Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Headed home
- danny
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Story Time
Pavithra - pronounced pa-vee-tra (6 years old): Was abandoned by her birth mother in the hospital - essentially born an orphan. She was adopted by a Muslim family who absolutely loved and adored her. A couple years ago the mother died of a heart attack. Her adopted father works in the construction industry and neither makes enough money to support her or is able to care for her during the day. When he came to drop Pavithra off at Little Flock he was asked, "Are you going to visit, or are you just dropping her off?" He teared up and responded, "Pavithra is the light of my life. Yes, I will be back to visit." This is the case of many of the kids here at Little Flock - their parents/relatives love and care about them deeply, but just aren't able to provide or take care of them.
Mani - pronounced money (11 Years old): lived on the street before coming to Little Flock a couple years ago. He survived by picking pockets. He would carry a blade in his mouth, slit the pocket of someone walking and take whatever was inside for himself (he was doing this as a 7-9 year old boy). Mani is one of the most loving boys here at Little Flock, anytime I am (or any of the team members) are walking near him, he will grab my hand and hold it until we get to where we're going. The transformation, the healing that God has done in his life is incredible.
Those are 2 stories of 45, you can imagine the incredibly painful pasts that some of these kids have. Have you seen Slumdog Millionaire? (if you haven't I recommend it - it's incredibly accurate) For some of these kids, that is their past, that is their story.
These are the stories that changed our team. The realization that we aren't here for us, we aren't here just to put a fresh coat of paint on cottages (though it is helpful and is a blessing to this place), we are here for these kids, for these stories. And no longer are these kids "just faces", as one of our team members put it, but they are a story, a story of God's redemption. Hearing these stories has given perspective to our team. It has changed the way we interact with the kids of Little Flock (in a very positive loving way). And suddenly, Friday, that previously couldn't come soon enough, is coming too soon. Obstacles have been broken down, discomfort is much less of an "issue", every minute counts and the love for these children has only increased.
When we get back, whoever it is you know on this team, ask them about Little Flock kids' stories - I promise you this, these are not stories that will soon be forgotten.
- danny
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Deep thoughts by Brian Haken
Brian Haken
Sunday, August 2, 2009
As soon as we entered those gates
So, I’m not one to blog or do write-ups, but I figure, might as well try so bear with me people. Seven months ago, I heard the high school group was going to India…again! My friend, Steven, went two years ago, so I had heard many stories about the trip. One of those stories was being bitten by a scorpion and waiting 45 minutes to see if he would die or not. Maybe this trip wasn’t exactly the trip for me. But, one night I was at my house and I came to the realization that something inside of me needed to change. This trip has been exactly that. As soon as we entered those gates to Little Flock and got out of the car, nothing else mattered. The feeling that I got as we walked into the chapel/hut, was amazing. I didn’t even have to know any of the kids names, or what they were like, just that we shared the one common trait that everyone had brought to the trip, the love of Jesus Christ. Everyday has been a struggle. We all know it. I mean, the heat index for one of the days was 113. Now, I’m not sure if that actually happened or not but, still, you probably just got a little sunburned reading that. But, the struggles seem to fade away as our team gathers in the chapel and we talk about how we’re not doing this for ourselves, we’re doing it to put smiles on the face of the children, and to serve and worship God. Whether it’s painting, teaching English, or playing soccer, everything we do is for those two reasons. I’m so glad I came on this trip; it has truly been life changing. The people I’ve become closer with are now relationships that will last for a long time. Sitting with different people on our cabin porch and talking til late at night, one on one was definitely one of the things that I will remember. All the work in preparation was worth it. Every single dollar that I spent to make deadlines out of my own pocket would seem wasteful if it was ever spent on anything else. Thank you for everyone who is reading this, and to even those who are not, you’ve changed lives here for every single person on this team. When we get home, if we aren’t too excited to get on facebook, or watch the finale of the bachelorette, don’t be surprised. Most of us will probably be at In n Out. At least that’s where you’ll find me.
Chris Duke
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Not me, Only Jesus
Love,
Keri Corey
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Indescribable
Yesterday was a scorcher, but our team worked really hard and finished priming 2.5 cottages. Already today we’re working on the last two!
After a very long day of work, a huge storm came in during our evening program. Although we didn’t get to play a game, God used to storm to surprise us with a very fun time with the kids and a great bonding time as a team. You see, we all ran back into the hut once the rain started (we were spread out outside in order to work on English in our small groups). Because we couldn’t play our game outside, we passed out snack (Chewy bars were on the menu) and then used the rest of the evening to sing songs (Mangos, This Little Light of Mine, Hokey Pokey, Pharaoh Pharaoh, etc) and pray. It was especially fun because the power went out a few minutes after the storm started so it was relatively all in the dark.
Once the caretakers said it was safe for the children to leave to do their homework, our team stayed behind in the hut and watched a spectacular thunder and lightning show for about 45 mins. The lyrics to Indescribable came to mind:
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go?
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gave source to its light?
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?
None can fathom!
Indescribable, uncontainable, you placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name.
You are amazing God.
All powerful, untamable, awestruck we fall to our knees and proclaim:
You are amazing God!
Creation was definitely revealing His majesty last night!
God’s been doing a great work in our team as we’ve been there. Each morning we’ve had an opportunity to hear from one of the students about how God’s been working in their heart. It’s been a time of vulnerability, encouragement, and truth. His Spirit is definitely present among us as we spend time serving him with our hands, feet and mouth, as well as the times we are taking to be still before Him and allow Him to do His work within the depths of our hearts, minds, and souls.
We appreciate all of your prayers and please know that we are missing you deeply.
In His majestic Name,
Monica
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Kick, Run, Ball, Throw!
Hope you’re doing well across the deep blue. We just finished our second night of program. We’re two days ahead of schedule in our painting project, but the hard part started today (the actual painting part…). Up until now, we scrubbed the outside of 6 (out of 11) buildings, the rain sprayed it down for us (thanks!), puttied, sanded, and we started the primer. We’re about 1/5 done with that and then we’ll actually begin painting. If we finish the 6 buildings we’re working on, we’ll start the next 5. At this rate, we probably will get there, but it will be tiring!
In terms of English, a group spends time with the female care takers each day to work on their English and lead them in a Bible study. Then, in the afternoon, a team heads out to the school in the local village to “teach” a bunch of VERY excited students English. Then, during our evening program, we spend some time teaching the kids English (along with other fun things to be explained below). Last, three of us spend time helping a handful of kids who go to an English only school with their homework.
We are still making tweaks to our program, but it’s hard to tell who is enjoying it more- us or them?! We have six teams and spend time each night singing songs, hearing a Bible story and seeing a related skit, learning new sporty words (we’re using a sports team for our evening), and playing a fun game that relates to the words we learned that night (so far we’ve played steal the bacon and capture the flag). We finish off the evening together with another song, prayer, and a snack (today’s snack= animal crackers… mmmm).
So, that’s about it for now!
Please continue to pray for us as a few people felt sick today and needed to sit out and rest. It is very hot here and we need extra prayer for strength in the midst of the heat and little sleep.
We love and miss you all!
The Team
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The End of the Weekend
We arrived at Little Flock safely yesterday afternoon. We've spent time getting to know the kids, getting settled, and deciding on our schedule for the rest of the week.
This is a rough overview of what the weekdays will look like while we're here:
6:15- worship with the kids
7- Team tea time
7:15- Team devotion
8:15- breakfast
9- painting (15 people, 4 hours)
11- ESL and Bible study with caregivers
1- lunch
1:30- painting (15 people, 3 hours)
3- ESL at local school
4:30-6- Kids return to Little Flock, do chores, and play
6- devotion with the kids
6:20- English lessons
7- Childrens' homework time
7:30- Dinner
8- Rest and chillax!
So, that's basically what we'll be doing for the next two weeks. We'll keep you updated :)
Thanks for your prayers!
Monica
Friday, July 24, 2009
Hong Kong
So far, we have had (successfully) uneventful travel - that's a good thing! Thanks to all who are praying!
More updates to come.
-Danny
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
12 Hours and Counting
I was thinking today about all the people that have supported the India Team to get us to the point of being able to go, and it's truly incredible, the spread is so wide. If you are one of those people, THANK YOU. But most of all, it's been amazing to watch how God has been providing for this team. The vision we've claimed for our team is, "God is Bigger." and again, it's been awesome to see that happen in all sorts of situations - and we haven't even left yet! But taking that idea further, we claimed Psalm 77 as our team verse:
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah
16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock.
Pretty cool huh?
Anyway, please check back here often, I will try to update it as much as possible and I really hope to have different team members post some of their thoughts here too.
I still have to pack my suitcase...
-Danny