Journal Entry #10

10.19.13

It’s been a difficult couple of weeks. I have a tendency when things get tough to retreat, spend a lot of time alone, not really talk about it with anyone, wait for things to get better on their own. I did not have the luxury of doing so this time, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Maybe God’s working on my tendency to be individualistically minded instead of community minded.

This week has been sandwiched between India-related meetings and hangouts. Last Saturday was our India Team service day, I spent my morning doing beach clean up, laughing, and being sassy with Kirsten and Robbyn. Different groups had different projects, so afterward we met up at Central’s campus to eat our first authentic Indian meal together and debrief. Amanda and I spent most of the meal laughing at how awkward it was to eat with our right hand alone, no utensils. I need some serious practice. It got real messy, real fast.

Yesterday the worship ministry team met up for dinner and a jam session at Daniel’s, one of the group leaders, home. Sloane, Amanda, and I carpooled together and got coffee before. We ate dinner at Daniel’s and laughed a lot. Then we spent a long time worshipping together, it was a blast. Afterward Sloane and Amanda came back to my place where we met up with Chris and Karin, two more India team members. We ended up sitting around and talking about everything from Jackie Chan to what we are fearful for and excited about for India.

I have already been so blessed by spending time getting to know the India team. The care and intentionality to get to know one another and support one another on this adventure has been endless. Honestly (as cheesy as I know this is going to sound), if all of these meetings resulted in nothing other than the chance to meet and know this group of people, it would be enough for me. I cannot wait to get to know others on the team and to learn more about the people I already know. 

If you could join me in praying that we grow closer as a team, so that we can work better as a unit in India, that would be awesome. Pray for relationships to be formed, love for one another to grow, and that every individual on our team would feel known and cared for in the way I have felt known and cared for. 

Side Note: I am now selling custom artwork to raise money for this trip. If you have a verse, song lyric, phrase, or any group of words really, that you would like illustrated, I will draw it out and frame it for you. There is a link to the store at the top of this page titled Etsy.

Side Side Note: Joy and I are also planning a Benefit Show to raise money for India. It will be on Saturday, November 9th. More details coming veryyyyyy soon.