Home Stretch

We're on the home stretch! YAY! We landed safely in Dehli tonight and we're at the hotel Singh Sans having a late late late dinner at 12:30am. We haven't eaten since lunch was served after the conference today at noon, so we're a tad famished. We have to leave the hotel at 6:00am to get BACK IN A VAN to travel 5 more hours to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. I suppose we'll hop out of the van, take a picture an d hop back in to drive back to make our flight home tomorrow night. The good news is we get to see the Taj Mahal and we have a flight HOME tomorrow night!!! Can you tell I'm excited to come home?

We are officially tourists now, as we left Prati at the Mumbai airport after the leadership training session of the conference. Of the almost 300 women who came to the conference (staying together in the hotel just like we do!), about 40 of the WWM leaders stayed for today's session.

Prati opened today's session with a long charge to her sisters about servant leadership, and again her vulnerability was really touching.

The rest of the session was more speaking and having them write and pray over what gifts/ strengths they have as leaders and what personal weaknesses might hinder their leadership.

The women had time to share and ask questions, and were so appreciative of our time with them.

The rest of the day was travel, travel, and more travel; speeding back down that mountain we chugged up only two days before and hustling airport security lines and fighting (and paying!), to take the extra luggagewe brought back home! Go figure. The Mumbai airport was on high security alert and the morning news papers said they were cracking down on anything more than one carry-on and one checked piece of baggage. Of course we all have more baggage than that! Who doesn't? Ha.

We are spent but still trucking. Really looking forward to a 5 hour van ride tomorrow at 6am! Woo-hoo!

Another Sari day (this time WITH RaeAnn!)

Leadership training

Down the beautiful mountain

GOODBYE, Prati, we will MISS YOU!!

The children sing for us

Another Conference Day

Another conference day

Before I begin today's update, I really have to give anothe shout out to Jocelyn who has been helping me get this blog updated. There is no making sense of this country. They have technology here; they have to somewhere. We're all familiar with trying to call next door only to be re-routed to someone in India first. (Unless next door happens to BE Indians like mine-- ok bad example.) Anyway, this whole country is a mystery. They really are trying to keep up with the rest of the world; outsourcing and all. But they don't even have trash or sewer systems or decent roads. First things first, people! It's like they're trying to bike a Triathlon on a tricycle.... a rickety one at that. I had a fleeting desire today to champion their cause and head up a huge Clean Up India project. They're so colorful and blingy but it's so dirty!

That was a long way to say we remain frustrated with not ever being able to get on the Internet either for lack of entirely, or intermittent electricity when you do get Internet. Sheesh! I have given up and am completely relying on Jocelyn to get these urgent and electrifying updates out to you. So, thanks, Josh! (I wish I could tell you I got you something neat in the French Region but there was no shopping time. Boo. )

I also want to thank my family for all of the cards, pictures and letters you sent with me. You'll never know how I look forward to opening one everyday. Best family in the world! Thanks!

Now for the update. We left our fabulous hotel this morning and drove about an hour to the Tindivanum conference. It was a small all-day conference, and the women there were sweet and full of appreciation for us to come so far to encourage them.

I spoke about when our own shame and the messages we allow ourselves to believe about ourselves keep us from doing what God has called us to do. The anecdote is two-fold; we plunge in and just start doing ministry however it presents itself while we also do a little Cognitive Therapy on ourselves by renewing our minds. We do that by searching for the truth about ourselves and telling ourselves the truth instead of the lies.

For example, instead of being praalyzed with thoughts of "I'm not smart enough", or "Others will reject me", we begin to tell ourselves "If God has called me, He will equip me", or "I don't have to be liked by everyone to be valuable in God's service". And while we are practicng doing ministry and renewing our minds, God is transforming our hearts and lives.

There were many women nodding their heads relating to the questions asked and the words I said. That's one of the coolest things I'm certain of after coming here several times now; women are really the same everywhere. We all have feelings of inadequacy in some area of our lives. And oddly, life experiences often serve to reinforce the lies we believe about ourselves. We have to fight for the truth if we really want it. Ugh. But it's always worth the effort!

Belinda and Prati also spoke brilliantly, of course, and the women left the conference encouraged and inspired.

We are driving to Chennai to spend the night, and in the morning we fly out somewhere.... Mumbai, I think?

I DO have some monkey pictures for you! I promised, and here they are! I also might throw in a few general pics of what I see here and there. Usually the pictures are taken from the van so they may be blurry or fuzzy, but it's the best I can do. If we asked the driver to stop every time we wanted a picture, we'd never get anywhere!

Finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Savannah! I love you so much and I hope you have a really fun birthday! Wish I could be there! XOXOXOXO

Paula- Out!

PS- RaeAnn was also supposed to speak today, but due to her being ill, we thought she should sit this one out. But she did come, and slowly but surely she's feeling better. Yay!

Our lovely Hotel (or hodle, as Prati says)

Still very Indian, but nice!!

Sheer opulence. Suffering for the Lord!

Tindivanum Conference

Words of wisdom. Ha. Translated by our good friend, Lillian,

who traveled with us to Sri Lanka the first time I came.

Lillian, Paula, and Prati on conference lunch break in the pastor's home.

MONKEYS!!!!

See what I mean? Wanna join Project Clean Up India?

A common sight

Hard working people (in the HEAT!)

There really are no words.....

Indian Princesses!

Sunday morning at Sharon

Praise and Worship

Belinda speaking at Sharon with Sarah translating

New Flip-Flops!

Our thank you note

Heavy lifting!

Cutie boys (I'm bringing them home!)

Silly boys (I'm not bringing them home!) ha.

Happy Sunday!

Today was sort of an easy day. We went to church this morning here at Sharon, which was a treat. We had our first Sari wearing today, which is always fun. It's funny-- wrap 5 yards of silk around you, and immediately you're transformed into a princess! No glass slipper needed!

(You'll notice RaeAnn didn't get to join the fun- she started getting sick last evening and came down with a pretty wicked virus. She was up through the night with all the hateful things viruses do. It wasn't complete without her.

The congregation here at Sharon Gardens is mostly the workers and children from the home with some neighborhood people also in attendance. There used to be more people from the surrounding area, but IGL has planted a couple churches nearby which were actually closer for most of the people to attend.

The service was fairly familiar, even though we couldn't understand the songs. There was worship music, a sermon, offering and communion. Sam was thoughtful to have one of their daughters sit behind us and translate when someone was speaking.

Belinda spoke during the sermon part of the service. Her words were sweet and inspringin from John 17. "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." This is the IGL theme for this year, which will be the emphasis for all conferences, teachings, etc. I thought it ironic, in a way, that in our country we send missionaries and workers here, and these people are talking about being sent themselves.

I am always made aware the biggest difference to me between third world countries and the U.S. is the felt need for God. These people are desperate for God, and when they find Him, they are desperate to share the difference He makes in their lives. We simply do not need God in America. We are so self-sufficient and can exist quite well on our own, thank you very much. Not so here.

After church, we packed our things and had lunch before we got back on the van (once again!), for a 6 hr bull ride east to the French-speaking city of Pondicherry. It's supposed to be a beautiful place and obviously quite unusual. We spend the night there and head to Tindivandum for a conference tomorrow. RaeAnn is on the schedule to speak during Session 3 tomorrow, but I don't see how. She is quite ill. The only thing worse than being that sick so far away from home is having to ride 6 hours squished in an uncomfortable van on these roads with this traffic. Poor thing. Please pray she gets well and somehow those of us sharing such close quarters here for 6 hours evade the bug! That WOULD be a miracle!

However... Before we left today, two very special things happened! The first was that I had delivered the flip-flops I brought to Prati, knowing she would know which 50 children most needed them. She certainly must have, because she called me down and asked me to wait for her outside the gate. While I was down there, this adorable yound middle school-age girl in a simple white sari came up to me and in nearly perfect English said, "Excuse me, Auntie, can you please get Mummy?" I knew from previous interactions with the children here that any older woman is always "Auntie" (don't you love it?), and every child at Sharon calls Prati their "Mummy", like the British (don't you love it even more?!).

I ran in to get Prati and the whole thing seemed somewhat of a set-up, because when I returned with her, there were about 8-10 children all wearing their brand-new flip-flops! I almost started crying!

Prati said while she didn't have time yet to decide about all the flip-flops, she did want to choose several children while I was there becuase "Your grandchildren did such a nice thing to send to my "children", and I wanted my children to say thank you."

They had made a card and all signed it for you, Grayson and Berkley. (And Shannah, I know you are crying by now.)

And it's all a matter of where you're born... I have lots of questions for God someday.

The second very exciting thing was that I presented Prati with the checks so many of you sent for the women of India! There just didn't seem to be an appropriate time before today, but it turned out to be just the perfect time! We were ending our time here at Sharon and it just seemed fitting to leave behind your heartfelt, tangible wishes and prayers.

So your very own checks are all the way here in Indai! She was thrilled and touched by your generosity. I told her I had awesome friends, and of course, she wants you all to come and see for yourselves the things your money has helped to accomplish. So, what do you think?!

I told her we would let her decide how best to use the money, and I trust her completely. Just think, someday up in heaven a lady in a sari will come up to you and tell you her story and thank you personally!

Well, I am writing this on the van as we end our day (September 11 came and went without a hitch here, so I am praying the same for you as your day is just beginning there). We have about 30 more minutes of this trip and my butt is NUMB!

Good Night!

Tea time at the conference

Small group sharing

Ah! The Sari Shop!

How many school girls can you get into a tuk-tuk?

Leadership Training Day

This morning, we met at IGL offices to greet the employees and be a part of their Wednesday morning EPT (extended prayer time). The employees pray together for the many needs of IGL, it's global partners and supporters, employees, children in their children's homes and schools, and other students, volunteers, and of course those they are working to reach and help. Pretty amazing.

The rest of the day was a Leadership Training Day just for Pratti's local leaders, about 45-50 women. She has other leaders in different areas of India, but this day-long session was specifically for these local women. I was very excited and humbled to put together this training and present all but one session. Talk about feeling unqualified and inadequate! But man, did I have fun! This is what I was created to do!

These women were precious in their vulnerability and zeal to lead other women in their villages and communities and were all about identifying, training and nurturing new leaders under them. We had one session devoted to small groups where each woman shared her strengths and gifts as a leader and then areas where she feels challenged and stretched based on what they learned today. Oh my, I wish you could have heard their hearts! One woman said because she is uneducated she fears she will be rejected as a leader in her village (of other uneducated women!). It was the perfect time to challenge her toward education if she desired, and to encourage her with reminders that God chooses and equips those who hear His call and follow His leading regardless of their education. (He chose fishermen to carry out his mission, right?) This woman's wisdom and intelligence more than made up for any schooling she lacked.

What a great day getting to hear the hearts of these women who are just like us in their hopes and dreams, fears, doubts, rebellions and even their areas of pride! I LOVE these women!

Of course a hard day of speaking and sharing and pouring out our hearts requires a fill-up, so Pratti took us to our favorite shopping spot- THE SARI STORE!! I can't even start on what that place does to me. The colors, the designs and the fabric are like nothing you've ever seen, and are completely irresistible! Enough said. (You might want to check the charge cards, honey!). I'm a happy girl.

Tomorrow is a rest day where we tour the Mission here in Salem. It is Sam's vision to have 12 Mission bases throughout India and Sri Lanka, and so far there are 4, either completed or begun. Since 85% of India's 1.2 billion people live in rural areas, and since there are many other great ministries working in the cities, Sam has chosen to target the villages and rural communities where the greatest need is. The mission here has, on the property, a children's home and school, a high school, a community college, a nursing school, a hospital (one of the few cancer hospitals in all of India), a dairy farm, a tailor school and shop (they make school uniforms, what else?!), a metal working business, a concrete block facility, a paint shop and a church. Needless to say, they have made a tremendous impact in this area by training and providing jobs and income to many people here in South India.

Well, I'm off to bed and will try to update again tomorrow. By the way, this blog is brought to you by Jocelyn who has been cutting and pasting my emails and pictures into my blog dashboard, since Internet is SO frustrating here, even though they have it (sort of). Part of the issue is that (like most 3rd world countries, if you've ever been), the electricity goes off at LEAST 5 times in the evenings. That always manages to happen right when I'm ready to hit "publish"! So, this just seems to be foolproof, albeit expensive on the old phone bill! So, thanks, Josh! Love to all, and please keep praying. While we are nowhere near the Delhi bombing today, September 11th looms.

On that happy note, Good Night!

India SOON!

In thinking about my upcoming trip to India, I am wistful about all the sights I will see. I love seeing all the women in their saris. Rich or poor, they are all beautifully adorned with bracelets, hair flowers or jewels, and amazing color cobinations in their saris.

I also have a special place in my heart for the children. India's children number over 2x the U.S. population! Over 3 million children live in India! Most of them destitute, victims of child labor or trafficking, but all completely precious and loved by our Heavenly Father. You can see in their eyes, they still have hope. Hope that they are loveable, hope that they will be cared for and protected, hope that they will be rescued.

The country is enmeshed with so many religious practices. Hindu temples, shrines and gods are everywhere, and sadly, I have talked to many people who openly admit their gods have done nothing to help them.

Still, the colors and sounds of India get inside your brain and pull you into the hearts of the people there. I will be going again early September, and ...

I can't wait to go back!!