Love for Mullets....All to the Glory of God

Disclaimer: If you have ever or are currently sporting a mullet, please do not be offended by me or anything in this post. I respect your confidence, individuality, and sense of style.

So I have this love for mullets--the haircut, not the fish. I think they are wonderful. How can you see a mullet and not at least smile? The proper reaction, in my opinion, is to laugh--not loudly or offensively. But let's be honest, mullets are pretty funny. I usually take pictures of them anywhere I see one and can get a picture. My friends also take pictures of them for me because they are, well, just amazing. Okay so with that said, here's a story of how God managed to use this little quirk I have for His glory. 

On Tuesday morning before going to Rajesh and Susheela's I was praying earnestly for our time with them and for wisdom in direction for ministry, etc. when randomly the thought came to mind that it's been a really long time since I've seen a mullet here. I used to see them all the time, and I would just tell God, "Thank You," smile, click a pic if there was time, and keep going. I have no idea what made me think of this while I was praying a heartfelt prayer, other than a heartfelt desire to see a mullet, so I just prayed and said, "God I'd love to see a mullet sometime if You've got one. Okay, moving on to more important things..." That afternoon as we were leaving Rajesh and Susheela's and walking to get on the ferry, there was a man with a legit mullet wearing a light green shirt right in front of me. (Green just so happens to be my favorite color.) :) It caught me so off guard, I laughed and said, "Wow, God has a funny sense of humor." My supervisor was walking beside me and had been telling me a story when I interrupted him with my little outburst. So I had to tell him the story, and I felt really ridiculous for admitting to having prayed for something as silly as seeing a mullet. However, at the time, I was completely overcome by how incredibly generous it was of God to place that man right in front of me at the end of the day as if to say, "I hear you. I love you. You are exactly where I want you to be." I said, "Thank You!! You didn't have to go all out with the green shirt, but I appreciate it." 

Fast-forward to last night (Friday night). There is a couple on our team that live about 10 minutes from us, and the wife is a nurse. I needed to get a vitamin B12 shot and had already put it off for a week. So I finally went last night to get the shot, which then lead to us eating a delicious dinner together, which of course turned into us talking and sharing stories. I was talking about all that God has been teaching me about joy and thankfulness through the books One Thousand Gifts and Desiring God. So I told them about the mullet story from Tuesday evening. We all laughed. Then the wife shared about how she loves birds and prayed when she first moved here about how she only sees pigeons and crows in the city. Since then every morning at the window where she does her quiet time two little chickadees come and sit. Only He can orchestrate these things. More than that, only a loving, ever-Present, detailed God would/could show love to His children in such personal ways. 

Anyway, moving on, tonight the wife of that couple called to tell me about something funny that happened today. So today this couple was walking along leaving someone's house when the wife notices a guy walking towards them with a mullet. She had them on her mind because of our conversation last night. So she turned to her husband and said, "Don't make a big scene, but turn and look at that guy. He's got a mullet!" 

Her husband turns and sees the guy and yells, "Raju*!!!" As it turns out her husband has been looking for this guy since February and hasn't been able to find him for all these months! 

As she was telling me this, I kept thinking that I cannot believe God would use something so silly and ridiculous to bring glory to His name. Sometimes because I see God as being so big and so much higher and wiser than me, I think that the things I consider "small" or "silly" He just looks over because He's a big God concerned with big matters. I tend to think that He doesn't care about or have time for the little stuff. However, He uses it all for His glory. He uses our quirks and our weaknesses and our strengths and our inabilities and our abilities...ALL of it for His glory and our good. Because He is such a big God, tiny details don't hold him up or fluster Him. He is infinite. He has time for it all. And He has the wisdom to use it all. Glory be to God!

"Charge them...to set their hopes...on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy." (1 Timothy 6:17)

*name changed for privacy

You know you live in India when...

So over the last few days I have had several moments where I just had to stop and take a minute and ask, "Is this real life?" Or better yet, "Is this my life? Really?" So I started making a list in my head of "You know you live in India when..." Let me share a few.

....you stand too close to a goat and it starts to eat your dupatta (scarf). The scarf you are wearing on your neck. Suddenly it's in a goat's mouth. No one even seems bothered by this. No big deal... it's a normal, everyday affair to have a goat eat your clothes off your body.

....you see a sign that says, "Do not urinate here" in Hindi and in English. Now, why is it necessary to designate spots where this ISN'T appropriate? Shouldn't there more places where it's not okay than where it is? And directly beneath the sign is a HUGE pile of trash. It seems hypocritical, or pointless maybe. 

....you shower with the "butt sprayer" because it's the last place to lose water in your flat. True story: the water went out for several hours the other day, and I HAD to leave the house by a certain time, which was fast approaching. So I had to shower with the "bidet sprayer," better known as the butt sprayer, because it's the last to lose water...and it has the best water pressure...just sayin'.

....you watch a movie one night and run into the actress at the mall the next day. Okay, so maybe that one is "You know you live in Bollywood when..."

....you are sitting on the floor in someone's home and feel something behind you, hoping it's a cat, until you hear it squeak and realize that it is not a cat. And you can't react.  

....you see 6 grown men plus the driver in an auto, which is meant to only carry 3 people plus the driver. And they are all starting at you. 

....it's normal to see kids on the side of the road squatting next to each other talking and playing while they poop.

....you get cold if it gets below 80 degrees. 

....children on school buses point and yell, "Foreigner!" and giggle uncontrollably.

....you plan to buy groceries, books, flowers, etc. at certain stop lights.

....you catch yourself pointing with your eyes and agreeing with a head bobble.

....looking "fatter and fairer" is meant to be a compliment.

....everything tastes bland without hot sauce.

....you eat with your hands (even though you have utensils).

....you see a man painting an idol, a statue that will be worshiped as god, on the side of the road. Or there is a whole strip of shops that sell idols and the little cabinets to put them in. Side note: I still cannot wrap my mind around worshiping something you can paint, or put in a cabinet, or purchase, or chisel out of stone. It's hard to watch...and it's everywhere.

I love living here, but sometimes it just hits me like a wave that "we are not in Kansas anymore"...

Day 30!!!

The pressure is on to really make this one count since it's the last day of this 30 day comittment. It's definitely not the end of eucharisteo for me. Alright, so here it is:

My teammates, roommates, friends, sisters. Patricia and Lena.

I am thankful, so so so thankful to God, for putting me with these two ladies on this crazy journey. I honestly cannot imagine doing this without them. In the 8 months while I was sick and in and out of hospitals and doctors' offices, they put up with a lot and a did so much for me. They've seen me at my worst, and they still love me. We have prayed each other through all sorts of stuff. We moved 8,000 miles away from home together and have learned how to live life in India together. These ladies are legit. I love them dearly!

Day 29: Saving Toby

Toby is a hermit crab. Today as we were leaving Rajesh and Susheela's, Patricia picked up a shell. On the way home she realized the shell was moving....because a living creature was still inside it. So of course she named it. Toby. A good name for a hermit crab. And immediately googled how to keep it alive until next Tuesday when we can return him to his home. Crabs are scavengers, so they eat anything. So we tried to give Toby a variety of food. Now he's sitting on our table in a bowl. I am thankful for Toby. I've missed having a pet.

This was just an added bonus for today. I love this view of the city skyline, and it's usually not visible. But it was today...and I had my camera. So yay! :)

Day 28: My Cell Phone

I know I used this picture in a post the other day. However, I realized today that it deserves one of its own. I am so thankful for my cell phone. Without it I honestly don't know how I'd function. Doing work in this crazy busy, hustling, bustling city makes it nearly impossible to maintain face to face relationships on a regular basis. Texting people is a relationship saver and builder. How would I survive in Mumbai without my phone? Thanks be to God I haven't had to figure that one out.

Day 27: Shopping at Stop Lights

You can buy almost anything in traffic here. So tonight Patricia was trying to buy a book just as the signal changed, so this poor kid was chasing us down with a huge stack of books to get his money. I am thankful for the little "conveniences" of living in Mumbai.

Patricia with her new book.

Half way through the book the pages were upside down...

...which makes it look like Patricia is reading the book upside down. :)

Day 26: Gate Dog

Everyday there is at least one of two dogs sitting at the same place by the gate of our building. They faithfully "guard" our building. I love seeing them every day as I come and go from the building. It gives me that nostalgic "home" feeling when I see them. I actually missed them while we were in Thailand.

Gate dog. :) Usually only one or the other is there.

Day 25: A Kind Taxi Driver

Today I woke up anxious because I knew I was going to have to travel down to the south of the city by myself. There aren't rickshaws down south; there are only taxis. And taxis tend to be harder to get. So I prayed all morning that the Lord would make my travel smooth and that He would provide rickshaws, taxis, and trains and helpful people in case I got in a pickle and had no idea what to do (which still happens more often than I'd like). So I get to the train station and get my ticket like normal with no problem. I got on the right train and even got a seat! (This is a small miracle when traveling down south on the train in the morning.) I arrived at the train station and kept praying that a taxi would come because I wasn't sure how to get to the college from the station. For about 5 minutes no taxis were coming, and I was starting to get anxious because I didn't want to be late. So I finally ask a guy, probably looking desperate, who tells me he's not done with his customer and he's sorry. About 1 minute later he calls me over and tells me to get in because I'm on the way to where he's taking his current customer. I was a little skeptical because taxi drivers are stereotypically the worst about trying to cheat you out of money. However, I was desperate and had been praying, so I just hopped in and prayed that the Lord would make this man (and his other customers in the backseat) treat me right. It was a surprisingly short trip to the college, so when we pulled up I asked him how much and he said, "Whatever." I was thoroughly confused because that has NEVER happened to me before. So I asked for the meter card and he said, "No, no madam, just whatever." So I handed him a 10 rupee bill, which isn't much, so I figured he was going to name a ridiculously high price and I was going to have to haggle and still end up getting cheated. BUT he just took the 10 and said, "Okay Madam." I was so in shock and confused as I got out of the car and walked in that it wasn't until I was inside that I realized I had only given him 10 rupees. I immediately was wishing I could go back and give him more. What a huge blessing and answer to prayer that man was! And again I was overwhelmed by how God is intricately involved in the details. 

(It wasn't this exact taxi, but it looked like this.)

Day 24: A Typical Tuesday...on Thursday...

Warning: This post is a little "all over the place"...but my thoughts are a little all over the place right now, so I'm sorry if it's hard to follow. 

Today was a pretty average day for me. I woke up at 8am and skyped with my mom and brother. After that I spent time praying and in the Word. Then I showered and got ready for the day. I sent out a text to some friends reminding them of a time of prayer tonight, so I had several conversations going while I was getting ready. 

I don't know where I would be without my trusty little cell phone. 80% of my job is dependent on this thing.

Then Patricia and I left to run by the post office and the mall for lunch, where we usually meet our friend that goes with us to Rajesh and Susheela's house. However she couldn't meet us for lunch today. Patricia and I were both craving McDonalds, which that particular mall has, so we went there anyway. 

We took this auto to the mall. It's a nice color, don't you think?

Our friend was running a little late, so we wandered around the mall for awhile then we took an auto and met her by the ferry. We got on the ferry, which was packed fully of people and crossed over to where Susheela lives. We met like we usually do and talked about the Samaritan woman in John 4. We always ask the same questions after every story: What did you like about the story? Was there anything that confused you? What do you learn about God (the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit)? What do you learn about mankind, or people, from the story? How can we apply this to our lives? Who will you tell? 

We all agreed that it is amazing that Jesus (a) talked to a Samaritan (b) talked to a woman (especially a Samaritan woman) (c) knew that she'd had five husbands and was currently with a man that wasn't her husband (d) offered her living water, or eternal life, even though He knew all that (e) she repented immediately (f) she told her whole town her testimony, that Jesus had told her all that she'd ever done (g) and many Samaritans from that town believed because of her testimony. As I have been reading through this story and John over the last few days, I have been completely blown away by Jesus...almost like I'm seeing Him for the first time, through fresh eyes. I'm not sure if I just never let it really sink in to my core or if being out of what's comfortable has allowed me to see it through new lenses or if it's a combination of the two...BUT I cannot get over how (fill in the blank) Jesus is. Some words that come to mind for me: ridiculously gracious, backwards, revolutionary, radical, baller, non-conventional, surprising...there are many more, but you get the drift. 

Honestly words just fail. It's more of a feeling in my stomach. Kind of like butterflies before you meet someone important for the first time or before you're about to give a speech. Regardless, the reality is that Jesus is not a skinny white man with puppy dog eyes and long flowing robes holding lambs and knocking gently on doors. Nope. That's not Him at all. In fact, I kind of picture Jesus as more of a Harley guy wearing chains and leather riding into town shaking things up. Jesus NEVER did the expected. He called out the most educated religious leaders, even calling them a "brood of vipers" and spent time healing the poor, healing beggars, pardoning whores that were about to be stoned, talking to women at wells that were getting around, healing those with little faith, healing those with lots of faith, casting out demons....loving the unlovable and pardoning sinners just like me. I mean seriously, this is the Jesus of the Bible. He has a commanding presence. He is worth it ALL!  Do I really believe that? Have I let that change me to my core? Because I think that if I was living for this man, the man the Bible describes, I mean really giving it all for Him, things might look differently for me. I don't know....just some things I'm thinking about.

So back to today. After leaving Susheela's we went to the fish market near the ferry drop off point, so that our friend could buy some fish to take home to her family. That place was crazy! It was really colorful and really neat to see. However the smell was a bit much. In fact as soon as we got home, we told Lena we were sorry if we smelled bad, and she said, "Yeah, you guys do smell pretty terrible." :)

Shark anyone?

A swordfish!

This dog waited patiently for at least 30 minutes for some food. Then they tossed him some fish heads, and he chowed down. It was disgusting.

So I showered really quickly, then headed to a friends house for a time of corporate prayer. We all shared stories of things that have been happening lately and gave some requests, then we ate (of course we ate...you can't have a prayer gathering without brownies and pizza, right?) and chatted some more. Then it was time to leave and head home, but I had to run by the chemist (same as a pharmacy) and get some B12 injections (because I need them once a month now) before we headed home. We finally got the right medicine, got an auto, came home, watched an episode of The Office, and now I'm writing this. :)

What did yesterday look like? Well the day started with a lady that I met at the mall 2 weeks ago showing up at our door at 8am just to chat. Yeah...that was fun and a little awkward. What will tomorrow hold? Something totally different. I am actually going to speak at a chapel service in a college here. It should be interesting... I don't consider myself chapel material. Don't people with Ph.D's usually do that kind of stuff?

I am so thankful for everything that He has given me. I am thankful for the unexpected. I am thankful for it all because everyday I learn more and more that it is all grace. It is all right from His hand, and when I open mine to receive whatever He chooses to give, joy is always the result. A few weeks ago I was really struggling with what in the world my purpose here is. I kept asking God to draw some bottom lines for me. "Okay God, bottom line, why am I here?" or "Okay, bottom line, what am I called to do?" or "Lord, please, just sum up what the heck I'm supposed to spend my time doing?" "Come on, God, just any kind of bottom line, summary, something. I'm struggling here!" And every single time the response was the same: "Enjoy Me." So simple. Surely it's not so simple. "God it cannot be that simple...and vague...can't you be more specific??" Then I read One Thousand Gifts, and in one of the last chapters (if not the last chapter?) there is a poem from Teresa of Avila:

Just these two words He spoke

changed my life,

"Enjoy Me."

What a burden I thought I was to carry--

a crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me, "I know a song,

would you like to hear it?"

And laughter came from every brick in the street

and from every pore

in the sky,

After a night of prayer, He

changed my life when

He sang,

"Enjoy Me."

When I saw that poem, I nearly dropped the book. Can it be that hundreds of years before this moment He spoke the very same words to a woman like me in a time of desperate prayer, searching for the point of it all...a little meaning behind the chaos...some purpose in each day...or maybe just some direction when there seem to be endless possibilities?? Yes, it's absolutely possible, and it absolutely happened. Our God is so unfathomably big that it overwhelms me to the point of dizziness at times....and yet, He is astoundingly detailed. He is intricately involved in the everyday, seemingly mundane moments. He knew when He gave me the answer that dumfounded me that 16 days later I'd be reading Teresa of Avila's poem and barely able to breathe at how involved with me He really is. He's totally involved, completely there, ever-present. Opening up my hands to say thanks is the acknowledgment of that involvement, and it has changed our relationship forever.

Day 23: Sam

I am so thankful for Sam, my sweet puppy. Well, actually he's not a puppy anymore. He's almost 4 years old, but he'll always be a puppy to me. I love and miss him terribly. Sam is the definition of a lap dog. He is super lazy and laid back. If I am sitting down, he wants to be in my lap. If I am walking, he is usually not far behind. He likes to sleep in until noon under the covers. Yes, he's ridiculously spoiled. But he's a great dog. So you can see why I miss him something fierce. Imagine my joy when I got on facebook today and saw that my mom had tagged me in this super cute picture of Sam with their new kitten. I am so thankful that my family is taking care of him, that he has a new friend, and that my mom put up a picture of him today. I needed it desperately. I've been missing home a lot these days. I've been in India almost a year....it will be official on October 5. I am thankful that God is allowing me to experience and enjoy Him here. I am thankful for the family I have here in Mumbai. But I am also thankful for little pieces of home while I'm away.

Sam and Cede snuggling. :)

Day 22: Strikes

So today auto rickshaws were striking for the second day in a row, and we are pretty much dependent on them to get everywhere we need to go. I look so forward to Tuesdays because we go to Rajesh and Susheela's on Tuesdays, but not today. Our national partner that goes with us each Tuesday texted this morning and said we should change it to another day. Bummer. I reminded myself to give thanks. Aaaaaannnd today turned into a really chill, calm day. And it was wonderful. Our entire kitchen has been in our living room since yesterday morning, and we didn't know when we were going to be able to clean it up and put it back. Thankfully, we got to do it today. (Which means we can also cook in our kitchen and sit in our living room again. Very thankful for that.) After we cleaned up the common living area, I got to tackle my room and study some Hindi. Side note/random fact about me: I love (most) scented candles. You may think this is super lame, but I don't care. I shamelessly enjoy burning (most) scented candles. So studying, cleaning, reading, watching a movie...really anything with a scented candle is better. So I lit a candle and studied some Hindi after I cleaned up. Aaaaaaand since I'm not so motivated to study Hindi, I give myself rewards. For example, today's reward was a movie after studying Hindi. So I watched a movie in a room that smelled really pleasant and looked really clean. Why? Because autos are striking so I got to take a "day off".  And now I can look forward to Thursday this week (because we rescheduled Rajesh and Susheela's for then). So all in all, it turned out to be a grace-filled wonderful day. 

Some days I have to look for the grace gift a little harder than others. But everytime I take the time to search for Him, for His gift, it's worth it. Before I started doing this, I would've been frustrated all day and annoyed that plans got changed and things didn't go how they were "supposed to." I'm ever so slowly learning that things always go the way they are supposed to. And I can be thankful that He sees to it that what's supposed to happen does.

Day 21: Rattagan

Meet Rattagan. He appears in various places at various times, depending on who has him. I haven't seen Rattagan for awhile. This morning I found him sitting in my bathroom above the shower. I nearly dropped my toothbrush when I saw him in the mirror above my head. So I tossed him in the jungle that is our living room right now (due to Project Roach Poach, Round 2...that's a whole other story) and forgot about him.... Until this afternoon when stumbled upon him hanging outside my door. :)


I am thankful for Rattagan. I am thankful for my roommates. I am thankful for the team that so generously brought Rattagan here from the States to live with us.

Day 20: Pancakes for Dinner

Pancakes for dinner. Especially at the end of a 12 hour day. Wonderful. 

Also as a bonus, we saw this little guy as we were walking in tonight.

Day 19: Chai

Chai. An Indian favorite. A Patricia favorite. So she makes it for us in the afternoon sometimes, and it's so tasty. Thank you, Father, for chai!

Day 18: The Word

Tonight I studied the Word with some ladies, and I was amazed at how much they have grown in the last few months. It's because of the Word. It transforms hearts and lives. I am so thankful for the Word. It speaks for itself.

I didn't actually take this one today...but I like it a lot, so I'm using it. :)

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. -Psalm 19:7-10

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. -Hebrews 4:12-13

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3:16-17

Day 17: Umbrellas...

Today was the one day during monsoon that I left the house without my raincoat, and it rained pretty much everywhere we went. So I spent most of the day noticing (somewhat enviously) everyone else's umbrellas. They are bright and fun and colorful and varied. Since I wasn't hiding under an umbrella or the hood of a jacket, I was able to see a different angle on things.

Day 16: Dashing Cars

Dashing cars. My guess was a race car. Turns out, they are bumper cars. Tonight Lena, Patricia, and I rode dashing cars with Fiona and her little brother. The dashing cars were fun, and I am thankful for them. However, I have to say that I am most thankful for the people I spent today with. God has given me great friends in Mumbai!

There you have it...dashing cars.

Day 15...Half-way there!

This morning I woke up grumpy...on the wrong side of my twin bed. I did not want to get up. I did not want to face life. I wanted to throw my cell phone out the window, mainly because at that moment it was serving as my alarm clock. I was banging the snooze button as if to punish it for doing exactly what I set it to do. However, staying in bed all day was not an option. The door bell was buzzing obnoxiously. My phone was ringing. I have to face the world today. I walk out of my room to let our house helper in and am greeted by all our dishes which are in our dining room. Why? Because we found baby cock roaches in our cabinet last night. Gross. So we took everything out and sprayed the kitchen down. Ugh. Now I am really longing to go back to bed. 

And then I remember: Eucharisteo. Have I given thanks for anything this morning? 

Thank You God for...cock roaches? Gotta start somewhere.

Thank You for this mess...

Thank You for Vaishali, our house helper, who helps us with our mess. 

Thank You for coffee in the morning.

Thank you for eggs for breakfast.

Thank You for providing everything I need each day.

Thank You that today is Tuesday! (I really do enjoy Tuesdays...we get to see Rajesh and Susheela today!) 

Thank You for giving me another day to enjoy You.

Thank You for being patient with me when I don't remember You or acknowledge Your grace.

"Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." -Psalm 90:14

From One Thousand Gifts.

Day 14: The Office

"The Office." It's ridiculous. It's hilarious. At the end of any day, it's good to laugh. I am thankful for it. :)

Day 13: Fiona's birthday

Today I found it really hard to give thanks. It's September 11th, for one--which is a rough day as an American. So many people lost their lives senselessly 10 years ago today. So many people have been hurt and affected since that day. And I can't believe it's been 10 years!

It's also the final day of the Ganapati festival for Hindus. It's so hard to watch millions of people give glory to a god that isn't God. It's nauseating. It's unsettling. They go buy their Ganapati and bring the statue into their home and worship it for up to 11 days, then they take it in a big processional to the water and put it in. There have been processionals all day with drums and dancing and music and lights and people following behind this idol. So many people say, "All gods are the same." And my heart just hurts. No. No all gods are not the same. Jesus cannot be put into the same category as an elephant-man, nor any other god! 

Thousands of people in the street beside our apartment taking Ganapati to the water.

However, the highlight of today was celebrating Fiona's birthday. She is one of my best friends in India, and she is turning 18 tomorrow. Today we celebrated at church with her church family. In India it's tradition for someone to smear icing all over the birthday person's face. So Fiona got cake smeared on her face. And it was a lot of fun. :) I'm so thankful for Fiona. I'm thankful for her birthday. I'm thankful that God is still seated on His throne regardless of what's happening. "Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases." -Psalm 115:3 "God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne." -Psalm 47:8

Day 12: Green Sprinkles

I am thankful for birthdays. And fiestas to celebrate birthdays. And pinatas. And cupcakes. And green sprinkles. :)

Day 11: Hiding Place

"You are my hiding place..." Psalm 32:7

Living in a city that never sleeps with 22 million people can be a bit overwhelming at times. (Or all the time...) I am thankful that He is my Hiding Place.

I am so thankful for our home. It is a "hiding place" in a physical sense. So I took a picture of our door since I couldn't exactly capture God, who is my Hiding Place no matter where I am.

Day 10: Call to Prayer and Cold Medicine

Today I woke up to the Call to Prayer at 5:30am with (what felt like) an elephant on my chest and a sore throat.  I think I have caught the inevitable cold that everyone in Mumbai seems to have at some point during monsoon season. Bummer. 

I stare at the ceiling. Ugh. I am not looking forward to this day already...and it has barely begun. I open my mouth to complain out loud to the dark, but my voice is gone. "Seriously?" I say to the darkness. BUT I have a choice. Continue to be agitated. Or be thankful. Can I be joyful when I'm sick at 5:30am with man's voice blaring in another language on a loud speaker outside my window? 

I choose to give thankfulness a try. "Thank You for waking me up to talk to You this morning. ...And thank You for cold medicine. Thank You for the friends that brought the cold medicine..." And I continue to give Him thanks until I fall asleep again.

Thankfully some friends from the States just brought me some good cold medicine. (I haven't found any here that works the same.)

So far I have found it impossible to be angry and thankful at the same time. Thankfulness leads to joy. And "joy transcends all other emotions" (to quote Ann Voskamp in One Thousand Gifts).

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night" Psalm 92:1-2

Day 9: Macaroni in Mugs

My roommates ate their macaroni in mugs this evening. We sat down together to eat, and it made me laugh. So I thought it was worth documenting. :) I'm thankful for these ladies. And I'm thankful for their quirkiness. And I'm thankful for macaroni and mugs, as well as macaroni in mugs.

Day 8: Tuesdays

I look forward to Tuesdays every week. Here's why: On Tuesdays Patricia and I go to a fishing village and study the Word with a small group of believers. We meet in the home of a young couple that have recently believed in Jesus. The two of them, two of us, our national partner, and two older ladies (who have been believers for awhile) all sit together, open our Bibles (in three different languages) and talk about it together. 

They are faithful. They are obedient to the Word. They are hungry for more. And they are discovering the joy that comes with life in Christ. They are listening to the Spirit. 

He is more kind and generous and loving than I ever could have imagined.

 

Sitting on the floor together, I look up and think, "How is this possible? How did this happen? We are worlds apart culturally. We have nothing in common, but I love these people about as much as you can love anybody." And the Spirit inside of me reminds me that we have the most important thing in common. Him. And that is only because of His love, His grace...Oh, where would we be without it?! He put His Spirit inside each one of us...crazy, right?! 

I cannot thank God enough for allowing me to be a part of something so wonderful--Him! ...especially on Tuesdays! :)

Day 7: Keytars

Keytar! At a Ravi Zacharias event in Mumbai. :)

This guy was playing 3 keyboards at the same time, then he went crazy on his keytar for awhile. It was impressive. It definitely made me smile. :)

On a slightly more serious note, we were in a room filled with believers tonight as Ravi Zacharias spoke and celebrated RZIM's 25th year. It was unbelievably encouraging to see so many people there and to see most of our Indian friends from many different backgrounds and churches in one place. It was a reminder of how many prayers God has answered and how many people He has sent to us. All gifts. His grace astounds me.

Day 6: Piercing Darkness with Praise

This morning at church right in the middle of praise and worship all the electricity went out. The room suddenly went pitch black, but the sound hardly changed at all. Everyone was singing so loud you couldn't really tell the mics weren't working. It was beautiful. God's people singing His praises, in Hindi and English, undeterred by darkness. We went right on worshiping like that for about an hour.

Day 5: Rickshaws in the Rain

This nice man took us to the train station in the rain. I was so thankful for him because Lena and I would have been in a pickle...and very wet had he not picked us up. :)

Day 4: Home Sweet Home

This morning I woke up sad. So sad to leave vacation. So not ready to enter the craziness that is Mumbai. However, when I stepped off the plane in Mumbai, I felt relief. A surprise. Relieved to be home. Mumbai feels like home. A moment of thanks.

We got home and saw familiar faces. A moment of thanks. Thank You for familiarity. Thank You for these people.

We walk into our flat, and there's Patricia! A moment of "Thank You!" She has made us a welcome cake, complete with a sign. A moment of thanks.

Thank you, Patricia, for making us a cake! :)

We arrived on Day 2 of 11 of a festival called Ganapati. For people from Mumbai (and Maharashtra--the state), Ganapati is like Christmas. We were able to spend some time getting to know our neighbors better. Building relationships. A moment of thanks.

People are playing drums and dancing in the streets. This is home. Thank You, Father, for making this place feel like home.

The view from our living room.

Banging drums. People dancing.