Getting a Reputation of Prayer, and God Answering

After we first moved into our house here in Garden City, I posted about the opportunity I had to pray for the healing of my cleaner's (Sha) daughter. Since that time there's been Many healing prayers for that family. She often tells me about a family member that's sick, or a child with a fever, etc. and we always pray for them.

One particular day, she was in my house, and as usual I asked how she and her family were doing. She told me about the extreme pain she was having in her mouth because of a bad tooth. She said this pain started five years ago, and she's periodically taken medicine ever since. But, it had come back stronger than ever before and it was coupled with a headache this time.

I asked many questions in regards to money and getting the tooth pulled, etc. I wanted to understand the complete problem so that if it was just a lack of money then I would be able to help pay for the dentist bill. It wasn't though, she's too afraid to get her tooth pulled, so she won't do it even though the dentist says that's what's needed. I can't say I blame her though for having a fear of that procedure, especially knowing the kind of dentist she goes to.

So, I told her I wanted to pray for her healing before she left my house. She proceeded to remind me three different times that I was going to pray for her before she left :) Then when she was all finished I laid hands on her and asked God to take away her pain and to heal her tooth and head in the name of Jesus. This was all in Urdu, so I think that's what I said, although I'm terrible with their prayer language because they use different words and phrases only for prayer.

Well, apparently God did understand my Urdu, or at least my heart :) The next day she came to my house and told me that as soon as she left, after I prayed, her pain was completely gone. Thank you, thank you God!!!

Two mornings ago I got a knock on my door. A woman, whom I've seen once or twice (she's a relative on Sha), was standing with her baby, young daughter, and Sha's daughter. When I opened the door she said that her baby has had a fever since the night before. Sha, my cleaner, told her to go to my house and I'd pray for the baby because when her kids have had fevers I've prayed and the kids have gotten well, the same with headaches, her tooth ache, etc. So, that's what I did. (The baby still needs prayer though because they're currently in the hospital because his fever is so high. I think he might have Dengue,which is spreading like crazy. So, if you read this within a week or two of when I'm writing it please join me in praying for this baby's healing.)

Thirty minutes later, another woman arrived telling me Sha had told her the same thing. She brought her baby who had been crying a lot in the last few days and they weren't sure why. I prayed for that baby as well.

Let me say praise the Lord! I'm no one special and I want to give all glory to God for His great works, and His great fame! Whenever Sha tells me of an answered prayer, I'm quick to give God all the glory because He's the one doing everything. I want so much for Sha and her family to come to know the one true God and His son. I'm asking that He will continue to answer pray, and that He will receive the glory, and use those to magnify Himself.

Here's a picture with the woman and her son who has the fever. Again, pray with me for complete healing for this little boy who currently is in the hospital with a 103 fever, no appetite, but praise God he's willing to drink to stay some what hydrated. 

Only in India #55

Only in India does a little girl come to play in your house... then, without any warning, pop a squat on your rug and poop... When her mother comes to clean it up she somehow doesn't see it, steps in it, and tracks it through your living room.

All I can say is the words of my good friend Courtney, "Oh India, you're special." :)

Only in India #54

Only in India do you go to a well established American restaurant and have this happen:

Kristen: "Can I get a baked potato instead of fries?"
Waiter: "Sure mam."

Food is brought out
Kristen tries her potato...calls waiter over

Kristen: "Sir, can I get my potato cooked a little longer cause it's really hard?"
Waiter: "Sure mam."

Five minutes later
Chef from the back approaches the table

Chef: "Mam, you wanted a baked potato, right?"
Kristen: "Yes."
Chef: "Ok mam...so...what is that?"
Kristen: "Well...it's a potato, that's baked."
Chef: "Oh, ok mam"

Only in India #53

Only in India do you walk up to the hostess at a "Grilled Chicken" restaurant and ask:

Neal: "What kind of foods do you have to eat?"
Hostess: "Oh, no sir, we don't have food."
Neal: "What, you don't have food?"
Hostess: "No, we only have chicken."
Neal: "So...chicken's not food?"
Hostess: "No, sir."

Kite shops

While strolling through Old Delhi on a business trip I passed this string of Kite shops... 

I turned and asked my friend why there were so many?

He explained that usually these shops were wholesalers for jackets in the winter, 

but when they did not have any items or work... they lent them out for selling kites!

Notice the Indian flag ones... we were just days from Independence day.

What a wild zoo of a place Old Delhi can be! 

You never know what you will find next.

So many people!

Happy Birthday India

Hard to believe that our kids are more Indian than American... they have spent much of their short lives here in this country!

Good chalk drawing Elise! We went to the roof for photos.. but no fireworks at night... we had to wait until some crazy hindu holiday to come up for the kids to see that!

When it rains it pours... but He is there for us.

Sometimes you just want to give up.

Kids screaming at each other, loud noises,

sickness, tiredness, breaks in sleep,

loneliness, depression, hopelessness...

these are all weapons of our enemy.

And they all seemed to be used on us just days after

leaving the country for refreshment and encouragement.

But God knows all things and does allow them all for our good.

We felt like we could not go on...

But then we got away and had time with friends

of encouragement and set out together on this road

with faith, hope, and love in our hearts...

now nothing can stop us...

because Jesus promised to leave us His peace...

he never said we would always feel it.

Sometimes the devil showers us with hardships...

and he is disappointed to see that just like the brief summer 

rainstorms here....

they dry up and we dry off...

get up clean and refreshed...

and go back harder and stronger.

You can't stop what God puts in motion... bring it.

Reflections from Ramadaan

With another Ramadaan behind us there are some discoveries that 

came that we did not know before...

First, Ramadaan is a time when many Muslims fast for 30 days from 

sun up to sundown in the middle of the summer!

They must get up at 3 AM to eat and then pray at 4 before the sun comes up at 5 AM.

If you think you took your religion seriously, you might want to rethink saying that

when these people are working on hunger and no drink for 14 hours+ then

eating like crazy and only getting 2-3 hours of sleep!

It will make you stop complaining and start praying more.

May we all learn from these hard working people.

Finally I found that there are few good conversations that happen when

someone is fasting all day...

but it sure is fun to go out to the bar-b-que and eat tasty 

grilled meats right outside the mosque in the fair-of-food at night!

God help us increase our love for these people!

Our little salesman

Elijah has become quite the little Indian salesman...

there are few shops he has not tried unsuccessfully to go behind the counter 

and begin the position of salesman

Here he is selling electronics to the electronics salesman...

His uncle would be very proud! 

It seems he will thrive in a country with no true juvenile laws!

Praying for Sha's Daughter

Just yesterday Sha, who cleans my home, was telling me how her daughter was sick. She said she's been hurting and was so hot. They took her to the hospital and the doctor told her to only eat rice and take the medicine he was prescribing. She'd been doing that ever since. She could sleep during the day, but had trouble sleeping at night, which of course made for a tired Mama.

I told her that I wanted to pray for her daughter in the name of Jesus if that was ok. I expected that she would be fine with that, and we'd pray together after she was finished cleaning. Instead, to my surprise, she asked if I wanted her to bring her daughter to me for me to pray for her. Wow, what a great idea, why didn't I think of that!

Sha's daughter playing with Elise on our roof two weeks ago.

Instead of her daughter coming here, I went with her downstairs to where she was resting. As I walked in her three boys stood up out of respect, and her daughter was starting to as well. I stopped her and told her it was okay to lay down. I told her I was there to pray for her because I wanted her to feel better. Everything I said was in Urdu, since that's all she understands, so it was somewhat broken.

I asked her where she hurt, and she pointed to and told me her head and eyes. Then I asked if I could put my hand on her head and pray for her. She was more than happy for me to do that.

After praying I stood up and one of her brothers stepped up and said his head hurts as well. I thought he was just saying that so that I'd touch him too. Really, I asked. His mom confirmed that every morning he complains about his head hurting, which I think is a sinus headache because of the weather changing and rain moving in so often. Sha had actually burned both of his temples with something hot because he'd been complaining so much. I questioned why she'd do that, but didn't get an answer except that it would help him and he'd been complaining a lot...so Indian of her.

So, I prayed for him.

As I was leaving they were all saying thank you over and over. I felt like I should give a little explanation as to Jesus and His ability to heal. So, again, with my broken Urdu, I told them that Jesus is all powerful, or that's what I wanted to say...but I didn't know the word for power so I used the only word I knew, which meant big in a strong sense...not really the same :( I continued by saying he wanted to heal people.  I knew that wasn't really conveying what I was talking about and I needed something more.

Stories...there's plenty of stories that talk about Jesus healing people.

So, I told them about Jesus healing the blind man and the story of him healing the leper 2000 years ago when he walked on the earth. They listened so intently and were amazed. I went on to say that he does the same today by praying in His name.

I came back to my house filling...full, cause that's why I'm here.

My Cleaners Perspective on Being Poor

Well before even moving to Garden City I'd been praying for a sweet cousin lady to be my new cleaner (a cleaner is a very common thing to have here especially since there's no dishwashers, lots of dust, and lots of people who need employment...and it's not expensive). I was so close to my cleaner in Kite City, whom I miss so much, and therefore desiring someone I could be close to again. This person comes into your house six days a week, they see you on wonderful and not so wonderful days, they become the most intimate friend to you and your kids because again, they're always in your home. Therefore, who this person is is very important to me, and I'd been praying for her.

After we moved into our new home, almost a month ago, the lady who helps clean the building, 'Sha', offered to clean my house as well. She'd always been really kind whenever she'd seen us before, and had already helped with getting our house ready for my family to arrive. The timing of when she could come clean wasn't my favorite, but we told her that would be fine unless we found someone who could do it at better times during the day. 

Since she's been coming Elise has no doubt taken a liking to her. She wants to see her wherever she is, smile, wave, say "Hi", and basically just follow her around. Regardless of what Elise is doing, when my Sha comes in Elise will stop to watch her and say Hi to her like 20 times in a row. It's so cute :) 

I've been able to have a good bit of conversations with her even though she's been here such a short time. I'm thankful that I already have a base in Urdu so that I can talk to her, as opposed to when I first moved to India. 

One day she was telling me how she likes working for me and that she doesn't feel trouble or problems, only rest in my home. She's actually told me that on numerous occasions. However, this particular day she started elaborating in saying that foreigners like me are all good people and all Indian people are bad people...this is a common thing for people to say. I corrected her by saying that some foreigners and Indians are good, and some foreigners and Indians are bad. I'd met plenty of good, kind Indians. It didn't matter where you're from, there's the same kind of people everywhere. 

She went on to tell me that it's like I see her and I'm not different to her. She said that Indian people know that she's poor so they tell her to go over there or somewhere else because she's poor. But I treat her just the same as I do other people. She didn't used to be poor growing up, but now that she's married and has her own family she is.

I explained that the people who are that way are followers of Jesus. I went on to say that God made all people and to God they are all equal. So, when I look at her or someone else they are the same in my eyes as well.

My heart hurts for her. It seems like she has a deep wound that only the Lord can heal. I pray that He uses me to speak His love into that wound and her heart. 

Eating is a Luxury

I have two thoughts in regards to the title "Eating is a Luxury":

First, being a mom of two small children I've come to realize just that, that eating is a luxury. If you actually have the time to put food in your own mouth it's awesome. Each meal my focus is on making sure my kids get fed and during dinner my husband as well. Neal's really good about helping me when he's here, so usually he helps feed Elise, or makes sure Elijah's food isn't going all over him when we sit down together in the evenings. But, when the kids are on different nap schedules during the day, and when lunch time for one and the beginning of nap time for the other are at the same time, it's hard to think about your own needs in regards to food. I've heated, reheated, and reheated my food so many times it's practically tasteless. But, that's ok, and that's just the normal life of a mom :)

Second thought in regards to the title is that eating is a luxury for so many people. Living in India makes me realize the plethora of food that comes in and out of my house. Not only does my family have plenty, we have over abundantly. I'm not complaining about that because I feel so blessed. But I realize how much I have when I talk to poorer families who tell me they ate rice and bread for dinner. Or, their kids ate a portion smaller than my fist and then went to bed. For many of he poorer communities here that size portion is even an abundant blessing.

"Give us this day our daily bread..." (Matthew 6:11)

Honestly, these words aren't something I've ever had to pray. But for so many here in India I'm sure they plead with the Lord for just that, because to them, eating is a luxury.

Our New Home (Pics of each room)

Here's pictures of our new house in Garden City! We Love it! We're so thankful the Lord has blessed us with a beautiful home, with great sunlight, an awesome cross breeze, incredible view of the city, lots or trees, a residential neighborhood where we feel comfortable walking with the kids & stroller to the store or just for exercise, and a strategic area for why we're here. 

I'll explain each group of pics as if I'm giving you a tour :)

When you walk in the door you step into our living room/family room area (with our dining room on your left). At our old house we had a separate front room and family room, which is why we have separate couch sets. We weren't sure it was going to work, but it's turned out great!

Left Picture: If you look to the left when you walk in the front door you see the guest bathroom & Elijah's room. (Also you'd see the dining room table, but that's in another picture)     Right Picture: Looking to the right when you walk in the front door.

Here's Elise looking out the living room windows at the city, and the the view itself. 

Then standing from Elise's spot in the above picture in our living room you turn around and see our dining table (and Elijah's room on the right). It's such a big open space, which we really enjoy because it not only allows so much sunlight and the breeze to go through the house, but it's a great space for the kids to play.

To the left of the dining table is our kitchen, which is the largest kitchen I've ever had. It's completely open on the one side, which helps when I have to spend such a long time cooking cause I can still see the kids. 

Walking into Elijah's room, you can see his double doors going out to his balcony & a full length window beside them. 

 

 

Here's mine and Neal's room. The door beside the full window leads to the front balcony, which is my favorite.

 I love the view! I'm hopeful to get two small wicker chairs for this balcony.

Here's Elise's room, which is right beside our room. You get to both of our rooms by way of a small hall right off of the family room.

I've always enjoyed rocking my babies, so whenever we're in our home and I can sit in my rocker my heart is so full! Also being able to feel the breeze and look outside at the greenery and neighborhood blesses me! I've longed for such things here in India. 

Here's the sunset view from Elise's window beside the rocker. 

The picture below is the opposite side of her room. The french doors lead out to a balcony that connects with Elijah's. Her room gets the best cross breeze because of the windows that are on both sides of the room. 

 Thanks for coming to see our home :)

Only in India # 52

Only in India do you find interesting warning signs like this one:

When someone has received an electric shock... do this... give them a "quick relief massage"

and then if that doesn't seem to help, take them to a doctor (Duh.- who always will look like this Japanese man in the photo :)

Finally give them another massage if they receive "death to negligence".

Wow! I feel so informed! I am ready for this next time!!

New Home

We have been enjoying our new home.

It feels like a sanctuary from the busyness of life here... it has been nice also for the kids to have their own rooms to sleep in.

There is a constant breeze since the monsoon has been here for well over a month now!
With that in mind we have been (especially Elise) suffering from colds. But it still has been so nice to have a large open area for the kids to play, more room for our items.

We hope and pray that this would be a place of comfort and conversations with new friends and neighbors. Also a place to meet early with our Lord, and rest well at night.

As you can see we love all the light in the day.

May it be used by God to bring comfort to many!

First Local Friend

I'd taken Elijah and Elise to the park one late afternoon and while Elijah was playing I met a kind woman. She had two boys, the oldest nine years and the youngest three.  We talked for a while until other women and children came to get my attention. Instead of walking off or saying goodbye she just waited. Waited patiently till they were finished talking, then continued our conversation. She struck me so differently than so many others. Her patient and gentle spirit was really what drew me to her...and the kindness in her eyes, which was all I could see because she was wearing a burka. 

She invited us to her house, so, we exchanged numbers and I called her later to arrange when we could meet. I took Elijah along on the visit, knowing he could make some new friends. When we arrived on their street the oldest son took Elijah under his wing as if he was his brother. He was so excited to have him visit...he wanted to show him everything.

The oldest showed Elijah all his school work and talked to him about what he was learning. The youngest son woke up from his nap and at first was really shy around the two of us. Once he warmed up, he immediately went to get a car to show Elijah, which is of course his favorite. They played cars in the front room on the table,  then in the side room where all the extra cars were located. To my surprise they played for an hour together, and they only had one instance where they weren't sharing.

 Chai, with a snack is of course always served. What's interesting here, as opposed to Kite City, is they will put the chai in a tea pot, and use china cups and saucers. I was actually thrilled about the tea pot thing because I've always loved them. I brought my favorite white Pottery Barn tea pot from the states with us this time...always being hesitant to do so before..., but unfortunately it broke in the suitcase :( I'll have a get one from here.

The little red cup on the tray was actually for Elijah. She served the boys warm milk and some of the dessert balls in the dish. It was too cute watching them enjoy their "chai"!

Doesn't Elijah look so happy?! He was! He loved being with those two boys playing cars...and my heart was overjoyed!!!

I asked her when we could come back again to visit...her in-laws, who she lives with are very strict and won't allow her to come to my house :( She said she would be really busy till after Ramadan, and then we could return. That time seems so far away, but I'm thankful for a friend whom I enjoy being with, and friends for my son! Thank you Lord, you're good to us!

Pics of the Kids & What They Enjoy

Here's some pictures of the kids here in Garden City. They have come to enjoy many different things, and the pictures will show most of their favorites. It's a lot of pictures, but it's like a story through their eyes of what brings joy.

For Elijah, swinging is not only one of his most favorite things, but it's very soothing to him. He loved swinging in America, but he's struggled so much since we've returned that he longs for the familiarity and solitude that swinging brings. We're hoping to one day get a small swing set for our roof to help Elijah.

Without big bathtubs you have to get creative...so we use small plastic tubs that some people hand wash their clothes in. The kids love it because they aren't too fond of showers :)

No doubt food is something this baby girl enjoys...and she will eat anything and everything now days!

There's a fascination with climbing into each others bed when one is sleeping. You always hear laughter from the next room as they are both now awake and playing. It's something that brings joy to your heart even when nap time is cut short.

 The malls here have play areas for kids that always have balls. Elijah Loves playing in the balls and that's what he always associates malls with...that and coffee :)

 Reading. Elijah has moved past the board books, though he still likes them, and onto the 'big kid' books such as Nemo, his current favorite. He likes looking at the rich pictures and he 'reads' the story to himself. Then when I read the story to him he corrects me with things that aren't actually printed in the book, but they're quoted in the movie.

 While we were staying with our friends when we first moved here Elise discovered their daughters princess castle. She would go into her room and play with the castle everyday we were there. It was the first time she'd ever seen a castle, so it was cute that that's what she gravitated towards...obviously different than my son. I love having a boy and a girl now!

 Standing on our porch overlooking the trees and the street below is something Elijah and Elise do together often. They of course enjoy the outside air, and that I let them go out alone since it's safe.

Elijah's room, as of right now, is the main spot for all the cool toys, especially with his train table in the middle. They love having the table to play trains, cars, animals, anything really. And whatever Elijah is doing, or wherever he is is where Elise wants to be as well :)

 Spinach and fruit smoothy in the morning! Oh yes, both of them always beg for the smoothy. Elise can't actually say it yet, but if she sees Elijah with a cup that looks similar to their smoothy cup she starts grunting and reaching for his cup.

 Elijah enjoys being the big brother by either bringing Elise food when she's playing in her room, or feeding her. He likes to tear her food into small pieces so that they're bite size. What a good helper :)

Walking. Elise took her first steps by herself on June 19th! She's been walking around the house by holding onto things, but, ever since that day she's become more and more risky in stepping out without holding on. She will even stand straight up from a sitting or squatting position and start walking...now that's a good core :)

 Drawing and coloring. Whenever Elijah, or Elise for that matter, are given crayons they tend to just bite them or break them. It's more just frustrating for me than it is fun for them. But, when Elijah's given a pencil, pen, or markers he is really good at drawing, and he always wants to include every color :)

Hanging out on the balcony that connects both of their rooms is such a fun place to play with toys, or run away from Mama or each other.

Elise also really likes being able to swing the door open and shut.

 Look at this girl! There's a wall between their two balconies, but it has a space they can fit through, which is why it's a great area to run from people. This baby girl will squeeze herself between the railing and the wall to go to whatever size Elijah is on. Because she's just now learning to walk, it takes her quite a while to get through.

Playing under the coffee table is a favorite spot, and especially with the Happyland toys. If you're familiar with Little People brand in the states, this is basically the same thing but a British version, which is sold here. They've both always loved Little People, so when we saw these we were thrilled.

Shoes. Elise loves shoes. In India you don't wear your shoes in the house because once they've been out they're gross. So, we have a pile by our door of shoes till we get a shoe stand...and everyday we have to get Elise out of the shoes.

Sneeking into Elijah's room. This girl thinks she needs to always go into Elijah's room when he's sleeping. She knows she's not to do it, so she will play peek-a-boo with the curtain till you notice her. Then she will laugh and continue prancing right into where she's not to go :)

The swimming pool is always a favorite. Gosh, it looked so much bigger when we bought it in Kite City for just Elijah :)