There are many feelings that I cannot begin to express that I have had during this amazing experience. Our goodbyes were painful. Some of the children were crying and when we had the big goodbye ceremony they offered us each gifts. A lot of the gifts we received were flowers. Which now have so much value to me. Just the fact that these little kids wanted to offer us gifts, for a friendship they were just introduced to, really got me thinking. Almost everyone in Tamil Nadu wants to go to America. In their words, “America is Super.” I don’t think they know how exceptional India is. It is more than a country, it is unity, it is Love, India is love. The last Sunday in Tamil Nadu, I preached on faith and how when we give God our full faith we will receive blessings, also how everything that we have is God’s. God spoke right through me and I didn’t get too emotional but I told them all thank you. When I put my full faith in God for this trip I received a blessing, and that was the trip itself, and all my many new friends. Rachel spoke at one of our last Cottage Prayers and it was amazing. She spoke about 1 Corinthians 13:13 and she went on to say that in America she would have never been invited into a complete strangers home and have been given tea or coffee. Even though we technically gave up our summers, we had gained so much through the kindness and loving spirits of the people. We all began to cry and that’s when a lady said something in Tamil and at that moment Kingsley couldn’t translate because he got choked up. We found out later that she had said, don’t cry girls, we are here for you. This is the perfect example of the love that I’m trying to explain. Our anthem for this summer is Love is Here, by Tenth Avenue North. Every time i listen to it i will always remember.

We are spending our last week here in Musiri, and it has been wonderful. I'm getting really sad. Tomorrow is our goodbye ceremony with all the kids from CDC, and I have been writing little notes to them and all I can think about, is how i have to say goodbye. Yesterday Courtney and I went for a walk up and down Musiri and two people that we had met stopped and talked to us. It was so cool realizing we had made such good friends. Amma is so sweet, we have been having so much fun with her. On Sunday I accidentally made her cry. Courtney was talking about how thankful she was for Kingsley and his family and I teared up, and at that moment we looked at each other and then she started to cry. These are sad, sad days in Musiri, but still God is so good. Words can't begin to express how thankful I am for such an amazing opportunity. I will never forget these people here. Sharmila, DineshKumar, prasanapriya, Mercy, Christy, Archana, Solomon, Ganesh, Gracy, Monisha, James Christopher, Manoj, Prasanth Kavipriya, Praveenkumar, Mr.Palini, Esther, Regina, Pradipa, Amma, Appa, Sweety, Kinglsey, and many others. We head to Kotagiri on Friday morning and we will be there until our sad departure. I love you all and Thank you for your prayers.

Love is Here

It’s hard to believe we’ve been here for over a month. We have about two weeks left here in India. This week we will be in Musiri, and we will be doing CDC each night. Next week we will head to Kotagiri, and then we will leave out of Coimbatore. This past week we went to Erode. We got to know the pastor and his family there. He gave each of us girl’s nicknames in Tamil. Mine was rose. In Erode we had lots of prayer meetings in peoples homes. I spoke about finding your security in God, and rejoicing through our suffering. Both times I could really feel the Holy Spirit working in my own heart. It was overall a busy five days. We had a lot of services and other things to keep us busy. On the last night, Monday night Courtney spoke about judging and to wrap it up she talked about how India is love. Kingsley told us that the number one thing in India is love, and he is so right. The hospitality given to us at each home is overwhelming. They all reflect God’s love. While Courtney was saying these things I started to think about leaving India and how sad and emotional I was going to be. I’m not gonna lie though I miss my family, friends, and SNU (Haha crazy I know.) I am praying that God will continue to speak through me. I get the joy of speaking the last Sunday in India. I’m a little nervous that I might burst into tears. I’m praying that God will give me the perfect topic to preach about that would really leave them with something to think about. God is so good and alive in these people’s hearts. Continue to pray that these last two weeks here would be fully focused on God, and not the distractions of getting to be home in a few weeks. Love you all!!