Hey Guys! Thought I would write another blog update today!

This past week, on Monday and Wednesday I spent time training the MEM staff on HIV/AIDS and we made many posters and curriculum that we will be using as education resources for our upcoming medical clinic. We also spent two days at ACCEPT – I worked mainly with a something like a nursing assistant because he needed the most help – doing patient care with baths, cleaning, walks, and feeding.

On Saturday I met up with Jen Wahlquist and the group from Gustavus and Concordia that she is working with. We went to Day 1 of the Australia v. India Test Cricket Match. This is basically a 5 day game – I have finally figured out the rules and strategy behind cricket! Ha! It was fun! Then we went out to eat and out for ice cream! It was fun and great to be around a group of Minnesotans! On Sunday, The Antin family and I went to church, out to lunch, to a park here in Bangalore, and then to visit some more relatives that I haven’t met yet. It was a full day.

Yesterday, we started with a Vacation Bible School with the orphanage at ACCEPT. It was really fun and I really enjoyed it! I even found myself ending up as the main character in a musical mime presentation for the children! Ha! Today is our day off as the VBS runs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Tonight I am going to a bollywood dance class with some new friends here and then out to dinner! I have no idea what the class is like – but I am excited!

Personal Prayer Requests:

-          Endurance – As it has been about a month and a half since I have arrived in India – I’ll admit I am starting to get homesick and weary. Please pray for Strength and Endurance to really make the most of my time here and to be fully present in all circumstances

-          Trust – Continued trust that God is in control. It continues to be frustrating for me finding work. The efficient way that I am able to use my skills and strengths back home is not really the way I have found it here. It is definitely more of a waiting game and really trusting that God has a plan and is working through me even when I struggle to feel used.

-          Focus – as I am becoming more adjusted and meeting more people here that my focus remains on Christ and serving Him and His purposes for me here.

-          Opportunities – and that I will keep my eyes open for opportunities to share life and love with others. I had a good quiet time today reading Galatians 6 and was encouraged (6:9). I want to always been looking for opportunities here (6:10) even if they present themselves in ways that I am not looking for. I have definitely been humbled here in India. All opportunity to boast in myself (6:14) has been taken away as I have been left completely dependent on God to meet my needs. There is really no way for me to be self sufficient here. It is refreshing to strive to be truly free from all worry or concern and to simply focus on Christ and helping share His love with others. There are opportunities not only in my work environment but with all interactions I have with anyone here. I do feel that this is where God wants me to be – even if it is something that will be a challenge for me until the day I come home.

 Jen and I at the Cricket stadium!

 Some of the children from ACCEPT

Here are the people I work with at MEM - Moneshna, Esther, Me, Paul, Prasanna, Mami, and Hmanna!