Hello. In a blog or two ago I told you all that I wanted to write some stories from my race and how they can tie into my next journey going to CGA, and even just being in America for the time being.
Topic number one: INDIA
As I go through each country and I write stories that have touched my heart, I need you to know there is no way I could ever share everything I saw and everything I experienced. That was something I struggled with on the race… choosing stories to share!
India was a country that raddled my soul and shocked my core. So many cultural rules and so many quick life changes I had to go through. I went from my comforts of America to a land that did everything different. At first it was daunting and it quickly became exciting. Wearing cultural dresses, eating curry for every meal, all the colors, all the celebrations, so many people, so much dancing and joy, statues at every corner, palaces and religious buildings on every street, culture in every movement and stitch of the country.
I remember how excited I was to start ministry and begin my race and crying when I found out I got children’s ministry. I was so excited to do what I LOVED in India of all places! We traveled hours each day by tuk tuks to ministry each day to different villages. We would sing, dance, and read these children the Bible. It was a ministry full of love and full of hugs! Every night we would do house visits and pour into the community, eat lots of food, and walk away feeling refreshed (and stuffed). On Sundays we would preach and put on our own church services. Sometimes we wouldn’t know we were suppose to create a church service until 5 minutes before we had to start.
We went from dreaming about missions to having to do a sermon at any moment we were asked. It was a lot. But it pushed me to grow.
I remember on the rides to ministry I would pray for the kiddos I would get to hug and that I would be able to pour into and the families I would meet. I would pray that he would bless me with a spirit that would speak his name even though I couldn’t speak the language. God always came through.
One night I prayed for a little boy. He had a hurt leg and a sour spirit. I bent down, laid hands on his small leg and began to pray. I prayed. I prayed and prayed. Then I looked up and other kids had gathered. No longer was I just praying over this boy, I realized I had many other kids wanting prayer too. My team ended up praying over all of the kids, adults, and people in the nearby community that night. Some people were healed. Some people were not healed. But JESUS showed up and his presence made an impact on all of their souls. That was within the first week of ministry and it set the stage for a wild wild journey. We ended up praying over thousands of people leaving India and that forever will hold an impact on me even.
These people are a people that are seeking for more. Christians are not common and even are heavily persecuted for their faith. It’s hard to be a Christian and it’s hard to walk in faith in a nation that doesn’t approve. It made me so thankful for a home that wouldn’t disown me for my faith and made me thankful for the opportunity to share the AMAZING news of Christ to this nation. We got to encourage them and push them in their faith and we found out that because it’s hard to be a Christian in India, the people that loved the Lord had a spirit of ever-bounding love and joy from the father. They had a passion they were willing to die for. It was inspiring. It made me think deeply about my own faith!
Something through being in India I noticed was because we were the “white Christians” we had to be extra careful. People hated us. People didn’t want us there. We were doing extremely dangerous work. How amazing is it that in America we can live our lives and pursue our faith without worrying about safety? In India I felt unsafe, but it pushed me to dive even deeper in my faith and I grew because of it. Don’t take your faith for granted because your privilege is amazing!!
After the first crowd we prayed for, we were asked to plan a church service for the following day. I remember everyone looked at each other and immediately I was the one who would give the sermon. Our team led worship, prayer and I would close with the sermon. I remember I was so nervous because I didn’t want to mess it up and be the missionary that ruins their opportunity! I prayed a lot and long story short… the Lord took over completely and led the entire sermon. I walked away feeling as if I didn’t even open my mouth because the words that came out weren’t even from me. In that moment I realized I had a gift of speaking and that I loved speaking.
That passion that ignited inside of me carried through my entire race. Some countries I didn’t preach at all and some countries I preached everyday. That passion has carried into small conversations and having a desire to pour into people in a more intentional and personal way.
That passion has carried into my decision to go to CGA. I am stepping into the program desiring to learn how to place this passion, and many others, into my kingdom calling in missions. I want to learn how to navigate my passions and avenues and how to piece them all together to make an impact to ALL the nations. America, Asia, Africa, and more. God is calling me to keep pushing into this passion and many others. So that’s why I said YES to CGA. I’m ready to get this ball rolling! It’s a blessing to be able to choose a path like this and i don’t take it for granted!
India was a gem, a delight, and a hard country to start with. Many bugs, lots of sweat, squatty potties, bucket showers, BUT so much love, countless memories, many jesus miracles, and life lessons I will cherish forever. India changed my life and impacted my view of the world, missions, and Jesus.
This was only the tiniest sliver I could share with you, but I hope it gave perspective to a part of my heart you haven’t seen before. Stay tuned and I continue to post about my other countries too!
FUNDRAISING UPDATE: I am currently at alittle under $1000!!! YES! THANK YOU!!!! I still have $1000 until my next deadline on August 17th and $5000 left in total! I need your help! If you feel led to donate, please use the link above! You all have been so pivotal in my World Race journey and I can’t wait to see where this journey leads us next!
Thank you for reading and thank you for supporting me! Keep me in your prayers as I continue to navigate this next step in my life and journey!
