I <3 India

Here is an entry from my journal....

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As I sit here and write this, my heart is aching. It's early in the morning and I just can't sleep. It could possibly be blamed on jet-lag or possibly that I can't seem to shake these people from the HIV/AIDS clinic from my mind. Some travel for hours (and when I say hours, I mean like 7, 8, and even 9!). That is the distance between my parents home and the YWAM base in Monroe! some crawl up the stairs just to be seen, to feel human touch. some are widows, some children, some fathers accompanied by their grieving families, some are there for the first time and can't get through the exam without streams of sorrowful tears soaking their faces. All of them, though, are God's precious children... every one of them.

the state, Andra Pradesh, where we are currently working has the highest percentage of peoples living with the HIV/AIDS virus. I asked the doctor overseeing the clinic why this was and he didn't fully know. His conclusion was that it is due to the rich highways that pass through this state. Many truck drivers pass through these highways and see sex-workers. One out of every four sex-worker in Andra Pradesh is infected with the virus. These men then bring it back home to their wives. This is the main cause of transmission here. We have seen many cases of young girls, about my age- 25, who were married at a young age around 14 and received HIV/AIDS from their husbands. Most of their husbands have passed away and they are living now with children and a deadly disease. I've seen many widows. A hopelessness lurks over them. But when they come to the clinic the compassion showed there blows that cloud away and lets the light of hope shine all around them.

See, in the government hospitals, the doctors and nurses will not touch a HIV/AIDS patient. There is a big stigma here that people have engraved into their minds, that the transmission is easy. At the clinic we make it a point to touch each patient, pray with them and show them the truth that they are able to live a normal life. The people need to be taught that this disease is preventable. We have learned a skit to take to schools to teach on abstinence and the awareness of HIV/AIDS.

Please pray for our this clinic. Pray for the widows. Pray for the children. Please pray for the men. Please pray.

***

Since I wrote this we have begun to work with other ministries as well. I loved that we were able to start out our mission working with this clinic. I spent most my time shadowing a doctor and examining the patients. I saw many things I have never seen before... TB, external herpes, measles, oral thrush, and malaria. I've seen smiling, laughing children running in the halls who had no clue that their lives are going to be cut short. I've seen so much. My heart is breaking. But isn't this what I want? I do.

To India.. and BEYOND!

In just a few hours I will be boarding a flight. Destination- Hyderabad, India. I'm willingly leaving my chance for a snowy winter behind for the blazing hot land of India. The two places we will be working in are Hyderbad and Bangalore. (See map) 

My hope is to be able to weekly update my blo to keep you posted on our ministry, the team, and how God is radically moving. I can't wait! Peace to you all in this New Year! 

What are the chances?

What are the chances that a genuine person found a $100 bill at Wal Mart last night and turned it in? I hope high.

So the story goes like this-

I went to Wal Mart to get groceries for the next couple of days before we head out to India. I had a $100 bill in my pocket. I spent about an hour getting all the groceries. I went to check out, and bam.. no money. My poket was empty. We (my dear friends here and I) searched the store high and wide with no sign of the money. I left my name and number with the Customer Service desk. Please pray that they call. Please pray that there was someone who found it and decided not to pocket it. I can't really afford $100 to pay back to YWAM. 

Isn't He lovely?

I am sitting here trying to make a list of things that I need to get done before I leave for India and I just can't get past the fact that God is faithful. It's His nature; it's just who He is. Here's what is making me ga-ga over this incredible, ever-conscience God of mine...

I came home to Florida for a short visit for Christmas. I knew I'd be busy spending quality time with my family (and yes, watching super hero movies with gramps is quality time). But I had this burden weighing me down from totally enjoying my time. I needed $1000. Quick. I hadn't bought my ticket for India, but I had the word; the solid word, that I was to go. The first full day being home I received a call from, Bobbie, an elderly woman whom I have known for years in my church. 

She said, "Is this Kristina? Good. Because the Lord has had favor on me and now wants to have favor on you. I am donating $500 to your fund for India." 

I couldn't  believe my ears! What? $500? Half of what I need? Can this be? I must have thanked her ten million times. We chatted for a bit and that was that. Talk about a faith booster. Well, that wasn't the half of it.

(a few hours later)

"Kristina?" I heard Bobbies voice on the other end of the phone.

"Now listen. I was talking with Hilda (her sister) and she wants to donate to you too. She will give $200, making the total $700."

WHAT?! $700? This was still day one of being home. Three days before Christmas. I was beginning to see the light at the end of this long, dark hopeless tunnel. Faith was just oozing out of me. I was able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day without the fear of God not providing. But wait, that's not the end of the story!

"Kristina?" Yes, it was Bobbie once again. "Tomorrow at church I am turning in your check to be sent to you. My sister wants to make her donation the same as mine so the check will be for $1000."

By this time I was a pile of flub on the floor. 

I must have thanked Bobbies ear off. I did not know how else to communicate my gratitude. If she were in front of me I probably would have squeezed her so tight she'd bust. 

Because she heard God speak, I am going to India. Because I have awesome friends who believe in me, I get to experience a promise. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

In just 3 days I will be packing up and boarding the first flight to Hyderabad, India. Please be praying for me and the 17 other people coming along. I will keep you updated!

**My hope is to be able to periodically update my blog as I'm in India. Stay tuned for some exciting news!

Rollercoaster

Roller coasters and I have a love-hate relationship. I love to ride them, but I hate the feeling of my stomach in my mouth. I'm the person that people laugh at when they watch the video after. 

Before the ride launches off I get into position- hunch my body over the foam padded lap bar, clench every muscle I have in my abdomen and legs and begin to take deep breaths. I pity the person who sits next to me, behind me or in front of me on such rides. They know not what they get to experience. The ride begins. My breathing gets heavier with every clank of the coaster nearing the top. The short stop before the coaster pummels down the track is when the thought, "Can I get off now?" crosses my mind. We begin to wind our way through flips and turns and that, oh so dreaded, drop into the abyss. My mouth opens and a car alarm-like noise goes off and does not stop. (This sound I can not repeat even if I tried.) The ride comes to a stop. I close my mouth, wipe the terrified look from my face and through the strands of my strawberry blonde hair I scream, "Let's do it again!".

Unlike physical roller coasters that I freakishly love, I do not like emotional roller coasters. I don't know why I even am on one. Why did I allow myself to board such a thing? I do not like the way I feel now. I get all emotional over the silliest things. I am very fragile, sensitive and my heart is constantly aching. 

I am not comfortable in any place. There is no one or nothing safe to turn to other than God. I feel like I am stuck on this ride. I have no other option than to let the roller coaster run its course. I'm just praying it ends soon. I don't know how much I can handle.

A bit of heart drama, some Obama and a lot of missing my Momma!

Last week.. phew! It's over; in the past... DONE! Thank You, LORD! My heart was in so much turmoil. The things I was tangled up in are things I won't get into on here. I have been extensively seeking God's Word and it's healing time from here. I did, unfortunately, get a major canker soar on the inside of my bottom lip. This was by far the worst one I have experienced. Canker sores are brought on by intense stress. This was a good reminder to calm down and in the words of Karyn Shauan, "Save the drama for your momma." In this case I won't save it, yet give it to Christ.

On Tuesday night I went over to a friends house to play a card game, "president." As if losing wasn't enough of a drag, we all saw the outcome of the most-anticipated election. I nearly lost it when I saw that Obama had 200 electoral votes. Well, it's inevitable... Change is a comin! Who knows what it will look like. I will now turn my doubts into prayers for our new President. Congrats Barak Obama.

It always happens this time each year. I begin to miss my family. I guess it's the beginning of the holiday season and I just want a hug from my parents and siblings. I miss you guys so much!! I can't wait to see you over Christmas.

Well as things are rapidly changing in life... here are some pictures of some other things that are rapidly changing as well. These pictures were taken in the span of one week.. crazy, huh? So beautiful:)

White Light Night

Last night we held our first annual, "White Light Night". We had about 15 youngsters from our neighborhood come out for several hours to enjoy hot dogs, pop corn, a movie, and of course.. CANDY! We prayed earlier in the week for what we should do in place of Halloween. We lit up our front porch and courtyard, started a fire and had a blast. Here are some pictures from the night.

*****
Then this morning, after a two hour game of soccer, Dave, Roeger and I played a practical joke on our friends...

But I guess Dave and Katie didn't get the last laugh!