Welp, my time here in North India is coming to a close, and Melissa and I will be leaving to head back to Dharwad (south) tomorrow evening. Although I didn’t get to see the Taj Mahal (it’s quite a ways away from here still) or ride an elephant (still hope in Dharwad!!), I got to see a lot of the Indian culture in a couple different cities, markets, etc!! Today in the house I got to dance with two of the "house help" children, about 5 and 7 years old (girl and boy), so undignified and free. It was SOOO much fun! They aren't as privileged as the others and aren't allowed to do a lot of things, so it was soo much fun to be able to show them music videos like Chris Tomlin's "God Great Dance Floor" and dance, clap and sing with them and showing them they were worthy! While that may seem like such a simple thing, it brought soo much joy to my heart!! I have also been so blessed by the sweet hearts of Gabriel and Susanna and how they have cared for me here at their home. Gabriel even took me to the English school that he manages today! That was super cool!! It’s large— 1,800 students, ages 3-10th grade! As I left in the car with their driver, Gabriel stayed at the school, making for a long 6 minute car ride because the driver doesn’t speak English, nor do I speak Hindi haha.
This week and a half has certainly been quite a roller coaster of emotions. Being sick away from home, let alone in another country (and away from momma) is a miserable experience that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I want to thank each of you for praying for me though...I literally cannot express in words how much it means to me. You can try to imagine, but you won’t be able to know the depth of love and appreciation I feel for you all :). The Lord has faithfully held my hand through some really difficult times this week, in which all I could do was cry to Jesus and continue to remind myself that He is constantly with me, never leaving or forsaking me. I was so reminded that even though I can often be unfaithful to the Lord, doubting his presence or love, He is a faithful groom, never leaving me and you, His beloved, His bride. What an AMAZING image and promise. He is it in for the long haul...whew, THAT’S a commitment, but out of absolute unconditional love. My devotional this morning took me to Psalm 63, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible and one that is very dear to my heart (Beulah Beach Camp 2012). If you aren’t familiar with it, check it out, meditate on it, let it sink into your heart and mind….
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips with glorify you [this is CHOOSING JOY]. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for the jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.”
Prayer please!
Please continue praying for my health. If you have ever had any stomach sickness, you know that it takes several awkward days of your stomach adjusting back to normal hunger and eating...I’m moving out of that finally but I am SOO ready to be done with it! Pray for complete healing in the name of Jesus and that I would have protection from sickness and disease the rest of the trip! Pray for safety again as Melissa and I will be on the train from Sunday 9:30pm- Tuesday morning...32 hours (those dates are my time...Ohio is 9.5 hours behind). Pray that I would be able to sleep, be safe, and not get sick. Continue praying for joy as well. For my eyes to be on the King, not on my circumstances, for HE is eternal and worthy to be praised, even in hardship! Pray that Jesus would use tough circumstances to refine my heart and that he would continue to rid me of myself. And pray that in each place I’m in, the Holy Spirit would speak through and pour out of me onto others, in words and love!!
I love you all so much!!!!
Bethany
(These are photos from the school I got to see today :))
This week and a half has certainly been quite a roller coaster of emotions. Being sick away from home, let alone in another country (and away from momma) is a miserable experience that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I want to thank each of you for praying for me though...I literally cannot express in words how much it means to me. You can try to imagine, but you won’t be able to know the depth of love and appreciation I feel for you all :). The Lord has faithfully held my hand through some really difficult times this week, in which all I could do was cry to Jesus and continue to remind myself that He is constantly with me, never leaving or forsaking me. I was so reminded that even though I can often be unfaithful to the Lord, doubting his presence or love, He is a faithful groom, never leaving me and you, His beloved, His bride. What an AMAZING image and promise. He is it in for the long haul...whew, THAT’S a commitment, but out of absolute unconditional love. My devotional this morning took me to Psalm 63, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible and one that is very dear to my heart (Beulah Beach Camp 2012). If you aren’t familiar with it, check it out, meditate on it, let it sink into your heart and mind….
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips with glorify you [this is CHOOSING JOY]. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for the jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.”
Prayer please!
Please continue praying for my health. If you have ever had any stomach sickness, you know that it takes several awkward days of your stomach adjusting back to normal hunger and eating...I’m moving out of that finally but I am SOO ready to be done with it! Pray for complete healing in the name of Jesus and that I would have protection from sickness and disease the rest of the trip! Pray for safety again as Melissa and I will be on the train from Sunday 9:30pm- Tuesday morning...32 hours (those dates are my time...Ohio is 9.5 hours behind). Pray that I would be able to sleep, be safe, and not get sick. Continue praying for joy as well. For my eyes to be on the King, not on my circumstances, for HE is eternal and worthy to be praised, even in hardship! Pray that Jesus would use tough circumstances to refine my heart and that he would continue to rid me of myself. And pray that in each place I’m in, the Holy Spirit would speak through and pour out of me onto others, in words and love!!
I love you all so much!!!!
Bethany
(These are photos from the school I got to see today :))
(the garden)
(what many of the classrooms looked like...very crowded)
(This was dedicated to the late Norma Freer...what an incredible woman)
(the little girl, It (pronounced like you're saying each letter), that I danced with)
You are a gem Beth!!! so glad that your time was well spent in North India and i'm glad you are getting over your sickness. Never fun. You are always so positive and i so look up to that. Love you, safe travels. If you want an awesome movie I can send it to your email if you get that. Love you!
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