The Dream Begins (tomorrow!)

Tomorrow’s the day. I’ve been wanting to go to India for about four years, and tomorrow is the day I get to go. Crazy!

I’m getting more and more excited and nervous. I really have no idea as to what to expect. I realize that having no expectations can be a good thing when embarking on such an adventure, but it’s kind of nerve-wracking to have no idea of what my life will look like for the next three weeks in this third-world country.

I don’t know what the food will be like, but I’m not expecting to 1. get very much food or 2. like very much of the food. Rice? OK. Curry? Not so much. Besides, I’ve been told that the stench of India is such that you lose your appetite, even if you’re being served food that you really want. I’m praying that I’m not hungry….though, if I’m not hungry, it will probably be the first time in my entire life!

I don’ t know what the housing will look like either. We’re staying in the orphanage guest house, but what does that mean? There will be two girls to every room….we’ll have beds….but what’s the bathroom situation like at such a place? All I know is that we’re to bring TP with us, and the trains have squatty-potties from which you can see the tracks beneath you. Ugh. But it’s an adventure!

One of the first questions people ask me when they hear I’m leaving for India is: What will you be doing there? (That is, after they get past the initial shock that I’m going to the actual country of India.) My response: I have no idea. We will spend the first few days outside of the city of Chennai at the girls’ home, and then we’ll take a 14 hour train ride north to the boys’ home where we’ll spend the rest of our time. We’re to help wherever we see a need. Help the staff and children with English and pronunciation; help with homework; help clean up; teach basic nutrition information; play. There may even be some construction that takes place – we shall see!

Please pray for me as I travel. Pray that luggage would arrive on time, that we would be healthy, and joyful. Pray that Jackie, Lauren and I would pull together and fully depend on God. There are eight of us going to India, and we are the only three Christians. It’s so easy to get distracted by people and tasks and just life, in general, and neglect to spend quality time with God. I do not want that to happen on this trip. Pray for opportunities. Pray that this would be a great time of ministry, not only to the orphans and staff at HOINA but that the relationships built with Reagan, Lauren, Laura, Pryanka, and Tess would be such that they experience Christ’s love through us.

Thanks for your prayers…..God is good…..all the time…. Especially today!