Friday, June 30, 2006

Jumbled journal entry

I decided to go to the village tomorrow (Sat). I called Bicky and talked to him and Uncle and they both said, “Why are you asking, just come!” I’m really glad I’m going- can’t wait to just hang out with all of my “Friends” again! I hope they are there!

My plan is to leave after breakfast…maybe 9am- arrive there by 12, stay til 4 or so- then come back. Vimal told me today I should drive the motorcycle there- it would take a lot less time – maybe half as long, because the busses and jeeps go really slow…which is true- we pass them all the time. But, driving is tiring, and it would be a new road- lots of unknowns---not that that has stopped me in the past. I would like to drive there, but…feel it would be more tiring to do that…I think I’ll take my mp3 player and listen to some language stuff on the way….or perhaps practice language with the people I sit with in the jeep or bus…unless they end up throwing up on me! I can’t wait! :)

Oh- and Vimal said that Precious' kumaoni was okay…so that’s super good news- Robin can continue to work with her. And, Robin is calling Sara (Pastor Joseph’s wife) right now to set up a meeting with Mrs. Wilson (do you remember her from a long time ago?)- to try back-translating sometime next week since Mrs. Failbus is going away.

I woke up this morning anxious to get through the day just so I could get back in bed again- reminded me of teaching days….I remember Greg Baker asking us once, “What is the first thing on your mind in the morning?” I asked him, “Do you really want to know, honestly? The first thing on my mind is how soon can I get back in this bed again?” I feel like that again….not because I don’t want to take part in the scheduled activities for the day, but because I’m so drained physically, and mentally too. Even when I was teaching, I enjoyed it- it wasn’t that I didn’t want to do it necessarily, but it was because I was so drained…

I’m not sure if more sleep would help…or if I need to cut back on some things in my life- i.e. not go every day to meet Anne? The only way I could convince myself to do that would be to know that I would be more productive on other days if I took off one day in the week…(not really took “off” – but did other things, i.e. email, updates, language, etc).

We are going to have Noodles with Alfredo sauce tonight- and chicken too! Robin’s mom send some kind of canned chicken, we’re not sure how to fix it, but figure we’ll heat it up and fry it a little…should be good!

I gave the testing questions for Tower of Babel to Pastor Moses daughter to translate into Hindi over the weekend (She knows English)- then I’ll give the Hindi questions to Anne and she can translate them to Kumaoni. That will be the next story to test after Cain and Abel- I’m supposed to meet with Sam on Wednesday to discuss what testing stuff he and/or his sisters were able to do. That is a huge prayer- that all that testing stuff would work out….I think we’re planning to send Fall story to Judy (our consultant) this week…

Language lesson went well today- I had drawn a little map with various roads and places on it- I’m working on learning how to tell someone directions from one place to another. Wow, it’s more difficult than I thought- there are more words and phrases coming out in this lesson than I thought…but it’s good. I think I’ll be working on that for a few days. I’m also incorporating some story stuff into my language session. I got some of the words for plague, boils, hail, promise, staff, stubborn, from Anne and her friend today- and then reviewed them with Gaitree. I think I’ll spend some time each lesson working with vocab from the story we are working on, and some phrases too…I’m excited about that….

This is a bit jumbled of a journal entry....All well….

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Rain, and Backpacker's Food (Email to Parents)


So, it’s pouring rain this morning. I have an hour til I have to leave for storying session with Anne. It doesn’t look like it’s going to stop for the next 3 days. If I could see between the fog to separate the earth from the sky, I might feel a little encouraged. The fog is quite dense, and the rain is steady. But, the work must go on!!!! :) I will not be discouraged or dismayed, I can do all things through our Father who gives me strength.

I do hope that Anne shows up…we'll see.

Anyway, pray that I arrive safely to the storying session this morning. Note, I didn’t say dry- I’m not asking for that, that would be asking too much, in this torrential downpour. Though I will be quite thankful for my waterproof jacket I’ll certainly wear!!!

Oh yeah, we tried some of the back-packers food you sent me (a LONG time ago!!!)- the fettuccini Alfredo was amazing!!! :)

Monday, June 26, 2006

What a great day! (Journal Entry)

Today, some water came, we had electricity, the internet worked- so it only made sense that we would run out of gas!! But, that too was fixed in about 15 minutes. Wow- what a great day!

Acutally, more seriously....there were a few moments today, Father, you know the ones I’m talking about…where I felt like crying because it was as if the entire world was right. Robin was happy, things were clear, communication was good, we are in a project, in a work (hopefully) will reach the least reached…what a place to be…and for a moment, yes, it was just a moment-- I wanted to cry because it was like things just felt right…and good…there were several of those today… Thank you for those moments Lord- may I reflect on them when there are moments, days, weeks where the opposite is felt…

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Precious Story...and finding others to help...(Journal Entry)

On Friday, I went to Precious and hung out there for about 2 hours- she read me a story of her recent happenings with this guy- Udit, that she likes- but only as a friend (though it’s obviously something more). Half of her story was actual facts- what had happened. The rest of was her imagination of what could possibly happen in the future…and what a sad story it was…

The story included her aunt and uncle forcing her to get married to someone who wasn’t very good- and the day of the wedding ceremony she fainted. Then started foaming at the mouth- it was clear to everyone that Precious had taken poison. She went to the hospital and several hours later woke up. Her family asked why she had done that and she said because she didn’t want to marry that person.

Her family disowned her, and threw her out of the house. She was walking on the road, decided to throw herself in front of a car, but the car stopped in time. The guy in the car took her to his house and took care of her. A few days later, she left- not knowing where she would go- and looking like a beggar. She went to a town 3 hours south of here where this guy Udit. Precious went to the office- and after being looked up and down by the secretary (because she looked pretty shabby) and waiting for a few hours- she saw Udit…He didn’t recognize her. She said, “It’s me, Precious, your friend.” He knew who she was, but didn’t admit it- the office staff was laughing because they were thinking how could this business man have a beggar as his friend. Then Udit also made fun of her and told her to leave. She went out on the steps of the office…It was also January and really cold at that time- and so that night, she died.

I asked Precious if things like this really happen- she said yes. I asked her why she wrote such a sad story. She said, “as I think about things, I just write them.”
It was really sad to think she could put herself in such a story…

Anyway, she asked how she could improve her English vocabulary- I asked her if she wanted to try helping us craft stories- which would be a lot of English conversation, etc. I said we could try one story, and see how it goes, how she likes it etc. I also explained that Robin would be able to work with her too- I didn’t say “only Robin” – but it could get to that point if things go well…She said Monday she could come to our home (Which would be a first) and try to help us…I don’t know if she knows enough Kumaoni or even good enough Kumaoni to tell a story, but still, I’m excited!

I asked P. Moses if Sam (one of our original story crafters)- could possible help us with testing the stories. We could buy a tape recorder for him and he could use it when he goes to villages. P. Moses thought it was a great idea, and set up for Sam to come on Tuesday. Anne and I will do testing session with one of the neighbors and Sam can observe- I hope that it not only is a good testing session, but a good training for Sam. And I also pray that Anne doesn’t get too nervous- as Sam would be there.

Saturday, I went to the bazaar for a number of reasons. One was to get the bike serviced. I also dropped off some suits to be made, went to the post office, did errands, got tape recorders, material for curtains, etc, etc.

I went to one shop and asked for a tape recorder- there was a young guy and an old man there. The young guy spoke English- but no, they didn’t have any tape recorders. I went to another shop, and while walking back through the bazaar, I heard a voice behind me, “Did you get the tape recorder?” I looked back and it was the young guy with a friend of his…”Yes, I said,- thanks.” He went on ahead, and I finished my errands. I then thought about it and knew I had to go back to the shop and see if there could be any connections that could be made with this young guy or perhaps a girl he might know- especially who might speak Kahani and English- since he spoke English.

I went back- and they were a little surprised to see me. I spoke in Hindi, asking him if he knew English and Kahani- and of course he wanted to know why. To make a long story short- he goes to school in Haldwani, but knows of some others who could help. I asked him if he knew any girls- and he said no. But his father, who was right there, said he did. He called up a friend that moment, and then sent his son with me to show me where they lived and introduce me. We walked through some crazy tunnels and alleys and came out on the complete other side of the bazaar- a great shortcut was found today, if nothing else!!

Anyway, I met the family- though the daughter was not home. I got her number, they have mine and I told them, we would come on Tuesday to try and see if she could help us.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Email Update

June 20, 2006

Short Version:
- “Can you retell the story?” (Testing Stories...)
- Missing Home…
- On top of a bus? The adventures never end…
- Going to Thailand for training- Send things by June 30
- P & P

“Can you retell the story?”
This is the first question we ask and the most important question when testing a story. From the retelling of the story, we can begin to figure out what might need to be added/deleted or changed in the story. If the person forgets certain parts or adds something, then we can ask more questions to determine why this might be. Was it because the vocabulary is new to them? Was it because there are too many details, or the story is too long? Or is it just a difficult part to remember, no matter what? It’s interesting to see how much people can remember and listen to their answers to the questions. It’s also encouraging as Anne really enjoys testing and is able to do a testing session pretty much on her own.

Missing Home
I’m not sure why I am missing home so much right now. Perhaps it’s because both my mother’s family and my father’s family are having their family reunions in the next two weeks- and it will be the first one that I have ever missed. Everything is going well here, there is no reason to “run home.” In fact, our Father has been faithful and things are going quite well. Pray that I would find encouragement and motivation in that fact, and not dwell on the thought of missing home!

On top of a bus!?
We took a trip recently that involved me climbing on top of a fairly large bus to retrieve our computer that had been put up there. Five minutes after we left, the bus had a flat tire. Thus it was a perfect opportunity to get out and get the computer. There were of course, several people watching as I climbed the ladder on the back and fumbled around in the luggage to get our computer. But the computer was rescued, and it was another adventure. It seems we never run out of those here! (yeah, that's me- on top of the bus!!!)


Thailand Address: Please send things by June 30
We will be going back to Thailand in July for training. As always, I would love to hear from you- below is the address you can send things to. For things to reach me in time, it would be best to send them by June 30th. Thanks!

P & P
- Praise for Anne who has been doing a great job testing the stories.
- Praise for a back-translator (80 years old, but able to do the work!).
- Praise for safety on the bike thus far! (We drove through a herd of goats today!!!)

- Pray for another story crafter…
- Pray for more people to test the stories with
- Please also pray for more people to help with testing as it is an overwhelming task.
- Pray for me, as I lean on our Father to carry me through this period of missing home.
- Pray for Robin and me as we continue to figure out how to divide up the work.

Also, there’s been a “lull” in emails lately. I realize this is a busy time for many of you, however, I really do enjoy hearing from you! Knowing that you are praying for me motivates me! Please don’t hesitate to write!

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Til All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

"I'm Hindu, Sikh, Muslim..." (Email to parents)

Everything went well today- I tested two stories with one man. It was okay, though when retelling the story, he started telling the story of evolution, etc. He said he saw a film with the similar story, so he told us that. I had a hard time trying to explain that we just wanted whatever Anne had said in her story…..

He also then said, “How do you become a Christian….”

It was an interesting conversation. He ended up telling me that he was a Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Sikh, everything! Interesting…

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Misc notes (Email to Parents)

Mommy and Daddy,

Things are going well here at the retreat in another city. I went to the doc. for the third time today...long story short, there is nothing majorly wrong with my foot- just somehow got twisted or stretched maybe. He gave me some cream to put on twice a day for 5-7 days. We’ll see what happens with that.. I have also got some bug/spider bite of some kind that has gotten a blister type thing on it and gotten progressively bigger since yesterday morning. I showed that to the doc. too, he said it’s a bug bite of some kind, and to leave it a alone, or he could stick a needle in a draw the fluid out. I said leaving it alone would be fine…He gave me some stuff for that too- when it breaks open…yuck!

The retreat has been alright…we played volleyball last night- that was fun. I’m assuming you probably replied already to my other email, I hope to read it before I have my “Annual” meeting with Pam and Steve (my supervisors) tomorrow morning. I had to fill out a form for them. It asked about personal relationships/conflicts, etc. It should be interesting.

Anyway….the food has been good- all Indian…I really like it…It’s been neat to meet some older women who have journeyed and still are journeying a lot through India- It would be fun to work with some of them, as they have the zeal and passion for what they are doing.

Anyway, we’ve had cold showers every day…no T.P (toilet paper), and there are little crickets in the room….but other than that, accommodations have been fine. The weather has gotten a lot hotter since we’ve been here- it’s perhaps near 95 degrees today…no A/C of course….I’m hoping for rain tomorrow. We’ll see.

Oh, Pam brought the package from Thailand as well as the things you sent to her….THANK YOU SO MUCH. The best thing was the CD of pictures of Mark kiteboarding and Natalie horseback riding!!! VERY COOL!! Thank you so much!

Will write again at some point…

LOVE YA.

~ Elizabeth

Friday, June 2, 2006

"Let my Lifesong sing to you..." (Journal Entry)

"Let my lifesong sing to you…”
"Lord, I give my life. A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need. To be your hands and feet
So may the words I say, and the things I do.
Make my lifesong sing, bring a smile to you."

“All you do, should be done for the Lord…even down to making copies of books…” (Mommy)

Father, is this what you are teaching me- or have been teaching me over this past year? That my life should be completely in your hands, completely surrendered to you, and all I say and do- should be FOR YOU.

In high school, and college and still today- other people’s approval of me is very important. I think. I mean, it seems strange, when here, in this country- I really don’t care that much what people think. I wear mismatched clothing, don’t wear any make-up, speak language with lots of mistakes. Somehow with Indians, it’s as if their approval doesn’t really matter? But then again, it does. I really love it when the make comments about how good my language is (even if it’s not really!), I enjoy hearing "oh you look like an Indian," or how I’m “strong” and can eat the food…or whatever. It’s little things, but I soak it in. Part of that is that my “love language” being words of affirmation.

I think until coming here, I thought each thing I did in my life was, yes, for God- but also for someone else- someone who could verbally or in other ways tell me I did a good job.

After coming here, I realized I wasn’t getting that “praise” as much. That is for various reasons, but in general, I think it has helped me to not become as “dependent” on the praise and approval of others. I have to continue doing work, in spite of not hearing thanks or praise.

I think the idea of living my life completely for God fits into this idea of the approval of others nicely. I have been living my life for God, but also for others…meaning for the approval of others. It’s like even when I’ve been doing God’s work, I have still been looking for the approval and recognition of others. I have not been content with God’s approval of me. And isn’t His the one that matters most of all? Who cares what other people say or think anyway? Now, I know there is a balance- God can use other people to help us- and I realize that…and I certainly do take their advice…but perhaps I take it as THEIR advice only, and even then, I don't always acknowledge that it was/is God speaking to me through them?

Anyway, Barry and Linda gave us a little packet of stuff to reflect on and write some thoughts…Here is some of what I’ve written…

How has God worked in your life…How has he been teaching you, guiding you, leading and encouraging you?
- through other people
o High school: youth pastor and wife, friends - Andrew and Jason- their enthusiasm for the Lord and M work encouraged me and caused me to read more and get more interested
o Today: through one-story teams…hearing from those who are really excited about his work and who are motivated to do His work no matter what the costs. Willing to go to the extreme to get the work done.
- through my mom

I'm realizing that I really do seek the approval of others. It’s not just my “love language” in that I need affirmation to feel loved, but I think I look for it when I shouldn’t or maybe I expect it unnecessarily. I need to realize that God has already given His approval- and that that’s all I really need….

What has God been saying to you as you’ve filled out this worksheet…
- My whole life should be lived for Him (not for anyone else!)
- Casting Crowns songs: “Life song” and “Life of Praise”
- Quote from Mommy several months ago- about doing everything for the Lord…
- Psalm 16:5-6
- Ex. 23:28-30

What implications does this have for the passage/transition that you are currently experiencing?
- realizing everything I own is HIS- thus it should be shared freely with others
- Realizing that my attitude SHOULD reflect the attitude of Jesus—willing to give in when needed, and stand firm when needed. As Greg Baker once said, “Give in when you can, and stand firm when you have to.” I forget exactly what that was in reference to, but it fits here.

What implications does this have for the future?
- Applying these things to my life, and partner, and housemate.
- Communication in a godly manner and with an attitude that pleases the Lord- even if it doesn’t ‘please’ the other person for whatever reason.
- Do not be afraid to follow God to the extent He has called me – even if it means feeling the “disapproval” of others.
- Who am I more afraid of – God or others?
- Who am I following? Who do I think about when making decisions? (I can/should consider how it will affect others, but it should be first and foremost what God wants…not what others would think or say, or what would their opinion of me might be?)

Wow- this is really hard for me….But it seems so simple. Isn’t God’s love and approval enough for me? It should be.

What about loving others even when they don't love me? Do I want to do that? Not usually, what good is doing something if there is no benefit in it for me?! Wow...well, then why did I sign up for two years of serving the Lord in this crazy place, huh? There is not real “benefit” for me in that! Wow....no, those are selfish thoughts again- is that my motivation- only to receive something back? No, by His grace, I don’t think it is, but sometimes that comes out…Father forgive me for these thoughts and attitudes. Give me a heart that wants to serve you SO MUCH, that I can’t help but overflow with love for others- and love in the way that they need to be loved…

Help me to continue to process these things which you have revealed to me this morning…I love you Jesus.