Where There's a Will, There's a Way

WHOO! HOO!!!  I purchased my international airline ticket!  The transaction was not an easy one.  The bank said I had purchased the ticket while Delta Airlines said I had not. So...after a few hours on the phone today, Delta finally released it.  Geesh!!  To obtain the best price, I will now be leaving February 13 instead of February 11, which means I will arrive on February 14, Valentines Day. It's fitting since I'm in love with India already!!

Did some miracle occur in my financial situation? No, but I got the "go ahead" from God during a sermon yesterday. Bro. Sammy Sherrill preached, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way." He used several illustrations from the Bible showing us that sometimes Jesus outright handed someone a miracle although the person was not necessarily seeking it. This was the case of the man who had an infirmity and had been lying by the pool for 38 years. Jesus approached the infirmed man and offered him a healing (John 5:1-9). Other times someone actively pursued a miracle from Jesus although He had other plans. Jesus was on His way to heal Jarius' daughter when the woman with the issue of blood pressed her way through the crowd to touch the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:18-22). In both cases, the people received a miracle from Jesus. The point of the entire message was sometimes God enforces His Will upon us, as in the case of the infirmed man. Other times we enforce our own will to become His Will, such as the woman with the issue of blood.

I know without a doubt it is God's will for me to go to India. Even though God had been dealing with me differently prior to now, I sensed yesterday I needed to take a leap of faith and force my will of the airline ticket into His Will of going to India.

Where there's a Will, there's a Way!!

Trial of Faith

YAY!!  I purchased my Indian domestic airline ticket yesterday, the one where we travel from Delhi to Manipur.  I have not purchased the international airline ticket, the one that gets me from the USA to India.  Why?  God has not provided the funds or the "go ahead" yet.  His timing makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.  Doesn't He know the ticket prices are increasing rapidly on a daily basis?!  The trip is two weeks away for crying out loud!

When God called me on this journey to India, He knew I had very limited financial resources of my own to get there.  However, He has provided every step of the way thus far.  My savings account started out empty.  When it was time for the passport, the money was there.  Then, the account was empty again.  When it was time for the visa, the money was there once again.  This is how the walk of faith has unfolded on the journey.

Now it is time to purchase the international ticket.  (In my opinion, it is past time).  People have advised me to put it on the credit card in faith and let God provide it later.  Is that faith?  It could be.  But it is not how He has dealt with me thus far on the journey.  Besides, if I put the ticket on the credit card without His permission or "go ahead" I would be acting like that hurt child of long ago who manipulated things to get her needs met.  I refuse to act in that manner.  I choose instead to wait on God and His timing.  Personally, for me, waiting requires greater faith.

Is it easy?  No, it is not easy.  Everything within me cries out, "Why are You waiting, God?  Don't You know the airline ticket prices are climbing higher each day?  Do something, NOW!!"  All I can say is the monkey (or in this case, the money) is on His Back.  It's up to Him to provide.

Lord, at this point, it looks like You're going to need to sell some of Your cattle on the hill to pay for this ticket. :-)

"Let me say I believe God will supply all my need, and then let me run dry, with no outlook, and see whether I will go through the trial of faith or sink back to something lower." ~ Oswald Chambers

No Sugarcoating

I realize the last blog entry was a little heavy. When I started this blog I vowed not to sugarcoat the ups and downs of the journey. I want this blog to be transparent and truthful, yet uplifting and encouraging.

Just so you know, my relationship with God is not all seriousness. Sometimes He makes me LOL (laugh out loud). We have our fun moments and He is definitely a teaser. Why, He recently gave me several confirmations that He was going to provide everything for the trip to India. People have said to me, "Do not be anxious. He will take care of everything. You are in His perfect will. Trust Him." By the time I received the third confirmation, I laughed and said, "Okay, God, that's enough! No more confirmations! Just hand over the airline ticket!"

This place in the journey reminds me of the children of Israel when they left Egypt. Pharaoh and his army were chasing them from behind. The Red Sea was in front of them and they had no transportation to cross it. They were at a point of no return because to turn around and go back was sure death. To forge ahead was probable death. While they were still trying to figure out what to do, God stepped on the scene, parted the Red Sea and they walked across it on dry ground. News of that miraculous happening spread throughout the land. Years later, the mighty army of Jericho didn't even bother to fight the children of Israel because of the parting of the Red Sea. The children of Israel conquered Jericho without a fight all because of God's miraculous hand.

I believe God is going to perform a miracle on my behalf regarding the airline ticket. Everyone, including myself, will know that He and He alone performed the mighty act. Today my faith and trust in Him is high, but He sure is making me nervous with His timing. lol

Abba Father

"DADDY!!!!"  I cried out to God as I crumpled to the floor two days ago.  I was face to face with the stark realization that I was totally alone in my endeavor for God regarding the trip to India.  I was also fearful God would not provide the airline ticket.  Never mind that He has provided everything I've needed thus far: the passport, the visa, the luggage, the medication, even a new digital camera.  What makes the airline ticket any different? 

I'd always had trouble relating to God as my Father. I was nine years old when my dad died and I never allowed anyone to take his place, not even God. Especially not God. As a child, I felt like my dad never failed me, but God had. I had a strong and loving relationship with my earthly father. He provided me with everything I needed. Sometimes he spoiled me by giving me things solely for my pleasure and enjoyment. After his death, my basic needs, such as food and warm clothing, were often unmet. As a child, I would manipulate people, whine and pitch fits, all in an attempt to get my needs met. I developed a false mindset which carried over into adulthood and my relationship with Him: God was not enough.

When I hear the word "Father" I think of Romans 8:15 "...but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father."  While the word "Father" commands respect and reverence, the word "Abba" means "Daddy" indicating a more intimate affectionate relationship.  As I crumpled to the floor, fighting against fear and loneliness, while grasping hold of truth and crying out to my Heavenly Daddy, the false mindset of God not being enough was broken.  In the midst of the pressure, I couldn't deny the touch of God commissioning me, compelling me to go to India.  I had to keep moving in the direction of His Spirit regardless of what was happening around me.  He WILL provide everything I need because the truth is MY GOD IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

India Video

I accidently stumbled upon this video about India.  Lo and behold, it was about Bro. Rama and the Happiness Home in Churchandpur, India!  This is where we will be going on our trip.  If you'd like to be a blessing to these people, please click on the "Get Involved" tab above for more information.

Free Lunch

My co-workers treated me to a belated birthday lunch today at Sitar's Indian Restaurant.  Although the atmosphere was not as intriguing as Taj India, the food was wonderful.  For all my culinary friends, I managed to take pictures and get the names of the food I ate this time.  However, I don't know if I will be able to show my face there again...just as we were getting into the car to leave, the owner came running out accusing me of non-payment.  We explained that my boss paid for my lunch.  I think she finally believed us.  Enjoy the pics!

Clockwise from top: Eggplant Makhani, Chicken Tikki Masala,

Dal Makhani, Yellow Vegetable Rice, Poori

Clockwise from top: Kheer, Gulab Jamun, Mango Frini

Taking Risks

People have inquired about the various risks involved in visiting an AIDS/HIV shelter in a foreign country. My friend and I are very much aware of the hazards we will be facing when visiting this area of India and we are taking precautions. I mean, even the travel guide states, "Manipur's forested hills provide cover for rare birds, drug traffickers and dozens of guerrilla armies making it by far the northeast's most dangerous state."

Aren't there risks involved in any and every endeavor we pursue in the kingdom of God? There are those who play it safe in their walk with God.  What a boring life!  Peter was the only disciple to actually walk on the water with Jesus because he was the only one willing to get out of the boat. The people who have accomplished great feats for God are the ones who have taken great risks. What about the greatest risk-taker of them all, Jesus Christ?  He left the splendor and majesty of heaven, came to this lowly earth and put on filthy flesh, all to seek and to save a lost and dying humanity.

After reading the article below, I believe the patients are taking a much greater risk than I am as they cross the Burma border to seek hope and medical help at the Happiness Home. Why shouldn't I take a risk?

Hope spurs Burmese with HIV on risky trip to Indian charity shelters

Compassion

The man is this video is located in India, although in a different city from the one we will be in. Even though he is not a Christian, I admire this man's philosophy of love...it is so Christ-like. God created mankind in His likeness. When we physically touch another human being we are touching the creation of God Himself. He also created "the least of these" the ones we tend to avoid or shun, let alone touch them compassionately. The people we will be visiting in India are considered the 'untouchables'. My friend and I will be face to face with God Himself in the lives of these people. The thought is overwhelming. Can we handle it? Only through God's grace and compassion. This is my prayer, "God, give me the compassion to touch Your face, even the least of these."

"...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40

Plans Gone Awry

Although this trip is unfolding according to schedule, it is not happening as originally planned.  (Since when do things go according to our plans when God is involved?!)  Originally a friend and I were going together for the entire two weeks to visit Happiness Home, a place for people with AIDS/HIV located in the city of Churachandpur in the state of Manipur.  Then we found out about restrictions in Manipur which only allowed people to enter into the area for 10 days, including travel time.  This meant we would only be able to spend 8 days at Happiness Home. I really wanted to stay in India longer, so I contacted the regional missionary to inquire about other opportunities. So...according to God's plan, not mine, I will be going to New Delhi, India alone to work in the Bible college assisting with some much needed office work. I do not like the idea of going alone, but it's comforting to know my friend will join me in New Delhi a week later.  Together, we will finish up any remaining office work and do some sight-seeing.  Whoo Hoo!! Let the fun begin!!  (Imagine my delight and surprise to discover Taj Mahal is located near New Delhi!  I've always dreamed of visiting that magnificent place!)  After a few days in New Delhi, we will travel together to the state of Manipur to visit Happiness Home.  To think, I will finally meet these precious people who captured my heart in their pictures a few months ago.  I can hardly wait!  The love of God is so evident in their lives.  Afterwards, my friend and I will travel the long journey home together.  Our lives will never be the same.

There was one point when my friend's passport was delayed.  It introduced me to the very real possibility of going to India alone for the entire trip.  After prayer and counseling, I told God, "This trip is not turning out as originally planned.  But, if You want me to go to India alone for the entire trip, I will do it.  I'd really rather not, but if that is Your plan for me, I will go alone."  After that prayer of surrender, my friend received her passport, then her visa processed in an unbelievable four days!  (Mine took six weeks.)  We then applied for the Protected Area Permit (kind of like a second visa) to enter the state of Manipur.  Just when we were ready to process our paperwork, Manipur lifted the restrictions, thus not requiring the permit for foreigners to enter the area.  Is that perfect timing or what?

I am so glad God is in control of this trip and not me.  It's going to be an amazing journey!!