Two weeks later....

Well, it's been about two weeks tomorrow since we stepped foot back on American soil and returned from India....wow, really, I went to India two weeks ago?!?! Oh, how life changes from one country to the other and how quickly a person can just go back to what they were doing before. Even though each of us have now returned to our jobs, our lives, our families, our old realities before India....we are different. It's not an easy task coming back from India to what sometimes seems to be such a mundane job....making sure a software application works just doesn't really seem to matter much when children are starving, women are getting beat, patients are getting turned away because they have AIDS....a little helpless is what you feel. Or being disappointed because I can't come home for Thanksgiving....but those children don't have anyone...they don't know who their parents are....their parents may have sold them to a brothel to pay for a meal to support the rest of the family....but I can call home, I can see my parents on Skype, I sat on the beach today, I still get to eat turkey with all of the fixins'....wow, how do you adjust? Helpless....how can I change their world? How can I make this world a better place? How can I make the injustice stop? I want them to feel all of the love I feel....but I am thousands of miles away and I don't know when I will see them again....how can I help?

We are changed. Each one of us is different....we understand a little bit better, a little bit deeper the injustices of the world....we understand a little bit better there is beautiful, human life outside of this nation and how the sun comes up over there and shines just as bright over there as it does here....we understand a little bit better how to love a little deeper....we understand a little bit better that God is everywhere and He loves everyone....no matter what...we are changed.

As I spoke to my cousin today about our trip, it sunk it a little bit more about what we actually did in the two weeks we were in India. We touched the Untouchables, we loved the unloved, we gave kids the world, we rattled some cages of pastors whose cages are unblemished (in their eyes), we stood up for those who have no voice....and we stood strong and spoke loudly! I am so proud of our team. We were authentic, pure, and real...I believe each one of us opened our hearts a little more than we ever imagined we could open them and I believe we were blessed in ways we haven't even found yet.

Since it is Thanksgiving, I should give my thanks. I am so, so, so grateful and thankful for the people of India. They have brought so many blessing to my life and have opened my eyes, my ears, my heart, and my soul...sometimes more than I would like them to be open, but they are wide open now!

I am thankful for the team of people I traveled with....they too have touched my heart and I couldn't be more proud of each one of them.

I am grateful I live in place with so much abudance, however, I am more grateful for the trip I took two weeks ago....for it taught me what it really means to be happy, to have everything, to have faith, and to love unconditionally (I could go on and on). I am so grateful for India.

I'm still not sure how to put this all into my everyday life, but I know I think about those children's smiles each day. I still feel the little old ladies' touch who grab my hand so tightly, but so softly. I still see the pain. I still hear the hope. In some sense....I am still there.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Ooops.

Please insert "14" instead of "7" in the next entry, I'm blaming jet lag.

"But the ocean would be less..."

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." Mother Teresa

Came across this quote in Nanci Ricks' book. Many times on this trip we felt that we were not really making a difference, how could the 7 of us make a difference to 250,000,000 Dalits? Can giving someone a few vitamins and Tylenol change their life? "But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop". Wow.

That last night in India our brothers and sisters gave us an idea of the difference we had made, the lives we had touched. People who had been refused medical care becuase they were HIV+ had received care. "Untouchables" had been touched, been given honor, been respected. We had honored the Dalit women of India. We had touched lives in ways we may never know.

At the farewell celebration, a group of girls did an interpretive dance to "Thank you for giving to the Lord". It destroyed all of us, especially me. For my team:

Thank You for Giving
to The Lord
Music & Lyrics by Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to Heaven, you were there with me.
We walked upon the streets of gold beside the Crystal Sea.
We heard the angels singing, then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man, and he was smiling as he came.
He said, "Friend you may not know me now," and then he said, "But wait -
You used to teach my Sunday School, when I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."


Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
Then another man stood before you, he said "Remember the time,
A missionary came to your church, His pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money but you gave it anyway.
Jesus took that gift you gave
And that's why I'm in Heaven today"


Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
One by one they came, far as your eyes could see.
Each life somehow touched by your generosity.
Little things that you had done, sacrifices that you made,
They were unnoticed on this earth
In Heaven now proclaimed.


Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
And I know up in Heaven you're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord
He said "My child look around you,
Great is your reward."


Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave,
I am so glad you gave.

Well said, Katie!

I think Katie put into words what we all feel as we adjust to being back home. 

Don't stop praying for us, as we experience sensory overload, reverse culture shock, and jet lag! Thanks to all who so cheerfully met us at the airport and so warmly greeted us. When I left the airport last night, three bags were still missing, so pray for those to show up today.  We can't wait to share our adventures with all of you! Invite us out for a big juicy hamburger and we'll tell you lots of stories!

We made it home safe...

As I stepped on the plane many, many hours ago in India to come home, I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready to leave my Indian brothers and sisters, I wasn't ready to leave the children, I wasn't ready to leave this incredible team and the bond, I wasn't ready to stop serving, I wasn't ready to come back to my reality of such abundance....I wasn't ready.

As I lay in my queen size bed in my parents beautiful home in the country and hear no honking horns, the smell is crisp, the air is clean....I'm kind of on overload again....but, I am beyond grateful.

I am grateful I was provided such an experience.

I am grateful for India--the people, the country, the smells, the food, the traffic, the trash, the dogs...it's one of a kind.

I will never forget our Indian brothers and sisters....they are possibly the most incredible people I have ever met. I have never felt so appreciated, loved, and cared for in my entire life. I felt like a VIP for 14 days. Their commitment to their own people, to Him, to us, is absolutely awe-inspiring.

I will never forget the children. Their innocence, their need, their love, their desire to be loved, their honesty, their strength, and their courage. Many of those children we met in the 14 days while we were there....I know many of them will grow up and have a part in changing this world. I hope I get a chance to work next to them someday.

I will never forget how my life will forever be changed by these 14 days.

More later to recap the end of the trip....I'm going to enjoy my queen size bed now.

A little taste of the last day....

And we thought it would be an easy day....

Well, the last day ends up being much like the first day...completely incredible, overwhelming, wonderful, devastating, humbling, and well, I can't think of any more words....it was just amazing!

Many of us started out the day visiting one of the slums....there are so many ways I can go with this blog and I'm not even sure where to start. Walking through the slums can literally tear a person's heart out....there is not a single soul in this world that should be forced to live this way....and I guarantee you, this isn't even the worst of the slums in India. I know there is worse....but honestly, it's just not right that little ones grow up with a sewer three steps from their door or for six or seven people to live in a house smaller than most people's bathroom in the United States....or having one bathroom for three to four houses. Each house has at least six or seven people living there...at least. It's just not right....

There were 40,000 people who lived in this slum...all of these people were all located within a couple mile radius....there were people on top of people, families on top of families, people everywhere. I read in a book once about the Dalits, about the slums.....how there is no beauty in a slum....except for the people. I now know what this author means.....beauty is hard to find among filth, sewage, dogs, people washing themselves outside, children running around without bottoms, and a woman using sticks to light a fire to boil the water for their rice for the day. The smell is beyond words. BUT, the people....are beautiful beyond comprehension. You see their souls in their eyes, their heart on their sleeves, and the hope in their smiles.

A little insight from Alicia!

Hello everyone! this is Alicia filling in for Katie for a bit (not that its easy to fill the shoes of someone who has such a gift for writing and telling a story) but i shall do my best!

We are nearing the end of this amazing journey that the 14 of us got to partake in. And what a ride it has been! The past few days looked a little something like this:

Yesterday we got to be a part of some of the teaching for those who serve here in India! Just about all of us got on that stage and shared a piece of our hearts with our brothers and sisters. However, those who didn't get on stage played a HUGE role in the prayer that we all needed at times. Suzie, Casey, Sarah, Jen, Adam and I were asked to share about our journeys with youth ministries. Casey did amazing at sharing a part of his story and how each child can be given the truths but they have to find meaning it those truths on their own. It was said after we had all shared about our different stories and struggles at times that "it was like pieces of a puzzle" that all fit together in the end. Then we did a really sweet version of the parable of the prodigal son. We started with a skit, (Stan was the older brother, Adam was the younger brother, and Pat was the father.) The most awesome part about that skit was when Adam came home, all of our Indian brothers and sisters broke in to song (which of course really added to the meaning of the story) "This is the day, this is the day that He has made!" It was pretty awesome to see! Then Celeste shared about being a younger brother, Ann about being the older brother, Pat about being the father, and Carla talked about the True Older Brother. They all did so well in not only sharing in some of their struggles but also in allow others to know that each missed out on a real relationship with the Father. Powerful!! Then we got to Carla and Katie talking about violence against woman. I know I speak for everyone on this team it was one of the most powerful talks. They really hit hard about how once anyone, man or woman, is abused they keep silent and that we must break the silence. You could totally feel the Holy Spirit in that room while they spoke totally from the heart on an issue that so many in this country and all over the world pretend like it doesn't exist. It was very powerful, and Carla later said that she saw many of them wiping away tears after they were finished. They expressed how the wives really do matter in the church and to the community.

Although it was a draining day, lots of people were nervous to get up and talk, but you couldn't tell once they were up and talking! It was so powerful how He is in this world!

Oh I almost forgot! Carla asked the everyone to all pray together (at the same time) about a few of the topics we covered that day, and I think all of us on the team were just amazed at the taste of Heaven we experienced! It was beautiful!

There was a small medical camp held in the afternoon, only a few people were asked to help with it, but i hear that had an amazing (but long day) meeting and hearing many of the stories from our brothers.

Such an amazing journey we have had together! We have been sharing a lot of highlights from the trip with one another. Some of us our very excited to get home and some of us are really not looking forward to it. So at times its been very bittersweet getting down to the last few hours. All of our brothers and sisters that we have met here have been amazing and the hospitality has been wonderful! I know we keep telling them thank you but at times thank you just isn't enough for all they have done and taught us!

I'm so blessed to be a part of this team! To know that each of us was called here for a reason, and that each of us had an part in seeing the world change.. its so cool to sit back and think that all know the meaning of "blessed are the poor, the sick, the weak" We all have looked into the eyes of children and known that they are children of an amazing King! We have laughed, cried, remembered, loved and rejoiced together! This is an amazing team. Beautifully placed together. I cant wait to get home and continue building on these relationships that we have made! I love you guys and gals from this team! :) you have totally have touched my heart and i will always, always be thankful for these 2 weeks with such a wonderful group of people! I will always look back on the night that we danced around a camp fire in India with many of you! Oh the memories we have made.. i love it! :)

Day 2 & 3---AIDS Clinic

I'm sorry to all for the lack of posting over the past couple of days...it's been a busy couple of days since we have been back to the Internet world and emotionally draining. The trip is coming to an end and I'm not really looking forward to heading back to reality at all. I will have a couple of days on an airplane in my near future, so I will be sure to have the blog completed by the time we arrive home on Friday evening. Still check on Saturday and Sunday as I will try to wrap things up for everyone. Blessings to each one of you who has kept our team, our Indian brothers and sisters, and the poor and oppressed of India in your prayers. We have felt them all the way across the world and see your prayers lifting up so many here in India! Thank you.

Day 2 and 3 at the AIDS clinic were awesome, but the team was definitely feeling the affects of being in India for 8 or 9 days....whatever it was at that point. We were able to help so many people and help people who are rejected by so many just because of the illnesses they suffer, but I think our team was just worn out...but we made it through the 3 days and when we departed the AIDS clinic it was not easy. We were leaving behind special people who are doing special work!

Over the couple of days, we served about 150 patients and about 45 of them were suffering from HIV/AIDS. The incredible thing about this service to all of these people is so special....this ministry was started because many of them go to a hospital to be treated and are turned away....just because they have HIV or AIDS. The leader, or project manager, of the AIDS clinic, Mr. T, told us a story of how he started this clinic. It was pretty incredible. In 2000, he met a 16 year old boy who was deathly ill....Mr. T took this young man to the hospital to be treated at a government hospital and the doctor took him into the room, checked him over, and said "Nope, can't treat him." Mr. T says..."What, why." Doctor..."He has AIDS." So, Mr. T took him back to the boy's house, spent the rest of the day with him, and the young man died 6 or 7 hours later. Since that day, Mr. T has had a passion in his heart for those suffering from HIV/AIDS since that day....he has studied HIV/AIDS, he has started a ministry, started a clinic....first doctors saw patients under a tent and now, you can see the building that exists as the clinic on the last blog. He has incredible drive, dedication, and such a HUGE heart for these people who no one will touch.

The heart wrenching part of the days were seeing the little kids who were infected with HIV….so sad and devastating…it was written all over their faces that they did not feel good…they didn’t feel right! These kids did nothing wrong, yet, from the day they are born, they are rejected from this world.....they don't feel good, they suffer each day in a home that isn't really a home, they are forced to live a normal life without normal things....impossible.

All of the medical folks were really excited about the medical camps because they finally got to do some good medical work....or so I am told. I had a really hard time understanding what they felt was so awesome about in between the times of trying not to throw up!!!

They worked with a blind man (which was on-set from diabetes) who had been in a vehicle accident and it had severed three of his toes. There was an open wound on the bottom of his foot....open wound doesn't really describe what it looked like and the assumed pain we thought he would feel....but when they touched the bottom of his foot he hardly even flinched. Then, they discovered he had a large abscess on his bottom, a huge abscess on his groin and another under his arm. Dr. John said he thought the abscesses had been there for weeks, maybe even months. That is not so normal....you could hear the pain from the screams throughout the clinic....it pulled at the heart strings a bit!

Another woman had a burn wound from a car accident and another man with an abscess under his arm....these people have not had treatment for so long....some of the things so simple in America to be treated and these people suffer for weeks, maybe months, sometimes years....without relief.

Each one of these precious people had been to different doctors and hospitals for treatment....each had been rejected.

Team Cobra...

Let it be known that cobras exist in India, that is a fact. Whether there were any within 1,000 miles of the clinic is unknown, however, not a single child or adult was attacked by a cobra during the time we were there. I say, Mission Accomplished!!!

Cobra 1

Day 1---AIDS Clinic

Last Sunday, (a few days ago now), we traveled about 3 to 4 hours to a new village which has the AIDS clinic we (TEAM India) hopes to partner with someday. The team that traveled to India last year came to the same clinic to hold women's empowerment conferences, however, last year, they were under tents and traveled over 7 hours to get here....their driver got lost several times!

The pictures at the bottom will show the progress made on the grounds of the HIV/AIDS clinic. They now have a clinic with two rooms for doctors, one room for a lab (someday), a couple of rooms for in-patient, and another room for the pharmacy and registration. The pharmacy has a significant supply of medicines, however, they are still missing a lot of stuff. (That is my medical way of saying all of this medical stuff since I have no medical knowledge whatsoever!) The best part about all of this, the medical clinic just opened in August 2009 and started out providing clinic two days a week....and now has clinic almost every day of the week. They have a doctor who comes into the clinic for two hours each day...we had the chance to meet her...she was a great lady and soooo smart! Has such a heart for her own people and for those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

The first day at the clinic was a Sunday service and then a women's empowerment conference. After a long drive (not as long as some have seemed), we arrived to a clinic packed with women and children for the service. It was a great service...it included the "Everything" drama and was capped off with Alicia providing her own testimony in her journey to Him. It was so powerful....I couldn't have been more proud of Alicia...for her strength, for her courage, and for her passion to help those suffering in India. She was willing to put herself out there in hopes of helping just one person! Crazy enough, she did....I think she helped more than one person....one of the Indian women gave her own family's testimony and she was completely grateful for Alicia's testimony and talked about how her family was going through similar trials! Way to go, Alicia!

After the service, we had a women's empowerment conference for about 35 teenage women. For me, it was the best conference we had all week because it was so clear how much it was needed for these women. They hung on every single word....the hurt, the pain, the hope in their eyes made each session so powerful and so worth everything we prepared....or came up with 5 minutes before presented.

The other awesome part about the conference was having the opportunity to stand up with my mom and teach the girls....I have never been more a proud daughter and was so honored to speak next to my mother...she's pretty cool. The passion she holds in her heart for all of our Indian brothers and sisters is so incredible and so motivating....hence, why Pat and I are on this trip! Anyways, each topic we talked about revolved around how precious each one of these girls were...as I said before, how they hung on to every word makes me want to come back next year. I was up in the air until this conference....they need so much information, so much love, so much hope....they just need the world....they have the world in front of them, they just don't know it!

As for some of the other team members, they got to put the word flexible to good use as they were greeted, unexpectedly, by about 70 kids....we didn't know we were going to be entertaining the kiddos that day, so we didn't really have any of our toys or anything like that....so, Suzie, Casey, John, Jen, Alicia, and Sarah had a lot of improvising to do...but, managed incredibly well!

You may have noticed I didn't mention Stan, Pat, and Adam....yes, well, they started to wander off and later told us they were on cobra patrol...yep, your guess is as good as mine, but we didn't see any, so I guess they did their job well!

Over all the first day in our new city/village was pretty good....but I heard from a lot of the team members, and I felt it too, these three days were a bit challenging for everyone. I think we all hit a bit of a wall of fatigue, mentally drained, and then.....well, the smell in our new home away from home was NOT so pleasant!

The poverty in our new place, the people, the smells....just the surroundings all together were not the best we have had throughout the trip. Nothing unsafe or anything, just a step in a different direction I'm not sure any of us were prepared to take at this point in the trip....I think each new step is an unexpected one, but this one I think was tough for some of us....but, we made it through! Some of us had to put our scarfs over our noses as we walked through the halls or be reminded to wipe the "eeewww" look off our of faces, but we made it through. I'm not kidding you, there is nothing to really describe the smell in India....and in this place it seemed extra strong....and it happened the minute we walked out of the van and into the hotel. It was like running into a brick wall of curry mixed with some bodily smells and others.....all mixed up....not so pleasant....my words don't even describe it!

On a funny note, there was some famous politician was staying in the same hotel we were....his picture was plastered everywhere throughout the city! It reminded me a lot like DC and preparing for Inauguration and everything....the funny part, when we drove home for the evening, people were standing everywhere waiting for his motorcade. What we found out later is those people were paid by this political party to stand out there and cheer for him! What do you think our President would say if I called and asked him to reimburse me for my time Carla and I froze our buns off cheering for him in January?!?! Anyways, we all got a kick out of that one!

1. This is the tent the team taught under last year....obviously, they have had some rain....

2. This is the new clinic that was built since the team was here last year! Incredible, huh? It was a beautiful building and they have done such an amazing job to get it up and running!

3. Alicia giving her testimony! We are so proud of her...

4. The women at the women's empowerment conference.

5. This is just a little insight to the exhaustion and the smell we all have endured over the past few days. Really, Pat has been way more exciting than this picture shows, but I thought it was a good one of Janer!

Probably the Best Day Ever....

Well, today was maybe one of our best days in India. We had a relaxed morning, had a team debrief (which was awesome, but super intense...anytime I have to talk, it's intense for me!), the four came back from the North, and we got to spend the evening with about 17 kids from an orphanage! So, I know I have said on a few of my earlier pictures of kids that they were the cutest kids ever, well, we might have some competition!

So, the evening was perfect!!! Suzie had the most wonderful program set up for the kids....the smile on these kids' faces absolutely melts your heart. We had beanie babies for all of them so we set them up on the chairs in the front of the room....we had to make the largest display ever! We blew up balloons to show how big of a celebration it was....just for them! We had music playing in the background....it was set up for every kid's dream!

When those 17 kids entered that room, it was like the whole world lit up! They were so excited to see us, so polite, and so kind....they all ran up to us, gave us hugs and kisses....I love it....they all call us Auntie or Uncle. It's pretty much fantastic to hear these little voices calling you Auntie, pulling on your hand to hold it and sticking close to you like a young, shy child in a crowded room. The most beautiful thing about these children, is it's not about the beanie babies sitting in the front of the room waiting for them (although they did love those things), it's about us. They run up to us and want to touch us, want us to love them....even though some of us didn't know them! The team last year got to meet all of these wonderful kids, so they were reunited with some of their friends...there were five new kids they hadn't met yet. How lucky are we? It was like having 17 nieces and nephews running up to you when they haven't seen you in a long time....running to you with open arms....aaawwww, there is absolutely nothing like it! So incredible!

First, we did a skit for them about the lost sheep and how they can always cry out and He will heart them...it was quite good and quite fun. Then, of course, we had to make a Minnie Me showing....Jen, Janer and Ann did fantastic. Then, on to handing out licorice and toothbrushes. Then, on to coloring....I forgot how much fun it is to color with little kids...I can't wait to color with Gabe, Melia, Sophie and Molly when I get home....it will bring on a whole new meaning. Finally, after all of that....they are really patient aren't they....they got to pick out their very own beanie baby! I can't even really put into words this experience....we called each one of them up, one by one, and they got to pick out the one they wanted. The youngest girl went first and then the boys, youngest to oldest. I must say, the boys did great and were so patient. After each one picked their favorite one, we cheered as though they had just won a million dollars. They were so delighted in their own selection, their own toy, their own possession, maybe their only.... I think everyone of them had a grin about 17 miles long. No one ever showed any disappointment if someone else picked the one they wanted, they each cheered for each other, and no one ever fought over another person's toy....it was the coolest, most humbling experience to be a part of and to witness. They were such good little kids....now, of course, it's the great thing about being an Auntie, I spent four hours with them and don't ever have to discipline them, but still, I'm not going to let that shade my view! They are amazing kids.

After they received their beanie babies, we switched into a room that was much smaller and much more crowded....but, so much more personable. You had no choice but to lay your heart on the floor with those kids and to love them....they were so close to you and just wanted to soak in as much love as humanly possible in that short amount of time we had with them. We sang so many songs, prayed with them, ate KFC with them, played games....we just got to be kids with them....for almost 4.5 hours! They taught us quite a few songs actually. It was so much fun and I was so proud of them....and you could just see the pride beaming from their eyes...not only about teaching us, but the passion they had for what they were singing was absolutely electrifying. The innocence in that room tonight was so refreshing...to be like a sponge to soak everything up, to be so eager, to maybe not understand fully what they really have endured up to this point in their lives.....each child in this world is one of the most precious blessings on the face of this earth. Thankfully, they believe they have so much to life to live. They want to go to learn. They want to go to school. They have dreams. They want to put their hand print on this world. I know I keep saying this....but these kids were pretty much incredible.

I just ask that each one of you who read this blog today, squeeze your kids a little tighter when you hug them, tell them you love them one extra time, maybe read their favorite book one more time, tell them how special they are, spend five extra minutes with them, and tell them how precious they are in His eyes....

Many of these children are so blessed to be in this orphanage because of our Indian brother and sister are doing absolutely amazing things.....but many of them, haven't ever heard or won't ever hear those things from their parents....ever again.

Dudley hijacking another persons computer again...

TEAM India is again reunited!! The North Division flew out of Hyderabad this morning and are back together now. It was not without an interesting twist. We arrived at the airport, thankfully early thanks to little traffic at 7 am and having Mark Martin as our driver, and found out that our return tickets had been purchased for yesterday morning instead of this morning. I remember thinking "This could be problematic". Ok, is no problem, we'll just get new tickets. "Thank you sir, that will be 13,750 rupees please" No problem, toss down the VISA card. "I'm sorry, sir, your card is not international card and will not be accepted". Pat and I start emptying our wallets and come up with the required fare, get our boarding passes with minutes to spare (they had 5 seats left on the plane, 4 of us), and make the flight back.

Thank you Kingfisher Airlines, you have very competent employees!!!

On to further adventures!!!

Each Has Their Own Story

Yesterday, we had, what I would consider, a fairly relaxing day...but it was pretty intense too! We went to the base of our Indian brothers and sisters and the team had the opportunity to meet so many people! It was so awesome....our hosts are doing so much in the movement of the Dalits it's incredible....they should really be honored for all they are doing and all the people they are bringing to India to fight for the poor and the oppressed. There was a gentlemen named Micheal Lawson. He has created many documentaries on the Dalits and the Indian people....he is now shooting a new documentary on the abuse of Indian women....they are probably going to title it...Forgotten Indian Women. It should be quite amazing. We also got to meet a young Indian woman who has been working in India for 17 or 18 years now and is starting to work in the sex trafficking arena....she was quite an unusual Indian woman....quite contrary to many of the Indian women we have spoken to thus far....she was very driven, not afraid to speak out against men and if they are being ridiculous, and just so strong. It was quite inspiring.

Carla and I had the opportunity to hear a couple of the women's stories that will be on the film. The stories are absolutely gut-wrenching....

Both of the women have the same basis, but different details making them each their own story....it just angers me to no end the atrocities these women face....and a bit helpless, but it felt good to just look them in the eyes and let them know we cared about them and they are loved! Both of the women were basically deceived by men of the upper caste system who were landlords and had their own rice fields and such. They both were told they would be provided for, loved, given much in their lives, and they had nothing to worry about....they gave up everything to be with these men because they were in a higher caste. Their families warned them about marrying men in an upper caste and that they could not support them once they married up because their families were still in such a lower caste. I asked Carla if she felt the women understood eventually that the men didn't love them....she said that their love is not like the way we think of love....it's not about feeling compassion, feeling safety in another person, finding your soul mate, it's about being provided for....being able to eat....having a place to live.....

One of women, Ponnai, really had no emotions when she told her story...she just told her story and moved on. She was describing how her marriage went after "she fell madly in love" with this man....she ended up becoming pregnant four different times from this man. Each time, he would take her to the hospital for an "injection" for the baby. The injection would make her unconscious and she would wake up and her baby would be aborted....a fifth pregnancy was nearly full term and again, the baby was killed.... During her marriage, she also found out this man was married to another woman, who actually had a son from this man....this son, would come and beat her for several days....she showed us scars that she had all over her body.

Another woman, Rose, she was a bit older than Ponnai...her skin a little bit more worn and wrinkled....you could tell she has lived a life....not so full...but she has made it through. She showed quite a bit more emotion and was much more soft in her heart. Rose was the youngest of three daughters growing up in her family and her father died when she was very young of an illness. She, nor her sisters, have ever been to school one day of their lives.... I really felt all Rose lived for as a young girl was to find a man who would take care of her and to marry....when she found this man of the upper caste, she said "I was so excited, I had so much hope..." They were married for 10 years and had no children....well, she was pregnant, but again, she had an abortion. These two women both had abortions because the men were in higher castes than the women and it's not culturally accepted for them to have children with a lower caste......stirs a little anger in ya, doesn't it? Rose wasn't able to conceive anymore children after her first abortion so they did not have any children throughout their 10 year marriage. This man was also married to another woman and basically kept Rose around to work in the rice fields. He left her about 2 years ago....she has so much shame over this marriage because she has no children, she has no husband now, she has no family....the woman has 3 saris to her name. She has nothing....however, there was something that brought just a glimmer of hope to her eyes. She still goes to church every Sunday....and really, all she wants is to be baptized....she said this several different times. Really, that is all she wants.....is to be baptized!

Both of these women work as laborers in the rice fields for about 30 rupees per day.....that is less than $1 per day. That is what they have to look forward to each day. One of the women has worked in the rice patty for over 8 years....from 6am to 3 or 4 in the afternoon.....hard labor for 9 to 10 hours a day...think you could do it? I don't think I could....

Yesterday, as I listened to these stories, I am not sure it really sunk in how much these women go through and endure through this life....as I write today, my heart breaks for these women and makes me wonder how these women find hope in each day....but they do, they find hope through the conferences our Indian brothers and sisters are holding, they find hope through Him, and know someday, their lives will be good.

WOW....that is all I can say.



1. Carla connecting with Ponnai and Rose.



2. Ponnai after we spoke with her....you can feel the block in her heart. Please pray for Ponnai, as we all know how that feels to just not want to go there....



3. Rose....she was so beautiful and just hung on every word Carla said....she really wanted her story to be heard. Please pray for her, too...I think she can feel it!

TEAM India, North report

Good day from the North India Team. We arrived safely, had a 2 hour drive to the base. Had lunch, met with the people we needed to meet with, good results from the meeting. Watched a little cricket, India was losing to Australia in Hyderabad. Had our nightly debrief on the roof of the dorm.

Friday, went to visit a DEC school. Stopped at a slum on the way back where they are also teaching some kids. Arrived for another meeting, then got access to internet to update things.

Miss Skyping with my wife, haven't "seen" her for a couple of days. Did get to ride an Indian motorcycle...first time in 7 days I've been in control of the vehicle. Tonight heading out to a medical camp, then return to South and rejoin the team tomorrow.

Dudley for TEAM India North.

WE Conference #2 and Mini-medical camp #2

Yesterday was womens empowerment conference #2 and mini-medical camp #2. This conference and camp took place in a little village not far from where we were staying....not far meaning it really only took us about an hour to get there! Let me tell ya, we have lots and lots of team bonding time on that bus!! :)

I would say the village was a little less like a village and more like a "neighborhood" in the big city. As we pulled onto the single lane dirt road, I noticed so much more poverty, so much more devastation, than the place we went the few days before....this was definitely a bit more bleak than the couple days prior....their were women washing their clothes outside, banging their clothes against the rocks to get the soap out, scrubbing like crazy to get the dirt out....can you imagine? And I have sent my clothes to get laundered here....I wonder if I am making those same women do my laundry?

As bleak as it may have been when we got out of the van, there were still people so interested to see why were there....then, we walked closer to the conference hall and all we could here was glorious music pouring out. It was so amazing to hear people so passionate and so grateful to be able to serve....and to just be alive.

Throughout the day, the bleakness continued to subside through all the women at the conference who so intently hung on to every word we said and to all of the women and men we had the opportunity to touch through our medical camp. Even though we treated a lot of kids the day before at the DEC, the kids we treated yesterday seemed so much more run down, sick, and weak. Many of them clung to their mothers....some just laid limp in their mothers arms....and others just slept on the floor as hundreds of people passed by them each second.... It just goes to show all the good coming out of what our Indian brothers and sisters are doing in these villages in communities by starting these schools....hopefully, one day soon, the village we went to yesterday will be afforded these same opportunities.

The days have been long, but the team is doing well. It seems like each night we arrive home around 7:30 and then meet for a debrief and some food. Most have said how incredibly exhausting this all is, but how honored and privileged they feel to be here and to be serving the one we love the most. Each has said how humbled we are by our Indian brothers and sisters who make US...make US feel so special for being here and take no credit at all. If you want to learn how to be the hostest with the mostest....you should come to India....now they know how to host!

It's been an incredible experience....we are half-way through after today....I can't believe it's going so fast....but we are trying to soak up each minute to learn and help as much as we can!!!

Casey, Pat, Stan, and Alicia all went to another city yesterday to get a better understanding of what and how TEAM India can help in the future....Casey and Alicia are checking out new opportunities for longer term possibilities in India. They will meet up with us again tomorrow and we will be excited to have them back...

Oh yes, I can't forget to tell you about our dinner experience last night. We were having a meeting up in the restaurant of our hotel (which was on the top floor, has a roof, but is kind of open air...if you know what I mean). So, we are sitting there talking and discussing our day and out of the corner of my eye, I notice a furry animal scurrying up the side of the wall....being from Nebraska, I didn't think it was any big deal....just thought it was a squirrel. Suzie was sitting right across from me and I think my head spun around about six times and I looked to her and her eyes were as big as saucers too! Yep....it had a long tail.....yes, it was a rat! I'm not sure I can really write anything other than that, because well, I had a few nightmares about it last night during my sleep! It was definitely not the highlight of my trip so far....gross!

Well, I must close. We are getting ready to head to breakfast and then to the base to hang out with our Indian brothers and sisters.

Hope all is well in Nebraska....thanks again for all of your support and prayers.

One Meal A Day

Today we had the opportunity to go back to the DEC and do our first womens empowerment conference. We were blessed with approximately 70 women to talk with them about nutrition, germs, hygiene and Carla talked about how each of them are so very precious. Carla prepared a wonderful message and I believe she really touched each of them...

The really exciting and cool part of today was we were blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the Inaugural midday meal program. We got to serve all of the women a meal consisting of rice, a cucumber and onion dish (I'm sure there is a fancy Indian name for this, but I'm lost for words right now...and no one around to ask), and a glass of water. They were served on brand new aluminum plates and cups....no silverware because we eat with our hands here....it's quite fun! (It's quite a technique, too) This midday meal program is the first meal program at this specific school and will provide at least one healthy meal to each of the children each day.....this may be the only meal they get all day long....providing nutrition and vitamins. (We have all sorts of new ideas for our partners back in Nebraska) It was really an incredible experience to be able to serve the children and women....so humbling to know we were able to serve our Indian brothers and sisters with a gift we so take for granted each and every meal.

Here are some pics....



1. Suzie helping the kids unwrap all of the new plates and cups....they were so excited. A part of me thinks they may not have even realized what they were unwrapping, but a part of me believes they realize more than we do how important and special it was today.



2. Carla loading up the first meals to be distributed to the women and children!



3. One of the cutest kids ever....everyone else on the team of course has their favorites, but I thought this boy was so adorable...




4. This girl danced for us in the opening welcome ceremony and I thought she was beautiful then...she has a glow to her. Every time I saw her yesterday, she caught my eye....I'm not sure why. Then, today, when Suzie and I were walking around to all of the classrooms, she was playing Hangman with the children in one of the rooms. I thought this picture really displays her heart, her class, her beauty, and her glow.....she was so proud to be teaching those children.



5. This was the classroom Suzie and I got to spend some time in today....now, these kids, were so darn cute. They were all 4 and 5 (miss you Gaber) and they sang us so many songs. They were brilliant....they new their math tables, body parts, and lots of other things that, I'm not going to lie, I couldn't really pick up because I couldn't understand, but their songs were so long and I was amazed at their knowledge. It was so fun to see their pride and hope for the future! Suzie and I only had about 10 minutes, so we taught them the Itsy Bitsy Spider....they picked up on it pretty quick, but the teacher said they would have it down in a week....I have no doubts!

Hope all is well in America....please keep us in your prayers as well as all of our Indian brothers and sisters! Thank you for your continued support.

A few pics for ya....

1. Janer being "Mini-me" teaching about washing hands, brushing teeth, eating healthy, washing hair, and stretching. Ann was standing behind her and was "the hands" and Janer's hands are the feet....this was pretty much hilarious and the women loved it! She may have to demonstrate when we get home.



2. Some of the group before we started our womens empowerment meetings. Each morning we gather with our Indian brothers and sisters before we start our day for prayer and to talk about the group we are about to meet.



3. All of the little ones who were waiting for us when we arrived yesterday....I am not kidding, they are adorable.



4. A picture of all our women with the sweepers....whom we were "not allowed" to meet with this time around....it just so happened when we were waiting to leave our hotel yesterday, a few of them gathered around. It was so cool. Sweepers are women who use a homemade broom (not so big) to sweep the street all day long. They are bent over for hours upon hours sweeping up dirt, human excrement, trash....then they take two pieces of cardboard and pick up their pile and put it on their cart....yep...I didn't believe it either until I saw it with my own two eyes....



5. Casey, Adam, Jen, Carla, Suzie, Alicia, and Sarah performing the "Everything" drama at the Special Sunday service.....like I said, they did fantastic. Brought the audience to tears.

And this was only our second (or third) day....

Yesterday when we went to the Dalit Education Center. We turned down a dirt road into a little village...bopping up and down, the butterflies were in my stomach, as I had NO idea what was actually ahead of me. My mom said this wasn't as run down and poor as some of the villages they saw last year. This village at least had cement building they called their homes. As usual, there were a couple of cows roaming in the streets, tons of dogs, and people sitting outside just waiting for the world....

What was ahead of me were probably 300-400 kids from ages 3 to 11 just waiting for arrival!! They were SOOO excited to see us. They cheered for us, clapped and waved uncontrollably. What an honor....I mean really, who are we to deserve such a blessing and so much love!! All of us were overcome with emotion and it was such joy to be there and to be able to serve them....it was SOO much fun! They are so precious, so innocent, and so humble. They just want to be loved..... The best part is when they see you have a camera, they run up to and tap you on the shoulder or tug on your scarf and point to your camera and then to themselves....it's absolutely adorable. Then, of course, they want to see themselves! It's so fantastic.

Throughout the day we provided medical care to over 250 people....not without a little chaos, but for the most part, it was a successful, honorable day. We actually sent two people to the hospital...one with enlarged liver and/or possible abscess and possible appendicitis. Towards the end of the day, my mom was checking a lady out and asking her about her symptoms and struggles. Her two children stood around her with their school uniforms on, so proud. She didn't really have a lot of complaints, but complained so much about back pain. She slowly handed my mom a picture of her and a little boy with deformed and over sized head. His head was probably the size of a large ball...bigger than a basketball...and deformed. He was an adorable little boy and she was so proud of him, but it was getting harder and harder to care for him. She had to carry him everywhere which caused all of the back pain....however, he was getting so big that she could hardly carry him anymore. Thankfully, she did say her husband was at home to help care for him. It's amazing what these people do....in the end, my mom held her hands and told her how special her little boy was and how incredible she was. I was so proud of my mom, but the pride in my mom and I's heart for this woman was overwhelming....she does it day in and day out and we were blessed with the opportunity to love her, touch her, and treat her with love and dignity........so, we took her to get a massage. How simple.....and how she touched our lives.

There are many more stories that touched our lives yesterday, but I must close....we are off to the DEC again today to do a womens empowerment conference.

Thank you for your continued support and love....please pray for our Indian brothers and sisters too.

Dudley posting under Katie's name:

A clarification on the bus issue on the previous post. The reason for the honking is that WE were in the wrong side of a 1-way road, cause our driver thought we would have to turn right, so of course he went the wrong way down a 1 way to achieve this. Traffic here is unbelieveable.

Finding out Skype is a wonderful thing. Donna just has her computer on in the evenings and I call her when I get a chance. So good to see someone when you are talking to them, and don't have to go find a phone somewhere blocks away. Even got to see my kitty today, she (the cat) didn't seem all that impressed with the technology.

Off to medical camp to play McGuyver....

Dudley

Where do I begin....

Well, we are all here safe and sound and we are going on day three tomorrow....I think. All of the days are starting to run together as yesterday (the day we arrived) was possibly the longest day (which was really three) EVER!

This blog is from a newbie's perspective, so be sure to check in with one of the veterans to be sure I got this all right...pretty much my eyes are as big as saucers!!!

I will try highlight some of our adventures for you over the past couple of days.

Traffic---wow, the traffic in India is as bad as they say and they are not kidding when they say you can't really watch and it is absolutely crazy! Yep, it is....NUTS! When we arrived on Sunday, our Indian brothers and sisters picked us up at the airport and it was so incredible to see them. They are just so fantastic, so welcoming, so loving, and SOOOO giving! Thankfully, they are also amazing drivers too! Indian traffic is a bit like organized chaos if there is such a thing. There is a yellow line, but no one really adheres to it and mostly, they honk the horn constantly. We had a stand-off today with another bus (we were in a van)....neither car wanted move....so, after about 5 to 10 minutes of constant honking, the bus that was picking up passengers in the right lane (which is our left lane) decided he ought to move. Yep, craziness!

Food---food isn't so bad....most of the team is doing well eating the food, however, there are a few members who will scowl at me for even writing this down. The first day was a little rough on the food side of things, but we are getting more used to it. It may be different when we go into the villages.

Accommodations---we have actually been very blessed. We have stayed in a couple of very beautiful hotels. The one we are staying it for the next few days actually has an American shower. I'm not sure if it has hot water yet, but I will let you know tomorrow!! Makes a person a little guilty when we are serving the least of these and come back to such glorious accommodations...but, there most be a reason, so we are just going to be so gracious!!!

Shopping---wow, what an experience. There were about 8 of us that went shopping...I think. It's all running together now. What we thought would be a fairly simple trip, turned into about a 4-5 hour ordeal, one person getting sick, and a lot of salwars later. It worked out great in the end, but man, sitting in a long hallway for a store with about 30 people in there after being awake 20 hours....not such a good idea!

Our Indian brothers and sisters---wow, what incredible people. On Sunday we went to a "special" service on the base. It was just a fascinating experience. There is so much faith, devotion, conviction (a word used by one of my team members...and so accurate) and love among these people, you can't do anything else but give it all right back to them. I have kind of just stood back in awe of it all....usually trying to always push my chin up! It is so wonderful the humility they have....they all want to have their picture taken and they just want to look at themselves. How interesting, huh? They are quite possibly the best hosts in the world. They get everything for us, gave us the hugest celebration/orientation yesterday....it is absolutely incredible to feel such love and commitment from a group of people. They are all so devoted to their positions and their calling....

Poverty---I know I keep saying wow....but wow. We have such wonderful lives at home....the way people live here is just out of this world. A person doesn't understand what it is really like and how bad it really is until you step food into this world. There is trash everywhere....I mean, EVERYWHERE; homeless, sick dogs everywhere; women sweeping up the streets with straw brooms; beggars (even small children or the smallest, most fragile old women will come up to the van and just stick their hand in the van, with the faintest of voices, begging, pleading for something). The hardest part is the beauty also in India and how the downridden, oppressed, filthy, poor, go so unnoticed. They are in every person's site, however, they are invisible to their own brothers and sisters. I suppose one would say that is true in America, however, I'm not sure it is on the same scale. In fact, I know it isn't!!

Today we actually got to have somewhat of a day of rest. We were able to some beautiful tourist attractions and just enjoy great laughs, wonderful conversations among the team and with our Indian brothers and sisters. It was a great day to get re-energized for what I hear.....the next 10 days!

The team we have is in phenomenal. Each individual here is just that.....they add something unique to the team and provide a piece of insight or experience someone else may not have. Casey, Sarah, Carla, Alicia, Suzie, Jen, and Adam all performed a skit to the song "Everything" by Lifehouse (try to check it out on YouTube) for our Indian brothers and sisters as a part of the special service. It was absolutely beautiful....at certain parts of the skit, they were cheering, I had goosebumps the entire time, and at the end, when I looked out amongst our Indian brothers and sisters, all I saw was tears. They understood what we were telling them....we were telling them they were loved.....no matter what....

I couldn't have been more proud of my team yesterday when they performed that skit.....it was just so awesome!!

There is just so much happening all in one place. So much beauty, yet, tremendous poverty and filth...

I am really excited for tomorrow (and nervous) because it will be our first medical camp. I think the next 10 days will be absolutely nuts, but I am really looking forward to it. Actually, showing so many so much of what they deserve....love and respect!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

"What Really Matters..."

Philippians 1:10 Paul writes, "For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return."

This learning curve for this---trying to get a grasp on "what really matters"--- is definitely an incredibly steep curve for all of us on the team, and that's been a very good thing. We sense, hear, and see God in the lives of our friends and co-workers here. Our best attempt at describing this: God is doing something here, and there is definitely a sense that this is "holy ground."  Our awe-factor has gone through the roof on many occasions!

For example, the meeting with sweepers that was "not able to be arranged" happened spontaneously outside our hotel yesterday morning. I guess we know Who is in charge of the scheduling here! Today we are expecting more than 200 at the medical camp. We will touch them one by one. we will give dignity and respect to every precious soul. We will offer our skills, our hands, our words, our selves to be  vessels for the healing balm of God's Spirit today. 

Each of the team members are doing well. Physically, we seem to have all recovered from the complete exhaustion of travel plus a very full first day. Yesterday, we had a few hours to relax and see some of the history and beauty of India. I highly recommend riding an elephant together as an excellent team bonding experience! 

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and your ongoing partnership with us!