The Things We Do For Love

This email contains sensitive information.   Please do not post online. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Fight it Out “God, I want to go home.” Last night, I slipped into the safety of the car, restraint depleted, and tears began to pour down my cheeks and puddle onto my scarf.  Those honest and heartbroken words slipped past quivering lips, and the guilt I’d carried for wanting to quit hovered over my bowed head. The fight is painful, but Love keeps me fighting.  As I watched my kids perform their Christmas drama today, the pastor lipped to me with awe on his face, "These are slum kids!"  And I felt the Whisper - "This is why you can't go home."  Tears fell again, but this time from a whole heart. (Image: The "Stars" in the drama) Make Their Home Your Home “When I ‘became flesh and dwelt among them,’ it was to places like this.”  These were the words God spoke to me when I first came to India, and these are the words that continue to echo in my heart.  India has it’s charm, but there’s no getting around the fact that it’s a 3rd world country.  Consumed in the unknown and unfamiliar, I've wondered if this could ever feel like home.  But home really is where the heart is, and He’s put these precious little faces in my heart, so I sink my anchor, give the kids my all, and call this home. (Image: A student at the school Christmas party) READ MORE ABOUT THE KIDS Learn Their Language (aka Hindi!) “If you want to speak to their hearts, you must learn to speak their language.”  My leaders challenged me several months ago to make language a priority as I work, and I’m blown away by God’s grace!  I’ve nearly forgotten my 5 years of Spanish studies, but I can get around town comfortably and even read and write in Hindi!  I have sung several songs in Hindi in church and look forward to learning stories to share in the villages. (Image: My reading practice - the story of Jesus' birth!  Yes, I can read that!) Pray Through Please join me in praying for: My warring heart to settle and fill with joy Ministry opportunity during the Christmas season Safety in the villages we work in - recent tensions and violence Strength and wisdom for the Indian church leadership Perseverance and strategy for my leaders Genuine friendships Continued health, especially my lungs and knees A quick mind to learn Hindi READ MORE ABOUT HOW TO PRAY What I'm listening to: Barry Manilow's Christmas Gift Gateway's Follow You (SOOOO good!) Rend Collective Experience's "God is Near" Hillsong's Cornerstone Kristene Meuller's "All My Devotion" Books I'm reading: "When did I start thinking that good Christian living looked more like a holiday  – rather than deployment?" - Anne Voscamp, One Thousand Gifts Words I'm stuck on: "'You do not want to leave, too, do you?' Jesus asked the Twelve.  Simone Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go?'" John 6:67-68 I am thankful to my support team for making it possible for me to be a part of this great work in India!  You can join my support team through monthly or a one-time contribution by clicking HERE. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|*View email in browser | *|END:IF|* Unsubscribe | Update your profile | Forward to a friend Copyright (C) *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|* All rights reserved. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|* unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences