What a journey— 30 hours on a train! Eek! One thing that has become so apparent to me is the way in which I create my expectations. When I heard the great description of the train, my mind immediately went to a normal overnight train cab in the states. I’ve realized that if my expectations don’t change, I am going to be continually shocked or worse, let down, by the reality!
Melissa and I boarded the train at 4:30pm Wednesday and packed a cooler of food for dinners, lunches and breakfast. We listened to some music and watched Twilight (it was the only movie on my computer that wasn’t nerdy nature...she wasn’t into that haha) on my computer. I had beef for the first time in weeks for dinner last night...holy crap. I didn’t realize how much I missed it! Indians are typically vegetarian, getting a ridiculous amount of protein from beans and lentils with nearly every meal. I was also afraid that I wouldn’t be able to sleep on the train, due to being a little paranoid and it being such a new experience, but thankfully the Lord gave me rest! The back of the seats fold down and the sheets they give you tuck into the top of the “bed” for you to sleep on. I slept for about five hours, until about 3:45am, when a train stop of people boarded the train with absolutely no social awareness of the time of day haha. Up until that point, melissa and I were the only ones in that cab area. Then we had two older men in the beds above us. That was a long 30 hours, but the countryside we got to see was beautiful!! Definitely not possible from a plane! I started reading “Redeeming Love” Thursday and read over half :)...dang that book is SO good!! Love getting lost in a novel. The bathrooms were an interesting situation. There were Indian style and Western style (Western including a raised toilet and tp; Indian a hole and left hand) restrooms. We finally arrived at the train stop we were getting off at midnight Thursday night/Friday morning and immediately saw the “busy” India that one might imagine fom movies...hundreds of people everywhere. People sleeping on the ground, walking around, staring at a pasty white girl; the smell of trash pungent. Melissa’s grandfather and cousin met us there and we started the 2.5 hour car ride back to her grandparent’s house. I slept most of the way. We arrived at 2:45am and, after a few minutes of talk, made my way to the guest house and slept soundly (I have become SO thankful for good sleep).
Today we just kinda chilled here at the house and bummed. It’s a challenge for me to not have things to do or plans made each day...totally contrary to the Western way— and my often “task 1st, then hangout” way. However, Jesus gave me such a blessing (out of nowhere...I love when He does that!!) Susanna and Melissa’s aunt gave me my first Indian outfit today— it’s sooo beautiful!! Then I had a wonderful and long conversation with Gabriel...mostly about all the missionaries in India over the past 100 years. It was such a blessing to listen to him tell stories and I love lending an ear also. I think it’s SOO important for grandparents to feel and know that their wisdom is wanted, respected and loved!! I also realized that Gabriel, without even knowing it, was filling a longing for my own grandpa and I found myself starring up at him as he told stories, starry-eyed and drawn into the adventures… what a blessing to me! Also, Melissa’s little cousin, Abigail, is the sweetest little thing. It’s funny how instinctive children are...so including and loving.
I’m learning to press into the Lord and look for how he’s working in every situation, in a whole new way. When I feel purposeless or confused— Lord, what are you teaching me? When I feel lonely or exhausted— Lord, what are you trying to show me? Each time it is this: take hold of me Bethany. I don’t know any other way to describe my hold on the Lord except “sustaining”. In all times— joy, frustration, exhaustion, excitement— holding on to Him for dear life (I am loving my time here and at the same time being challenged a lot!). My devo this morning reminded me of the importance of being thankful...even when things are difficult. And that I cannot be complaining and thanking the Lord at the same time. Touche :)
Please join me in prayer:
-The Lord has something else up His sleeve other than (or in addition to) what I anticipated...pray that I would learn with joy, reliance and perseverance
-safety as Melissa and I are in north India
-That the Lord would work through me to touch people for Him everywhere I go!
-That I would be able to be an encouragement to Gabriel and Susanna (Arun’s parents, Melissa’s gparents) while I’m here.
-out of control JOY :)
Much love,
bethany
Melissa and I boarded the train at 4:30pm Wednesday and packed a cooler of food for dinners, lunches and breakfast. We listened to some music and watched Twilight (it was the only movie on my computer that wasn’t nerdy nature...she wasn’t into that haha) on my computer. I had beef for the first time in weeks for dinner last night...holy crap. I didn’t realize how much I missed it! Indians are typically vegetarian, getting a ridiculous amount of protein from beans and lentils with nearly every meal. I was also afraid that I wouldn’t be able to sleep on the train, due to being a little paranoid and it being such a new experience, but thankfully the Lord gave me rest! The back of the seats fold down and the sheets they give you tuck into the top of the “bed” for you to sleep on. I slept for about five hours, until about 3:45am, when a train stop of people boarded the train with absolutely no social awareness of the time of day haha. Up until that point, melissa and I were the only ones in that cab area. Then we had two older men in the beds above us. That was a long 30 hours, but the countryside we got to see was beautiful!! Definitely not possible from a plane! I started reading “Redeeming Love” Thursday and read over half :)...dang that book is SO good!! Love getting lost in a novel. The bathrooms were an interesting situation. There were Indian style and Western style (Western including a raised toilet and tp; Indian a hole and left hand) restrooms. We finally arrived at the train stop we were getting off at midnight Thursday night/Friday morning and immediately saw the “busy” India that one might imagine fom movies...hundreds of people everywhere. People sleeping on the ground, walking around, staring at a pasty white girl; the smell of trash pungent. Melissa’s grandfather and cousin met us there and we started the 2.5 hour car ride back to her grandparent’s house. I slept most of the way. We arrived at 2:45am and, after a few minutes of talk, made my way to the guest house and slept soundly (I have become SO thankful for good sleep).
Today we just kinda chilled here at the house and bummed. It’s a challenge for me to not have things to do or plans made each day...totally contrary to the Western way— and my often “task 1st, then hangout” way. However, Jesus gave me such a blessing (out of nowhere...I love when He does that!!) Susanna and Melissa’s aunt gave me my first Indian outfit today— it’s sooo beautiful!! Then I had a wonderful and long conversation with Gabriel...mostly about all the missionaries in India over the past 100 years. It was such a blessing to listen to him tell stories and I love lending an ear also. I think it’s SOO important for grandparents to feel and know that their wisdom is wanted, respected and loved!! I also realized that Gabriel, without even knowing it, was filling a longing for my own grandpa and I found myself starring up at him as he told stories, starry-eyed and drawn into the adventures… what a blessing to me! Also, Melissa’s little cousin, Abigail, is the sweetest little thing. It’s funny how instinctive children are...so including and loving.
I’m learning to press into the Lord and look for how he’s working in every situation, in a whole new way. When I feel purposeless or confused— Lord, what are you teaching me? When I feel lonely or exhausted— Lord, what are you trying to show me? Each time it is this: take hold of me Bethany. I don’t know any other way to describe my hold on the Lord except “sustaining”. In all times— joy, frustration, exhaustion, excitement— holding on to Him for dear life (I am loving my time here and at the same time being challenged a lot!). My devo this morning reminded me of the importance of being thankful...even when things are difficult. And that I cannot be complaining and thanking the Lord at the same time. Touche :)
Please join me in prayer:
-The Lord has something else up His sleeve other than (or in addition to) what I anticipated...pray that I would learn with joy, reliance and perseverance
-safety as Melissa and I are in north India
-That the Lord would work through me to touch people for Him everywhere I go!
-That I would be able to be an encouragement to Gabriel and Susanna (Arun’s parents, Melissa’s gparents) while I’m here.
-out of control JOY :)
Much love,
bethany
On the train ride up north!
We saw a dang mouse in the curtains and it ran down...so we thought it might have gotten into our then-opened food bag (dumb mistake we know haha)...so i was fully prepared with the camera in case it jumped at her. But it didn't :)
You can kinda see the set up of the train here...like bunk beds.
called the "Thumbs Up Mountain" there in the distance. Beautiful landscape!
You were allowed to just stand at the open doors and watch!
On the journey!!
Lots of villages along the way
Hey Ms. Bell, you were on my heart this morning as I was praying. I'm praying that God would continue to sustain you and that He would place the right people in your path. Sounds and looks crazy awesome there!
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