I have a list of things that I need to do in order to prepare for India. I am officially getting my first round of immunizations tomorrow. I say first round because I don't know what I am actually getting and if there will be any with a series of shots. I start my Sunday night meetings this coming Sunday and will be every Sunday until I leave with the team in March. I have two books that I want to read before I go which will help with my preparation, scripture I want to memorize, and I am supposed to have a testimony for about 2 minutes prepared and practiced. There are several items I need to purchase, but I am not exactly sure what I am looking for and if I can bring them. So many things to do. It seems that I have a ton of time to do these things, but the reality is its only one and a half months away. That really isn't that much time. It will go extremely fast, which it already has up to this point.
On Sunday, I will find out what my specific roles will be and what I will need to learn to do in order to do my role. These could be singing, acting, and/or crafts. I know there are other possibilities, but I don't remember the other options. I am really excited to go. I know this is where I need to be and what I need to do. I am excited to see what God has in store for our team in India.
My prayer has been that God would prepare me for the things I will encounter and/or experience while I'm over there. So far I've been busy and bombarded with people on a constant bases. I'm not sure if it is distracting me from what I really should be doing or if this is God's way of preparing me...maybe a little of both. Pray that I will find rest in Him as I prepare and that I can really have a firm foundation in scripture (specifically the scripture I should memorize) and an understanding of the Indian culture when I'm there.
Thanks for your continual support! Thanks also to those that have continued to give financially so that my other team members are able to go. I know that God is using your gifts for the greater good of His kingdom!
London Bridge in England
Emilie at the London Bridge 2010
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Amazed, Blessed, and Honored!
When I found out about India, I just knew I was supposed to go. I can't explain exactly why I have been so confident, but I am. I knew that God owned the whole world and could afford to send me to serve Him in another country. I knew that I was willing to go, especially for what we will be doing. And I knew that I was able to go because I already had the time off and my body is functioning well. There have been only a few things that I have been this confident about in my life. 1. That Jesus is the Messiah and has died to save me from my sins, and rose again to bring me into relationship with my Heavenly Father. 2. That I would move back to MN after moving to IA when I was 5 years old. 3. That I would teach inner-city kids in St Paul living skills. None of these (OK the first one is a little different, but the other two fit this statement) I can explain other than an overwhelming peace and confidence that leaves my entire being at ease. This is how going to India has been for me.
I am amazed at the generosity of God's people and how quickly people are responding to this need. Today I received two more checks for financial support. With these two checks I have become $288 shy of reaching the financial goal for the entire trip! I haven't even had my first goal meeting yet!
I feel blessed by God because I am playing a part in his will and I have no idea what is in store, but I am excited to be a part of it. This process, although short, has really made me think of the things that I struggle to have confidence in. God is showing me how faithful he is when you are doing what you are supposed to be doing and believing that he will do it. And he is!!! I praise him for the provision and the lessons that have come with it. This is challenging me to continually work on finding confidence in him in every area of my life. Interestingly enough I have found more peace in those areas and joy even when all else seems hopeless. When tempted to believe lies, I am quickly reminded of God's faithfulness and control in everything. The worry leaves and I move on. Truly a huge step in the right direction for me. And a long time coming.
I am honored to be a part of this once in a life time opportunity! I desire others to be able to do this as well. There are people I know on my team that are struggling to raise support. The first goal is due this Sunday (Jan 9 th) and they may not be able to go because of it. God may not want them to go and I respect that, but I am going to do everything that I can to help these people out. I desire for people to continue to give so that the abundance I am able to raise can spill over into those who do not have as much support.
I am asking that you prayerfully consider helping these people out. If you do want to be a part of this you can still send the checks to me, made out to GRACE CHURCH and on the slip of paper I gave you you can make a statement that says you want to help the other team members. I would love for those people in need of support to know where their funds came from. If not, the overflow will spill into the overall India trip to where it is needed. Thank you all for being a part of this! I couldn't do it without your support both prayerfully and financially!!
I am amazed at the generosity of God's people and how quickly people are responding to this need. Today I received two more checks for financial support. With these two checks I have become $288 shy of reaching the financial goal for the entire trip! I haven't even had my first goal meeting yet!
I feel blessed by God because I am playing a part in his will and I have no idea what is in store, but I am excited to be a part of it. This process, although short, has really made me think of the things that I struggle to have confidence in. God is showing me how faithful he is when you are doing what you are supposed to be doing and believing that he will do it. And he is!!! I praise him for the provision and the lessons that have come with it. This is challenging me to continually work on finding confidence in him in every area of my life. Interestingly enough I have found more peace in those areas and joy even when all else seems hopeless. When tempted to believe lies, I am quickly reminded of God's faithfulness and control in everything. The worry leaves and I move on. Truly a huge step in the right direction for me. And a long time coming.
I am honored to be a part of this once in a life time opportunity! I desire others to be able to do this as well. There are people I know on my team that are struggling to raise support. The first goal is due this Sunday (Jan 9 th) and they may not be able to go because of it. God may not want them to go and I respect that, but I am going to do everything that I can to help these people out. I desire for people to continue to give so that the abundance I am able to raise can spill over into those who do not have as much support.
I am asking that you prayerfully consider helping these people out. If you do want to be a part of this you can still send the checks to me, made out to GRACE CHURCH and on the slip of paper I gave you you can make a statement that says you want to help the other team members. I would love for those people in need of support to know where their funds came from. If not, the overflow will spill into the overall India trip to where it is needed. Thank you all for being a part of this! I couldn't do it without your support both prayerfully and financially!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Introduction to Indian Food
A friend of mine, who is going to India with me, asked to go to a local Indian restaurant to try their authentic cuisine before bible study last night. So we were driving around to find a specific restaurant but we couldn't find it. As we were driving I spotted an Indian Spice House. We decided to try it instead since we were running out of time.
We walked in to an empty restaurant with a young Indian man standing behind the counter anxiously waiting for us to come to the counter and order. We had no idea what to order. I have only had two Indian foods in my life -at least to my knowledge- and my friend hadn't eaten any. We asked the young man what was good and close to the real Indian cuisine. He suggested a few things. We looked over the menu several times. I had no idea what to order. Everything had onions in it, which I am allergic to. I made a decision that I would try anything and I needed to start becoming more tolerant of onion before I am immersed into a culture where I will be encouraged to eat anything in front of me. So I took some recommended medicine a half hour before and we just picked two cuisines on the menu. One was vegetarian and the other had poultry.
Our food came and WOW what an interesting look both of them were. One was a huge- triangle- shaped crepe (but not a French crepe) filled with a small amount of curry potatoes and onion which you then dipped into a vegetable broth soup and put lentil chutney on top. The other was this green-thick-sauce made of some nuts and other spices unknown to me and bone with a small amount of chicken on it. We were in for a treat!
We started eating the crepe and it crumbled everywhere. The seasoning was very good and the consistency wasn't bad either. Nothing I have ever tried before that is for sure. The chicken was hard to find in the green sauce. It was potent with spices and overwhelmed my palate. I am glad that I tried it, however it was not my favorite food and after chocking on a bone I was done with the chicken dish. We enjoyed naan, an Indian bread, with our meal and washed it all down with Diet Coke.
Before we left the restaurant we decided to get a few of their desserts. They were small so we didn't feel guilty buying a few. That and we were headed to bible study where we could share our delicacies. My friend got three, I tried hers and then ordered three different ones. We both kept our facial expressions to ourselves as much as possible. This was a difficult task, but we both accomplished it. We both decided that if we were to live in India we would probably lose a lot of weight because we wouldn't be eating their sweets. Not good. At least the six we tried. They were saturated in fat and corn syrup, they had a gritty texture and flavor wasn't very delightful. We proudly passed along our treats to our friends and we had a good laugh about our choices.
All in all it was a very good experience. A half hour after eating the meal, I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest from eating onion, but I was satisfied and I was intrigued by the food that we ate. I'm excited to try other foods. I have now been introduced to a little more of India.
We walked in to an empty restaurant with a young Indian man standing behind the counter anxiously waiting for us to come to the counter and order. We had no idea what to order. I have only had two Indian foods in my life -at least to my knowledge- and my friend hadn't eaten any. We asked the young man what was good and close to the real Indian cuisine. He suggested a few things. We looked over the menu several times. I had no idea what to order. Everything had onions in it, which I am allergic to. I made a decision that I would try anything and I needed to start becoming more tolerant of onion before I am immersed into a culture where I will be encouraged to eat anything in front of me. So I took some recommended medicine a half hour before and we just picked two cuisines on the menu. One was vegetarian and the other had poultry.
Our food came and WOW what an interesting look both of them were. One was a huge- triangle- shaped crepe (but not a French crepe) filled with a small amount of curry potatoes and onion which you then dipped into a vegetable broth soup and put lentil chutney on top. The other was this green-thick-sauce made of some nuts and other spices unknown to me and bone with a small amount of chicken on it. We were in for a treat!
We started eating the crepe and it crumbled everywhere. The seasoning was very good and the consistency wasn't bad either. Nothing I have ever tried before that is for sure. The chicken was hard to find in the green sauce. It was potent with spices and overwhelmed my palate. I am glad that I tried it, however it was not my favorite food and after chocking on a bone I was done with the chicken dish. We enjoyed naan, an Indian bread, with our meal and washed it all down with Diet Coke.
Before we left the restaurant we decided to get a few of their desserts. They were small so we didn't feel guilty buying a few. That and we were headed to bible study where we could share our delicacies. My friend got three, I tried hers and then ordered three different ones. We both kept our facial expressions to ourselves as much as possible. This was a difficult task, but we both accomplished it. We both decided that if we were to live in India we would probably lose a lot of weight because we wouldn't be eating their sweets. Not good. At least the six we tried. They were saturated in fat and corn syrup, they had a gritty texture and flavor wasn't very delightful. We proudly passed along our treats to our friends and we had a good laugh about our choices.
All in all it was a very good experience. A half hour after eating the meal, I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest from eating onion, but I was satisfied and I was intrigued by the food that we ate. I'm excited to try other foods. I have now been introduced to a little more of India.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Over half way there
I had two weeks off over Christmas and New Years and for the majority of the time I was with family NOT at my home. I came home after being gone for six days to find seven envelopes. I was so encouraged to see the responses and encouragement that people are giving me. I have now raised $2100 towards the goal of $3200. So I am almost to the February due date which is for $2400. Thank you all for supporting me as I pursue God's calling in my life. It just becomes more and more evident to me that he desires for us to be willing to do things for his kingdom and when we are he blesses your sox off (not literally). Keep you posted!
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