Romans 12:1 has been the passage for the last two messages I have heard from JP with not only a challenging reminder, but also an encouraging one. Titled “Present Your Bodies…” it reminded me that talk is cheap, and what we demonstrate in our behaviors is most telling. What an encouragement this gave when so often I have felt so lost for words because of the language barrier! The few phrases I know in Hindi just cannot communicate the depth of love and truth I want to share, but praise to Him who can and is able to use even me in my weakness. Let me not get in the way in my unbelief and selfishness!
Another example of how understanding language has been both a barrier and a blessing came a few weeks back. It was just after I had e-mailed you all with my frustration to understand His purpose and struggling to feel at home here. I returned to the community and one of the staff who just moved in after I arrived-Richa, the house-keeper and cook here- was feeling a little overwhelmed. She was expressing to me how she wanted to tell me, but could not because of the language. Richa cannot write or read Hindi or English, and speaks about as much English as I do Hindi, and yet she is the person I have connected with the most here in the community. She has been through so much for someone so young, and I can see she has a tender heart.
She used a word- “bogue” – which I had not heard before and could not find in my small dictionary. A few days later she was again trying to express herself, and another staff member looked up this word for us in a bigger Hindi-English dictionary that translated it as “over-worked.” What I was able to understand is that it was more than just being over-worked and stressed that she was feeling, but feeling the heavy weight of frustration with too much expectation from certain people. Oh how I could relate to this feeling in that moment and understand what she was struggling with.
In her broken English she proceeded to explain to me why and how she felt this “bogue,” and her tears were so refreshing after the countless times I had tried to express the reason for my tears. It seemed that since I had been able to express my frustration and tears to her in the past, she was able to openly share with me. By His grace, I was able to be the listener she needed, and then to pr over her for the weight to be lifted, and for His easy yoke to be placed on her, that He would strengthen her for the work she has. She expressed to me the next day that she was doing much better and we both praised Him together for helping us face each new day! What a gift this was and I hope is just one more seed planted in her heart.
It has been such a gift for us to have each other and be not only an encouragement to one another but also an example of relationships crossing the boundaries of language and culture. I am just amazed at how He is at work in this friendship and am asking He will continue the work long after I leave this place. Please do keep her in your thoughts as you lift us up.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Good News!
Other news:
-Finally the Generator is connected and working-see picture! It was used so much one week with the colder weather still hanging on and no power, it even ran out of kerosene already-which meant a few days without it because of how long it takes just to get gas or kerosene when we finish it. So thankful to have it!
-The boys are in the middle of exams-means a lot more time spent helping them study in preparation and lots of pr for them to focus and apply all they are learning
-In this last month:
• I am currently in my last full week now here at the hospital-saying goodbyes and making every minute count, taking opportunity to step in wherever I can
• Teaching with families and staff-making posters for the staff to use. I need a lot of wisdom regarding what and how to present the most important information without it being an overload. Most of it will just be tools the staff can use after I am gone, but still I just need wisdom for how to make these tools appropriate for the level of education of these families and their capabilities considering their poverty and limited resources.
• Deb is traveling to train staff in another state-gone for a week, so pr for protection for those of us staying back at the house. Final travels home-my flight leaves April 18th!
• One of the boys who comes to the intervention program during the week who lost so much weight in the winter, Sunny, has been coming more consistently (at least 1-2 times a week!)-Praise! As a result I have been able to start him on a vitamin and protein supplement that can help him gain weight lost and fight infection-he is significantly under weight and comes from a very poor community where poor hygiene and living conditions combine to spread infection and malnutrition. Pr for him and his family, for his body to respond to the vitamins, and for him to continue to come to the school program here regularly enough to get these vitamins and recover well.
• The boys in the home are progressing slowly with piano lessons, and I believe the discipline they are learning in practicing piano and the connections music makes in the brain can and will help these boys with their studies and to develop behaviors that can help them grow to live for Him. The other children in the home light up when any of us are playing the piano; I hope music can continue to bless this home and provide another way for Him to be lifted up in each of these lives.
• I have seen signs of improvement with these kids since starting them on vitamins (those in the home and coming each week to the day program), but of course continue to pr for the families and staff to be able to take over and watch for signs of problems. Ask Him to help the staff and families remember to keep the kids on these and apply the little teaching I have given. Above all, pr that the seeds planted through songs, verses, stories and devotion times with the kids would continue to grow.
The newest addition to the family moved in last week and has settled in remarkably well! PRAISE! Just pr for continued adjusting and especially discerning any health issues and assessment needs. He is a sweetheart and has been through so much at just 5 years!
-Finally the Generator is connected and working-see picture! It was used so much one week with the colder weather still hanging on and no power, it even ran out of kerosene already-which meant a few days without it because of how long it takes just to get gas or kerosene when we finish it. So thankful to have it!
-The boys are in the middle of exams-means a lot more time spent helping them study in preparation and lots of pr for them to focus and apply all they are learning
-In this last month:
• I am currently in my last full week now here at the hospital-saying goodbyes and making every minute count, taking opportunity to step in wherever I can
• Teaching with families and staff-making posters for the staff to use. I need a lot of wisdom regarding what and how to present the most important information without it being an overload. Most of it will just be tools the staff can use after I am gone, but still I just need wisdom for how to make these tools appropriate for the level of education of these families and their capabilities considering their poverty and limited resources.
• Deb is traveling to train staff in another state-gone for a week, so pr for protection for those of us staying back at the house. Final travels home-my flight leaves April 18th!
• One of the boys who comes to the intervention program during the week who lost so much weight in the winter, Sunny, has been coming more consistently (at least 1-2 times a week!)-Praise! As a result I have been able to start him on a vitamin and protein supplement that can help him gain weight lost and fight infection-he is significantly under weight and comes from a very poor community where poor hygiene and living conditions combine to spread infection and malnutrition. Pr for him and his family, for his body to respond to the vitamins, and for him to continue to come to the school program here regularly enough to get these vitamins and recover well.
• The boys in the home are progressing slowly with piano lessons, and I believe the discipline they are learning in practicing piano and the connections music makes in the brain can and will help these boys with their studies and to develop behaviors that can help them grow to live for Him. The other children in the home light up when any of us are playing the piano; I hope music can continue to bless this home and provide another way for Him to be lifted up in each of these lives.
• I have seen signs of improvement with these kids since starting them on vitamins (those in the home and coming each week to the day program), but of course continue to pr for the families and staff to be able to take over and watch for signs of problems. Ask Him to help the staff and families remember to keep the kids on these and apply the little teaching I have given. Above all, pr that the seeds planted through songs, verses, stories and devotion times with the kids would continue to grow.
The newest addition to the family moved in last week and has settled in remarkably well! PRAISE! Just pr for continued adjusting and especially discerning any health issues and assessment needs. He is a sweetheart and has been through so much at just 5 years!
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