Traveling has been quite the experience. Our trek to Goa, India was excited! After two overnight layovers with four different flights, we finally arrived at our destination. It was a long and tiresome traveling trip of 64 hours! But praise the Lord we are here safe and sound!
As of late, I’ve been trying to recover from jet leg and get settled in at the guest house. It’s definitely been a change from my all my comforts at home. The room I share with two of my teammates is actually nicer than what I had expected. We have a bed to sleep on, a shower inside, electricity, a fan to keep us cool, and more than most around here. I am very grateful!
The city is unlike anything I have ever seen before! There is so much life, color, and business. Every street corner has stores and vendors selling all sorts of food, bangles, fabric, toys, and more fabric. Here, the city is a mix of old and new. Bright colors and dark colors. There are smells which make you hungry and smells that make you feel as though you may lose your lunch. Slums and fancy houses are back to back. Some wear Indian clothing and others wear western clothing. It’s tropical, dirty, peaceful, and hectic all at the same time. Cows, pigs, dogs, and cats are everywhere. Buses are packed until you think no one else can fit and yet, five more people somehow manage to get on. And the way they drive, seems to be a harmonious mess. Your senses get caught up in a whirl wind with everything happening and such beautiful cantrast. It’s delighting and scary all at the same time.
It’s been exciting to finally be here after six months of long preparation. I have tried to enjoy it all as I do my best to take in everything and adjust to this new way of living for three months. It’s kind of hard to believe that I will be here for that long. And it hasn’t been the easiest thing in the world to adjust, but the Lord is teaching me how.
In the midst of all my discomfort and the business of the life here, I have been able to find peace. Peace in knowing that this is where God has called me to be for these next few months! Peace in knowing that He is going to use me in mighty ways! Peace in knowing that people’s lives are going to change! Peace in knowing that I am safe from ALL harm, because I am in His will! God has great things in store! I have peace that surpasses all understanding! (Philippians 4:7) The devil doesn’t like what we’re doing here. But I am determined to be STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!! I will put on the full armor of GOD so that I can withstand the wiles of the devil! (Ephesians 6:10-11)
