Getting into the Swing of Things

I arrived in my destined city safely on Monday. I have since then worked at the Center for girls from the slums, went to a local wedding, had local clothes made for me, met lots of people, learned new foreign words and bought food from a few local markets. Today I am ill. I am not sure what is wrong but hopefully it is just a 24-hour thing. I guess I will have to start my goal of getting out of the apartment every day for month to February 1st!

I absolutely adore the girls at the Center! There are roughly 30 of them split between two sessions (morning and afternoon). Their ages range from 5 to 15. At the Center we are able to meet the girls' physical, educational, vocational, minor medical and spiritual needs. These girls are given an opportunity that so few have in this culture simply because they are learning to read and write. I am so excited to be part of a work that seeks to help the whole person!

(Remember how I promised pictures? Well, I am going to have to cancel. They take too long to upload. Sorry to disappoint!)

Orientating to South Asia

I cannot believe that I have been in South Asia for ten days. Today is the last day of orientation. Tomorrow morning I leave for my assigned city. I am looking foward to joining the Father in His work there but sad to leave my new found brothers and sisters. I have had so many new and interesting experiences. Jet lag was almost nonexistent, which I praise the Father for, and my stomach is starting to get used to all the new spices and fried food. I have spent the majority of my days indoors for orienation, but the evenings were free to engage the culture. The Father has already given me the opportunity to share my testimony and story with a few nationals. I even had the chance to talk with them to the Father in the name of JC.

A few experiences:
• I had Baskin Robbins ice cream for the first time
• I saw a Bollywood movie at the theatre (with no subtitles)
• I got henna done on my hand (much cheaper than in the States I might add)
•  visited a mosque
• visited a local gathering of followers of the Way (a very Westernized service, much like RF)
• Ate with no utensils
• Bartered in the market
• played a local stringed instrument...horridly

When I get to my assigned city, I am doing a home stay. This means that I will stay with a national family for one month in order to learn the language and culture faster. I am very excited to see what the Lord has in store!

(I have already taken lots of pictures and hope to be able to post some of them in the future)

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

My bags are packed (mostly), I have said my goodbyes and my heart is racing. I am off to follow God to South Asia tomorrow (!)

Let the Countdown Begin

In 10 days, my life will dramatically change.

The First Memorable Moment of 2010

The new decade is officially here. I am excited to see what this year brings. This thing I do know: there will be many changes. This evening I had one of those moments you just want to capture. I was taking my Grandma & Grandpa Hovis home from visiting my house (they don't drive at night). Grandma was in the front with me and Grandpa was in the back. I had music from the Glory Revealed CD playing in my car. (This is a great album with rockin' blue grass music, by the way). The I'll Fly Away/Amazing Grace/Washed in the Blood medley came on...songs that my grandparents know well. My grandpa noticed the music right off and commented. I asked him if he wanted me to turn it up. He said yes and began singing softly with it. Then my grandma and I joined him. So there I was - riding to town with my Grandma & Grandpa, singing peppy, blue grass Gospel. Awesome.