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! :)