All about You...

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship, And it's all about You..."



Yesterday was the last day of the mission with Rahab's Rope, in Goa, and my last full day in India. So after almost 10 weeks with Oasis, in Mumbai and Bangalore, and 2 weeks with Rahab's Rope in Goa, my trip is coming to an end and I was given chance to reflect on what God has been teaching me. One of the questions in our group debrief was, 'what is the main thing that God has taught you during this trip?’ That is a challenging question. He has been so tangibly close to me in my whole time here and I have countless examples of His grace, mercy and faithfulness. He has taught me so much about His character, and mine, and I am excited about what the future might look like now that this experience is being woven into it.

But, what is the main thing He has taught me? As I often do in those situations I began frantically trying to rehearse an answer that would sound good, witty or very spiritual (yes, I do that) but then I stopped. I literally laid down and waited for God to bring something to mind. I should do this more often because it was pretty incredible. He just reminded me of a thought I had begun last Sunday, but stopped because it was a bit scary...

We were in church and the band were playing 'Heart of Worship'. I love that song.



Yes, I could definitely resonate with this. I sang along, feeling content that my being in India was 'all about You, Jesus'. I've been here living out the gospel, right? Good news to the poor? Release for the captives? Setting the prisoner free? Yep, it was all there.

 I was only a week away from going home and I realized that I'd missed the point somewhere along the way. It wasn't 'all about You, Jesus' was it? I'd made it all about so many other things...

"I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
. When it's all about You"



I'd made it about things that may seem good, and right even.
 I'd made it about the women, and about the children. About those who were still living in brothels and being systematically raped every day. 
 About those who have been abandoned in orphanages that don't meet their needs. About women who eek out a living during the monsoon seasons when nobody comes to her shop.

I'd made it about me, about how I could change the world, how I could rescue them and how I could tell others about what I've done.

 And yes, I was doing this for God. I was doing all of this because I fully believe this is what following Jesus looks like; this is radical discipleship. I'd forgotten that this is all about Him. That this is only about Him. It is Jesus who rescues, heals, redeems, frees and loves. I am blessed that He has chosen to share His work with me but it really is His work, not mine.

 I had made an idol of the ministry and the women and children (even of the pimps and the madams), and that is my biggest lesson on this trip.



Yes, I have learned enormous amounts about prevention, intervention and aftercare in human trafficking. 
Yes, I have learned about the faithfulness, grace and mercy of God. 
Yes, I have learned about life in India and the atrocities of the commercial sex trade here. 
Yes, I have seen, heard and experienced things I will never forget.

The bottom line is that this is ALL about Jesus. It is not about me. It is not about India. It is not even really about human trafficking.

 This trip has been an out-working of worship; a response to God's love for me and my understanding of His love for the world. Worship. And that needs to begin with the realization that it is Jesus who changes the world, not me.

Blessings,
G - India Volunteer

A Message of Hope

Recently I was blessed to take a trip to India.  The Lord had been speaking to my heart for 3 years about going. I didn't even know why, but I kept praying for clarity for what his will was for this trip and that I be obedient in his calling.  In God's perfect timing, he revealed to me India's Human Trafficking. I was led to a wonderful organization called Rahab's Rope who are passionate about this cause.




Southeast Asia is home to the world's largest population of slaves.  Trafficking into forced prostitution victimizes more children in India than any other country in the world. (International Justice Mission) A report by the United Nations Center for Development and Population Activities indicates that approximately 200 girls and women in India enter sex work every day.  More than 160 are coerced into it. (Times Of India).



I had the opportunity to be with some the women who have been victims of India's sex slave trade. Rahab's Rope is  working with these women to educate them and teach them about Christ, so they know they have a choice. They live by the cast system.  If you are born poor, you stay poor. Born rich, you will be educated and be able to have a good job. And If you are from the slums, you are not even good enough to be in the cast system.  Many also believe in reincarnation.   If you work hard enough at the level you are born into and pray, you will die and come back at a better level.

While I was in India we  went into the slums and met some beautiful girls (10-14), many at high risk for prostitution or for being sold.  These girls were so much fun!  They were just regular, silly teenage girls. They were learning English very quickly, and were also being taught the word of God.  If these girls receive help and are educated, no one will know where they came from, and they will not feel forced into prostitution.  I did not want to leave them; even I now, miss them so much. 

Another place we visited was where the prostitutes are brought after the police have a raid, where  they must wait  (sometimes for months ) to be tried by a judge. I cannot express the emotion I felt in that place. I felt led by God's Holy Spirit to speak to them and tell them the God of Abraham is their hope.  I felt this was my purpose for being there. At this same place, we met some boys who were found begging at a train station and were brought in.  They will probably end up in an orphanage.  Their smiles were so beautiful, and they were such a gift to meet.

God's word commands us to help the poor and those in need.  We may be persecuted, but we have the promise of eternal glory. The faithful women I served with on this trip also felt God's call to reach out to these women and children. I was abundantly  blessed more then I could ever give. I could never have done this in my own strength, and I continue prayer for guidance to go back to fulfill God's purpose.   Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths  straight." I find this verse to be true.

Blessings,
M- Bangalore Christmas Team

India and Suda

India. This is my third time coming to India through this organization. It has been so amazing to see this organization grow and to be apart of what Rahab’s Rope is doing has been a privilege and such a blessing. I always come to India with a heart to pour into God’s people and every time I leave being poured into with a heart that is overjoyed by the time I had here. During my time in India God put it on my heart his love for us and how we can practically love on his people and what that looks like. Love is clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. I want to love people in this way as God loves us. Every person and child I meet while in India loves us with no questions asked and with little knowledge of who we are. This is how we should love on each other every day and how God loves us. India teaches me how to love. God loved us before we knew him and while we were still sinners. God sent his one and only son to die on the cross for us. This boggles my mind every day and I am continually amazed by who God is and his love for us. I fall more in love with the people in India every time I come. The women and children teach me so much not only how to love but also their hospitality and willingness to give when they themselves have very little. Taking with me back home to the states would be giving more, showing more hospitality, and reaching out to my own community, and loving God’s people practically.

Suda is a little girl who I have seen the past three times I have come to India. She is twelve years old and has deformed arms and legs. When she was born she was able to walk and gradually over time all her limbs started to bend where she could not longer walk on her own. Her brother and friends help her get to school every day along with her mom bringing her to the program Samir holds at his house every afternoon. Shortly after I left over the summer she broke her hip bone causing her to be bed ridden and shortly after that she fell while riding the bus and her thigh bone broke. She can no longer go to school or attend the afternoon program but has to stay home and rest day and night. Her dad sees her as a burden and with every bone that breaks he drinks more. She is a beautiful little girl inside and out and every chance we got we would go visit her and she always had a smile in her face. Seeing her in that state breaks my heart, but also encourages my heart just to see her smile. She is never angry or upset by her circumstances, but filled with such a joy. She inspires me to smile in the face of trials and rejoice in all circumstances knowing God will get me through. I love her so much and I ask that you would keep her and her family in your prayers.

Blessings,
C- Goa Christmas Team

First Impressions Aren't Everything

They say that first impressions are everything. After living in India, I’m not so sure that’s the case. My first impression was that it was dirty, had an odor more potent than tear gas, and that all the citizens were ruthless, dehumanizing people. All I ever heard about India in the states was about their lack of compassion towards their own people, and of course, about their notorious human trafficking trade. It didn’t take me long to realize that the media was missing out on one big thing: their love. Pure love. 

In the months I've lived here during the summer, and this quick week of return, my heart has been overwhelmed by all the love I’ve received. These people aren’t ruthless at all. They have shown me what it means to love unconditionally. They took me as I was, and loved me for all that I was. They taught me the meaning of ‘love your neighbor as yourself." And even in the midst of their pain, they somehow still found a way to show me the meaning of joy. 

I often wondered why they treated me the way they did. The poorest of poors would still serve me a three course meal, knowing that their own family would probably not eat tonight. They demonstrate the sacrificial giving that we see in the gospels of the widow who gave her last two coins. But why? I’d like to believe it was because of me but to be quite honest, I know it wasn’t. There is nothing fantastic about my nature and to say that would be quite narcissistic. One day as I sat in front of the women for life skills I had asked them why they like us here. Her simple response gave me the answer I’ve been searching for. She told me “we like to hear your stories about your faith. We like your God.” They love us because He lives in us. It wasn’t about me or any individual person that came through the slums of India, but about the way Christ shined in that person. Day in and day out, believers are walking into the slums not because they think they can change anything, but because we know Christ can. These beautiful people showed me that India is worth far more than I could ever imagine.

Blessings, 
J- Goa Christmas Team

English Lessons

Growing up in an English speaking nation, I never realized how difficult learning our language could be. Nor have I ever stopped to think how having multiple languages in one country could make an impact. India has numerous languages, but to be able to communicate with foreigners, a major source of

income for many Indian people, they must be able to speak English.

I spent Friday morning this week teaching English lessons to some ladies who spoke primarily Hindi, which, though it is India's main language, it is just one of the many languages spoken there. The ladies were so sweet and so eager to learn, that it really blessed me and reminded me how available knowledge is in the States, but how hungry people are in other cultures to

learn. Kids in the U.S. see school as something to be endured until adulthood, but these grown women wanted so badly to be taught our language.

English is a very difficult language to learn. I was reminded of just how many rules are irregular, and it is almost unfair to those who try to learn English later in life. Trying to teach the difference between "coming" and "going" was much more difficult that I ever imagined it might be. How do you explain such a subtle difference in connotation to someone who wouldn't think that it just "sounds right?" And how do you explain what a direct quote is to people who are having to work so hard to comprehend your every word? And yet that is exactly what we did. And through the grace of God, it seemed to work! We were able to draw pictures, act things out and give examples to help the ladies understand. The most rewarding part was when they began to get the sample sentences correct on the first try. And they just kept wanting to do more and more until our time was over.

I so often take for granted the education that is available all over the U.S. We don't even have to learn another language if we don't want to, but if we choose to do so, we can pick up a book on tape at the library and learn a new language just for fun. This is not the case in India, nor in most of the world outside the U.S. I am so blessed to have gotten to see the desire these ladies have to learn, and to have been a part of their learning. This experience has made me much more thankful for the education and opportunities I have had, because I now realize what a rarity that is in this world.

Blessings,
LB- Goa Volunteer

Hands and Feet

 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

A mission trip to India!  Where do I begin?

In the beginning:  The company my husband works for hires contractors from India and one of the contractors and my husband became great friends.  He was such a sweet guy.  He became like family.  Our kids called him Uncle John.  He ate with us, we took him to his first professional hockey and baseball game, we took him to church…  While he was taking in our culture I began to become very interested in his culture.  I found myself wanting to go to India.  Not too long after, we had a couple come to our Sunday School class that had just moved back from India!  That Christmas our women’s ministry had a luncheon and the speaker was from a ministry called Rahab’s Rope and they go to….. you guessed it… India!  During this luncheon God moved in my heart.  After the speaker finished speaking I looked around the table and I was the only one in tears.  I was completely broken for these ladies in India and wanted to go.  I would love to say I signed up right then and went, but it took a few years to get there.  I know God’s timing is perfect and I can’t imagine a better time.  God worked out every detail, every stumbling block, EVERYTHING!  I had no anxieties about going.  I couldn’t get there fast enough.

After a full 24 hours of travel, I had finally arrived in India.

While I was there God showed me over and over again that we just need to be an obedient, willing body and He will use us and He will be glorified!  There were times that I wondered how we would be received by the ladies and children we met that spoke a different language, but it never mattered.  They loved us and we fell in love with them.  Hugs, smiles, laughter, joy, love, photography, food are all universal languages.  It does not take a public speaker to reach hearts and share God’s love.  It takes us being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.  My prayer for the trip from the time I knew I was going was that we would be the Hands and feet of Jesus.

If we are to truly become Jesus' hands and feet, we must share His love for "the least of these."  He touched lepers – we touched women and children with HIV/Aids, He welcomed women and children – we did also, He dined with criminals – we shared cookies and tea with women that have been sold into a life of crime, He championed the poor – we gave gifts and encouraged the poor, He defended the powerless – He gave the woman and children power through us.  Jesus spent His time on earth with the hated and the outcasts and claimed that He had come to "preach good news to the poor."  We spent our time in India with society’s hated and outcast, but they are so loved by Him!!!

India is a physically, emotionally, and spiritually hard place, but when God stretches us, He is with us.  I live such a clean comfortable life in America and I am often thinking of ways to make it cleaner and more comfortable instead of thinking of ways to get out of my comfort and let God stretch me.  We might not see immediate fruits from our labor, but if God can take this slightly OCD, germaphobe to India then I know He will take what we planted and grow something beautiful.

Challenge:  How can we be stretched?  How can God use us in our neighborhoods?  How can we be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people around us?

Everytime I hear this song I picture the precious children we met in India.  I picture Jesus placing crowns on their heads.

Blssings, 
S - Goa Christmas Team