The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Dressing the Heart

Here is our last post in our series on fashion on the mission field. Check it out - this one is the most important: dressing our heart.

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Dressing the Heart

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: "To Bling or Not to Bling?" That is the Question.

I feel like many of us would agree that jewelry not only completes our outfit, but also makes a statement about who we are and sometimes what we value. But what is its place on a mission trip? Should we wear earrings or bring bangles for our Sunday attire during a mission trip? Inquiring minds need to know!

I think it's important to step back and look at this topic from a cultural perspective. Many other cultures view Americans as wealthy individuals who have everything. Of course, you and I know that is not true, but look at it from their viewpoint. All they know of our culture before meeting us on our mission trip is what they see on TV, and while it's a poor assumption to suppose we are all like that, can you blame them? We do the same thing before we go to serve in their country sometimes. So when we show up wearing our CZ earrings, they don't know they're not real diamonds -  all they see is a wealthy American. I have seen how quickly something simple like a ring or necklace became a distraction in a conversation that could have led to sharing the gospel.

Besides that, on many of our mission trips we do work projects. A lot of times it is hard labor like mixing concrete or laying block, and it isn't safe to wear some jewelry while doing these things. You might even lose or ruin them.

I mentioned before, though, that some jewelry makes a statement. Like salvation bracelets or promise rings. It's easy to use these items to steer a conversation towards Christ. Conversations almost start themselves!

So is it wrong to wear jewelry on a mission trip? My personal opinion is no, but be careful not to bring jewelry you wouldn't mind losing or items that would hinder your testimony with those you will be serving. If I wear any jewelry at all, it is meaningful and starts up conversations that I know will help me talk with someone about Christ. Best practice: Leave your jewelry at home for the week - your best accessory on a mission trip is an open heart for the culture and people you will be serving.

Bling it up while you are home though!! Be sure to check out my friend Bethany's site to find out about the awesome bracelets she is selling to help support herself as a missionary as well as the Haitian individuals who made them. These bracelets are beautiful and make a statement worth sharing! I wear mine all the time and get a lot of comments on it. :) Check it out here: http://ericandbeth.us/the-apparent-project-haiti/ 

“The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide.” – tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: “What do I wear?” and give you a few tips that we’ve learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!"

Far or Near, You Can Order - Just Click Here!

Friends and family both local and afar! This year's Yankee Candle Fundraiser allows you to purchase from me online. Please consider buying a candle or other scenty thing! (Plus, they make great Christmas gifts!) When you order from me online they will even been shipped to you! Thanks everyone! Here's the link:

Christy's Yankee Candle Fundraiser

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: You Smell Nice...

Another post in our series on mission trip style. Don't miss it!

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: You Smell Nice...

"The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide." - tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: "What do I wear?" and give you a few tips that we've learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!"

29 and Holding? I think not!

I love birthdays. I especially love my birthday. And this year was no different. It's strange to think that next year will be my 30th... It doesn't seem like I'm old enough to almost be 30! And yet here I am at 29. While eating cake, my mother-in-law said to me, "Now your as old as I am; 29 and holding!"

28 was great and came with a lot of changes, challenges, and celebrations. I was privileged to be a part of some pretty epic things like traveling to India for the first time, and returning to South Africa. I spent almost five months out of the country since my last birthday [most of that time I was "suffering" in Jamaica :) ] What an honor to serve the Lord around the globe with Praying Pelican Missions. And all that travel came with some challenges too - jet lag, missing home, culture shock, limited sleep, and let's not forget the bug bites. And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

29 and holding? I don't think so! Life is too short to live without giving it your all. I want to make the most of every day of every year that the Lord gives me here on earth. So 29 had better bring it's A game because I'm holding nothing back this year. Here's to a life of pushing myself to the limit for the cause of Christ and truly running the race no matter what the cost, counting all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord, knowing that my righteousness is not my own but Christ's, forgetting my past failures and reaching forward to what lies ahead even if it's out of my comfort zone, and pressing on toward the goal for the prize! (Philippians 3)

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: What Every Missionary Needs - A Chaco Tan Line

Check out our latest post in our mission-ista fashion series! Enjoy!

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: What Every Missionary Needs - A Chaco Tan Line

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Make it a Group Thing - Bandannas and Neon Ts

Everyone knows one of the coolest things about going to summer camp, a retreat, or on a mission trip is the group t-shirt! It's also the one thing we for sure know we should bring to wear. So why not have some fun and take the guess work out of the rest of the week too?! My simple solution is neon Ts and bandannas.

A couple of years ago my youth group took a mission trip to Jamaica and the girls bought a variety of neon shirts to wear throughout the week. Plus, we got the v-neck ones from Michael's Craft Store at a really cheap price. It made packing so easy and we all stood out in our pictures - there was no missing us! If you wanted to you could even paint designs on them - I think for next year I make days of the week t-shirts to make things even more easy!

When we got to Jamaica I surprised all the girls with bandanas. These were great too because they matched our shirts and could be used to keep our hair back and sweat off our heads. Bandannas are great because you can wear them so many different ways no matter your hair types and length. Here are a couple of ideas:

• Wear it as a folded or rolled headband
• Wear it like a pirate
• Wear it across your forehead hippie-style
• Wear it retro with the bow on top or to the side
• Wrap it around your bun
• Tie it in a bow around your ponytail
• And so many more!

Here's a pic of a few styles that literally take seconds to do.

“The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide.” – tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: “What do I wear?” and give you a few tips that we’ve learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!"

Stick It To 'Em

Each week brought new lessons and adventures in Jamaica this summer. Each team that came was unique and awesome. My first group was from Albany, GA. I always say that teens model their leadership and these teens were warm, prepared, open, and flexible, just like their leaders. We had a terrific week that was packed full of fun and lots of learning experiences.

One of the most impacting things from my entire summer was at the end of this first week. To wrap up each week we have one last team meeting where we share our favorite memories from the week and talk about ways we can bring our experiences home. The Youth Pastors of the group brought post-it notes with them for an activity they call "Stick It To Them." It's so easy to get caught up in the negative feedback we receive from people - and the negative seems to stick with us longer than the positive things we hear from people. So, Stick It To Them is a chance for us to be positive towards one another in a way that sticks with us. Each person writes one positive thing on a post-it for each person. It can be a memory from the week, a way you saw them serve in an awesome way, a way you saw God through them, Scripture, you can even draw a picture that pops into your mind when you think of them. I watched my team do this for one another - it wasn't the first time any of them had done this, but it was wonderful for me to watch as they put a lot of thought into their notes. After their notes were written they actually stuck them on each other! Everyone was covered in bright post-it notes.

And then they did this activity for our Praying Pelican Staff. We stood as the students came and stuck post-its all over us. It seems like such a silly thing, but it was so much fun and I couldn't wait to read what was on the notes. Not only was I encouraged then, but I kept those notes and re-read them later in the summer and again since coming home. Each time it was exactly what I needed to hear to help me stay on track with my walk with Christ. Proverbs 18:21 says, "The power of life and death are in the tongue." And when we use our words to encourage we are using it for life. Maybe use this activity at work or in your own youth group this week!

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Miami Mission Trips

New article from one of my fellow missionaries on fashion for a mission trip in Miami. Check it out!

The Ultimate Mission Style Guide: Miami Mission Trips

“The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide.” – tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: “What do I wear?” and give you a few tips that we’ve learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!"

Top 10 Sayings From My Summer in Jamaica

Top 10 Sayings of the Summer:

10. "Schhhhhwwwwweps." with Yanique Cunningham


9. "Nobody can-a cross it!" with Andy Eldemire & AL Johal Dicks

8. "We need justice!" with Jahavid & Moloney

7. "Rude!" with Ames Davis
6. "This is the Board of Power, and you must cherish the Board of Power." with Jabba
5. "You're fired." with Brian Zeschke and Jon Nelson
4. "Please dress appropriately as you come from the showers, we don't want to see your foundation garments." with Moloney
3. "The whities are come!" with all of Jamaica's children :)
2. "Miss Jodi, my stool is loose!" with Michelle ReRe Lee
1. "THIS! TODAY! RIGHT NOW! This is what it's all about!" with BZ and Dave N

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Make Down or Make Up

Here is the latest edition of our mission trip style guide series:

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Make Down or Make Up

"The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide." - tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: "What do I wear?" and give you a few tips that we've learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!"

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Stealing from the Boys

 "The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide." - tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: "What do I wear?" and give you a few tips that we've learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!

Check out the newest installment in The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide! Written by Amanda Buda!

http://amandabuda.com/2013/10/07/the-ultimate-mission-trip-style-guide-stealing-from-the-boys/

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Wet Hair, Don't Care

I took away so many tips and ideas from this entry, and I know you will too. Check it out and stay tuned for more from our series!

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Wet Hair, Don't Care

"The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide." - tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: "What do I wear?" and give you a few tips that we've learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Pretty Little Dresses

Check out this post from one of my fellow PPM missionaries, as we continue our series of managing fashion on the mission field. :)

The Ultimate Mission Style Guide: Pretty Little Dresses

"The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide." - tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: "What do I wear?" and give you a few tips that we've learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide: Hunger Games Hair

The Ultimate Mission Trip Style Guide is a blog series with tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions lady missionaries on how to look good, feel good and take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: "What do I wear?" and give you a few tips that we've learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you remain focused on what God is teaching you and doing around you during your time abroad, instead of the length of your shorts, the style of your still-wet hair, or how much make-up is appropriate. But of course, throughout it all, we must have fun in the process!


Two words can be used to best describe my hair while on a mission trip: hot mess. If you're anything like me, when I look around I feel like all the other girls look glamorous while I'm walking around with my hair in a pony tail. What's their secret? I have no idea! :)

I have never lost so much hair in my life like I did while serving in Jamaica. All the little girls wanted to platt (braid) my "tall" hair. How could I say no to their cute faces? And so I let them pull and tug and fight over my hair. After my first full week of this I was thoroughly looking forward to recreation day when no one would want to braid my hair, but I was wrong. Every vendor wanted me to pay them to put my hair in platts. Finally, after several weeks of this I gave in to one of the vendors and paid her to put my hair in braids... And it was awesome! And the best part was that the little girls could still play in my hair, I just didn't have to worry about unknotting it afterwards. It was a win-win solution. Plus, I could keep the braids in for weeks without having to do anything to them- it was a dream come true.

The girls love playing in your hair!

But it can be so painful!

I loved not having to do anything to my hair.

Everyone knows that going on a mission trip means early mornings and late nights, and you may not have access to someone who can platt your hair for you before you leave for your next mission trip, so what do you do? You need some simple styles that are easy to manage and don't require blow drying or straightening your hair. Plus, in some remote locations washing your hair may be a luxury if there is a limited water supply. Before this summer I would have had no advice for you, but I had some trendy ladies on trips with me this summer who had some great ways to wear their hair and not look like a ragamuffin like me. One style I learned from the ladies this summer I have named "The Catniss Braid" because it's how Catniss wears her hair in the movie The Hunger Games. This braid is similar to French braiding, but you braid the hair from one ear, down around the hair line at your neck, over towards your other ear, and then down in front of your shoulder in a hanging braid. This style is great because it stays all day without being too tight or heavy. Plus, it's easy to do and keeps your hair off of your neck, which helps keep you cooler.

Start your braid from one ear and wrap around the hairline to the other ear.

Thanks Savanah for letting me use you as a doll!

If you think you are too tomboy to pull this off, know that if I can figure it out, anyone can do it. Happy braiding and may the odds be ever in your favor. :)

Birthday Surprises!

Today is my handsome hubby's 30th birthday. I am so blessed to have him as my best friend and partner in life. He is my rock and I love him with all that I am. I couldn't ask for an better man. :)

Every year I try really hard to think of a present that will top the previous year's gift. One year I got him a Jedi Mickey Mouse statue that had a working light saber. Pretty epic gift if I do say so myself. The problem is that I have the TOUGHEST time waiting until his actual birthday to give it to him. I usually always give him his gift early because I am so excited and I just know he's going to love it.

Well this year I did it. I waited and waited to give him his present on his actual birthday (well I made it with one of his gifts). The suspense is almost painful; it's like I forget that it's his present not mine! I get like this every time I have a gift for someone. I am getting better at controlling my excitement, but giving the gift is more fun for me than receiving one.

I couldn't wait for TJ to open his other birthday gift so that I could see the look on his face. There's a certain level of satisfaction that comes with giving a gift to someone that you know they are really going to enjoy. And what an amazing thing this morning to see the look on his face when he opened his present to see a VT Football Jersey with his name on the back and a #1.

He is my #1 and I hope that we have many more birthdays together. May God continue to bless his life richly. Love you my hubby - happy birthday!

Grateful for Grace

As many of you know, part of my job as a full-time missionary with Praying Pelican Missions is sales. I make tons of calls a week trying to connect with churches and Youth Pastors and get them to come on a trip with us. I sell mission trips. But not just any mission trips - the kind that rock your face off and change your life and the lives of your students forever!

Believe it or not, making calls to complete strangers can be awkward (they are called "cold calls" for a reason.) Even though I know what I will be offering the person on the other line is EPIC, the initial conversation can still be awkward. When I call, I try to relax and sound like I know the person I am asking the receptionist to connect me to, so that she won't shut me down and send me to voice mail thinking I am a telemarketer. Sometimes these calls go really well, and other times not so much.

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and you know it's not going the way you want, and yet you find yourself unable to stop saying the wrong thing?! That was me today. For example, one call I made today I started by asking for a person who's name had changed. I assumed she got married and stated that, to which the receptionist said, "No, she just changed her name." Then I continued by saying the person's new name wrong. I completely missed a letter in her name. And as the receptionist corrected me I found myself saying, "Right, I know that's not how you say it." I was literally screaming at myself inside telling myself to just shut-up already. So much for relax and pretend like you know the person. When I asked if I could speak with her the receptionist told me I needed to call her cell phone because she is in the other building and they don't have a phone system in there yet. "Oh, well I don't have her cell phone number because I don't actually know her. I'm just calling to introduce myself to her and see what her mission plans are for the youth this year." Yup, I really said that. I almost felt the receptionist sigh - she was as fed up with me as I was. At this point I think she just felt really bad for me and gave me her email and cell phone number. Maybe she just wanted to get off the phone with me. In truth, I wanted to get off the phone with me. What was wrong with me?!

Unfortunately that was not the only time I made a call and after hanging up said, "Well that was a fumble." The truth is that we are not always going to get everything right. As a missionary, I am certainly not the best sales person, and yet this is what God has asked me to do. And He is still going to use me in sales, despite my shortcomings.

I am reminded of the story of Moses in Exodus 4. God has this great assignment for Moses and yet Moses continues to make excuses. As I read this encounter I almost find myself shouting at Moses just to shut up. "Well that was a fumble." I'm sure after having this conversation with God Moses was probably thinking that it could have gone better. "Did I really just say that?" he might have asked himself. And yet God still used Moses. He didn't tell Moses he had to be an excellent orator. Moses just had to be available and obedient.

God used Moses in many great ways after this encounter. Moses led the Israelites out of captivity and gave taught them to walk with God. Through Moses, God chose to give us the law. But grace came through Jesus. John 1:17 tell us, "for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." I am so glad that God didn't stop at the law. All of my not so smooth phone calls certainly would have proved how unworthy I am to work for Him. Fortunately, there is Jesus and He doesn't give me a little grace; He gives me sufficient grace (2 Cor 12:9) - enough grace to wipe out all my fumbles continuously.

I am so glad that God has grace and can use a goof-ball like me to help get people on to the mission field. I'm so glad He gives second and third (and twelfth) chances. I am so grateful for His grace. And the best part is that this extends deeper than to a missionary trying to make sales calls - it applies to my salvation and yours! If I can't make phone calls right then I certainly know I can't get salvation right! But his grace reaches me there too. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For you are saved by grace though faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift - not from works, so that no one can boast." "He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began." 2 Timothy 1:9

If you feel like you need some grace today, search the Bible for the word "grace" and see how much there is to be received! And as I get back to making more awkward cold calls, I'll leave you with this verse from 2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

The Lessons Continued

Wow! What an excellent summer this has been. When I last updated you, I was heading back to Jamaica after serving there in June and then spending a week in Costa Rica with my youth group. God did great things during those trips and He proved to be faithful and continue His work throughout the rest of the summer.

My first week back in Jamaica in July was incredible. Our team served in Mt. Peace, just a short drive outside of Montego Bay. We hosted their very first VBS at Mt. Peace New Testament Church of God. It was moving to see these young children hunger for God's Word and to learn more about Him. In the afternoons we attempted to help expand the church building to include office space for the pastor. I say attempted to because the rains came in full force. The team worked each afternoon soaked to the bone, and seemed to enjoy every raindrop. It was also terrific to see the way the church and community members came to work alongside our team. It was a tremendous picture of the body of Christ.

The second week was my biggest week leading teams. I had groups from six different churches, totaling almost 70 persons. We worked in three different groups across an area in the mountains of Jamaica called Balaclava. This week I truly learned to trust God because when you have that many people serving God in three different locations, anything can happen. But God showed His greatness that week in a way that was astounding. Many people surrendered their hearts to Christ, and lives were transformed in the community and in our teams. It had never been so clear to me that God had gone before me and laid the plans for our time in Balaclava. This week was also a stellar blessing for me as my husband was able to serve with us that week, and I watched as the men in each of the different groups surrounded him with love and brought him in as a part of their team and family. What an awesome God we serve.

My final week in Jamaica was in Elgin Town, on the Lucea Bay (pronounced Lucy), just outside of Mobay near Mt. Peace. Elgin Town New Testament Church of God is actually sister churches with Mt. Peace New Testament Church of God. We also hosted Elgin Town's first VBS and the children came in droves to hear God's Word and participate in the activities we had planned for them. Something truly unique happened as well - dozens of youth showed up too. This is amazing because it can be a struggle to get teens, especially boys, into the church. God was certainly moving in the hearts of those in the community of Elgin Town. In the afternoons our team divided into two groups: one stayed at the church and helped with some construction, and the other group ministered at one of the local orphanages. What I've failed to tell you up to this point is that 1/3 of this team was children under the age of 10. And boy, if they didn't out work us all! After spending the week with these guys I felt like I couldn't get any more blessed.

I want to share so much of what I learned this summer but there isn't time in this post, so I am going to do my best to compose my thoughts and a series of other entries detailing the lessons I came away with from Jamaica. Also, four days after returning home I journeyed with my church on mission to South Africa for my third year in a row. I hope to share some of my time there with you all as well. 

Be patient with me as I gather my thoughts since God certainly did blow my mind this summer. Thanks for your support and prayers over the past few months. Please continue to pray for me as I shift back into the day to day. Pray for those who served with me, both from the States and in Jamaica that God will continue to reveal Himself to them in mighty ways. After experiencing the things we did, there is no going back to normal - and who would want to anyway?! What a mighty God we serve!

First Class Conversations

My first time flying first class was great. Comfy seats, free snacks, lots of leg room (not that at 5'4" I need extra leg room, but hey it was nice.) The anthropologist in me couldn't help surveying the people around me and cataloging some of the differences between first class and coach. One interesting difference was in the conversations I encountered. Most talk was shallow and didn't stray far from Hilton vs Marriott or US vs Delta.  No one seemed to be too interested in anything other than business. I was surrounded by success, business owners, share holders, and VPs, but felt no connection with anyone.

I got bored with their conversations and began to drift off to sleep just about the time it started raining. And then the conversations shifted to what an inconvenience the rain was going to be in getting to their business meetings. When we landed the captain explained that because of the lightening we and about 60 other airplanes were sitting on the tarmac and we were going to be delayed for sure. Suddenly, first class was on their phones rebooking their flights and complaining to the flight attendants about the delay.

If I wasn't out of place already, now I really was. I welcomed the rain, delayed flight and all. Sometimes we need a delay - the people surrounding me clearly needed to slow down. I settled into my comfy first class seat and decided to enjoy the extra few minuets I would get to enjoy the experience (meanwhile the lady in the seat next to me was busy yelling at the customer service agent about having to have a first class seat.)

Turns out I made my flight and did so without rushing and stressing about it. I am glad that recently God has been slowing me down and teaching me to rest in Him. I may not have enjoyed my first class experience at all otherwise. I wouldn't say that the others in first class with me this morning enjoyed their flights at all. How many times am I so distracted by my to do list that I don't even notice that I am missing out on a great experience? "Be still & know that I am God." Ps 46:10

It was back to coach for my connecting flight, but I didn't mind. I had wonderful conversations with those seated around me. We shared purchased snacks and some good laughs. I may have had more comforts in first class, but nothing replaces genuinely sharing life with others, even for a brief moment on a plane to Jamaica. 

Five Weeks of Learning

I can't believe the summer is halfway over already. It has been a blur of long days and late nights. But what a ride it has been! I am so glad that Christ is not done changing me yet. I've learned so much over these past several weeks.

Week one was a blast. Each day we hosted a children's program each day with lessons that led up to one big community event on Thursday night themed Jesus the Miracle Worker. It was an amazing thing to see the community come out for a night of fun, but leave with an understanding that the Creator of the universe loves them so much He died for them. I learned the importance of preparation this week - the team I was with put so much work in before the trip they could enjoy and let the Holy Spirit move during the trip.

Week two was full and fun. We were at another school working with a program called ASTEP, which is for grade six students who failed their end of e year test and could not progress to the seventh grade. Many of these students can not read and have a difficult time with math. This week God showed me the value of encouraging words and giving someone my time. Proverbs 18:21 says that the power of life and death is in the tongue and I saw this come alive. A the start of the week these boys were hostile and distant, but after a few days of loving on them they were completely different students! It's amazing the change that can come from a positive word.

Week three was in the mountains of Jamaica. Again, my group worked in schools. This week God worked on my fiercely. It seemed like everything that could change and go wrong did. God showed me that His plans are better than mine, no matter how much work I put into them, and that He is in complete control. I was humbled as I saw God move hour by hour through what I thought was chaos and constant change. Looking back now, I can't imagine the week going any other way.

Week four was equally as awesome as the other weeks. Unity was my lesson for the week. I had three teams come together under one mission in two different locations. It was a beautiful thing to see each group surround one another in love and support. By the end of the week they had become one family. It was a terrific example of what the body of Christ looks like when we walk together in unity.

Week five was in Costa Rica with my youth group. What a great thing to serve with my students again and see God work through them. This week's lesson was in Christ being my sustainer. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Christ sustains all things by His powerful Word, and I felt that this week as I was beyond exhausted. I began the week empty but finished the week full and energized. What an amazing thing to know that it is Christ that filled me and allowed me to continue to serve with my family.

Please keep your prayers coming as I have three more weeks in Jamaica starting tomorrow and then two weeks in South Africa. I am looking forward to seeing God move in mighty ways over the next several weeks and I will do my best to keep you all posted. :)

This pic is of our group in Costa Rica in front of the church we painted.

It's a bird! It's a plane! Yup, it's a plane.

What a full day of travel I've had. After some flight delays and rerouting, I am on my way to Jamaica. Praying Pelican Missions has a full summer of trips ahead of us, and Jamaica has its fair share. I am excited to begin this season of leading trips, after putting so much work into planning them. I know that all our hard work and detailed scheduling is going to pay off. At the end of the summer, I will consider my trips a success if the students and individuals who came to serve in Jamaica go back home knowing that they were the hands and feet of God and are changed because of it. I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to change me as well.

Please keep the prayers coming and I will keep the updates coming. My previous blog post has a listing of all the stops I am making this summer and details some specific ways you can pray for me and my hubby, my teams, Jamaica, and Praying Pelican Missions. I appreciate your support and love and encouragement.

Remember, you don't have to get in a plane and cross the ocean to be the hands and feet of Christ. Sometimes all you have to do is cross the street. :-)

Recently Mailed Postcards

By now many of you should have received a postcard in the mail from me of my missionary travel schedule this summer. As exciting as it is to see so many wonderful places in such a short period of time, I recognize that the only way I'm going to make it through the summer is with prayer, which is why I sent the postcards out. The most important thing that you can do to support me & Praying Pelican Missions is to lift me and my teams up in prayer this summer. Please put these postcards in a place that you will see on a daily basis. Even now I am feeling the enemy's attacks, as he tries to destroy the work the Lord has already begun. 

There are some very specific things you can pray about this summer on my behalf:

#1 - For my husband and myself, that God will continue to strengthen & protect our marriage as we both serve the Lord this summer.

#2 - For my teams serving in Jamaica and for Praying Pelican Missions, as we lead thousands of students and individuals onto the mission field in nine different countries, that God would work in their hearts as they serve others & that He will draw them closer to Himself.

#3 - For the people of Jamaica, that God would begin to do a work in their hearts, as He reveals Himself to them and His desire to know them in a one-on-one relationship, & that they would come to know His saving grace.

I want to thank you in advance for the prayers that you will lift up for the above requests over the summer. I know that this is what God has called me to do, this is what he has created me to do, but I also know that I cannot do this on my own, so thank you for your prayers. Through your prayers you will be an active participant in what the Lord is doing around the world.

I have one final request of you. Not only would I ask for your prayers, but I would also like to pray for you. Please take some time and message me or text me and let me know how I can be praying for you this summer as well. Even though you may not be serving on the foreign mission field this summer, I know that God has great plans in store for you & that you will need my prayers too.

Thank you for agreeing to partner with me and I with you in prayer over the summer. I will do my best to post updates on a regular basis here on my blog.

Upside Down Postage Stamps

In my family we have a tradition. When we mail each other letters we place the postage stamp on upside down. When I asked my grandmother what that meant she told me that it was a way of saying I love you. Through the years I've continued to place my stamps on the envelopes upside down, unless of course it was a bill, & I never really looked anymore into why we put postage stamps on envelopes upside down.

The other day, however, I became curious and so I did some research on the Internet. There were a lot of different opinions about why people put postage stamps on upside down, but the one that I think my grandmother would agree with is this:  In wartime, soldiers were discouraged from including anything in their letters that might show affection or that might put their loved ones in danger if the enemy intercepted their correspondence. And so soldiers and their families began placing their postage stamps on envelopes upside down as a way of being able to say I love you without actually having to write the words.

So if you ever receive a letter from me and you notice that the postage stamp is on upside down, now you know it's a way of saying I love you in my family.

"How are you?"

Have you ever said something to someone in a conversation and thought, "Why on earth did I say that? I didn't even know I felt that way!" Well I had one of those moments today while talking with a good friend of mine in the church parking lot. She caught me by surprise by genuinely asking me how I was doing. As I responded to her I began to realize that I was feeling disconnected from those around me. Up until that point I hadn't felt like anyone genuinely cared what my response was to the "How are you?" question and so I hadn't really asked myself that question. So it surprised me when I answered her the way I did. As I began to pray about it later the Lord began to reveal to me that I do the same thing to others. I ask them how they are at times when they can't really answer the question honestly - maybe we are just passing or maybe we are in a location too crowded to share. When my friend stopped and asked me how I was she did so at a time when neither of us were pressed for time and we were not surrounded by other people who could have interrupted our conversation and so we were both able to openly share. It was refreshing. The lesson I learned is this: I must be intentional about when I ask others how they are and make sure to genuinely want to hear their answer to that question, otherwise I will leave them feeling the same way I was earlier today.

As I study the life of Christ, I notice that each of His conversations were intentional and genuine. He was never too busy to stop and minister to others, even when He was pressed for time (like when Lazarus was dying). He made it a point to connect with and make time for others and I must do the same. We are all busy and have stuff in our lives that easily get in the way of our connecting with others - the key is found in the second greatest command in Scripture, to love others as we love ourselves. This includes genuinely making time to ask others how they are, because we like it when people do this for us. You never know how that simple question is going to influence their day.

What I have been up to the last few months...

Thanks for your prayers over the past few months. I have been busy in my new position as a full-time missionary, but it has been a blessed time. I am daily learning that it is only in His strength that I am able to keep up with all that there is to learn and do and plan.

I spent Christmas and New Year’s with a team in Jamaica, serving in the parish of Kingston. In the mornings we hosted a Vacation Bible School program at one of the local churches and then in the afternoons we helped lay foundation for a church building in a rough area of the inner city. It was a great blessing to watch students share Christ’s love with the communities in Kingston.

I had the opportunity in February to travel on mission to India through my church. India was like nothing I had experienced before. Idol worship is a major part of their daily activities. It was heart-breaking for me to see individuals with barely enough to eat give their food and money to temples and idols that cannot see or hear their prayers. Each day the group of us traveled from house church to house church sharing our testimonies and emphasizing what Christ has done in our lives. Most of the time I felt as though I weren’t doing any good at all, until we heard report that several individuals had decided to follow Christ after hearing our stories. This was a great reminder for me that sometimes all we must do is share what Christ has done in our lives and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. The cost is great for someone deciding to leave Hinduism and their family gods to follow Christ. Their family will disown them and in some cases try to kill them. In fact, the last day as we were heading to the airport we stopped at another house church whose members had fled to that particular part of India to escape religious persecution. Many of their family had been killed because of their professions of faith in Christ, and yet they still boldly follow Him. Remarkable.

A few weeks after returning from India I left for Jamaica again, this time for a month. I helped lead four back to back trips in different areas of the island; Port Maria, Falmouth, St. Anns Bay, & Kingston. We hosted Vacation Bible School programs, participated in construction projects, visited infirmaries & children’s homes, and even had a group of medical students come and serve with us. If you haven’t read it already, check out my blog entry entitled “When Words Fail” about one of our encounters at an infirmary. God is always faithful to show up each day. You can also check out our trip journals at PrayingPelicanMissions.org that detail our daily activities and experiences.

While there I also met with several pastors who are over churches that some of our upcoming teams will be serving alongside. It was a very productive time. Plus, it was wonderful to be able to spend Easter worshiping with the people of Jamaica. 

Your continued prayers for my husband and me are appreciated as I continue to plan trips for this summer. I know that this is not something I can do on my own. I will be returning to Jamaica at the end of May through August. Don’t forget that it’s not too late to come along for a week or two! There is much work to be done and we could use your help. If you cannot go but are interested in giving to my ministry or the ministry of Praying Pelican Missions, simply click on the donate button on the right side of my blog page. :-)

And to think this is what I am blessed to experience every day I serve in Jamaica. Makes you want to join me doesn't it?

When Words Fail

Often times when we have teams come and serve with Praying Pelican Missions in Jamaica one of the activities they will participate in is a visit to the infirmary. An infirmary is similar to an assisted living facility and a nursing home and a mental facility all rolled into one. Each of the 14 parishes (states) in Jamaica have one and many of the residents are there because they have no family to care for them and are homeless or because they are disabled.

Teams have a variety of responses toward the infirmary visits, including shock and discomfort (because it's awkward when you are dealing people you aren't sure how to respond to). But one thing is always true of the infirmary visits - we go to be a blessing and end up being blessed. The residents have a faith that is rooted so much deeper than many of us will ever be able to attain. These individuals leave impressions on our hearts that are not soon forgotten. Here is an account of one such visit:

We arrived in the early morning to spend the entire day with the residents at the infirmary nearest us. Most of us spent time one on one with residents, talking to them even if they couldn't respond to us in word, combing their hair, painting their nails, shaving their faces, helping the nurses where we could lend a hand. Those who could would share their life stories with us about growing up in Jamaica and telling us about their families and dreams.

Towards the end of the day one of the residents named Donavan was rolled over to sit with a group of us who were seated on benches. Since his English accent and Patois (Jamaican language) is very thick I translated for the group. We laughed with him as he began telling us about his girlfriend and co-resident Deloris, who is a mute. He spoke of the way they care for one another. She brings him his meals even when he doesn't feel like eating, and does his laundry, and even cuts his hair. Playfully, we asked him what he does for her and he quickly turned our smiles to tears as he told us that he holds her when she cries and dances with her, even though he is wheelchair bound.

Donavan began telling us about how unhappy he is living in the infirmary, not because it's is a bad place to live, but because it is like a prison for him. Because he is wheelchair bound, with no use of his lower body & limited use of his upper, he is never allowed to leave the property. He spoke of his dreams to travel on the sea. After living at the infirmary for nine years with various groups coming in and out to visit, he was finally happy today because of our visit. He said he saw the Bible verse about loving one another come to life in us (John 13:35) and that he would keep us in his heart and prayers.

As if we weren't already massively moved by his words, he began to tell us about how sometimes he asks God why he has to live with these disabilities. Why can't he dance? Why can't he travel? Why doesn't God heal him?He said that sometimes when he gets depressed he asks God these questions and God tells him that he needs to trust Him and remember that He has things under control, and that gives Donavan comfort and strength.

He shared with us about how he wanted to call his mother for Easter but he didn't have any more minutes. His mom lives in the States and she never comes to visit. He said he wants to ask her why she left him at the infirmary. But then he reminded us how glad he was that we were there to visit with him and how he wishes we could stay.

Before we left he asked us to pray for him, that God would help him to be content in his circumstances and that God would bless the nurses who care for him and for Deloris. And that's when my words failed me. It was easy for me to remain detached from Donavan's story as I translated, but now as the group looked to me to pray for him, I had no more words. How often do I ask God to help me be content in my circumstances? He could have asked us to pray for his healing, and I almost would have preferred that because then I wouldn't have been so convicted. Instead, he asks one of the most unselfish requests and we are left in tears and speechless.

I managed to squeak out a prayer asking God to bless Donavan the way he blessed us. As we loaded the bus he reminded us to pray as a group on the bus before we pulled out & that he would be praying for us too. And once again I left the infirmary being blessed despite my best efforts to be more of a blessing.

Donavan is 49 years old and is full of life and faith is Jesus Christ. Here he is with his girlfriend Deloris.

My Current Time in Jamaica

I'm nearing the end of my second week in Jamaica and the time has been productive. My first week I served with a team in the parish St. Mary, in a town called Hampstead. Each year the same church returns to this area in Jamaica and partners with Hampstead All Age School during the week in the classrooms teaching the students about the love of Christ through songs, crafts, games, and Bible stories. It's amazing the things you can teach simply using the Bible.

My second week was spent in the parish of Trelawny, in an area called Granville. This was a particularly sweet trip because my first mission trip to Jamaica was spent serving in this same area - Granville, Clark's Town, and Duncan. For this week the church that came partnered with Granville Primary School. For the past three years this church has come and partnered with this same community and their relationship is growing strong. This church was able to raise extra funds to help with construction at several other locations in the community as well. (The pic included is of Granville Primary School.)

You never know the impact just sharing your life with someone will have. Many of the children we work with at the schools come from broken homes and your simple smile makes a bigger difference than you know. For instance, one of of team members was sitting with a child at the school as they were drawing pictures. The girl was drawing a picture of her family but there wasn't a father in her picture. Our team member told the girl she was sorry her dad wasn't around, but the girl smiled and drew another figure on the paper. She said that she wasn't sad because now she had a new sister, meaning the team member sitting with her. And that's what gets me through long weeks. Just knowing that sometimes our presence alone is enough to change their lives for the better.

You may think you have nothing to give, but you can give yourself. That's enough to brighten the life of a child. Christ will give you the strength to give when you feel like you have nothing left to give.

The truth is, though, that you don't have to travel to Jamaica to do this. There is plenty of need right at home. Look for those opportunities to share Christ through a smile or a few minutes of your time.

Continue to pray for me, Praying Pelican, and our teams over the next two weeks. I'll post dates when I can. Thanks!

India 2013

Besides having some jet-lag I have been sort-of procrastinating writing this entry. Not because I don't have a ton to tell you all about India, because I could fill books with all I saw and learned and experienced. I have been pushing it off because I'm not sure where to start.

India is unlike any other place I have traveled so far. It is almost impossible I think not to experience some form of culture shock while there. Everything from fashion to transportation to everyday living is different than it is here in the States, and in many respects I prefer the Indian way. :-) For instance, all the women always look like they are ready for an evening with royalty. Women wear saris or salwar kameezes typically.

The beautiful woman in the middle is wearing a Sari, while the other three of us are wearing Salwar Kameezes. Sari's are usually worn by married women and are one long piece of fabric over a cropped top.

 The women even work in their beautiful saris.

Also, the driving is insanity. There may be two painted lanes of traffic, but in India there could be five on that two lane road. And they use their horns constantly - so much in fact, they have foot pedals for horns! There are more motorcycles on the road at any given moment than there are any other mode of transportation, and they weave in and out of traffic. Once, I think we saw five grown men on one motorcycle! Of course, they have modern cars/vans, as well as trucks and buses. It is also common to see motorized rickshaws - these have one wheel in the front and two wheels in the back. Rule of thumb - the larger the vehicle, the greater right of way it possesses... except for cows: they rule the roads. :-)

This is a rickshaw - a popular mode of transportation if you need a taxi.

If you look carefully you can see there is a child on that motorcycle. Her only seat belt is mom's arms. Of course mom has no seat belt and is riding sidesaddle!

For those who you who don't know, there are Western and non-Western toilets. While I was in China I was introduced to the non-Western toilet, which in many respects I prefer to the toilets we spend so much time on here at home. Non-Western toilets are not elevated, and are really just porcelain fixtures in the floor. Overall, I find these toilets just as easy to use because I never sit on public toilets anyway. But when you add an outfit that has a scarf and a long shirt and enormous pants going to the bathroom becomes an event. Some of the toilets don't flush; you must fill a bucket with water and pour it down the bowl. It really wasn't so bad after you got used to it though.

This is a bathroom in McDonald's.

The people of India are hard workers. They fill their days with hard labor in the fields and in the home. Sugar Cane is a huge industry where we were and they grow it in such quantities I don't think they will ever run out! The people work hard in the fields harvesting the cane by hand and loading it up and onto large trailers pulled by a type of livestock called bullocks. These animals are large like bulls with longs horns, but they have a large hump behind their heads (certainly one of the most interesting looking animals I've ever seen.)

 This is a bullock - look he's smiling!

After the load is ready to go drivers take the long trek to the sugar cane factory.

These are migrant worker's homes. These individuals will travel from place to place looking for work.

These homes can frequently be seen near where their hired work sites are - near sugar cane fields and construction projects. When they are done with the work, they will pack up and move on.

The caste system is a huge part of everyday life in India. In Hinduism the castes are defined in several divisions, Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisyas, Shudras, and Untouchables. Castes are hereditary and determine many aspects of the individual's life, such as occupation, education, and marriage. While in India we were able to see the caste system in progress - although it is illegal to discriminate against a person because of their caste, you can tell that some are viewed more favorably because of their caste. 

This woman is making cow pies out of hay and cow dung - once dried they burn for hours and with more intense heat than wood burning. 

Women and children are also considered second class citizens in India. Frequently they do not have a say in community or government matters, although for a few higher caste women they have more influence. The discrimination towards women is seen more clearly in social settings. For instance, it is improper for women to address men in conversation. Also, in social gatherings men and women sit on separate sides of the room, or in separate rooms entirely. Even in the churches and house churches we visited, men and women sit on opposite sides of the room.

You can see that even in the orphanage we visited, the girls and boys are separated. (They are so adorable.)

Even in the churches, men and women sit separate.

The majority of our time spent in India was focused on ministry to women. Each day we journeyed far into the countryside and visited house churches. Because it was day-time mostly women gathered with us in the homes, since men were at their jobs. Each visit looked very much the same - one of the men from our group gave a short sermon and then the other three of us took turns giving our testimonies. It was such a humbling experience to be able to speak to these women. They were keenly interested in what we had to say and hung on every word of our life stories. The amazing thing is that each of the four of us had drastically different backgrounds and so it seemed that everyone in the room could relate to one of us. The women were so engaged in what we were saying that they would tear up as we shared things they could relate with in our lives. After we shared with them, many of them shared their burdens with us and asked us to pray for them.  I count it a privilege for them to have shared their lives so freely with me, a complete stranger. Their hearts broke for their husbands and family members who do not know Christ. We prayed for sick loved ones, children, for God's provision, and that God would raise up these women and children to do great work for the Kingdom of God. I am honored that I was able to be a small part of their lives.

 This beautiful women shared that she is being rejected by her husband because she has been unable to bear him children in their seven years of marriage. Her hearts desire is to raise a child who will do great things for God's Kingdom.

This woman explained to us that she recently came to know Jesus as the one true God and because of that her husband left her. She has been rejected by her family and has no way to support herself. We prayed for God's provision in her life and for her husband to see the Truth.

One afternoon we spent a few hours at an orphanage. My heart melted for these beautiful children. We spent the afternoon playing games and painting faces and eating candy (Pixi Sticks are yummy but make a huge mess!) It was so much fun spending time with these precious children and I think they had fun too. At this particular orphanage they are taught about Christ and his love. And when they sing praises to Him, they sing at the top of their voices. I wish we could have spent all week with these little ones.

 A couple of precious ones during worship time at the orphanage.

Painting faces :-)

We gave each little girl a necklace because they are princesses!

One interesting aspect of being in India is that everywhere you go there are temples and shrines. While I was there I was told that Hinduism has 3 gods for every single person, and there are over 1.2 billion people living in India currently! They have several animals they revere as gods as well, including elephants, cows, and monkeys. Idol worship is a huge part of everyday life for most Hindus. Each state in India has its own patron god, as does each city/village, and then each family. Devout Hindus will rise early in the morning to visit the temple or shrines and present offerings to their idols, such as wine or juice, fruits, and money. They sing songs as well. At the end of their day, sometimes they will return to the temples and shrines. The object of their visits is to persuade the gods to show them favor and give them their protection. Hindus also have religious holidays and celebrations where they sing and dance.

One of the many Hindu gods, Ganesha who is widely known as Remover of Obstacles.

An inside look at a shrine built for Lakshmi, goddess of wealth

Devout Hindus have house shrines, usually made of marble, for their family gods.

The caste system plays an important role in the Hindu religion. An individual is born into a particular caste system based on their deeds in their previous life. The higher your caste, the better of a person you were. Karma plays a large part in reincarnation. Hindus go out of their way to do good deeds and avoid evil so that they can be reincarnated into a higher caste. They even go so far as to say a person's thoughts play a part in your reincarnated status. One hopes to be reincarnated into the Brahmin caste or as a cow, elephant, or monkey - this is the final stage before reaching nirvana where they are finally free from the body and the reincarnation process.

These cows are living the good life. Because cows are sacred, Hindus do not eat them.

If you look carefully in the tree you can see monkeys - another desirable reincarnate status.

Although they don't eat cows, they do use their milk, so some families keep one tied up.

For Indians, the cost is great when considering rejecting Hinduism and converting to Christianity. Renouncing Hinduism and one's family gods is thought to be one of the greatest offenses a person can commit. If a family member leaves Hinduism for Christianity, they are kicked out of their families and villages. In some areas it is dangerous to be a Christian, for fear of being arrested or killed for following Christ. Despite the risk, Indian Christians are full of love and joy, and their worship is genuine and rooted deep in their gratitude for Christ's forgiveness and salvation in their lives. Since returning home, we have heard report that 37 individuals accepted Christ while we were there!

One of the house churches we visited. This particular village is home to a family of albino Indians. Albinos are outcasts in India because their disease is viewed as a curse. This particular family found acceptance in this village of Christians and came to faith in Christ.

The song they were singing was about Jesus being the only true God and the only way to heaven.

The food is wonderful, and very different from American cuisine. Most meals have a veggie, rice, bread, and sauces to dip your bread and pour over your rice. No utensils are required and it is actually easier to eat some dishes with your hands - like goat, which is boney, is easier to maneuver with your fingers. Curry is a very popular spice used in cooking and you will also taste a lot of ginger. McDonald's is a very popular place to eat out, although they don't serve hamburgers (for obvious reasons). They make up for the lack with other tasty items like potato burgers and piri piri fries (spicy french fries).

 McDonald's in India. Open 24 hours a day.

This goat is going to be dinner soon. :-)

Fresh fruits and veggies are sold at road side stands all over town.

I learned so very much about the wonderful people and culture of India in my time there. I do hope to return again in the future. There is great need there and the people are in desperate need of Christ. Please pray for the people of India that Christ would penetrate their hearts. And pray for those who already know Christ, that they would be strengthened in their faith and possess a boldness to tell others of His love and grace.

Out of the 1.2 billion people in India, only 5% are Christians.

I feel like there are so many things I am forgetting to tell you! If you'd like to see more of the pictures from my trip check out my facebook. Maybe next time I go, we can go together!

One of my new friends - adorable!