Monday, May 28, 2012

Just Arrived in Bangalore!


“Greater things have yet to come, Greater things are still to be done in this city.”
           
            Greetings from India! My team and I landed in India last Thursday morning and so far Bangalore has been an exciting and definitely unique culture to experience. From the beautiful colors of Kurtas (a typical woman indian top) to the very “unorganized” driving, there hasn’t been a dull moment.
           
            Besides just immersing ourselves in the culture my team and I have been very excited to start work with Rahabs Rope. Preceding our work days we have had an orientation/Indian clothes shopping day, so this is what we did yesterday. The orientation helped us become prepared and more aware of the work we will be facing the next 3 weeks. Of course, the shopping was very fun for the group because we are girls and love purchasing clothes! It also taught us a good lesson of valuing modestly. Since we are dressing as the women of India would dress our wardrobe consist of shirts that cover the bottom and pants that don’t emphasize the figure. This traditional Indian wear conveys a modest appearance that will battle the negative perception of American women.  It also helps us realize that our value and worth is not found in revealing clothing but in Christ.

            I also want to share with you something that was on my heart that I have learned through my Bible study since I have been in India. I am trying to go through the book of Acts because its focus is on the heart of missions and proclaiming the gospel to the nations. But Acts also embraces another beautiful aspect and that is the great forgiveness of God. I found this through the testimony of Paul in reading two separate verses.
            Acts 9:1 “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples...” and then later in Acts 9:18 “ ...he [Saul] could see again. He got up and was baptized.”

It reads that Saul at the beginning of the chapter was not just speaking murderous threats but he was breathing them. He was so against Jesus that he continuously without hesitation wanted to kill all Christians. I think everyone would agree Saul is a pretty bad guy but regardless he still a child of God that is being passionately pursued. And towards the end of chapter he has his eyes opened and is baptized; he is forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus!

            This is something I want these women to know because they are not defined by their past. Like Paul, they may have some horrible events in their life but those events  can be wiped clean by the blood of Jesus. I want them to know that they are valued, treasured, and beautiful daughters of the Father. Even if my team might not work one on one with each of these women, we want to be apart of God’s big picture that will help them understand their worth in Christ.  Oh, what a glorious day that will be.

            Now on to what we will be doing this week.  We are going to be traveling to a village roughly a few hours away from Bangalore. We have packed up a weeks worth of items and will be staying in a guesthouse there. I know the leaders, my team, and I would greatly appreciate prayers for the incredible days we are about to experience.

In Christ,

Karlie