When Church is Discouraging

Have you ever been to church, waiting, preparing, and hoping for an uplifting and encouraging time among believers, only to be completely discouraged and wondering why you even went? I know this happens to many believers, but I had never experienced it- until this week. We have a small group of foreign believers that meet together. (It's not a church, but rather a gathering of believers, because we don't have a set pastor, don't do communion or baptisms, and many other reasons.) I am usually "filled-up" by going each week, because I am fed by God's word, I am encouraged by other believers, and I am with foreigners who understand what it's like to live as an expat. However, this week, that was not the case. Details aren't necessary, but let's just say, I went home and told my husband (who was out of town for work) that it probably would have been better had I not even gone it was so disheartening.

I write this, not as a rant, but as a warning to believers- LOVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS! There are a million verses in the Bible about how to do this, and how it is our responsibility and our privilege to do so.

 How will the world know God's love (and want that love) if they don't see it amongst us?

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Why should we care? Because Jesus cared about us. He loved us.

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Love the outcast. Pray for the discouraged. Encourage the one in need. Be the love of Christ to others, glorifying God, and therefore fulfilling the purpose for which He made us. Be the church!

My Week "Off"

Recently, I had the chance to go to our country's capital for 4 days to attend some meetings and trainings. I had a wonderful time, met many new people, caught up with a handful of old friends (which was SO good for my soul!) and ate lots of great food! While I was gone, Kyle held down the fort at home. He had some of our friends over (Kyle's friend, his wife, and their two boys) and they thought it was very interesting that I left my family all week. We had them over again this week, and they brought it up again.


Kyle's friend: So, you had a good time away? Weren't you worried the whole time you were gone about your children? I talked with (my wife) about this, and she also found it very interesting.
Me: It was fine! I really enjoyed it! I didn't have to worry, and I had a good time with my other girl friends! What did (your wife) say when you talked with her?
Friend's wife: I would never leave him alone with the kids! What if they wanted milk and he didn't give them milk?! (Laughing, as though the thought of her husband taking care of their children was implausible.)
Kyle's friend: This is just not our culture to leave our children for so long. This is American culture, but not our culture.
Me: It's not our culture either, but it was great. And I have a great husband who did a great job while I was gone!


Oh, the things people think about us. :-) To Kyle, good job taking care of the kids. I know that if they need milk, you'll get it for them. I love you!

Our Day of Worship

In the midst of a town that celebrates every holiday and festival from nearly every religion, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Christianity, we have A LOT of "religious holidays." Amazingly, on most of these days, the schools are also closed. So, Corinth has A LOT of days off of school, especially now, during "festival season." Last week, she only had school one day, and was off for 4 days. On the day of a major holiday, I decided that we were going to dedicate our school time to worshiping the One True God, and we got a little creative with it! Kyle and Corinth worshiped God through art and poetry, and then Corinth, Noah and I worshiped God through music and dance. We danced to some great Christian music, which was very good for my soul (and hopefully theirs too!) Here are Corinth's poem (truly her creation with a little help from her Daddy) and their Daddy/daughter art! 

Jesus

You are really good

You take away our fears.

And when I cry, 

You take away my tears.

You made our ears.

You know all our years.

You are really good.

Wash Your Diseases Away! (And get a baby!)

Firstly, I want to say that in the beginning of July, I made a goal to write a blog post at least once per month. Then, I wrote a July blog post and forgot about it for 2 1/2 months. :-) Forgive me! I really do want to be more consistent, so if you're interested in something about our lives here, let me know and I'll try to do a blog about it! I think all the time, "I should write about that..." but then forget by the time I get home!


So, here in the land of super-"holy" Hinduism, we see festivals and partakers of festivals A LOT. And, during festival season (August-December), every week we have at least 1 festival of some kind. Because we live in the "holiest" place in Hinduism, we see people celebrate festivals from all over the country. Meaning, different parts of the country have different holy days/festivals, but most of them involve pilgrims coming to our city for it's holiness. One that I want to write about happened last week.


I was on my way to do a women's training, focused on abortion, as well as other good news topics, when I came upon a HUGE traffic jam. I realized that the thousands of people walking on the streets were walking to a large temple close to our house. After reaching my destination, I asked my local friend what everyone was doing going to that temple. She told me that there are 2 places in our city that you can go for this holiday, and one of them was the large temple we live close to.


Here's the kicker: the holiday/festival is for people who have sicknesses, diseases, or medical issues (including infertility or lack of having a boy baby). People go to the pond that is inside of the temple grounds and "bathe their sickness" off of them. They then shed their old, diseased clothing, put new clothing on, and believe they are made well. This also goes for those who can't get pregnant, or haven't been successful having a "prized" baby boy. They bathe their inability away, put on new clothing, and believe that the gods are going to give them what they prayed for in the water.


As I sat, about to teach about how girl babies are just as special as boy babies, about abortion, and about how there are many families that would love a child through adoption if the birth parents can't/don't want to care for the baby, my heart was so sad. Why is the general thought of this country so... I don't even know the right word for it. Broken? Sexist? Selfish? I know there are lots of people here that love their daughters, and I proudly applaud that. I have a boy and a girl and I love them both more than I could have ever imagined. But most people don't even celebrate the birth of their daughters, because they are seen as a burden from the moment they are born. WHY!!!!!!!!!!! (<--frustration)


Please pray for these people- that they would love their children, daughters and sons alike, that they would be healed from their diseases in HIS name, that they would know truth, and that they would be free!

Takeaways from Thailand

Our family recently took a wonderful vacation to Thailand. Summary- it was great! Here are a few snippets of our time there that I wanted to share!

-The first 10 days we were there, we spent time at a resort with Kyle's mom and dad, who met us there. It was AMAZING to be with them, and I wish it weren't only 10 days every year or year and a half. Anyway, after that, they went back to the good ole USA and we traveled to another city for some meetings. At those meetings, we caught up with lots of friends we've met since living here! I was talking with one of those friends, whom I greatly admire, about how the hardest thing about me living here is being away from family. People ask us a lot if we are coming back for another term, and our answer is "we'll see!" It's so hard for me to live away from our extended families, and some days I dream of what it would be like if we weren't on the exact opposite side of the world from them. People also ask us if we might move to another city. (Our city is known by many as being one of the hardest cities in the world to live in, and everyone likes to tell us how terrible our city is- even the ones who have never visited!) Anyway, I was telling my friend that if we live overseas, it will be in v-town. The main reason for not liking living here is that my family isn't here. Nor is my family in Delhi, Mumbai, Paris, London, or even Sacramento. My heart would still have that longing. Then, my friend (who actually lived in my city for 5 years!), in her great wisdom told me this: she longs for family while she's living in South Asia, and she longs for her South Asian family when she's back in the States. But she likes that 'tension' because it helps her always remember that this world is not her home, and we're never going to be settled until we're in heaven! I'm not quite there in "liking the tension," but I really appreciated her attitude and heart toward her calling here. Thanks, friend!

-While we were at the resort with my in-laws, the breakfasts were served buffet style. My 3 year old darling girl decided she wanted to carry her plate back to the table by herself and then promptly dropped it, contents spilling everywhere. We must not have been there long enough for me to relax yet, because that pushed my angry-mom button. I didn't say anything to my sweet girl, but I'm sure my face said enough. Another mom (of older children) whom I had yet to meet, came over with a broom and dustpan and cleaned up my daughter's mess for me while I was searching for napkins. I was so moved by that. It wasn't anything outstandingly abnormal- she just swept up a mess, which I'm sure she does quite often at home herself. But to this mom of 2 littles, it was huge. She loved a stranger and became a blessing the instant she saw the opportunity. As simple an act as that was, I think I will remember her lovingkindness for many years, and I hope I can love on others, especially moms, the way she loved on me that day! 

-While on vacation, we were on a country that worships Buddha. Despite the extreme beauty of Thailand, it's impossible to not still see the lostness of the people there. And that made my heart sad. Thailand is know as "the land of smiles," but the people there are still without hope. While we were at the resort, we went almost daily to a fresh fruit smoothie stand right next to our resort. Each day, I felt God leading me to share with the woman who runs the stand. Each day, I cowardly declined. Until the last day. I got up the nerve, and started the conversation. Turns out, others have shared with her, and she has a Bible, but wasn't very interested in talking about it. And that was okay. I know she has the opportunity to know, I know she's been told, and I know that I was (finally) faithful to what God wanted me to do. I say this to encourage you- you're never "on vacation" from God's commands for your life! As Lecrae says, go hard or go home! 

-Many of my female American friends who live overseas have organizations and activities that they are involved in to help women and to share the good news. I, also, train women monthly, using a Sanctity of Life curriculum. But, during our meetings one friend brought up (in a large group meeting) that not every woman's calling is to be involved in an organization or activity. Some women are called to stay at home- to run their household well, to love and support their husbands, and to love and train their kids. And for some women that is enough! Not that they don't want to do more (though that's sometimes true), but that God hasn't planned for them to do more. I also find so many women comparing themselves to other women when they live in totally different worlds! Different cities, different jobs, different numbers of kids, different ages of kids, different giftings- I could go on and on! The point is this- beseech God! Ask Him what HIS will for your life is, and do it with all your heart. And, then, have peace about it and joy throughout it. That's my goal, and I'd love prayer from you that I would be able to do that well during this season of my life!

-Thailand is amazing! It was my 2nd time to go, this time to the beachy south/east, and previously to the jungly north, and it's pretty much amazing everywhere! You should totally go! (And I'd love to go with you!) Here's our family photo from paradise!

Corinth's First Day of School!

Corinth has been doing homeschool for right over a year, and has LOVED it! However, she doesn't have very many opportunities to spend time with other kids her age. For some time, my heart has wanted her to have more local friends who she can spend time with, learn from, and show love towards. Well, then, my good friend, who happens to live on my street, decided to open up a preschool! We weren't planning on putting Corinth in at first, because I really do love doing homeschool with her, and she loves doing it with me. However, I saw the opportunity for new friendships, so she is now doing preschool 3 days a week and homeschool 2 days a week. We've only had 1 day of each so far since we started, but it is going great! Both days she did really well, and is excited to go back! :-) This year, you can pray that Corinth will grow in her knowledge, but also in her love for one another as she learns how to love so many new friends. In our house, we say what makes you beautiful is how you show God's love to one another. You can also pray for me and for Corinth's teacher, that we will guide her well in knowledge and love! :-)

She was so excited! 

On our 2 minute walk to school!

So happy! She had a great first day!

Bhabi

There is a woman in my city whom I lovingly refer to as "Bhabi. "'Bhabi' (pronounced 'bobby') means sister-in-law. I call her that firstly because she is my good friend/language helper's bhabi (my language helper's brother's wife.) But I also just really love her and enjoy spending time with her when we can. Bhabi has been married for 5 years, 4 of which she and her husband have been trying to get pregnant. They have both had all of the tests, which all have come back normal, but still nothing happened. They, especially Bhabi, have been so discouraged for so long. Then, Bhabi came to a Sanctity of Life training that I and my language helper did at my language helper's home. She invited her neighbors and family, and 15ish people came (which is a fairly close-to-perfect number for a training!) We shared the knowledge we had with these women, knowing there were women in the room that were struggling with many different things. Some had recently had abortions. Some had grow to old age without ever having children. And some, including Bhabi, were of child-bearing age, but could not conceive. Well, Bhabi must have been paying close attention, because 2 months after the training, she was pregnant!!! She didn't believe the doctors, and asked me to come over to her house. I read the paperwork and told her, yes, she was pregnant. After my confirmation, her eyes lit up- now she believed! I got to tell her all about the first weeks of pregnancy (as she was only 3 weeks along when she found out and told me!) She told me she wanted me to come to all of her doctors' appointments with her, to which I gladly obliged! (I guess I'm now her unofficial doula!) I am so thrilled! :-) We went to her first ultrasound a few weeks ago (when she was 8 weeks pregnant), and she got to hear the heartbeat and see the baby in an ultrasound for the first time. I wish I would have videoed her response, because it would bring tears to your eyes. I snapped a picture of the moment, so I'll let you imagine the rest. Pray for Bhabi- she is not a follower of Jesus. I pray that she will know Him personally one day, and that she will also know that this baby is a blessing from God (as all are!).