Some Pictures:)

Here are some random photos from my time here so far...

My Desk:)

My hot shower, haha!

Not only does she cook and clean... but she checks us for lice too:)

Look what made its way into my dosa masala!

Curd makes it possible to eat everything!

Song no. 1

Yesterday was a crazy day... emotionally. We went to the Charminar to pray and see the places that Human Trafficking is the worse here. My heart broke and stayed broken for some time. In the evening, after a meal with the base staff and fun watching tv and reading funny books to the children, I made my way up to my apartment. I was stopped, just like every time I come to my stairwell, by the group of children who live here. I was greeted with smiles and hugs. Oh, how I love their hugs:) After watching them perform some songs and dances for us, a little boy named Johnathan tugged on my pants and bashfully told me he wrote a song. We asked him if he'd like to sing it. Amy and I sat on the steps in awe as this little 7 year old belted out a beautiful song to Jesus. My heart melted and tears were in my eyes. Johnathan truly knows how to praise God... his words were beautiful and spoke truth. I see a little "David" in the making... his song was entitled, "Song No. 1".

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On a personal note.. I am doing better, PRAISE JESUS! Every day I have to give God my time here and trust that this will become home in due time. Great things are to come here in YWAM- Hyderabad. I am here until these things birth. I am excited to be apart of this new time!!! woot!

Learning to Lean

If you could see my spiritual stature it would be a leaning one. I have been here in India for a week now and the biggest thing God has been teaching me... far bigger than how to adjust to the heat or food, much greater than understanding the culture... is how to lean on Him. I found right off that I can not do this alone. These two years will seem like ten if I do not learn to lean on Him. If I try to make this time here great by my might, I will fail. All I can do is surrender and let Jesus lead me on.

It's been a little rough, I must say. If you would have asked me if for saw these emotions coming... I would've looked at you strangely and laughed. I have never felt this way before.. ever! I did not know how much I took for granted having all my close friends near to me or the amazing YWAM family I had in Charlotte, NC. But growth doesn't come without pain... and this is my time to grow. I think that once I am done here in Hyderabad I will be a jewel! I will be refined and ready for the next step in my life. My prayer is that this time here is not wished away, but well spent and monumental in my life!

I love you, family and friends of mine! I'll upload pictures soon!

Boom Boom Pow!

Last night was a Hindu festival called "Diwali"... the equivalent to Christian's Christmas. Man did they celebrate... fire crackers, fire works and the oh, so lovely, cherry bombs rang aloud all night long... and I mean it.. ALL NIGHT LONG. We sat on our roof as the Hindu's worshiped their false gods and prayed. Tears filled my eyes and sorrow in my heart. Oh, that they would be able to see! That their eyes would be unveiled!

A delicious chicken curry dinner from outside made for a not-so happy tummy today. It was spicy and good, but not home cooked. I think I will stick with eating food only made here at the base for now.

Tomorrow I start out working in the office and learning the processes of how things are done. I will also join my first Mercy Ministry tomorrow evening. Tonight we want to get together to pray for the trafficked women and children here in Hyderabad. I think God is going to do something big here. Actually, I know!

Please pray for me... transition is still a bit rough, both emotionally and physically. Pray for a quick acclimation! Love you all!

Life in India

Im sitting in the living room of the apartment I'm staying in. A beautiful breeze from outside is wisping my hair and I smell the various scents of delicious Indian breakfasts being made. The children downstairs are laughing and playing. I feel at home:)

I arrived safely to Hyderabad early Thursday morning. The plane ride was fabulous! I give Air India two thumbs up! Jet lag greeted us with open arms and still hasn't fully let go. Two of my Indian friends met us at the airport with garlands to welcome Amy and I. It is good to be here; my new home.

My heart for this city has grown enormously. I cannot wait to fall into life here. I am expecting great things! I am expecting to see healings... people freed... my life transformed... big things!

Enjoy these pictures! I love you all and will update you soon:)

Saying Goodbye to my family

Passports to the Nations!

I am happy I made it.. just a little jet-lagged

Amy and Julia

Free from junk; free to move about the world!

The other day I literally packed up everything. I wanted to see what kind of space I was looking at. Safe! I actually have a lot of extra room. Now the weight.. ehh... I don't know about that one;) As I was packing up I realized I was packing up my entire life. All my belongings, minus a few keep-sakes I'm sending home with my parents, are all packed up in two suitcases. Just a little over two months ago I started on my downgrading journey. At the end I completely gave away my entire wardrobe, a big bin of half used toiletries, a garbage bag of shoes, and filled the trashcan with meaningless things I've kept around for the years. Wow. I'm not looking to get a round of kudo's from ya'll but this is monumental for me. I cried the first two trips to the Salvation Army.... I'm not even gonna lie. It was difficult for me to hand over my belonging and get back in the car and drive away. It quite fun, I have to say, to see the girls here at the YWAM base sporting my previously owned clothes.

So here's to a fresh start! Free from junk and free to move about the world where God is calling me!

having fun with the little ones!

Im loving spending my last few days with my little friends here at the YWAM base. Here are some photo's of them:)