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Posted in General Posts by Maria Minor on 1/22/2012
India. Wow. Ok so let me paint you a picture. Men fashion is like from the 60s with mustaches and bell-bottom jeans...oh and some skirts. Women fashion is from like the 1500s, with a few jeans or sweaters thrown in. We have to keep covered. The rule of thumb is cover the butt twice and the boobs twice. So lots of scarves and long tunics. In order to fit in, us girls on the team went to a fabric store and picked out pieces to make salwars. The boys refuse to fit in. Bell-bottom jeans just aren't doing it for them I guess. We also are all getting accustomed to head-bobbling and sitting on the floor...and sleeping on the floor...as the furniture trend never really hit India.
We live on the outskirts of Kolkata, so we see farms out to the right and walk on cobblestone roads. You would think we live in a different time period as you watch people create houses with muddy bricks and using those community fountain things. But then they pull out their cell-phones...Oh and roads are totally communal. Cows, pedestrians, cars, bikes, trucks, weird-wooden-cart-bike taxies all share the road. When we went into town, we piled onto one of these taxies. Five of us on each little wooden square thing. I felt for the biker's legs as he pushed up some of those hills. Also, a given, but we are practically famous here. Everyone stops and stares. It's pretty interesting stuff.
And now for the good stuff. The orphanage is full of little boys. They are all so different. I'll name a few to just give you an idea. Salem is the oldest at age 14. He wants to be a missionary when he grows up. He likes to draw and sing, and his favorite class is computer science. He also fixes random things in his free time.
Samu is around 6 years old and is the intelligent little school boy. He speaks English very well for his age as well as 4 other languages. Oh the orphanage is like the Tower of Babel. Everyone speaks different languages. The boys generally either were abandoned or ran away from their situation usually from tribes where the cast system still has a stronghold. They all have different languages unique to the tribe or state. Some of the children speak Bengali, some Hindi. Everyone speaks at least 4 languages. It's craziness. Ok so Soul is this crazy kid with the smile like a monkey. He copies us and runs and laughs and climbs. There are so many and I can't wait to share them all with you. But alas, I do not have much time or space.
I will leave you with this adorable picture. Every night that we leave to go back to our house to sleep, all the kids lean out their window and say 'good night' over and over again until we are out of sight.
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Posted in Life on the Field by Jared Hunt on 1/22/2012
So it is day... 4? I believe here in India. It is nice to finally be able to begin to integrate with the people after all the long flights. The Mission rented us a pretty nice "apartment" to sleep in. I feel very secure in there. Alot of gates and locks! It has also given us an opportunity to meet and begin a relationship with the landlord and his family. God willing, we can get into deeper conversations with them in the future.
Now to the kids. The kids are great. They all have powerful personalities and are hilarious. they refer to the male team members as "UNCLE!" and the female members as "AUNTIE!" It is so endearing! A few have caught my eye specifically. Saul (sah-ool) will always greet me in the drive way, running and jumping into my arms. He climbs all over me... it is actually quite impressive the positions he can get into. Then there is Marcos, he looks very sad, but smirks quite often. It almost brings a tear (sometimes it does) to my eye when I see him cuddling with my teammate Ben (Marcos' favorite) He just seems to soak up Ben's love. It seems like there is some deep hurt there, but the love God is giving him now seems to make him so happy. These are just 2 of the 17 kids. The names are a struggle for me, but I am slowly learning. (There are some REALLY crazy ones.)
The food is really good, but they are taking it easy on us. Pastor Sam (runs the orphanage) said "He doesn't want to hurt us." There has been only one really spicy dish. I bit into this fried... thing? and I thought I had bit into the sun itself. I survived though, and hope I continue with that trend.
Pastor Sam is a really solid man. He has a heart for the Lord and I am excited to get to know him, his staff, and his family. It is looking to be a great 4 months.
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Posted in Admissions Department by Jasmine Rybicki on 1/22/2012
Wow. All I can say is wow. I am in awe of the Lord and all that He has been doing! First, let me just say I LOVE India! I'm so thankful to finally be here.
The people are unique, strange, and beautiful. Big brown eyes peering at our white skin, the overwhelming aromas, and the ambiguous head-bobble. TII. This Is India.
But there is much more. India is dark. India has bonds and chains. Exploitation, slavery, corruption. This is India.
Then there is us. The children of God. His light is breaking through. His love, His hope.
We have the privilege of serving at a children's home who rescues children at-risk of exploitation. Here, I have witnessed God's light. It is blinding. The dwelling of the Holy Spirit in this family is evident. They glow with joy. They are affectionate. They praise God, lifting their voices in song and prayer. They meditate on His word, and memorize scripture.
The four days we have been in India have been packed full. There have been many precious moments with these children. The beauty of these moments goes beyond words.
I think of when Mary gives birth to Jesus and everyone is surrounding her, sharing the news, overjoyed at this birth. Then Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."
Mary watched- absorbing every detail around her and cherished it in her heart. She didn't have words- it was special between her and the Lord. Thus far, I have had many "Mary moments".
Let me tell you about my friend Shami*. The other day he asked me to hold him and take a walk. We had small talk and then I asked him if he knew how much God loved him. Immediately he replied, "Very, very much!" I ask if he has a favorite Bible verse, and without any hesitation he says yes and recites Psalm 23:1 and Psalm 25:1. (He is 6 years old.) There was a pause in our conversation as I walked around with him. I asked what he was thinking about. With a shining smile, ear to ear, he looks at me and he replies, "Jesus."
These are the moments that go beyond my expression. This child rescued from the street- overflowing with the love His Savior has for him, so much that it flows into you. It's simply too wonderful for words!
Worshiping the Father in four different languages as children lift their hands. Listening to the small voices pray all together- thanking the Lord. Shaking the hands of each child and staff member after a service, saying, "Praise the Lord." Having the children run into your arms upon your arrival, to be held and played with.
This is India.
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Posted in Admissions Department by Sarah Wohlgamuth on 1/22/2012
When describing India, most people say it's dirty and full of people, beautiful and crazy, dark and lost. But I've found hope here.
At the boys' home, there's a boy named Hopen. He's that kid who is indescribable. He's about four years old, tiny, missing some teeth, but is full of personality. I knew as soon as I met him that he'd be the one I'd tell stories about.
Like that time when he climbed a wall in order to show me how strong he is.
Or that time when we pretended we were airplanes from the 1930s taking down our enemies.
Or that time when he searched for me as our team walked up, and upon finding me, his face lights up as he sprints to me and jumps into my arms, victoriously yelling "Auntie Sarah!"
Or that time when he didn't feel well, so he walked up to me wrapped up in an over-sized piece of tattered fabric, crawled up in my lap, and we watched the world go by together.
Those are the moments that overwhelm me with emotions. I can't help but love this little boy that I've only known for a short time. I love seeing him run and play, knowing he's safe here at the home. I love holding him and praying for the man he is going to become. I love being part of his world for a moment in time.
He gives me hope for this country. He shows that there is a generation of Indians who won't be like the generations past. He is going to be a man of God that people are drawn to and who changes this country.
Hopen was saved from the streets and now has an amazing future.
And it's because of God's ceaseless redemption that we have eternal hope.
Praise the Lord for hope.
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Posted in Life on the Field by Kayla Koontz on 1/22/2012
 
Our biggest ministry here is working with a children's home. There is currently 17 boys between the ages of 4 and 12 living at the home. We have only spent 3 days with them so far and we have completely lost our heart already.
I know I probably shouldn't have favorites but there is one little boy that has stolen my heart. His name is Pitam and he is 4 years old. Do you remember playing Airplane when you were little? (You lay on somebody feet while they lift you into the air). Pitam LOVES this. The first time I showed him this he didn't want down. This kid is absolutely adorable! With his high pitched tiny voice and energetic personality there is no way you couldn't love him! I can't even count how many times he has shown me his favorite book but I will look at it with him hundreds of times as long as I get to spend time with him. Definitely looking forward to spending time at this children's home over the next 4 months!
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Posted in Life on the Field by Hayley Robertson on 1/22/2012
Well we made it! I can hardly believe it! After 2 days of traveling we made it to Calcutta, India and have settled in to our busy little apartment.
Calcutta is a city like no other- it's rich in color, but also in poverty and idol worship. Half of my team went on a market/money exchange run yesterday and as we were coming back we walked past a Hindu temple. The god inside was massive, it had a sword in one hand and cut off heads in the other. It was also standing on top of another god. It was the god of destruction, an evil god and we saw people on the streets offering sacrifices to it. The need for Jesus here is overwhelming, but God has no limitations and I know He is about to do great things here. I can't wait! One interesting thing that happened as we were walking back, we were trying to walk across the street and a police man stopped busy traffic for us to cross. I felt like royalty, because of being white. Everyone stares at us, I mean EVERYONE- it's the craziest thing.
We've been going to the Asha Mission boys home everyday for our meals and play time. They are the most precious kids I have ever met. They are spunky, have the sweetest giggles and love to be loved. They wear me out, but I feel it's my duty to pour into them as much as I can. They are going to be the future Christian leaders of India I know it, they are wonderful. A new boy came to Asha yesterday and he made it pretty clear that he had been exploited sexually, it is heart breaking. I keep singing that song to myself "there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain, break every chain, break every chain". There is power in His name and I pray that God would use him and raise him up to be a part of that chain breaking in India. Everyone at Asha is amazing and love the Lord so much, every night they have a service and they sing, have a message and pray. It's beautiful, I have never felt so blessed, in the small, dirt stained little room they have to worship in, they worship with everything inside of them. They get it, they understand how much the Lord loves them and the need for him in India. 
God is about to do something great and I'm so glad I get to be a part of it. I pray that God would wake these dry bones of India, that he would give them life and to the fullest. Like in Ezekiel 37, when God shows Ezekiel the valley of dry bones he realized God has no limitations, he is great and I feel that I'm about to get to see how great.
:)
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Posted in General Posts by Lindsey Schlingman on 1/22/2012
Our first few days in India have been full of excitement,
new people and new friendships. We are spending our time together and with the
kiddos. We are getting to know each other better and seeking the Lord. This
morning during service I stumbled upon the verse Jeremiah 31: 33 in it the Lord
declares "I will put my law within them and I will write it on their hearts and
I will be their God and they will be my people." It's not hard to see how God has
written in their hearts and made them a new people. Among the idols a few have found
truth and it's inspiring to see them love Jesus.
So far we have been getting to know the kiddos. Each one has
their own unique personality. Marcos loves hugs and to be held, anytime someone
has a free hand he will gladly latch on. Boron has his prized slinky that you
would be lucky to pry from his hands. Samu knows five languages and is only
seven years old. Some of them are loud, outgoing and love to wrestle. Some are
quiet are reserved. Some have a heaviness about them and the hurt they carry
with them is evident. I look forward to learning more about each boy and
showing them the love of Christ.
I truly believe that God is working and is in this place. He
tells us he has plans for our future to prosper us and not to hurt us. Walking
through the streets I have to believe that God is going to do big things here.
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Posted in Team Update by Passport Update on 1/19/2012
Hello family & supporters!
Team India has safely arrived in country. We cannot wait to hear
about all that God is going to do in and through your loved ones. Please
keep them in your prayers as they share the love of Jesus with this
amazing country.
Blessings,
The Passport Team
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Posted in Life on the Field by Lindsey Schlingman on 1/16/2012
As I prayed this summer for God to come and be present in my life, I didn't think He would bring me to serve in India. I have spent time preparing and working toward this time and it's finally here. As we come together as a team and as a group of about 80 college age students God has met us here. We have spent time listening and coming to know that we have a God who loves us and who will fight for us. Even in the beginning of this adventure here at training camp I have seen the hand of God more clearly than I have in a long time.
We have worshiped, ate, slept, learned together and I am so excited that this is only the very beginning of it all. As a team we are learning to be women and men of God who share in his desires. Even two days in when we haven't even left for India I have seen changes in all of us and we are becoming.
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