Learning times!!!

I can't believe it is November 1st.  I know have been here for two months and the time just seems to be going by so quickly.  The Lord has been showing me a lot since being here in India.
This time I just wanted to share with you some of the lessons I am learning being here. Honestly this trip has been a lot different than I had expected. The Lord is convicting me on things, asking me to FULLY surrender my pride to Him. It has been different.
On Sunday we were studying Romans chapter 8 and the first verse says this:  " Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. " Rom. 8:1-2 .   After reading this verse, I began to think how we are free in Christ Jesus. But do I live in that freedom? Do I believe the lies I hear in my head? Do I stand up for who I know that Christ has made me to be?  Do I live victoriously in Christ Jesus?
 This is something that I believe the Lord is wanting me to fully grasp. It is time to be set free from these things. I want to know what is to walk closer to Jesus in this way. I want to not believe the lies.
Yesterday I was tutoring Namratha and we were working on math. Math is not my strong point and I actually still really have a hard time with it. I was so frusterated because how do I teach something that I don't understand myself. I started hearing the lies in my head  "oh Rachel" you are not good enough to teach this, just don't try...   I am free in Christ. Namratha doesn't need me to be an expert but to show her love and patience and I will do my best.
Well that is all that is on  my heart. I pray you are all doing well. May Jesus be all we need in this time. I pray that your holidays will be blessed.

                                                                                        Bangalore Homes

Indian Village

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two week holiday

Our two week holiday in Bangalore is coming to an end on Thursday. We have spent two wonderful weeks with some dear friends of mine and now of Stephanie's as well. 
 Coming here I recently learned how deep my passion goes for India. Recently walking down the streets here in the city, my heart burdens for the poverty here and how broken the people are. How I see little children roaming the streets with no traces of parents.
 I have a hard time writing down what is going on in my head and heart right now but please be praying for India. This is a very lost place, where Hinduism is so important to the people here. How devoted to their idol worship, some people even have idols in their home.  This is such a sad thing to me, breaks my heart to see how devoted they are and it is so difficult for us to share Jesus with them.
When we go back to the Children's home, we will be so busy planning our Christmas program. The kids should have been learning their lines while we were gone.  I am excited to see where they are at with it. 
I pray all is going well back at home with Thanksgiving coming, may we truly know what it is to be thankful. What a special time to celebrate our thanksgiving to the Lord. I love you all and miss you.

Is He enough?

If you washed away my vanity, If you took away my words, If all my world was swept away would you be enough for me? Would my beating heart still sing?
  If I lost it all would my hands stay lifted, to the God who gives and takes away. If you take it all,this life you've given still my heart  will to you.
  When my life is not what I expected,the plans I made have failed, when there's nothing left to steal me away, will you be enough for me? Will my broken heart still sing?
   Even if you take it all away, You will never let me go. I'm still Your's, I'm still Your's.
                                                                     I'm Still Your's by Kutless
I heard this song by Kutless the other day and it really touched my heart. Here' s why: since being in India, I have been asking myself, "Will Jesus be enough?".  I answered a call out of obedienc to the Lord, but honestly, at times it has been hard to want to BE... Recently, looking into the kids' eyes and seeing just how  much they exhibit this simple faith: Jesus is enough for them.  It has been so encouraging. I am coming to realize that Jesus is enough for me. He is enough for the times of feeling lonely, He is enough for my failures, He is enough for me...
This is such a awesome thought to me that no matter where we are in the world He will always be enough for us. I just want you all to know, just how much He loves you. Praying for you all and hoping your days/ weeks are going well.

the title i can't think of

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquitites; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion: who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.     Psalm 103: 2-5
Here in India it is October 1st. It is weird to think that back home it is fall there and it is still very much summer here.  So many things to do in the states, such as decorating your home for Thanksgiving. How fun!
I figured something out recently. Since being  here in India, (which on the 6th will have mark a month here) the Lord has really brought me to a place of repentance, healing, and a time of getting to know my Savior in a more intimate way.  A dear friend of mine gave this verse to me and it has been a huge encouragement to me, so I thought I would share it with you all.  This has been a time of refinement for me, something that I would never expect to have happen in India, but the Lord knows what is best for my heart.
Things are going well here. This week is a hindu holiday celebrating Mahatma Ghandi's birthday, so the kids do not have school. I am looking forward to  being with them all day and getting to know them more.  We have a lot of fun games planned for them, such as Capture the Flag and Pictionary (ok,ok, i know what your thinking - it's NOT telephone pictionary).
Tutoring has been going well, too. At times it's hard to understand the way the Indian school system does things, but we are figuring things out. It has been neat to see how Namratha has really opened up with me. Two weeks ag,o she didn't say anything except "hi" and now she is sharing with me how she is struggling in school! Such a blessing she is to me.
Also, now that is October, we will be launching into the Christmas program. We have most of it planned already, but we will start getting the kids involved now. This is going to be such an awesome time of sharing Christ with all who come. Some of the kids' parents come to this event, so please be praying for their hearts! And ours as well! 
Well, I guess that is all I have for now. I am thinking of you all and hoping you are all doing well! Remember: The Lord is faithful when we seek Him out!
Love you,
Rachel