Sunday, October 30, 2005

News Report

USA TODAY - India, Pakistan agree to open Kashmir border
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — India and Pakistan agreed early Sunday to open the heavily militarized frontier in the disputed Kashmir region to speed help for victims of the devastating South Asia earthquake, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said. Opening the border in predominantly Muslim Kashmir is particularly sensitive for India's government, which has been fighting a 16-year insurgency by Islamic militants who want Indian Kashmir to be independent or united with Pakistan.

....But the devastation from South Asia's worst-ever earthquake has helped override long-standing suspicions between the two countries.

The unprecedented agreement came in response to the Oct. 8 quake that killed more than 78,000 people in northern Pakistan and more than 1,300 in Indian Kashmir. Some 3.3 million people were left homeless and fears for their lives are growing as winter closes in.

An estimated 800,000 people, many living in remote mountain valleys, still lack basic shelter. Relief officials say 600,000 more tents are needed.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Spiritually Drained (Journal Entry)

I feel like sitting at your feet all day, Jesus. I feel more refreshed today physically, but spiritually I feel drained and empty. Fill me with your love and your strength and your joy.

On thing on my mind is my relationships with people. The are two things that have been told to me recently.

Janet said, “There are some things you’ll never change.”
Mommy said, “Sometimes it’s better to change yourself than try to change the other person, but changing yourself is harder because you have to humble yourself.”

Yeah, that’s probably it. I have to humble myself…and I have so much pride it’s quite difficult.

Psalm 15 is a good reminder that not one of us is worthy of you, Lord. Help me to understand what you want to teach me through these verses.
Verse 1: “Who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.”

Psalm 15 in The Message says:“God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?
Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.
Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor; despise the despicable.
Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe.
You’ll never get blacklisted if you live like this.”

Thank you for the encouragement of Psalm 16:
Psalm 16:5-6- “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (NIV)
“My choice is you, God, first and only, and now I find I’m YOUR choice! You set me up with a house and a yard. And then you made me your heir!” (Message)

Psalm 16:9-10 – “Therefore, my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” (NIV)
“I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell – that’s not my destination!” (Message)

Friday, October 21, 2005

Bike to Falls (Email to parents)


We’ve been really busy lately…but I’m doing well, things are going well- training is good…I’m learning a lot.

I rented my OWN motorcycle/motorbike thing yesterday and drove all around the city. I was with other people, but still I was the one driving! It was wonderful, perhaps the best part of my time here- so freeing, and lots of fun! Yesterday we had a free afternoon so Tina, Karen and I took the bikes and went to a really cool waterfall park place…see above pic..

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Falling on my knees (Journal Entry)

“I’m falling on my knees, offering all of me.
You’re all this heart is longing for.”


May this be my prayer…may I fall on my knees daily, hourly, moment by moment. May I offer myself to you- not even in my own strength, but by your strength. May you be all that my heart is really longing for. Lord, how can that be when my heart is filled with myself? How can I get myself out of the way and truly long for you? My heart is so selfish and filled with my own personal desires and dreams. May I be so enthralled by you that your dreams and desires for me become my desires and dreams.

Thank you Jesus.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Believe, Trust, Faith (Journal Entry)

Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith is it impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

If I don’t believe or trust, I’m not pleasing God?

What is the difference between believing and having faith? I have faith, but sometimes I don’t believe…or don’t trust…what does that mean in light of this verse?

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Christmas Presents!! (Picture!

My aunts, cousins and family sent me Christmas presents!!!

Monday, October 17, 2005

Girls at Training! (Picture!)





Fun in Thailand (Pictures)

Pictures of us hanging off of trucks in Thailand... :)




Saturday, October 15, 2005

One more Language Represented in Heaven (Journal Entry)

Borner Christian Church – Cheng Mai
“Sin is not breaking God’s law, it’s breaking God’s heart.”

Today we went to a Thai church. Actually, it was actually a tribal language- wow! How cool! Another tribe reached for the Lord. It was a long service and most people got bored or fell asleep I think- those who couldn’t understand the tribal languages, and I must admit I too felt very tired. However, at the end, I thought “this is just another langauge that will be represented in Heaven!!!"

Friday, October 14, 2005

Thoughts from John Mark (Journal Entry)

Notes from Training/Devotions...

* Our level/amount of understanding of God is what we have to share with others. “To know God and make Him known.” We have to start with God. Our goal cannot be to ‘seek and save the lost’ or we will be greatly disappointed. The fist and greatest commandment is to love and worship God- that is our first priority.

* We often think how our actions affect other people, but we should think ‘how do our actions affect God.’ Instead of dealing with hurt with your partner, think about how you’ve hurt the heart of God.

* When we first become a Christian, we are like a pin. God puts just enough of Him on the top of the pin (like a drop of water) because that’s all we can handle. Then, he breaks us in some ways and we become like a thimble- holding a little more of Him. This process repeats itself over and over, each time God breaks/crack one pot/vessel to create a new/bigger one to allow us to see/know/experiences more of Himself.

* Sin isn’t a problem for a sinner. If there is no reason to get out of sin, then there’s a no problem with it. It’s only when we become saved that we start to see this ultimate example of perfection and strive to attain it realizing our sin is what keeps us from that peace with God.

* Will you start and end everything with God? When will what’s inside of you start affecting you on the outside instead of the other way around? Of course, that is, if God is working inside of you and if you’re letting that happen- then you want what’s inside of you to come out.

*You are called to love everyone. You are not called to unconditionally trust everyone. Love is unconditional, trust develops and grows. You will be trusted with more depending on what you do with what you’ve been given right now. Do you want God to find you trustworthy?

* God is trusting us with people groups!!! If God can’t trust me with my family, why would He give me more people to hurt?

* If you can’t figure out what God’s calling you to next, go back to the last thing God told you- were you faithful to it?
2 Timothy 2:20-21
Is 59:2
Gen 12:1-3
Ps. 67
Matt. 28:18-20
Ps. 22:27-31
Gal. 3:8- people on the field will challenge you saying that you’re not getting to Jesus fast enough. But really, each story has Jesus in it!

* Take one step at a time. However far you get will be the farthest you’ve ever gone. Wherever you get to, will be the farther than where you were before.

Matt. 11:12
2 Cor. 10:3-5
Ex. 17 – “If they drop their arms, they’ll die.” (Moses’ thoughts)- Epic leaders
“Get off their high stool and come down here” (soldier’s thoughts) Us!
“You don’t understand!!!” – a sure sign that you’re in the spiritual battle

* God can and will use ready and available people. If you don’t listen and obey, God will move on to the next person, He’s not out of options- it’s just that you were His 1st choice.
Is. 30:20
Deut. 28:47-48
1 Sam. 8, 10 vs. 20, 16

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Email from Thailand (Email to Parents)

Mommy and Daddy,

We made it! One 3 hour bus trip scrunched with all men, an overnight train trip- arriving in Old Delhi train station at 5am, which can be a scary enough place in the middle of the day, let alone in the dark, getting a rickshaw- the driver having no clue where we were going, though we finally made it to our hotel, the hotel not having our reservation, but had a room available, so no problem, going to the bathroom for the first time in a month having to actually sit on a toilet!(!), spending the day in Delhi, getting our plane tickets, visiting the Shaw family to drop off things to be mailed, (since there is a big festival right now, the post office is closed for 3 days (ugh!)), eating at Pizza Hut (yum!), talking to Trisha’s sister on the phone (I think a total of 5 times!), finding a MOVIE theater and watching an English film (Cinderella Man- it’s good if you want to see it, probably came out a few months ago in the states?), eating brownie and ice cream at TGI Friday’s!!! Finding our way back in the dark with the rickshaw walla, sleeping for an hour, taking our first hot shower (wow!), having A/C in the room, resting for a short period of time and then heading to the airport at 10pm, arriving, getting checked in, eating at SUBWAY(!!!), calling you(!- it was only about 65 cents this time, I made sure before I called!!!), then getting on the plane around 1:30am. Trying to sleep, but the man sitting next to the window kept getting up (ugh!), arriving at 5:30am with very little sleep, getting through customs, immigration in Thailand, getting our bags, going to the domestic terminal to get our next flight to Cheng Mai, getting our flight (all we had was a confirmation number written down on a pad of paper- no actual tickets- it worked!), having eggs, toast and hot dog (?) for breakfast, getting onto our flight (1 hour), sleeping the whole way, arriving, finding a taxi- our driving only speaking in Thai- but we made it to an big building that ended up being the right place.

We’re here, in A/C, with AWESOME accommodations!!! Granted, they may not be awesome for everyone, but for us they are BY FAR better than anything we’ve had in the past three months. We’re so excited!!!

At the same time, I’m not sure how to process everything I’ve felt along the way, I need to journal a lot about it….

It started before we left "Kahan." I started to feel really sad about leaving, leaving our family, leaving the town, the people…just not wanting to leave at all. And then started to think about in two years how will it be…and couldn’t even entertain that thought. Then the thought was, “I’m coming back, so all is well.” That got me through our bus and train trip and in Delhi- things were fine. They were fine because we were still in India. We got on the flight and arrived in Thailand and sat down the breakfast, and I shared with Robin. “I don’t want to be here right now.” She asked, “By that do you mean, ‘here at training?’ or ‘here in Thailand?’ or ‘’here in this situation?’ or what? I said, “I just want to go back to India.”

I think I’m realizing it’s not that I don’t WANT to be at training or in Thailand, it’s just that I’d rather be/want to be in India! Hmm.

Not sure what all to think about all that. It’s very nice here, and I am excited to meet people and once training starts know that these thoughts will go quickly. Who knows, I may not want to go back after living here for a month!!!!

Both Robin and I are overwhelmed by how great it is and that we have a fridge, and a pillow that doesn’t feel like rocks, and running water…things like that. I’d still take all our inconviences to be back with our family in Kahan…..but know, soon enough we will be….

Pray that I’ll “BE ALL HERE” as Jim Elliot says!

I love you- and will work on getting a phone at some point…Oh yeah - we have WIRELESS internet here- did you hear me? Can you believe that? :)

I better go---going to have my first Thai meal!

Love,

~ Elizabeth

Sunday, October 2, 2005

1st Trip to Village (Journal Entry)

We went to the village today. Robin was feeling sick and was not able to come, but Vivian, Becca and I went with Anju to her aunt and uncle’s home who live in a village. We walked a little while, then took a jeep about an hour and a half- Anju and Vivian got sick (sticking their head out the jeep window to throw up). Both Becca and I felt sick, but didn’t get sick. I felt sick for about an hour after we arrived, but never got sick.

Anyway, we arrived and walked down about 45 minutes to the village. We arrived in the “village” that in many ways seemed like a village, but then in other ways did not. I’m still trying to process everything. We had to walk by a bullock- ox-cow type thing that tried to knock us over with it’s head! We were able to get by without too much trouble, just a little scared! We got to her aunt and uncle’s home and had water and then had lunch after a while. The family speaks some Hindi and mainly Kahani. It was interesting to listen to them, but somewhat overwhelming also to think how much more there is to learn! The Aunty is very nice, though she doesn’t speak Hindi. The father is actually a Hindi teacher.

The room that we would probably stay in is pretty nice- about the same size we have now which is great. Our living conditions would be about the same- getting our water outside and heating it, only one electrical outlet- but at least there is one, a few other things like that that are similar to what we have now. Oh, a great thing- my cell phone works out there- what a blessing! It may not always work (depending on the weather!), but it worked when I called Robin today, so that’s a good sign!

The home is situated kind-of in the middle of the village, but again, I’m not sure what other people’s pictures is of a village, but this is not exactly what I had envisioned. I think partly is because it’s a mountain area. Basically, there is one house- and then a field, and another house after that and another field. Some houses are closer than others, but not really close. Now, there is a front porch/patio type thing in front of the house and while we were there, several village people just came and walked through as if it was the main highway- for them it is. Real stones and everything- rather than a dirt path! Thus, there are other people around- it’s just that houses aren’t necessarily close. Let me rephrase that- they are close- in that it would take you 5 minutes to walk to one. I think also that there are so many trees and bushes that it hides them more!

There are 14 homes- approx. 50 people in the village. There are other villages somewhat nearby, but not belonging to the same village. Anyway, it was quite the experience. It was odd to be there and think this might be my “home” or as close to it as possible for the next 2 years. I’m not quite sure I was able to process it all- or ever will be able to. I felt quite comfortable there and as if stories would be much better there than in the “big city” of "Kahan." Thus, language is going to be tricky. Kahani is a different language, and it’s related to Hindi, but certainly different. I have not yet even begun to master Hindi, let alone begin another language. I am hoping that our Epic training will teach us about languages some and helps us know what language to focus on- and how to learn it!!!!

Our trip back was also quite interesting. We walked about an hour- going a different way than on the way there. We walked along a wall, on a wall, went through a river (about a foot deep), through grass paths, dirt paths, up and down stairs and finally to the little town nearby. We then took a jeep that was much better than the one on the way there. However, the driver stopped about halfway back and said, “That’s it, I don’t go any further, get out.”

He wasn’t saying it unkindly, it was just that that town where we were was his stop- he was going to turn around and go back. We were still about an hour away from home and at that time of day, it would be quite unlikely that we would get another jeep or even a public bus. Hmm, what to do. There was a lady with us who lives close to us and she said, “We’ll take a truck.” The best thing I can think to describe this would be standing along side a road and waving down a tractor trailer and asking for a ride. That’s what we did- we climbed in- (about 4 feet up to get in the door!!!) and rode on home. Vivian, Becca and I actually preferred the truck to the jeep- since it was nice and high up and also such a big vehicle it didn’t jolt you around quite as much.

It was a good trip all in all- and I’m glad I was able to go prior to our Epic training so I have an idea of what it’s like there.

Lord, I pray now for the Kahani people- I pray for the people we will live and work among and for their impact on us and our impact on them. I pray that you would give them vision to see the stories we hope to share are true stories and can change their lives. I pray that we would be able to learn the language quickly. I pray that the storying work would go well- that we would find ways to connect with the people and craft the stories in a way that they would understand and relate to. I pray that you would guide our storying strategies as well as our time with possible storytellers. May what we say and do be glorifying to you and a blessing to these people. Give us wisdom in how to live with them and share You with them.





Saturday, October 1, 2005

My dream is coming true! (Email Update)

October 1, 2005

Hello Friends and Family! :)

Short Version:
1) My dream is coming true!
2) Your Prayers are Important!

1) I’ve recently realized that my dream has/is coming true. Living with an Indian family for the past few weeks has been a blessing, and also an adjustment. No running water. No hot water, eating rice and daal (a soup-like mixture of beans and 'subzee' random vegetables) for every meal except once in a while we eat what I would consider grass (we have the thick blade type and the thin), electricity once in a while, stinking from not bathing daily or not bathing like I am used to (figuring out the best way to wash using a bucket and a cup-- and again-- with cold water), washing my clothes on the porch with a bar of soap and a brush, walking an hour up and down a mountain to the bazaar, communication obstacles, learning to ‘co-exist’ with LARGE spiders, etc, etc. None of these things I mean in a negative way- it's just how life is done here, and I love being here, thus I embrace these things too! (still working on the spiders part!)
(Picture: Left to right: Aunty, me, Uncle, Robin. Getting beans out of the pods for dinner!)

2) Your Prayers are IMPORTANT!!!
This week, I read about an “M” in a book called “Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God” by Noel Piper. I read this:

“…She [Lilias Trotter] realized that prayer is not necessarily strengthened by being physically present in the place one is praying about. On the contrary, perhaps one prays more intently far away.” Lilias herself wrote: “The powerless to go gives an intensity to the joy of it. One can stand in spirit among the [South Asian people] and pray for them perhaps more effectively than if one were bodily there. One can shut the door, as it were, and stand alone with God as one cannot on the spot, with the thronging outward distractions of the visible.”

This is just one reminder to me that all of you are there- most on the other side of the world yet close to me and the South Asian people through prayer! I am so thankful that we can pray for each other even though far apart! Once again, thank you for your prayers and support! You are a blessing to me!

Praying for you and the least-reached,

~ Elizabeth
“But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.” (Exodus 3:19) [I’m glad that that same mighty hand is watching over us!]