"Then Christ will make his home in your heart as you trust in him"

--Ephesians 3:17

I am home!! Kelowna, Canada, where the fruit is ready to ripen and where my parents are graciously letting me stay with them for the summer, I am feeling incredibly blessed. I have hardly been here a week, do not have a job yet (that's okay with me right now), and I am simply thanking God. That seems to be all I can utter sometimes...simply a "thank you."

That reminds me--thank you to everyone who has read my sometimes-way-too-long blog entries, emailed me, sent me money for my trip, and especially prayed for me. You are all my heroes!! Oh and IF you want to see photos from my trip and chat (I'd love to hear what your year has been like, too), then let me know!

Little recap from the past month:

-- Jordan (the country...see previous blog entry) was AWESOME. We won all of our games, visited Petra (where I rode a muel! It was my favourite), went to Mount Nebo (where Moses saw the Promised Land), and got to swim in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. It was great, and what a beautiful country!

-- I was in Abbotsford for two weeks with all the other Trekkers (who went to Thailand, Peru, and Mexico) for debrief. It was really helpful and we had a great time hanging out and learning to be normal again..haha. We also went white-water rafting and spent a day at a nearby lake! I just feel so blessed to be in this country, enjoying the big and small things in life. This is a verse that has really spoken to me regarding just that, from Philippians 4:11-13...

"For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."


Sadly, this will probably be my last blog. It's been fun, God has been faithful, and India is hopefully touched a little bit. I'm so glad that God has the whole world in HIS hands. What a good God we serve.

Blessings,

love, Bethany

p.s. Photo #1--Amy and I pointing to the promised land. #2--Me and my Bedouin guide on a muel. #3--A little Bedouin girl that we had tea with. #4--The "Monastery," a 78m by 79m part of Petra, carved into the mountains. #5--Our team in Punjab!

Just Kidding!

Well, it wasn't really a joke. I actually thought that I wasn't going to be able to go to Jordan with Amy to play the soccer games, but it is now happening!! I'm going to Jordan on the 30th!

I had written in my journal, about a month ago, a bold prayer asking God to provide all the money that I would need to go on this trip. And since I had peace that God wanted me to go, I trusted that the money would come. Well, there were definitely times of doubt but look what He's done!

My parents, first of all, had decided that they wanted to help me get there so they were incredibly generous...thanks Mom and Dad! But then when I found out that the cost was just going to be too high, my teammates really surprised me. They wanted me to be able to come, so three of the ladies voluntarily contributed their fundraised amount on my behalf (which was a lot of money...), so I find myself on my knees once again praising God for the way that He answers prayer! I know, without a doubt, that it was His goodness. He is always, always good.

We're having a goodbye party here on Wednesday so we're looking forward to that...lots of sad farewells :( :)

See you soon Canada!

Beth

no go for Jordan

Just a quick little update...

I'm not going to Jordan anymore because I found out that the flight was going to be mucho too costly (to go from Jordan back to Vancouver). But that's okay that it didn't work out. I trust that God has a bigger and better plan for me--not necessarily a different country to go to, but there is definitely some reason why it didn't work out. It will be nice to fly back home with the rest of the team and it's also nice not having to dish out the extra money for the trip, so it's all good. And maybe I'll get to go to Jordan another time in my life!

It's strange having only 12 days left here. We went to our church for the last time yesterday which was sad. The hardest part was saying goodbye to the girls to whom I've been teaching English. One of them in particular, one of the girls who has a terminal illness, just wouldn't let go of me. She'd say, "No Beth didi, you stay here in India. You not go...... Okay, you come back? Jesus, I pray that Beth didi will come back. I like Beth didi." So sweet, but wow, that one was hard. I really will miss the people here. I'll keep them up in prayer, although that's not always as easily done as it is to say it. A new challenge for myself--yes!!

Other than that, I'm still running my mind about what to do when I get home. I've been challenged recently to dream big dreams...even bigger than what we think is big. I really want to pick up the dreams that I've laid down in my life--I mean, if I really believe that nothing is impossible for God, then I need to live my life that way, even if it hurts sometimes. So I've been praying more about the stunt business and how/if God wants me to pursue that. It makes me excited! So we'll see....

Well I'd better be going. Tomorrow's Jen's birthday so we're planning a nice day for her.

Many blessings friends and fam,

Beth

time is drawing nigh

Hi everyone!

First of all, I apologize for not updating my blog in awhile. It's crazy how time is flying...it feels like last week that I wrote on here but almost a month has passed!

Speaking of a month, that's how long it will be until I'm standing back on Canadian soil. I was saying to Jen the other night that this place is feeling so normal now that it's not registering that we're going back to our strange culture. But I must say that I'm getting excited to see my family and friends, and to not be in a role of leadership for a little while. I have enjoyed it, but man it's harder work than I could have guessed. Way to go leaders all over the world. You guys are my heroes.

So this past month our team took one more trip down south to Hyderabad (actually, just outside in a village) where we got the chance to lead in singing, prayer, and a few of us even got to teach a class of young adults on "goal setting" and "Christ-like living." I taught the latter, although I am weak in that area, which is why I think He had me explain what not to do..hah. I was encouraged in that area though afterwards which was nice. We had a really good time down there though...our team came away with some really good memories (like making friends with young Indian leaders who were all gathered for training there, visiting a 2-acre banyan tree, and having an AMAZING answer of prayer at the airport on the way back to Delhi.) I would write the whole miracle-story but Jen already has on her blog, so I would encourage you to read it at: http://www.xanga.com/shakey80 ----------- her April 23rd posting.

Other than that, I have still been teaching English to the young girls and doing the "Bhangra" workout dancing with Amy and Bindu. A lot of women from the neighbourhood have been coming out so it's been great!

A lot of my time has been spent hanging out with an Indian friend that I've met here, who is asking a lot of questions about Christianity. She was staying with us for a week because of some problems at home and we were able to encourage her. I am really glad that I am here to support her in this time but she is really not looking forward to me leaving back to Canada. I've been telling her that God loves her more than I, or any guy on earth, ever could. She needs prayer, and so do I as I try to follow the Spirit's leadings...so please do! :)

Another exciting thing that happened just today is that the Quest (the program I did 2 years ago, which is why I came to India the first time) team came to our place to hang out, worship, and pray together. It was so awesome showing them around the area where I live, and encourage them to listen to God's voice...maybe they'll be called back to India as I was! But yeah, it was great to get to hang out with Jeremy--the leader, one of my favourite people-- and get to talk to the Questees about their experience at CBC this year. God knows how to bless us all the time!

I won't write too much on this for now, but as long as flights work out and everything, it looks like Amy and I will be going to Jordan on May 31, just before I fly back to Canada. Our soccer team is going to play some games against some teams there, as well as tour some of the country. So that's exciting! Well, except for the fact that we'll be playing in 50-55 degree weather. But that's alright...it's a good thing I come from hot Kelowna.

Okay so I'll try to answer the burning question that everyone's been asking. "What will you do when you get back?" First, there are two weeks of debrief back in Abbotsford, BC, where we'll meet back up with team Thailand, Peru, and Cheyla in Mexico. Then I'm planning on going back to Kelowna for a while (don't know how long) and maybe find a job for a couple months. Then, in either July or August, I would LOVE to visit my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews in their respected cities. That would be the greatest. After the summer, I'm not sure what God has planned for me. But I have options in Abbotsford, Vernon, India, Kelowna, or Vancouver, so I'm definitely waiting on the Lord. I'm not really worried though cause God always has something planned for me in the end!

As for what God's teaching me, the list never ends: trust, humility, patience, confidence and boldness, the laying down of my rights, my dreams, my fears...etc. I am especially learning daily about what it means to practise trusting in Him, even for the small day-to-day things (and the big things as mentioned above). But I love that I can just ask him to help me and he is so faithful to save me every time. I wish I asked him things more often! But I guess that's what learning is--a continual process that shapes us.



Thank you so very much for all your prayers, thoughts, and letters. Seriously, I am in awe of the generosity I've been blessed with. I know that I would not have ever felt such support if I didn't have such awesome friends and family, so thank you. And I wanted to say that if there are any prayer requests that you'd like to send me, or if you just want to say "hi," you can always email me. I'd love to hear what's on your heart and how I can support you from this side of the world.

God bless you!

Bethany

Beauty all around me

Pokhara, Nepal, with a cement ping-pong table.

Well hello everyone!

Our team got back from Nepal and Goa last week (April 3) , and we're preparing ourselves for another short adventure to a southern state of India, called Andhra Pradesh. We'll be getting some exposure and speaking at some Mennonite Brethren churches down there.

In Goa, we had a lot of fun doing childcare for the missionary families as they had meetings. But we got plenty of time to relax and actually be tourists for a while too. The beaches and sun were just beautiful and I had forgotten how much of a sucker I am for the water. I just love being in God's creation so much, and praising Him for letting me enjoy it in this life! In the book of Psalms, chapter 29 says,

"The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic...
The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace."

You know that feeling when you're sitting in front of the ocean watching/listening to the waves, and you feel so incredibly small? This psalm makes me feel that same way when I think about God's strength. And yet he gives us his strength when we trust that he can...wow. That kind of strength--the kind that makes the ocean move around--blows my mind.

Another one of my favourite parts about being there was riding a motorized scooter around, getting to observe some non-touristy areas of the state. There are salt fields all over, cool Catholic churches, and just amazing beaches. I found out later from the men who rented the scooter to me, that I was supposed to have had my biking license. Oops, but ignorance is bliss....and probably really dangerous. I also got opportunities to hang out with locals a lot...just to chat outside of their shops and listen to them talk about their families and religions (Islam, Hindu, Catholicism...they're all here). Not many things beat just hanging out in my opinion.

Our Visa run in Kathmandu, Nepal ended up being a nice blessing from God. We were hosted by an absolutely amazing family who owns a Christian Publishing company there. Our stay was extended because the Indian Embassy apparently really takes its time with foreigners' Visas, so we got to visit a little bit more of the country. We took a 7-hour bus ride to a city called Pokhara, a beautiful city with a lake and mountains all around. I felt very much at home there. I called my mom on her birthday from there, and she told me over the phone that she was in that city 16 years ago (when I was in grade 1), so that was really cool for me.

Easter was this past weekend and we spent it with the Klassens and Oommens, as well as with the church that we've been going to. Everyone in India seemed to know that it was Good Friday (because they get the day off work), but hardly anyone knows what Easter is let alone what it means. I got to explain the meaning to my Bollywood-agent friend and she came to some of the celebrations with me so that was a lot of fun. Please continue to pray for the relationships that we've built here.

I'm so glad that we still have two months left here (June 2nd we land in Vancouver!). I just know that God has amazing things planned for us in our last months, otherwise we wouldn't have gotten our Visas renewed. God still has work to do, amidst our thinking about our plans for the summer and beyond. I just wait in expectancy and trust that Jesus will make my path straight. What a joy it is to know that my Father in heaven walks beside me each day. He is all I need.

God bless,

Bethany

Air

I find it hard to believe that we share the same air as Jesus did when he walked this earth. About 2000 years ago He was gasping for breath in the desert as he walked in the heat, using the same oxygen to preach to people he cared about, and breathing his last on the cross; "Father, I entrust my Spirit into your hands!" (Luke 23:46).

And yet today, despite Jesus' sacrifice for us and his invitation to freedom, we still take for granted the air we breathe. People treat others poorly. There is sin everywhere, all around us...it takes a quick glance in the news to get a glimpse of the brokenness people are feeling. No one can escape death. No one will be without some sort of suffering and pain in his life. I am not saying these things to be a downer...that's not usually my personality :). I just want people to see that if there is any hope in this life then it has to be in Jesus Christ.

In these past weeks we have watched our host families go through some hard times of mourning for a father who passed away and a baby who never got the chance to be born. But I also got to celebrate with my mom who told me of a mother who has just given birth to a boy who should not have lived, back in Kelowna. We were also amazed to hear, from Ben Froese visiting our team from Abbotsford, about the story of the two AIDS orphans in Thailand who, in September I believe, were healed from their terminal illnesses. And all it took was the wondering-if-Jesus-is-real faith of a Buddhist woman in Thailand (now-turned follower-of-Jesus) who prayed and fasted for the boys. She found out in an amazing way that He is real!

I've been seeing Jesus in a lot of places lately. I've seen him in the street children who beg at the Community Centre down the street from us, six days a week. Instead of fearing us they now know that they can trust us, and I look forward to giving them hugs as they come and wrap their little arms around us, seeking love that they do not receive often. I believe that's the way Jesus wants us to run to Him.

I have seen Jesus in the six AIDS orphan boys who go to our church, and that Jen teaches math to. At the ages of 9, 10, 11, and 12, and knowing that their lives will most likely not be lived much longer, they have memorized more of the Bible than I have. At church, they lift up their little hands to God in faith that He can do miracles. We as a team have been intentionally praying for them this past week, that He would do miracles for these boys. If you would like to know their names to pray for them as well, email me and I'll send them to you.

I've seen Jesus in the eyes of the children who live in a nearby slum, whose faces lit up the other day when we had the privilege of taking them to a park across the city, at India Gate. Most of them had never been on a swing or slide, in a car or even out of the slum they call home. The joy on their faces when they would gleefully get to the bottom of the slide can be only described as "perfect." I suspect that that same look is familiar to parents of young children in the West (and in the East for that matter)...I just wonder, "Why do we lose that joy as we grow old?" Jesus said in the book of Matthew, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." Why does our pride get in the way of seeing all the awesome things God has in store for us?


Other things worthy of mention:

- We celebrated "Holi" with our neighbours on the 3rd and 4th of March, a Hindu festival where they rub paint on each other's faces and arms, as well as throw water balloons and hose each other as much as possible. If you go outside those days, that's it. You're wet.

- We will be heading out of Delhi this coming Saturday (the 17th) until the 31st for a trip to Goa and to Nepal to renew our Visas. Please pray that they will be processed without trouble, and that we will have a relaxing time/good bonding time in Goa.

- I am still trying to raise financial support from out here in India, so if anyone is getting an unexpected sweet tax-return or just feels like helping me out, I would be super-grateful!

God bless you all. In Christ,

Bethany

Hello hello!

February has been fun. I have really enjoyed getting to help coach the kids' soccer team here in Delhi. Boy, what a stressful job though...well done former-coaches! In the last month, God has also opened the door for me to get to play on a women's soccer team, in a volleyball tournament, and join in playing badminton with some faculty members of the university nearby. It's a huge blessing because I had been praying that I would get to play some sports! God knows the desires of our hearts, that's for sure. I am really excited to let Him guide me in the next few months that I have left in India. I feel like I've grown in so many ways already--it's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that we still have a lot of time to spend here.

One verse to encourage and challenge you all--one that you may or may not have heard before but one that I love...

Jesus replied, "‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’-Matthew 22:37-39

God bless you all this week!

Bethany