cathy, and I. It was quite a crowd. The destination? R-kesh, one of the towns along the sacred Ganga River. The purpose? The baby's Mundan ceremony.
Mundan is an important ceremony in Hindu communities. It is the tradition of shaving the hair of the baby boy, on an auspicious day in the 1st or 3rd year of the child's life, followed by offering the hair as a sacrifice to the sacred Ganga River. It is believed that this ritual will purify the child, that the shaving of the hair will rid the child of his past life's negativity, bestow long life, a better future, and protect the child from the evil eye.
After an almost 6 hour ride, we arrived in R-kesh. We rested and had tea at a resthouse and then made our trek to the Ganga for the ceremony to take place.
The grandfather took a dip in the Ganga and then held the baby and spoke blessings over him. After this, most everyone took a holy dip in the Ganga. They continually told us that they felt peace from doing so. Once the barber arrived, the baby's hair was shaved. The hair was collected and placed, along with money, between pieces of bread and then offered by the father to the Ganga. The family elders held large sums of mony over the baby and spoke blessings, to ensure him a properous life. The baby was wiped with water from the Ganga and was redressed in a fresh set of clothing.
After enjoying a traditional lunch with these sweet family members, we prepared for the long journey home. It was such a long day.
What an experience it was, to see first hand the darkness that is honored. My heart was saddened by the beliefs in the power of holy water and of religious ceremony.
The water was beautiful. The time was cherished. Relationships were deepened. The Father was there.
*Thank the Father for the opportunity to be part this family's special day.
*Ask that the Father would allow Vikki's family to find truth in him.
*Ask that the Father would continue to strengthen local relationships and use Cathy & I as his light, in such a dark place.
~Heather
A few points to consider about Indian road trips:
- There will be car trouble.
- There will be at least one flat tire.
- At least one person will get car sick.
- There will be more passengers in the vehicle than there are seats.
- There will be absolutely no potty stops, even if you ask, so, limit liquid intake.
- There will be countless speed bumps and pot holes, some of which the driver will slow down to pass over, others he will just pass over, so hold on tight.
- The return trip will take longer than it took to reach the destination.
*Pictures are in the following post.*
Mundan
blessing by paternal grandfather
taking a dip in the Ganga
shaving the hair 
offering hair to the Ganga
Holidays mean family
Even so many miles from home, holidays are still about spending time with those you love. I consider it an honor that precious families have already begun to include us in their count.
*Please ask the Father to draw Koni's family into His family.
~Heather
Monday, October 26, 2009
Lord, open their homes.
Prayer walk with me. We start and finish at the "big tree." At this tree, worship of idols takes place multiple times each day. Oh, that the people of M-town would come to know and worship the Most High God, the Creator, the Father who loves them so. Please ask that the Father would open the homes, and hearts, of households throughout M-town.
~Heather
*I tried to add music. Technical stuff isn't my forte! Sorry.*
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Currently...
The gather up the gopher wood and pitch kind of rain is falling. Big Texas drops, the drops that result from days of humidity withheld, are showering down in common time.
In my attempt to cook more, I am making meat loaf, with turkey, instead of beef, and rolled oats, rather than bread crumbs. It's supposed to be better for me. And it is. After some trial and error, reading and specific revelation from God, I have found that I should limit my intake of refined carbs.
I am, shockingly, not very interested in marriage, for myself. I am fascinated by marriage, as a Gospel issue; however, not pining for or relying on the "satisfaction" so many of us have convinced ourselves exists only for the coupled. This realization appeared yesterday.
I have never walked this closely with the Lord. Gone are the days of convincing myself grandiose life awaits in the atmosphere of the next great stage, town, task. This is a new stride in life for me. Enjoying the journey, ridding myself of useless desires, finding wealth in relationship, reveling in God's will and realizing the responsibility to continue seeking Him. And, this seeking Him is not reflected in me having it together, displaying vast knowledge; rather, in Him and His strength and faithfulness gloriously displayed through obedience to His Word. Lord help my unbelief!
On that note, I have decided to extend my time at Seminary, by one semester. There will be days, lots of days, I will wish to be much nearer to completing my degree. Hopefully, those days will fade with presto. I have decided to let the remainder of my classes resinate.
The meat loaf is starting to give scent to my apartment. Rain drops have decreased in measure. I have officially enjoyed the current genius playlist on my iTunes to the maximum. I should create a new one soon.
Enjoy your day.
In my attempt to cook more, I am making meat loaf, with turkey, instead of beef, and rolled oats, rather than bread crumbs. It's supposed to be better for me. And it is. After some trial and error, reading and specific revelation from God, I have found that I should limit my intake of refined carbs.
I am, shockingly, not very interested in marriage, for myself. I am fascinated by marriage, as a Gospel issue; however, not pining for or relying on the "satisfaction" so many of us have convinced ourselves exists only for the coupled. This realization appeared yesterday.
I have never walked this closely with the Lord. Gone are the days of convincing myself grandiose life awaits in the atmosphere of the next great stage, town, task. This is a new stride in life for me. Enjoying the journey, ridding myself of useless desires, finding wealth in relationship, reveling in God's will and realizing the responsibility to continue seeking Him. And, this seeking Him is not reflected in me having it together, displaying vast knowledge; rather, in Him and His strength and faithfulness gloriously displayed through obedience to His Word. Lord help my unbelief!
On that note, I have decided to extend my time at Seminary, by one semester. There will be days, lots of days, I will wish to be much nearer to completing my degree. Hopefully, those days will fade with presto. I have decided to let the remainder of my classes resinate.
The meat loaf is starting to give scent to my apartment. Rain drops have decreased in measure. I have officially enjoyed the current genius playlist on my iTunes to the maximum. I should create a new one soon.
Enjoy your day.
(One of a collection of recent creative efforts)
~Sarah
Monday, October 19, 2009
Diwali
Diwali has officially come to a close. Hopefully the nightly midnight fireworks are also coming to an end. The holiday certainly didn't turn out as we had expected, but I know that it is what the Father had planned. I am earnestly searching for the place that I walk in step with him, daily, in all things; and find true satisfation, complete contentment, and ultimate joy in doing so.
We did get to spend bits of time with those we are coming to know and love. The time with sweet friends is something I have come to treasure. Cathy & I spent good time together. We watched fireworks from our roof, walked down the street to look at the lights, and spent time worshipping the Father. It was a good day. May we truly abide in him and seek to be guided by his plans, rather than any plans we make on our own.
Cathy & I have been distributing gifts and cards to the families around us. We wrote words of truth on those cards. May the Father allow those to fall into the hands and be read by the eyes of those whom he is drawing to himself. Ask the Father to use his words to soften the hearts of these precious friends.
I am looking forward to all he has in store. He has certainly allowed the days gone by to be quite an adventure. However, I have no doubt that the best is yet to come. It is! He will return one day. He will meet us in the air. It is more than I can imagine. May we all live each day looking forward to and ready for that day.
~Heather
We did get to spend bits of time with those we are coming to know and love. The time with sweet friends is something I have come to treasure. Cathy & I spent good time together. We watched fireworks from our roof, walked down the street to look at the lights, and spent time worshipping the Father. It was a good day. May we truly abide in him and seek to be guided by his plans, rather than any plans we make on our own.
Cathy & I have been distributing gifts and cards to the families around us. We wrote words of truth on those cards. May the Father allow those to fall into the hands and be read by the eyes of those whom he is drawing to himself. Ask the Father to use his words to soften the hearts of these precious friends.
I am looking forward to all he has in store. He has certainly allowed the days gone by to be quite an adventure. However, I have no doubt that the best is yet to come. It is! He will return one day. He will meet us in the air. It is more than I can imagine. May we all live each day looking forward to and ready for that day.
~Heather
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