I can't believe that it's already 2010! Where is time going!? My time in India is almost half way done! Everyday I wake up thinking how much I'm going to miss this place. I am forever grateful for this opportunity that I have had and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. So much has been going on lately and i haven't had time to update the blog.
Lets start with New Year's Eve... Janna and I went to our friend Michelle's house to stay the night with a few other Americans. It was a group of 5 girls and we had a great time. We started our night off with a trip to the mall to watch a movie and get some dinner (there are movie theaters in the malls here). After dinner, we went back to Michelle's and when the clock struck midnight we all went outside to bang pots and pans and wish all of India a Happy New Year. I don't know if the people next door enjoyed it, but we sure had fun! Soon after that we went to bed. For breakfast, we went all out! We had eggs, cinnabons(yes, there is a cinnabon here), pancakes, french toast, and apples! Don't judge. After breakfast, we headed to church and after church we came home to chill and watch Aladdin(yes, Aladdin). It was one of the best New Year's Eve/ New Year's Day that I have ever had. The girls we spent our time with are so much fun and we all enjoy each others company.
Now for a recent update...We recently returned from a trip up in the mountains that lasted three days. Janna, Muan, Marshall, and myself went to Himachal, a small town 12 hours from Delhi. 12 hours on a bus is not something I would recommend. But when we finally arrived, we were greeted with 5 smiling faces of 5 beautiful girls. The reason we took a trip out there was to visit a family that Global Family sponsors. A widow runs a children's home of thirteen children. These kids live in the home because most of their parents are not able to provide. Most of the fathers are drunks and do not work. Their moms make only enough money for rent and are unable to put a proper meal on the table. The girls that live in the home were at risk of being trafficked and were rescued by the grace of God and put in to this loving children's home that the widow runs. The whole time there I never got her name because we always called her "Auntie".
One day me and Muan took the girls for a walk and I had a girl on each side of me wanting to hold my hand. As we were walking, something came over me to skip. Before that, I can't remember the last time I have ever even thought about skipping. But I must say, that is the most fun that I have ever had while skipping!
While there, me and Janna discovered hot water bottles (the things that you place inside of your bed a few minutes before you get in) and they are amazing! It's an instant heater in your bed! As soon as we returned to Delhi, Janna and I went on a hunt for some hot water bottles and bought some.
Auntie takes very good care of these children and the love of God is apparent in their lives. The second day there, we received cards from the girls that were decorated with bright colors and flowers everywhere. At first, I wasn't excited to go on the trip because I'm not much of a bus person, let alone 12 hours on a bus. But by our last day I didn't want to leave. Not because I didn't want to get on the bus, but because those girls impacted my life in an indescribable way. I will keep their card forever and never forget their faces. Before we left, I made them all cards as well and they loved them :)
Something more recent... two days ago I went with Muan to one of the slum schools and helped get updates of all the kids for the new school year that just started for them. I was in charge if writing the information down and waving to the kids to make them smile. These kids are constantly growing on me and never fail to touch my heart. These kids come to get basic education and devotions every day before class. The classroom is a small room with no desks or chairs, but this is normal to them, this is the only school that they know. Every time that I see these kids, they always always always have a smile on their face. Even though they come dirty and cold, they are still smiling with the most beautiful smiles that I have ever seen in my life. I enjoy every moment with them, even if I never have an actual conversation with them. Just waving and smiling is fun, for them and myself. I am LOVING it here and so grateful for this chance that I have to not only spend time with these kids, but also to draw close to God and spend 6 months of undivided attention with my Maker. God has been teaching me so much while I've been here and I pray that I would never forget this experience or what I have been taught. When I go home, I want God to continue to have my undivided attention 24 hours a day 7 days a week. There is nothing better than being in the presence of God. While being here, God has shown me what love really is. Before coming here, my view on love was distorted . My parents divorce had a huge affect on me and how I viewed love. My dad said he loved me, yet he abandoned me by leaving. He told my mom that he loved her, but left her because he wasn't happy. I didn't believe in love anymore. But being here, God has been pressing through all the walls that I've built up and knocking on the door of my heart asking me to let him in. I finally made the choice to let God in and have him tear me apart. It has been one of the hardest things ever, but I can tell that I'm making progress. I'm also reading a book called Abba's Child and that has been a huge blessing to me. I recommend that book to anyone who hasn't read it. My experience here has been difficult in many ways, but it has also been a HUGE blessing and I wouldn't trade any of it for a million dollars!
