"I don't like this story..." (Journal Entry)

The other day in testing, I didn’t have such a good day…After playing the David and Goliath story for the aunty who lives below us, she said, “I don’t like this story, do you have any other ones?”

I was like, “Um….how could you be so rude!!!!” I tried to find out why, and it seemed that she was just distracted, that her mind was elsewhere and she didn’t really want to focus on the stories at that time.

However, I’m wondering if Heather's Kahani language in the stories isn’t really good Kahani. I mean, I know she is learning, and trying, but sometimes I think, “Um, that’s not how you say that…” Her tenses are a little mixed- and while I think the ideas communicate, it’s not a whole lot better than me telling the story!!!! Hmm…If she continues telling stories, I think it will get better, but I hope it gets better real quick.

Very quick update about workshop (Email Update)

Tuesday, February 27, 2007 – 11:30am Eastern Standard Time (10pm- South Asia time)

The first day of the storying workshop went fairly well.
It wasn’t perhaps quite what we expected, but then again, we didn’t quite know what to expect.
The morning was somewhat frustrating, but the afternoon was better…
Tomorrow, we will meet again- reviewing more stories and trying to help them see how they can apply what we’ve done in these two days in their own ministries.

Please praise God for:
- The people who did come to the workshop today (most are from other cities!)
- Accommodation provided for all participants
- The participants hearing perhaps some new ideas today- that they can teach in their own mother tongue, they can verbally tell a B story rather than only reading it, and it doesn’t have to necessarily include every detail, etc…
- Robin and I working well together
- Robin and I having enough energy to speak and listen in another language the whole day (very little was in English)

Please pray that:
- We would be able to communicate ideas clearly through modeling, etc
- The participants to see how they can learn themselves from these stories as well as use these stories to teach others
- The participants would be able to learn the stories they way they have been crafted
- The participants would understand more about how the story has been crafted and tested and is the way it is now…
- Robin and I would have strength and energy to focus for another full day of listening/communicating in another language!

The workshop will be taking place while most of you (in America) are sleeping- so if you wake up in the middle of the night- please pray for us!!!

In Him,

~ Elizabeth

The main thing is Jesus!

Yesterday Heather and her friend ‘Gina’ listened to ALL the stories we currently have- from beginning to Pentecost! :) They have heard a few in between, but never all of them all at once. I told them it might help them to see what we’re trying to do- and how all the stories flow together…or at least we hope they do. After listening to all of them, Gina said, “Oh, I see, the main thing is Jesus.” It was neat to see that even though right now, we only have Jesus birth, death and two stoires in between, she saw him as the main character, and what all the other stories lead up to.

Special Prayer Request

Special Pr. Request:

Next week (Feb 27-28 *new dates) we are hoping to have a storying workshop for some Christian workers. These workers are being sent by several pastors in surrounding areas. None of the local pastors speak the local language. Thus as a result, very few people in their congregation speak the local language and few are even originally from this area. However, the pastors do have a passion to reach this area. They have trained believers from villages or the city to do evang. in villages. These believers, plus a few others from other cities (2-3 hours away) are who will be attending the workshop.

Please pray specifically for the following:
**Outcome: pr above all that He receives glory by what we say and do.
Pray that the workers attending the workshop grow closer to Him through the devotional times we’ll have with each story.
**Pray that these workers see that they can share His stories in their mother tongue. Right now most of them use the trade language to ‘preach’ in since that’s the language they have the Bible in.
**Planning: pray for Robin and I as we plan this week just how to teach/model the stories.
**Language: pray for both of us as we think about how to communicate these ideas in the local language, as well as with the help of a translator.
**Logistics: the housing- pr that there are enough accommodations for those who are attending the workshop from other cities. Praise God for the local people who have agreed to provide housing for them.
**“Holi” festival: after changing the dates once due to the 21st being election day (and here, you aren’t allowed to hold religious functions on election day without taking permission from the District Magistrate), we learned that the Holi festival days start at the end of this month- potentially the 27th-28th. This festival is one where people throw colored powder/water on each other in celebration of Spring. We are hoping that it doesn’t really start until March, and that it doesn’t affect those traveling to the workshop!

It’s so exciting to think that this workshop could be one of the most important things we do during our time here. That is, getting these stories into the hands of people who will use them when were gone. Knowing that the Enemy also knows this and doesn’t want it to happen, causes me to ask for your prayers even more….

Thank you for your support through pryers!
Till All Have Heard,
~ Elizabeth

"Do you have more stories?" (Journal Entry)

I spent several hours at the neighbors house today where I’ve tested stories. It was an encouraging trip. Instead of asking about English classes, they asked if I had more stories. I’m not sure that means that they like the stories- but more likely since every time I’ve visited them in the past I had stories- so in some ways, they were expecting them.

We played a version of hopscotch for about an hour- that was tiring, but also a lot of fun. I did also ask them about the “Giant” word in the David and Goliath story, since Irene had a question about it. I found out that it is a word for spirit/ghost, and you wouldn’t really use it to describe a man. However, in testing, people didn’t think Goliath was a ghost or spirit- they thought he was a man. The story, after all says, “he LOOKS LIKE a jhin/ghost.” Not that he was a jhin. And this word has the connotation of being tall- so it fit.

However, I got another word to ask the girls and Irene about- it’s “khabis” – we’ll see what that actually means. The Kahani village people are pretty simple minded (and by that I don’t mean dumb!) and don’t really have words for giant, as such. They would simply say, “a tall man.” Then they might describe it, “So tall that he was taller than everyone else” or “So tall, as tall as a stack of grass.” Or something like that- they don’t have as much vocabulary as we do in English- so they define what they mean by giving additional explanations, or repeating something.

Anyway, it was a good day. In language session, I did learn today that there isn’t really a word for sympathized/comforted. I tried to present the following scenario to Gaitree and Panna.

"If Panna is sick, and Gaitree goes to Panna and says, “It’s okay, don’t worry, you’ll get better, take rest, it’s okay, etc, etc.” And I was later telling a friend, “Panna was sick, Gaitree came and did what to Panna___” - what would you say that Gaitree did. What would you call what she did."

They just continued to say, “Gaitree came and said it’s okay, don’t worry…” Panna came up with a word that means peace, and Gaitree finally agreed we could say that, “Gaitree came and gave peace” but that didn’t really seem to fit. I’m pretty sure they understood my question, but there just didn’t seem to be good word/phrase that summarized the actions.

Conversations about gods... (Journal Entry)

Gaitree: It’s a festival today.
Me: really, which one?
Gaitree: Shivjee- you know the god who was in that cultural story we were doing yesterday, that god.
Me: is it his birthday, or the day he got married, or …?
Gaitree: his birthday…I think, maybe…yeah, I think so. So many people will go to the temple today
Me: Will you go?
Gaitree: yes.
Panna: will you go? (asking me)
Me: Me? No, I won’t go.
Panna: why not?
Me: well…because…I don’t worship shivjee.
Panna: why not?
Me: --silence—trying to figure out what to say!
Gatiree: she doesn’t like shivjee (saying this the same way you say, ‘she doesn’t like green grass to eat’)
Me: I laughed, Gaitree laughed, Panna also kind-of laughed- I wasn’t sure what to say, but this kind-of seemed like a good balance between, “I don’t believe in your god,” and “I just don’t worship him.”

I then said: “Nothing will happen. If I pray to Shivjee, nothing will happen…
Panna: something will…
Me: actually, if I pray to Shivjee, only bad can happen…
Panna: no…
Gaitree: that’s the way, everyone just worships their own god, then it’s okay.

The conversation trailed off and changed to chasing moneys, or gathering wood, I can’t remember. But still, it was the first conversation I’ve had with Gaitree or Panna about my personal beliefs potentially contradicting their beliefs. It wasn’t necessarily contradicting, but I am sure Panna wasn’t expecting me to say that. It is certainly contradictory to what she would think- “if we worship shivjee, them perhaps something good will happen…” But then Gaitree’s statement seemed to diffuse it all, “everyone can just worship their own god…”

Anyway, perhaps Panna, even more than Gaitree, will ponder what I thought and wonder why bad things could happen. Will they ever see You? Can you show Yourself to them? I know You can- will you please? Before they die? Before I leave this place also?

Praise the Lord (Journal Entry)

“Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord!
Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands
Their children will be successful everywhere;
An entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
They themselves will be wealthy,
And their good deeds will never be forgotten
When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
All goes well for those who are generous,
who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news
They confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
They give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will never be forgotten
They will have influence and honor
The wicked will be infuriated when they see this.
They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.
~ Psalm 112

This is my prayer today, Jesus. In all situations....when the darkness comes, when people say they don’t like a story, when the weather is so cold there doesn’t seem any end, when Judy hasn’t responded with comments on a story in over a week, or when she has responded and there are still more changes to make, when Irene then has additional comments, when people drop in on a day when you planned not to have guests, when the neighbors don’t understand you can’t communicate all you want to, when the electricity is out for more than 10 hours, when your cookies that you’ve worked so hard to make have burned, when the email doesn’t work and you so desperately want to read and email from home, or send one, Lord- when these thing press in, help me to ‘let the light come bursting in’- and take on the attitude you would have me take on- that is to glorify you in ALL circumstances! May I not ‘be overcome by evil circumstances’ Lord- may I ‘not fear bad news’- Lord, may I ‘confidently trust YOU to care for me’ – Help to ‘be confident and fearless and face my foes triumphantly’

And wow- let the following be my praise to you today- just for who you are.

“Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart, as I meet with his godly people.
How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them.
Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty, his righteousness never fails.
Who can forget the wonders he performs? How gracious and merciful is our Lord!
He gives food to those who trust him, he always remembers his covenant.
He has shown his great power to his people, by giving them the lands of other nations.
All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.
They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy awe-inspiring name he has!
Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him.
Praise his name forever!
~ Psalm 111

Kahani Worship! (Journal Entry)

I just got back from testing and back-translating, and various other things in the bazaar. It’s a cold dreary day. I watched the dvd of the youth worship at Cornerstone- that brightened my day SO MUCH! :) It was beautiful to listen to.

I then started wondering what that would look like and sound like for Kahani people to be praising Him? I then pictured Panna walking into Cornerstone Church in America, with one kid hanging from her, and her basket on her head….woah- talk about too much to fit into one idea…

I then thought, “oh yeah, that’s what’s Heaven is for- to fit everyone and their uniqueness” – but then I started thinking about it and was like, “How in the world is Heaven possible? I mean, for Cornerstone to exist in all it’s uniqueness, then for Ganga with a bucket of water on her head, and Panna, grass on hers, and Precious dressed in jeans, but then our landlord’s wife in a sari…how will it all mix?

Will we all wear the same clothes- or have royal robes? Will we all sing in the same ‘heavenly’ language- something we all understand? Or will we be able to understand all the languages and thus we can praise God still in our ‘own’ language, but it’s understood by everyone else? Or will we not be able to understand other langauges- only He will be able to understand? What kind of instruments will be there? Will we have a projector or slides? I have a feeling it will be mostly oral!! But still…just to imagine the culture I’m in here, mixing with the culture at home- is way too much for my mind to figure out…what in the world will it look like to have all the nations from all over the world together???

Of course, just as Panna would look odd coming into Cornerstone, so I must look odd tramping through the village…in spite of trying to dress like them and speak like them- still how odd must it be!! If only I could see myself, I imagine I would laugh for hours- thinking of it that way, I’m surprised how much grace they do give me and that they don’t laugh at me more than they already do!!!

Anyway…it’s interesting to hear the worship song “from the mountains, to the valleys- hear our praises rise to you…..from the islands, to the nations….hear our praises fill the air…”

Somehow I am encouraged that perhaps, through this work- there will be people who will sing praises to Him one day…and then this song will really ring true- “From Cornerstone, PA, America, to "Kahan," India, and beyond…hear our praises rise to you!”

February 2007 Email Update

Short Version:
--Precious, one of our story crafters is noticing a difference between our God and hers
--I’ve been trying to come up with creative testing situations
--Forgiveness- a tricky issue to communicate in a culture that doesn’t practice it!!!
--P & P

Long Version
“Will you please pray for me?”
“Precious” one of our story-crafters called one night this past week and explained that her stomach was hurting her a lot. I asked if she wanted one of us to come over or get medicine for her. She said, “I’m just calling to ask you to pray for me.” A little embarrassed that my first reaction was to help her by human means, I then told her I would pray for her. Then I hesitantly asked, “Do you want me to pray for you now, on the phone?” She said, “yes, please.” We prayed, she said thanks and hung up. The next day, she came over and said, “Thank you for praying, I feel much better and know that it’s because God helped me because you asked him to.” From coming to our prayer time each week, Precious has heard many stories and seen us pray for each other. Earlier last week, Precious told her mom about how we (Robin and I) pray for other people. That really impressed her as it’s different from how she would typically pray to her gods.

“Let’s see who can retell the story better, you or your grandmother”
When listening to stories, people often get distracted by the goats, breakfast, other guests who drop in, the weather, washing clothes, fetching water, etc, etc…It’s hard to find ways to keep them focused for more than 5-10 minutes. While I’m not trying to make a competition out of these stories, today, I tried to make a game out of remembering the story by saying. “Yesterday, Aama (grandmother), remembered and told this story really well, let’s see if you can remember it better than her, or if she can tell it better than you!” It was interesting to see their attentiveness to the story after that!

“We don’t really forgive people here…”
Recently we realized that part of the reason people haven’t been able to retell parts of a few stories that talk about someone forgiving someone else or God forgiving someone is because they don’t really practice forgiveness here! They understand the word and maybe even the concept, but as one testing subject said, “Why should we say sorry and forgive, if we are just going to fight again? I’ve been in a fight with my sister-in-law for 15 years and we haven’t spoken in 15 years.” Pray that we find ways to illustrate this concept through the stories.

Praise for:
finding new neighbors with whom to test stories
being able to craft stories with new story-crafters, “Heather” and “Gina”
“Precious”- one of our story-crafters coming weekly to our story/prayer time.
being able to connect with various local Christian leaders regarding the storying workshop, and being able to get a list of several people who may attend!

Prayer for:
Pray for our story-crafters as we figure out how to communicate the concept of forgiveness.
Pray for creative ideas to help people stay focused on to the story in testing situations, and that they don’t distracted by life around them!
Pray for preparations for the storying workshop (February 20-21st!!!).
Pray for the Kahani people to see Truth in our lives and in these stories!

Thank you as always for your continued support and prayers…

In Him,
~ Elizabeth
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. For He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” ~Psalms 24:1-2

129 days...And "no changes needed" email from Judy!

Two exciting things...

1) I have counted, and guess what- 129 days til I will see my family…approximately- but shh don’t tell them, that will be June 14th- it will be a surprise! I’m hoping to go home for the family reunion!!! So, 129 days means, 18 ½ weeks. That means, about 4 months…yeah, 4 months sounds a lot better than 129 days!! Haha…Anyway, it’s not that far away!

2) Guess what- we got an email from Judy regarding the Beginning story- this is what it said, “NO CHANGES NEEDED” – WOW- that’s a first…it’s SO EXCITING!! We know we’ll still make changes perhaps in the final recording, but for now- IT’S DONE. Wow, that’s amazing…thrilling- even scary…what if we missed something, maybe we should test it one more time!!! Ahhh!!! Haha…but no- it’s fine, it’s been tested in and out, and recorded and re-recorded, and adjusted…it’s fine!!!! I’m quite thrilled!!!

"Is it okay to lie?" (Journal Entry)

We just had prayer time with Precious. She told a story for the first time this week- she told the story of David and Batsheba, including when Nathan confronts David. You could tell she memorized a lot of it- but who wouldn’t the first time, and especially for her- doing it in a second language- English. She did a great job, really.

Afterwards, I was talking to her while Robin made chai. She said, “I have really learned a lot of things about God from these stories…” We talked about the story- and I praised her a lot- because it really makes her happy to know she has approval (she’s like me in that way!). She said she is thankful for our friendship because she can learn a lot from us, and from the stories about God.

We talked during chai about our professors in college, and somehow Precious brought up “manipulating the truth”- and asked us what it meant and if we thought it was good or not. We said no, that means you’re lying and that’s wrong. She then went on to say how she thought it was okay if there was a good reason- i.e. if you were saving someone or doing it for a good reason. After discussing it for a while, Robin told her the story about how Abraham lied about Sara being his sister- and how God punished him for that. I also told her about the story when God gave all the rules to his people about not worshipping other gods, he also said never to lie- and that lying was really bad. Robin explained that God sees David killing Uriah in the story we just did, just as bad as if we lie about something. I explained how it’s hard for us to see that we are just as bad as someone who murders someone else- but if you think about how great and good God is—anything compared to him, even if it’s just one lie, is not good…

She was silent for a while, and then said she had to go- she wasn’t upset or anything, but you could tell she was thinking about the story and everything we said- it was probably not what she was expecting from us- she probably thought we would agree with her- because humanly speaking what she said would make sense…If you lie to save someone, isn’t it okay?

Anyway, it was interesting- and just another step towards realizing more of the truth. In so many ways she has come so far, but in other ways, she has so much further to go…will she get there before we leave? Will she ever get there?

"Goliath's gods didn't help him" (Email to friend)

(Email to a friend)

Oh hey, I meant to include this in my email, but it got sent before I wrote it.... Thought you might like to hear this little update from our work here. Work is going well- I was working on the David and Goliath story with some story-crafters yesterday.

Did you know that when David is approaching Goliath, Goliath curses David by the names of his gods? I asked the girls (who are not His), if they thought that was important to include in thestory. One girl said, "No, because his gods didn't help him, we shouldn't say that. That makes his gods look bad." The other girl said, "I think that's an important part of this story- to show that David's god helped him, but Goliath's gods didn't help him." Anyway, we decided to leave it in. These are the girls who gave me a beautifully framed picture of one of their gods for my bday.

~ Elizabeth

Dreaming of Home

So I’m a little concerned about something I shouldn’t be. Right now, and for the past few weeks, I’ve been dreaming about being back home- just relaxing, enjoying family and friends…being a “regular person” again…in a regular country, with regular, normal food, etc. And with that, the thought continues that once I get back, I’m never leaving again- it’s too good of a life there!!!

Then I think about the verses that talk about leaving home and family for HIS sake. And wondering if He will then call me somewhere else. I know it’s still a little way away, and who knows I may be miserable at home…and long to be called back here. Anyway, it's strange how I long to be home now. It's not necessarily home sickness, but just wanting to be with family. I can’t think of anything better, except Heaven perhaps, than being with them once again.

Father, thank you for giving me the awesome opportunity to see them and spend time with them here back in November…what a privilege.

Favorite pic.

This might be my favorite Kahani picture ever. This was taken on our trip to Panna's mother's village.

Re: You are doing a GREAT job! (Email reply to Daddy)

Daddy,

You are my biggest encourager. You don’t know how much your letter, and this email mean to me…especially coming from you. I know you would love for me to hurry up and get done and come home, yet still you are encouraging me to press on….it means so much….

I love you too- yeah, keep the hot tub warm for me….and keep the couch for me, I want to just sit on it forever when I get home!!!!!!!!!!!! :) with you, mommy, Mark and Natalie all together with me. :)

~ Elizabeth

You are doing a GREAT job! (Email from Daddy)

Elizabeth,

You are doing a GREAT job!

You are doing a FANTASTIC job!

You are doing a SUPER job!

You are doing a EXCELLENT job!

You are doing a miraculous job!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Dad.

You can't trust your feelings... (Journal Entry)

I cried in my meeting tonight with Robin. We decided some future stories to do- i.e. who will work on them, and I said, "I can’t say right now what Grace will do or will not do...she mayn ot be able to help us anymore."

I made a comment about myself not wanting to do anymore stories, and how we laugh and joke about having to change one thing in the stories, but I’m not laughing or joking about it anymore, I’m sick of it. Then I started crying. It was good, actually. I told her how much I’ve cried the past 4-5 days, and really want to just do what’s right and what’s next, but can’t figure it out. And, how even walking up from the post-office today, just thinking how I should have joy in this work, I should be happy, I should be excited to be here…but saying that, and knowing that, and actually having joy, being excited are very different things….

She then said something profound… “Someone once told me that sometimes you have to choose not listen to your feelings…and just go on what you know is right.”

Funny, I know we've talked about this before, when she was trusting her feelings more. She also said, “Someone also said that if you’re at a party and really not having a good time, if you pretend, kind-of that you are…you may find yourself actually enjoying it after a while.”

What she said is right…and true…and good…does it make it easier? Not really…

The worst thing about feeling this way (that is, basically feeling like quitting), is that I know the Enemy LOVES it…and wants me to feel this way. And I hate giving him that pleasure. I want to enjoy work, I want to please my Father, I want to do the right thing…I want to have joy. Just knowing that I should have joy and should praise Him…doesn’t get the work done that I see needs to be done…

I did tell Robin at one point: “You asked me last night what you could do to help me, and afterwards I thought about it and I did think of something you could do to help me…you can verbally encourage me, and tell me I’m doing a good job." I told her, "My dad often comes to my mom and says, “Just tell me I’m doing the right thing…” and that’s how I feel right now, I think I’ve been wanting to hear that from you, and yet haven’t- and I know that it seems silly to you to say that…but I think it would REALLY help me to hear it from you…and not that everything would be fine after that, but I can tell you things would be much better…

Oh Father…thank you for your faithfulness…thank you for your goodness…thank you for keeping me in your care in spite of my ungratefulness and unsatisfaction with this work…

POST-IT-NOTES!

We organized our thoughts for the stories using Post-it notes!

I feel like quitting. (Email to Parents)

Mommy,

So, I basically feel like quitting. Yep. You never thought I’d get to this point did you? The one and great Elizabeth. The one who can do everything, and for whom nothing is too hard. Nothing is impossible. Wait, I think you got her mixed up with God. She is just a mere human being- nothing special about her, she’s just a girl with lots of issues and yet a child of God- in whom He can work…

You know what…I know the Enemy is attacking me right now, the past day, the past week. I can’t help it. I know I can help it, but I’m frustrated…really frustrated- and tonight, I don’t even think I can sort out my thoughts to figure out why I’m so depressed about this project.

You know what…even Daddy’s card was meant to encourage me, but I’m having trouble seeing how what he says provides much encouragement at all. Trust. Persevere. Have faith, - but you know what- that doesn’t actually get the physical work done. That doesn’t learn a language. That doesn’t find new people to test stories with…

I have to go for now....

Today was completely unsuccessful. (Journal Entry)

I feel like today was completely unsuccessful. True, it’s not over yet, but the majority of it is, and the time where I would have had strength to do anything has passed. I long for the darkness of night to come, so that we can build a fire, and then heat hot water bottles and forget the day in sleep.

It was not a bad day, just unproductive- and I guess in my mind that equals a bad day. The majority of my day was spent with Gaitree and Panna figuring out a vehicle for us to take to Panna’s, mother’s village tomorrow. Talking on the phone to taxi drivers, and listening to Panna argue with them about the price, and reassuring Panna that the amount we would pay would not mean we would lose all our money.

Today, Panna used an interesting measurement of time. I asked her, “How long/far is it from the road to your mother’s house?” In other words, “how long will we have to walk for?” She said, “As long as I was on the phone yesterday with my aunt, that is how long you will have to walk.”

We of course laughed a lot, but still I feel like nothing was accomplished today. I did try to test some stories with the lady downstairs, but she was on her way to the bazaar so that didn’t work. I could go now, but just don’t have the energy. Should I force myself? We’ll be in the village for three days starting from tomorrow, perhaps I should save my energy. And yet, once today is gone, I’ll never have it back again- why leave today’s work for tomorrow? I should go, and get something done- I know I’ll feel much more accomplished afterwards, plus what’s more than a good feeling, is I’ll have actually done something. Yet, somehow, I just don’t feel like it. Physically, I’m tired and not in the mood. Somehow, I feel like that’s an okay excuse to not do anything…but I know it’s not.

I’ve also been thinking about crafting stories, and Ganga, and trying to craft the Exodus story with her---it does seem like it would be so much better/faster if we could craft the rest of the stories with English speakers…ugh…who can I talk to about this? Of course, who could I craft stories with who speaks English? Maybe Hema, or Geetu? They are so “not-Kahani” though, the storie would lost a lot…

I guess, though- I learned a lot of that from the time spent with Ganga…and of course testing in the villages. But, can that knowledge by applied to crafters who don’t know anything about village life?

I don’t know. I guess the traveling back and forth to Ganga’s village just seems like a lot- and perhaps there is a short-cut somewhere. But where? Could she come here? She has to care for her parents, I don’t think she could come here. Maybe we could work something out, where I went for 2-3 days a week- then I came back, and she came for one night (2 days)- and in-between I could get stories back-translated, sent to Judy…

I can also take just day trips there. But it seems like to work for only 2 hours on 1-2 stories…but to spent 5-6 hours in getting there/eating/chatting/and coming back just doesn’t seem to add up. I suppose I could try to be more firm and say, I have to do other work, I can’t stay…but it’s so hard to say no- and relationships are important. If I don’t stay, if I don’t eat, if I don’t take the time to chat, she probably won’t feel loved/cared for and thus won’t be happy to do stories.

I really want to do what’s best for the work- but perhaps spending forever getting to a village just to get a sloppy recording isn’t the best for the work. True, she can do some good recordings, and her story-telling is much more natural than Precious's- but the other thing is, I’m not sure she really understands the stories- it sounds more like she has memorized them. And while her words may be more natural and some of the phrases- if she hasn’t really understood them, than most likely the way she’s told them would be hard for a listener to understand too.

I’m also wondering how easy should a story be for someone to retell- no one has EVER retold ALL of a story perfectly…is that bad? Haha…sounds bad, doesn’t it? But then again, are they supposed to be able to retell it perfectly? I guess they should be- maybe after 4-5 times of hearing it…but who would take time to listen to a story 4-5 times? Those long stories the old women know in the villages, I wonder how many times they had to listen to that story before they could retell it?

It’s strange to think in 6 months I may go home. Not for good- but for the family vacation…wow- amazing. I can hardly wait and can even hardly contain the idea.

MY BIRTHDAY! (Email Update)

Email Update

Short Version:
Birthday Party Update- thank you for praying!
“Why not have a storying workshop where people can learn the stories and how to use them in the villages?”
“Will you carry wood, eat grass, and tell stories?” (testing in villages…)

Birthday…Update
Thank you all for your prayers for my birthday party. One of our story-crafters “Precious,” helped prepare special food, and shared the story of Jesus’ birth. I followed with a brief testimony in Kahani language about what His birth meant in my life. It was a blessing to share my birthday with so many of our friends from such a wide variety of backgrounds.

“Why not have a storying workshop…?”
This past week, our housemate, Vivian, organized a workshop to motivate local leaders to support the translation work that is happening. Robin and I also did a short presentation on stories. The result from the presentation is the idea to have a two-day storying workshop for the local leaders to learn the Kahani stories and how to use them use them in their ministries and in evang. in the villages. While there is still much to plan, the tentative dates are February 20-21st. This is a huge step in transitioning the work we’ve done in the past year into the hands of nationals. It is our prayer when our time in this project is finished, we can leave knowing that His Word, through these stories, is going forth! Please pray now that He would be preparing those who will come and develop a desire to share the stories in the villages!

(picture: dancing at my birthday party!)
“Will you carry wood, eat grass, and tell stories?”
Our house helper, “Anna,” asked us this today as we started making plans to visit her mother’s village next week to test stories. She is excited to visit her family and show us her mother’s village. She has planned that we’ll sleep in a different place each night, staying for three nights, we think. Pray that the trip will go well, we’ll be able to test stories, as well as listen to their stories, and that above all, we would be a light to “Anna” and her extended family.

Picture: Left to right: Me, Vivian (our housemate, originally from Guatemala), Robin- roasting marshmallows and keeping warm by the fire we have several times a week at our home during the winter!

PRAISE AND PRAYER:
Praise for encouraging moments with story-crafters.
Praise for Robin and me coming to some decisions regarding the rest of the stories for the set.
Praise for the blessing of being able to share a story and testimony with many at my birthday party.
Prayer for testing in villages- the next few weeks, and continuing to adjust stories.
Prayer for beginning plans for the storying workshop! (currently scheduled for: Feb 20-21).

Til All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth
“Like the ten spies, we too can be pessimists; or like the two spies, optimists. Like the ten, we can put our difficulties between us and God and say we are not able; or like the two, we can put God between the difficulties and ourselves and say we are able!” ~Henrietta C. Mears

“Is anything to hard for the Lord? No!” ~Genesis 18:14

Cost of not obeying God

Joining God requires major adjustments. The reality of adjusting to Godholds true throughout Scripture. David could not continue herding sheep onthe hillsides and become king of Israel. Jonah had to overcome a majorprejudice in order to preach to the people of Nineveh. Peter and others hadto leave their fishing business in order to follow Jesus. Obeying God willalways come at a cost. But few people take into account the cost of not obeying God. It is always much higher.

--Henry Blackaby

Places In-Between (Journal Entry)

So much to do, yet today, I did nothing story-related. Of course, the day isn’t over yet. It feels a little strange, kind-of like I didn’t do anything important of valuable.

I'm trying to take it easy and rest. And boy, that's not as easy as it sounds!!! Of course it’s easy when it’s the only thing to do- on vacation for example, or on a Sunday afternoon when that’s just what you do. But for me, in this place, there is always one more thing to do. One more story to check, one more neighbor to visit. One more phone call to make, on more issue to discuss. It’s never ending. But today, I've been trying to just rest.

Lord, I’ve been thinking about something recently. Coming back here after this. Coming back to continue working on stories. I haven’t felt this idea at all until about two weeks ago. And yet, this past week showed me that perhaps there are enough workers and others who can continue the work without us- wow, wouldn’t that be great? I guess only time will tell if I feel that my work here is done. Of course, my two year-commitment will be done soon, and yes, I’ll go home then. But beyond that, is my work here finished? Only You know!

I’m listening to “The Places in Between” right now, narrated by the author- it’s about his trip across Afghanistan. And is really amazing. I want to use some of his audio clips in a language/culture learning class to give an example of detail, and certain things that we might easily overlook, but we can gain so much information from. It’s been really neat to listen to it- and wonder if I might find myself in a similar situation or place one day. Of course, so much of it applies just to men- but it does give an insight to their life and ways- which I may never get first-hand experience at.

"Home is the niecest word there is" (Email to Parents)

Mommy and Daddy,

Laura Ingles Wilder (Little House on the Prairie)said, “I’ve decided something. ‘Home’ is the nicest word there is.”

Even though I’m not at home right now, I think I might have to agree. While it’s still many months away, at least it’s within this same year…

I enjoyed watching Little House today, while sipping on that caramel hot chocolate you sent, and dipping my chocolate covered candy in it…You would never know that in a few days, I’ll be sleeping next to scrawling kids, scratching the fleas, eating grass, carrying grass and wood on my head, and cooking bread by a fire.

I love you.

~ Elizabeth

Kahani Art!

"Grace" and I painted some 'aparn' - traditional Kahani art while I was in her village this last time.

Burned out... (Journal Entry)

Anyway, I’m feeling burned out somewhat…and unsure of what to do next in this project. It’s not that I don’t have things to do. I have too many to count, so many things that I even forgot something important I needed to do….

You know what, I think I’m feeling overwhelmed by it all- and stressed because I don’t know the answers…I know I never will know the answers, but even just a few hints would be helpful, you know?

Do I go to the village regardless of if Judy responds to my email or not? There are things to change in the stories, but if she doesn’t respond, would it be just a waste? No, nothing’s ever a waste, but with so much to do- is it the wisest way to spend time?

Anyway…Father, give me wisdom- help me to have PAITENCE…I feel a little bit like I’m just rushing through this- even knowing that another recording will be necessary, but part of me just doesn’t care, I just want to get it done. I know these thoughts are wrong, and I need to wait and take a step back and enjoy it too…

(picture: Ganga ["Grace"]- a new story-crafter)

Precious said today that people don’t really see how God can forgive them. She also told Robin another day that we can’t do sins against God directly, only to other people. Wow- these are things that are MAJOR in getting the gospel communicated- how then can it be accomplished? How will these people know about you? Will they ever? I’m crying for them now. Precious, Ganga, Aunty, Uncle, Ulka, our landlord and his family, Ganga’s aunt, her mother, her father, her several brothers and their wives. What about the principal, the dukandars (shopkeepers) upstairs, the neighbors we gave cakes too, the neighbor who wanted to know where You came from, and why You died. The village we first lived in, Joyti, Bicky, his wife, their parents, their brothers, Deepa, Gaitree, Panna.

What will it take? When will we know? Will we ever know? Will we ever see them turn to you? What else do they need? How can these stories be exciting? These stories need to be ones THEY WANT TO TELL…and REALLY BELIEVE….

Yes, we are getting some recordings- but they are just recordings. They are even fairly biblical. But, so what- we can easily have someone translate the Book- hey they are already doing that- we can have someone read that into a recorder, and play it- we can even get them to use emotion…but to TELL a STORY…what will it take? Why haven’t we reached that point yet? How can I work with Ganga, who doesn’t speak English, how can I communicate to her, how can I get her to have motivation to work on stories? How can I also have patience to know when to stop working and focus on building the relationship?

There just seems to be so much to do…so much to do…and as if the work that needs to be done is just mundane stuff- the recordings aren’t even exciting…the stories are confusing in English, let alone another language…no wonder Ganga can’t get it…

Father, show me what to do…please, clearly show me...

Here are some lyrics I’ve heard recently...

Lord I’ll count it all joy, when my travels close me in on every side.
Lord, I’ll count it all joy, when this road of faith runs through the darkest night.
For I know your at work in me.
Yes, I know, your provide all the grace I’ll need.

You have always been my rock
I will trust you forever, forever.
You have never failed me God.
I’ll trust you forever, forever.

Lord, I’ll count it all joy, when the weight of sorrow draws me to my knees.
Every heartache and pain, in your mighty hands as your forming Christ in me.
And I know that your word is true.
Yes, I know every trial you’ll pull me through.

Merry Christmas!

Vivian, Neetu, her little brother and I rode the motorcycle to a Christmas Day service at the Leprosy Mission down the road!

Precious, her grandmother, a neighbor, and her mother - we visited them, and several other neighbors on Christmas day!

Email Update!

Email Update- December 17, 2006

Short Version:
“Grace” – a new story crafter
“Are you going to invite me to your birthday party?”
What do these people really need to know to follow HIM?
The Himalayas…a constant encouragement.

A New Story-Crafter
We’ve started crafting stories with a new friend, “Grace”- (the relative of one of our neighbors). This involves taking trips to her village (15 minutes on the motorcycle, and about 45 minutes hike down to her village). Living in the village a few days a week to craft and test stories has been a blessing. Fetching water, fire wood (all on my head, of course), making rotis (flat, round bread) by fire-light, unsure of where the next spot will be to go to the bathroom, conversing in the village language, etc, etc- the fun never ends.

“Grace” a new story-crafter and me working on stories…
wrapped in our shawls to keep warm!

Are you going to invite me for your birthday?
All of our neighbors and even a few others have asked me this question recently. They all know my birthday is on the 21st of December, and they are all expecting a party with food and dancing. So, attempting to be culturally appropriate, we’ll arrange a party. I’m also hoping two of our story-crafters will be there, and I’ll ask one to tell the story of Jesus’ birth. I hope to follow the story, by sharing a short testimony of what the birth of this baby means in my life. It will be exciting to have the house filled with people- from the lowest class to the highest, and three different religions—most non-believers, but many of whom have heard some or all of the stories we have thus far.

What do these people really need to know to follow HIM?
As Robin and I have been meeting to discuss additional stories to add to the set, this question has been laying heavy on my heart and mind. Since we are planning to do only 24-26 stories, it’s not possible to focus on all the qualities and characteristics that could draw someone to Him. Thus, we have to make some decisions about what stories to do, and what characteristics to draw out. We have learned so much from the past year and are able to make some good “guesses.” However, it’s hard to accept that we won’t ever really know what’s best. We can try what we think would be best-- but then must fully TRUST that HE will take are of the rest.

As I praise him for the work that has been done and also ask him to help me trust Him with the work that remains, He has directed me to this verse…the words that David encouraged Solomon with as he got ready to build the temple.

“Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God is with you! He will not fail you or forsake you.
He will see to it that all the work…is finished correctly.!
~ 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)

The Himalayas – December brings cold weather, but also beautiful, clear views of the ‘snow mountains!’ Being able to wake up every morning and see the mountains (not these in particular, but other ones) constantly reminds me that just as the mountains stand firm no matter what happens- our Father is also there, no matter how good or how bad things may be. What a blessing to always be reminded of this.

PRAISE AND PRAYER:
Praise for a new story-crafter.
Praise for being able to make more progress on our previous stories.
Praise for staying healthy.
Prayer for all of our story-crafters (Nathan, Precious, Grace) as they continue adjust previous stories.
Prayer for my birthday party- that it would be another opportunity to demonstrate His love to the Kahani people. Also pray for my testimony- as I figure out how to say everything I want to in the Kahani language.
Prayer for guidance in deciding more stories for the set.

As you think about what this Christmas season means, don’t forget that so many people still don’t know its meaning. Pray for those across the street from you as well as the Kahani people- that HIS STORY would become real in their hearts!!!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Til All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

"She has all her teeth!" (Email to friend back home)

(Part of an email to a friend back home)

...As the older women in the village were examining me one day, one of them was about 2 inches from my face- talking about my nose, and hair, and eyebrows and teeth. One said, “Look at how white her teeth are!” Another one said, “Oh my, look, they’re all there too!” (meaning my teeth!)
Then it was a show of who had teeth and who didn’t, and which ones were missing, and why, and for how long, etc, etc, etc. I wonder if there is a story in the Book about teeth- they would for sure connect with that one!!! :)

Anyway, crafting and testing stories in the villages has been going well. It’s physically draining as we fetch water and wood for the fire daily, among other village chores. However, it’s emotionally refreshing to be among the people whom these stories are for! Pray for “Grace” our new story-crafter- she’s a fairly good story-teller, and willing to help. Pray that she’ll realize that her aunts and sisters-in-law can provide useful feedback and that her aunts and sisters-in-law will listen and want to help. Of course, above all, pray that all of them realize the Truth within the stories…(see a picture of one of the little boys with his goats in "Grace's" village).

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season!!!

~ Elizabeth

This time next year...I won't be here anymore... (Journal Entry)

I started thinking today, during our prayer time today, that one day, I won’t be here anymore. In fact, this time next near, I won’t be here – this is my last December 10 in "Kahan"- most likely. Time is flying by, really.

After I leave, I won’t hear Precious's voice singing loudly “Shout to the Lord.” I won’t see look of surprise and wonder on the village women’s faces when they hear me talk in their language. I won’t taste the daal and rice- the watery kind in the village, or Panna’s nice thick kind in our home. I won’t hear Nathan tell me again how these stories will never be finished. I won’t see his reaction when he completes a story- or tells it to someone else. I won’t feel the cold wind blow through me as I drive the motorcycle down the mountains back from a crafting session. I won’t feel the heat of the sun, and the sweat dripping down my back as I trek to a village.

I won’t be surrounded by children asking, “take one more picture, one more, one more…” I won’t feel the scratching of the grass in my hair after returning from the river and cutting grass with the village women. I won’t wonder about where to go to the bathroom. I won’t wonder if I’ll eat once or twice the following day. I won’t hear people say, “I love this story,” or “Tell this story again, I want to learn it.” I won’t hear people say, “You are like my daughter, we are your family here.” I won’t wear six layers of clothes at once (unless we’re sledding, maybe). I won’t have soup at least 5 times a week for dinner. I won’t have a habit of sleeping in three difference places within one week. I won’t hear people say, “This is (or isn't!) a good story.”

I will feel the warmth of a heater. I will see lots of white people as opposed to dark skinned people. I will hear my language being spoken by everyone! I will taste taco salad, and ice cream on a frequent basis- or as much as I like. I’ll actually have more of a variety in choice about what I wear, where I go, and what I eat. I will have electricity 100% of the time, I think. I will have more than just two people to talk to in my language. I will miss my neighbors calling to me from their porch, asking how I am, or why my clothes don’t match, or if I've eaten breakfast yet.

I will wonder what Ganga, Nathan and Precious are doing and if they have forgotten all the stories. I will wonder about Anne's aunt, and if the stories she heard had any impact at all. I will think about the first draft of our creation story, to the last draft and how much it changed. I will have a car versus a motorcycle. I will sit in front of the fire in the winter, and next to the pool in the summer. I will cut grass with a lawn mower as opposed to a knife. I will carry things using my hand, not my head. I will go trekking for recreation, not out of necessity. Bathing will not be an hour long process, and will not be determined by the outside temperature, or the electrical current, or how long it has been since the last time I had bathed.

Of course, there will still be traffic. There will still be food occasionally I don’t care for. There will still be cold and hot weather. There will still be times I can’t communicate- either in my language or another. There will still be people who don’t like what I have to say, and others who love it. There will still be things I love and hate. There will still be exciting and encouraging moments, and discouraging and frustrating ones. There will still be emails to write and calls to make.

Somehow, I’m already anticipating the emotion I will feel when it comes time to leave. Yes, I’ll be happy in many ways- but actually, so sad in many other ways. I don’t know exactly what my emotions might be, but I can anticipate that it will be hard- even leaving now, would be hard…there is still so much work to do- so many people who need to hear…we are only two people…and Nathan, Precious, Ganga are only three more….how much can we do? Of course, the number of people who have interacted with these stories is so much more than that- but still….

How will they all know?

Lord, please do something amazing among these people. They need you so bad- like we do, like I do- I need you, every day I need you. Help me to realize that every day, and help these people to see their need for you too…