Friday, September 29, 2006

What does the future hold? (Email to Lori)

I am wondering about my future- what does it hold?

I just sent an email to Lori (our language coach). Part of it is below:

…Something else, I’ll maybe talk to you/One-Story leadership more about later, but I’m not sure what I will do after my project (next fall). Of course, first, I’ll go home, but then after that I’m not sure. I’ve been thinking that I may do another project, but can’t say for sure right now. I think, though I would really like to have a role in which I visit various teams. Something both Robin and I talk about from time to time is how helpful it would have been for you, or someone focused on language stuff to visit us in the first few months.

A visit to a team would be mainly to check on things (mainly language-culture learning), see their situation, give tips, etc. Then, correspondence via email, too could happen- and since I had been there, it might make corresponding even easier…? It would be very much like the consultant check we just had- but focused on those early things in the project- language/culture. I am thinking this is something I might like to do.

I think I would still want to do a project too (so I stay fresh, and don’t just have examples of language learning from Kahani/Hindi!!!). But if I had a project that maybe spanned more time (3 years?), thus allowing time for visiting other teams, etc. Anyway, just some ideas. I don’t know what He has planned, or what One-Story would be open to, or where I’ll be, but it’s something to keep in mind. I do always have those moments too when I think, “I’m not coming back after this!!! After this, I don’t ever want to her another story again, and I don’t want to have to speak or think in another language ever again!!!!” – but I know those are moments of frustration, and not really where my heart is!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------

Anyway, I wonder what is ahead of me…about a year left here…will it all get done? Maybe…Father, please direct my steps- in this project, and in other plans you have for me. Show me where you want me to go- if it works for me to take a trip to "Dry Land" early next year, that would be so cool- but may you direct me where you want me to go. You know when all the stuff was happening in that country. I really wanted to go. I guess I was a sophomore in college, or maybe even a senior in high school even, I really wanted to go- but since then had kind-of forgotten about that country til some Q-1 people talked about going there. You have always used others to help guide and direct me....

I love you Jesus. Thank you for making me so tired this afternoon and drained that all I can do is sit before you. Thank you for the energy that I know you will restore to me even in just a few minutes or tomorrow…preparing me for what you want me to do.

Amen.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Gathering their cultural stories


A picture from a trip to Panna's village this week....

Recording some of their cultural stories :)

Friday, September 15, 2006

Network busy...(Email to Mommy)

Mommy,

Hey, I waited for your call, but guess you were busy, or perhaps the network was busy...

Yesterday was a pretty busy day. Had language session in the morning. Then took the bike for it’s routine check-up- and the day before that I had met a girl this photo place who spoke English…so I asked her if she knew Kahani and if she could help me translate some stories from Kahani to Engl- she said she would try.

So, yesterday, I went back and sat in the middle of the shop and worked on a story with her- her brothers, or cousins were there too- they helped her on two parts she couldn’t understand. Her English is pretty good- and her Kahani is also pretty good- though not 100%.

After that, I walked back through the bazaar. Any person I met, I asked if they spoke English and if not, or if they met a girl who spoke English and Kahani to call me. Mainly I asked at the book shops where college girls come to buy books. While I was asking at one shop, a man was there listening and said, “I know some teachers in the college who might be able to help you, and after one week, I’ll call you and tell you.”

We’ll see…I’ve done that before- asked people, without much response, but this time I had more language to communicate exactly what I was looking for- so we’ll see.

Today, I’m going back to the bazaar to meet one storekeepers' daughters to try back-translating with them….and then I’m going to Panna’s village (the lady who cooks for us) to try story-crafting with a girl there. I want to get as much in my mind so I can talk with Judy and Trisha (our consultants) about all the options….

I guess we will talk soon! Okay, love ya and miss you!!

~ Elizabeth


Wednesday, September 13, 2006

"Where did Jesus come from?" (Journal Entry)

I’m fasting today, and so excited to have my typical meal time replaced with time with my Lord, and Friend. Father, it seems it’s been too long since I’ve really sat down and poured out my heart to you- and asked for you to pour our your heart to me.

Lord, I want to start with what is on my mind right now- that is the K people. Father, especially as Precious begins hearing more stories, and telling more stories, and as the neighbors hear more through testing- give us wisdom and preparation for their questions…and also give them clarity in spite of the pour recordings or something that might not be completely accurate.

Lord, after hearing the Bleeding Woman story, our neighbor asked, “where did Jesus come from?” – I was so thrilled to be able to tell her, “We have a story about that!- I’ll bring it next time!” And her response was, “yes, yes you bring it.” Wow- she wants to hear more stories- and not just any stories, but more about Jesus.

And Precious came to our Meeting time last week- and she wants to come again this week. Last week’s story was about how Jesus healed the paralyzed man, and how He has the power not only to heal physical sickness, but also has the power to forgive sins. We all shared prayer requests, and Precious asked if we could pray that Jesus would forgive her for all the wrong things she has done. Wow! I think she might be beginning the Journey! Acknowledging a need to be forgiven, and acknowledging that Jesus can do that is pretty amazing. I pray that she will begin praying to Jesus – and I pray that you, Jesus, would really begin to work in her life- draw her to you. Lord, use Robin, use me, use Vivian- most of all, use your Word to change her life!!!! And what a great privilege that we can sit back and watch!!!

Monday, September 11, 2006

Feeling Better! (Email Update)

(picture of Anne's Uncle playing an accordian type instrument, and Anne's litte cousin in their home)

Thank you for your prayers for my health. I’m feeling much better now, and have been able to resume working on stories, as well as take trips to two villages in the past few days. Please continue to pray for strength and endurance for both Robin and I as we work on stories- especially as we have 5 days left til our consultants arrive!!!!!!

“Sometimes a task we have begun takes on a seemingly crushing size, and we wonder what ever gave us the notion that we could accomplish it. There is no way out, no way around it, and yet we cannot contemplate actually carrying it through…Let us recall that the task is a divinely appointed one, and divine aid is to be expected. Expect it! Ask for it! Wait for it! Believe that God gives it. Offer to Him the job itself, along with your fears and misgivings about it. He will not fail or be discouraged. Let this encourage you. The day will come when the task will be finished. Trust Him for it! (~ Elisabeth Elliot)

‘For the Lord will help me; therefore I shall not be disgraced/confounded.’ Isaiah 50:7a

Friday, September 8, 2006

Misc - (Email to Parents)

Mommy and Daddy,

I received an amazing video from you yesterday- Vivian and I enjoyed it….it was SO GREAT….Glad to see you guys haven’t changed in the past year!! :) I love you so much!!! Can’t wait til you come!

I had a good time with Nathan today- got another story recorded, will test it tomorrow…supposed to meet Anne tomorrow…(she’s not living in her village right now, but with her Aunt in the bazaar somewhere). I’m supposed to go with a shopkeeper to his village on Sunday….it’s will be a busy weekend….

For the most of the day, I’ve felt like I’m going to throw-up….but haven’t. I've eaten whatever I've felt like, but don’t know why I feel like that. I still feel like I’m going to throw-up, and my stomach hurts kind-of…but what to do? Maybe I’m recovering? ;)

Love you.

~ Elizabeth

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

Email Update!

Short Version:
* Sick…
* 10 days and counting….(til our first Consultant Check!)

Longer Version!
Sick…
I’ve been sick the past five days- actually for longer than that, but more recently I’ve been sick and in bed the past few days. Initially it was a stomach thing, now it’s a cold/fever/body ache thing with the stomach thing. Don’t worry, I’m on antibiotics, and my roommate is taking good care of me! However, please do pray that I will get better soon- very soon. And especially also pray for my mind to rest as well as my body during this time. It’s very frustrating for me, who doesn’t like to sit still for too long, to be stuck in bed- especially when we have so much to do.

In spite of being sick, God has graciously helped me to reflect on all of His blessings and faithfulness to me over the past year. True, I would rather do that when I’m feeling better- but being sick somehow helps me realize it more, I think.

10 days and counting…(til our first Consultant Check!)
Our consultants (One-Story supervisors who check the accuracy of the work) are coming to check the progress of the stories in less than 10 days. They need to see several stories (via email) before coming so they can better know how to guide and direct us when they do come. We’ve been working hard trying to get everything ready- and things have been moving along, but there is still more to do. Please continue to pray that the stories will be completed in time- and if not, we won’t stress too much about it!!

P & P
* Praise for an encouraging trip to visit two other One-Story teams in the north of our country.
* Praise for beautiful weather yesterday and today (in spite of the monsoon season- the sun is shinning brightly!).
* Praise for “Precious” (another story-crafter) continuing to help with the stories.
* Prayer for health…for quick recovery.
* Prayer for “Nathan” (A new story-crafter) to be patient in making so many changes to stories!
* Prayer for Judy (our consultant) as she comes to check the work.- pray for safety traveling, and wisdom to help guide us.

Til All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth
Just to keep the K people in front of our prayers…above is our house helper and some of her kids, in her village.

Monday, September 4, 2006

The little things (Email to Parents)

Hello.

My health is a little better…the fever is down, but the stomach sickness is back…

So, I read this morning about leaving the little things to God. We generally don’t even think of surrendering them to our Father because they are so little, we think we can handle it. But that is our first mistake- we can’t handle even the little things…oh, I guess we can, but we’ll still make a mess- even though it’s a little thing!!!

Nirmal (I'll call him "Nathan" from now on) called and said not to come today, he was going somewhere. I don’t know where. I asked if I should come tomorrow, and he said, “maybe, he would call.” When are we going to get work done? But it does give me time to test the David story with our neighbor…I tested it with Gaitree today- and she did okay in retelling it, forgot the most confusing part, which was not a surprise. We have to do something with that- but I don’t know what. I think I’ll ask Judy for help…it’s important for the story but not even Nirmal can remember it…not even I can remember it!!!

Saturday, September 2, 2006

"This is Impossible...did I already say that?" (Journal Entry)

I feel pretty miserable right now for several reasons:

1) I’m sick…and can’t hardly move out of bed.
2) The project is pretty much impossible, and we’re going as fast as we can, but it still isn’t fast enough.
3) I feel pretty useless because I’m sick, and I’ve done nothing all week.
4) I also feel pretty lame in learning about the culture and the stories. My language skills are improving for sure- but is the project moving ahead? Which is more important here- that I have great language when we’re all through with this, or that we have a story set completed?

Most of the people I’m working with are just not working out- even Nirmal- Vimal’s brother is a pretty bad story-teller…and his language isn’t the best…I’m not even sure we’ll use him for another story…

One thing I keep coming back to- is what am I really here for? To complete these stories? To grow in my walk with the Lord? To show my neighbors through my interactions with my partner and housemate that we are different because of Jesus? To drive a motorcycle around town? To research B stories? To learn a language? To learn how to survive on not very much?

Well, all those things are certainly benefits of being here- but that is NOT why I am here. I am here, first and foremost to glorify my Father. There are many ways that can happen, but I shouldn't focus on one particular thing or way of doing that- since in South Asia, having only one focus or one way of doing something will always fail you- always good to have a back-up or alternatives. I need to glorify Him when I’m speaking with Panna over chai. I need to glorify him when I am discussing something with Robin. I should glorify Him when I’m studying the language. I should glorify him when I’m working on a story. I should glorify Him when Asha or Anne or others inform us indirectly that they don’t want to help us anymore…I should glorify him when I am sick in bed unable to do anything at all…except praise Him…

Why is it so hard? Because I am so driven by the goal and the purpose, I forget the process, and the reasons we are working toward a goal. I have trouble stopping and resting…and He knows that. And He is giving me a chance to do just that today. Perhaps I would rather I feel better…but He knows if I felt better, I would go and do lots of stuff- and not spent time with Him…

I’m think I’m more frustrated with myself for not resting more, and for not being who He wants me to be and rather just trying to do everything in ‘my own power.’

It’s so hard to not want to just leave right now and go home. This project really is impossible, there is no doubt in my mind now…and so why am I forcing myself through it?

May I pray these words to this song that just came on…and remember that you are indeed with me, leading me…and I can cling to. So easy to say, so hard to act on…

“and step by step you’ll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days.”