This week has been busy as I've been part of the new intern orientation classes a good chunk of yesterday and today and will be again tomorrow. Meanwhile, printers continue to spew forth excess tonor, Palms continue to have errors, and permissions on the network continue to change. My coordinators are on their way to India in less than two weeks, so the network is giving out problems - our packetshaper (think something that controls huge amounts of computer talk in an office) is having connection problems and we got a new one in the mail today that they'll be installing tomorrow. You can pray for that!
JH - our new intern - has been a blessing in the house as we all reach beyond our normal comfort zones to lift her up and encourage her and welcome her to the house. We can all use your prayers for guidance and wisdom and knowing the Lord's will. One of my interns is visiting the doctor on Thursday to check for bronchitis and JH is struggling with a bad headcold too.
Gujarat: a state in western Indian that is fanatically Hindu. We received word of a festival that is being held there starting on February 11th. The Hindu party is estimating that 500,000 Hindus will gather in a remote tribal area of the state under the slogan of "Arise oh Hindus! Throw out the Christians!". The gfa.org website will soon have information, but you can follow this link to a detailed article as well.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
An evening of spagetti - a year of growth
JH said good-bye to her parents and brother today about noon as they started out on the six hour drive home. The girls in my house spent the afternoon talking..and talking...and talking. I napped for two hours in the middle of it and they were still talking when I woke up. Community building in progress, anyone?
We got to meet the three new guy interns tonight as their house came to join us and the intern coordinators for spagetti and salad and brownies. As the evening wore on, discussions of sports, Ultimate Frisbee, families, churches, and dreams for this next year filled the living room. It was interrupted at times by 6 year old Kimberly. Her parents are in India for three weeks, so she's been staying with one of the intern coordinator's family. Since the lady taking care of her has only boys, I took time to french-braid Kimberly's hair tight enough to keep her eyes open and hopefully keep her hair out of her face for the next four days.
Me: "If you need something more to drink, Josh is strong enough to pour more apple juice for you."
Kimberly: "But, um, Auntie Dorinda, um... Josh isn't stronger than Jesus."
We got to meet the three new guy interns tonight as their house came to join us and the intern coordinators for spagetti and salad and brownies. As the evening wore on, discussions of sports, Ultimate Frisbee, families, churches, and dreams for this next year filled the living room. It was interrupted at times by 6 year old Kimberly. Her parents are in India for three weeks, so she's been staying with one of the intern coordinator's family. Since the lady taking care of her has only boys, I took time to french-braid Kimberly's hair tight enough to keep her eyes open and hopefully keep her hair out of her face for the next four days.
Me: "If you need something more to drink, Josh is strong enough to pour more apple juice for you."
Kimberly: "But, um, Auntie Dorinda, um... Josh isn't stronger than Jesus."
Friday, January 27, 2006
JH has arrived!
The new class of RTR Interns has arrived. JH is the girl who is moving into my house. She and her parents and brother drove up today from the Houston area. They got a tour of the ministry, met the internship leaders, unloaded their stuff at the house, and then took us all to dinner. We had a great opening evening of conversation, talking about internship expectations, schedules, church backgrounds, and missions in general.
You can pray for JH and her family. Her youngest brother is seven and her entire family is close. This is her first time away from home and she's quite nervous. She's actually spending the night at the hotel with her parents. They'll say good-bye tomorrow morning.
You can pray for us as a house as well--that we would have unity and be able to glorify God together. Your prayers are a huge blessing!
You can pray for JH and her family. Her youngest brother is seven and her entire family is close. This is her first time away from home and she's quite nervous. She's actually spending the night at the hotel with her parents. They'll say good-bye tomorrow morning.
You can pray for us as a house as well--that we would have unity and be able to glorify God together. Your prayers are a huge blessing!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Labor, rest, and prayer
Saturday was a flurry of activity as I cleaned my room, ran errands, prayed for the staff team leaving for India, helped move my new couch in (YEAH), spent the afternoon doing evangelism with the intern team, attended a bridal shower (not mine), and then watched End of the Spear.
Sunday was a bit more relaxing. I worshipped with my church family, napped, ate supper, wrote notes to friends, did some Bible reading, and went to bed early!
Today was filled with fixing printers and emails, replacing tonor for fax machines and preparing logins for the new interns coming on Saturday. After work was grocery shopping and getting the menu ready for a new week.
Tomorrow the office is closed so that the GFA staff can all gather for a day of prayer and fasting--seeking God's direction and blessing for this new year. I am so thankful to have leaders in place who recognize the importance of prayer and continue to found this ministry upon it.
Sunday was a bit more relaxing. I worshipped with my church family, napped, ate supper, wrote notes to friends, did some Bible reading, and went to bed early!
Today was filled with fixing printers and emails, replacing tonor for fax machines and preparing logins for the new interns coming on Saturday. After work was grocery shopping and getting the menu ready for a new week.
Tomorrow the office is closed so that the GFA staff can all gather for a day of prayer and fasting--seeking God's direction and blessing for this new year. I am so thankful to have leaders in place who recognize the importance of prayer and continue to found this ministry upon it.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Sister Sunita
In a post mid-November, I asked you to pray for Sister Sunita--the overseer of one of our girls Bible colleges in North India. I met her during my trip to India last March and she fervently asked for prayer regarding her upcoming arranged marriage. In November, we found out that she was dying of cancer and I asked you to join with me in prayer.
We received news that Sis. Sunita went to be the Lord on Monday, January 16th - the same day as my grandfather's funeral. I feel like my friend just died. Like she should no longer be smiling back at me from the picture I keep at my desk. But I know this--we'll be reunited in heaven. There will be no language barrier, no cultural reserve, no disease, no age. Sunita, me, and Grandpa will all get to worship God--together.
We received news that Sis. Sunita went to be the Lord on Monday, January 16th - the same day as my grandfather's funeral. I feel like my friend just died. Like she should no longer be smiling back at me from the picture I keep at my desk. But I know this--we'll be reunited in heaven. There will be no language barrier, no cultural reserve, no disease, no age. Sunita, me, and Grandpa will all get to worship God--together.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Maximizing Tech Resources
Each Thursday morning, I do 5 minutes of IT training for the US Office staff. This week's training was about...training. We're trying out computer training for the staff that's available to them any time on the internet. No more waiting on Dorinda to make time to train. We talked about how our finances and time are gifts from God that we need to use responsibly -- and so is technology. I was encouraged by several people telling me afterwards how thankful they were to know about that training help.
We had ladies meeting this evening -- Auntie Gisela was talking about God's grace being like a shower--He's pouring it out upon us and Paul admonishes us "not to receive God's grace in vain." (2 Cor. 6:1)
I'd appreciate your prayers for this weekend. We're doing evangelism outreach this Saturday in Ft. Worth. KT is moving out this Saturday. And a week from Saturday, JH - our new intern - arrives to start her one year internship.
Pray that I'll trust. And that I won't get sick. Ah-choo!
We had ladies meeting this evening -- Auntie Gisela was talking about God's grace being like a shower--He's pouring it out upon us and Paul admonishes us "not to receive God's grace in vain." (2 Cor. 6:1)
I'd appreciate your prayers for this weekend. We're doing evangelism outreach this Saturday in Ft. Worth. KT is moving out this Saturday. And a week from Saturday, JH - our new intern - arrives to start her one year internship.
Pray that I'll trust. And that I won't get sick. Ah-choo!
Monday, January 16, 2006
Changes in life
The past week has been a combination of praise, prayers, and changes. Bro. KP and his family are back from India for the holidays and we've been hearing lots of updates from the mission field. While rejoicing in the praises, we also were troubled to hear that one of our Bangladeshi missionaries was brutally murdered. We also spent extended time praying for the Muslims during their pilgrimage time to Mecca.
My life got a little busier on Thursday as I flew out on a schedule trip to see my sisters in VA (skips long story). I was on a surprise layover in Chicago-O'Hare when the message came through. My grandfather had passed away that evening.
Friday was filled with rearranging flights and making plans and packing funeral clothes. C&L and myself enjoyed the Smithsonian Zoo on Saturday and then flew home to KS on Sunday.
The funeral was this morning-the mortuary was filled to overflowing with standing room only. Many of you knew before this blog and were already praying--thank you! I have been blessed with a deep Christian heritage. Both my grandfather and my grandmother (who is still living) are Christians and their entire lives have been a testimony of God's love and faithfulness to many. Thank you for your prayers for the family as we travel and adjust to the changes.
My life got a little busier on Thursday as I flew out on a schedule trip to see my sisters in VA (skips long story). I was on a surprise layover in Chicago-O'Hare when the message came through. My grandfather had passed away that evening.
Friday was filled with rearranging flights and making plans and packing funeral clothes. C&L and myself enjoyed the Smithsonian Zoo on Saturday and then flew home to KS on Sunday.
The funeral was this morning-the mortuary was filled to overflowing with standing room only. Many of you knew before this blog and were already praying--thank you! I have been blessed with a deep Christian heritage. Both my grandfather and my grandmother (who is still living) are Christians and their entire lives have been a testimony of God's love and faithfulness to many. Thank you for your prayers for the family as we travel and adjust to the changes.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Is life mundane?
I started to blog briefly this evening and then thought, "Isn't my life mostly mundane?" After thought, I agreed that my life is mostly average-- serve God, love others, do the job He's asked me to do. After all, isn't that what each of our lives are about? Whether you're run a hoofing business or teach school, pastor a church or perpetually attend college classes, it's the desire of each of our hearts to serve and glorify God. I'm so thankful to have each of you encouraging me. I'd like to encourage you as well. Let me know how I can.
My family and I enjoyed time together in KS this weekend. Now I'm back in Dallas and my sisters flew back to VA this afternoon. Rejoice with God's gift of family!
We prayed for a particular tribal region of India about three months ago -- millions of people in that state and only a few hundred or thousand believers. We just got word this month that God is providing land for a Bible college there--with room to house 300-400 students! Rejoice in God's mighty deeds!
God is encouraging me to be faithful in the small things - taking my fears and worries to Him, writing them down, and counteracting them with scripture. Rejoice for God's faithfulness!
Magnify the Lord with me!
My family and I enjoyed time together in KS this weekend. Now I'm back in Dallas and my sisters flew back to VA this afternoon. Rejoice with God's gift of family!
We prayed for a particular tribal region of India about three months ago -- millions of people in that state and only a few hundred or thousand believers. We just got word this month that God is providing land for a Bible college there--with room to house 300-400 students! Rejoice in God's mighty deeds!
God is encouraging me to be faithful in the small things - taking my fears and worries to Him, writing them down, and counteracting them with scripture. Rejoice for God's faithfulness!
Magnify the Lord with me!
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