India: A Directing

This past weekend, we went to Chennai to see a family that is working and living intentionally there. We took a 5 hour train ride on Friday night.  It was a really great time just seeing what it would realistically look like for us, ie. what the apartment might look like, showers, toilets , cooking, etc.

We were able to finally catch up on some of the sleep that we hadn’t had for the past 8 days because Lil’ Babes was having trouble with jet lag.  They also have a three month old that was born four days after Row, so really that was great to have solidarity in being a mom of a three month old in a foreign country. Saturday morning, we all took a walk around this nature area which was a botanists dream.  Unfortunately, we forgot the camera The coolest thing we saw while there was a Banyan tree.  Basically they get really huge because every time the send out a branch they also drop roots from that branch.  Amazing. After going on the nature walk, we got some breakfast at this veg restaurant called Sangeetha. Seriously amazing.

We basically laid around all day and talked about everything under the sun. We asked lots of questions. What their struggles have been, what does it look like to actually contextualize the Truth, what have their relationships looked like, what does community look like for them; just to name a few. Jesus used this weekend hugely in directing in our hearts.  We aren’t sure what all of it means but its starting to feel okay to be open handed with our life. I just was so homesick, I think I had closed my heart.  However, I want to want to be like Mary that when she found out that she was going to bear the Living God; her response was “Let it be so”. And Jesus, when He was in the garden of Gethsamine, He said if this is the only way, then let it be so. O God, I wish to have a pure heart when saying that “Let it be so” whatever you have for us.

The train station in Bangalore.

-jen

India: Purpose

It seems things are a bit different here then what I imagined they would be.  My role has shifted a lot since the beginning of all of this.  At first I was heavily involved with all the Indians and now it seems especially after having lil’ babes that my role in all of this is shifting much more than I imagined it would.  I am not certain of what that all means but I do know that it feels freeing to not have guilt hanging over my head.  Because really the fact is, God has called me to be a mom and wife and those come before all of this.  These days that is a little bit more demanding. This quote from Jim Elliot has guided me in many transitions in my life. “Wherever you are, be all there.  Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”  But its funny how the things that can challenge you can also become a thing that throws guilt on you, which clearly is not from God. So Jesus, help me to know what it means to “be all here” right now, here in India, on this trip.

Needless to say, yesterday was a normal day as just a mom. It was mostly about trying to get Rowen to nap at normal times, so we could sleep at night(which worked!!). All we did was go out to exchange money and hang out by the pool a bit. Rowen rolled over for the first time!, which I thought was a fluke, but he did it about 4 times in his 10 minute tummy time this morning! What a pro This morning we also got to Skype in to our Missional Family’s white elephant party which was such a blessing.  We couldn’t imagine life without them.  Lil’ Babes and I also got to skype my Mom, which was just really fun to see Rowen really excited about seeing her.

This weekend we are going to Chennai, a 5 hour train ride from Bangalore, to see a family that are like-minded.  We are really really excited to get to hear their hearts and share ours/get wisdom. Please pray that this would bring clarity to our lives, and that we would mutually encourage each other.

We are so thankful for all of you who are praying for us and following our trip.

-jen