This little light of mine...
Namaste friends,
F.Y.I.--Photos are coming soon :)
Well, it's December sixth and from the sounds of it, things are really looking a lot like Christmas back in B.C.! It's starting to be sweater weather out here but we won't be getting snow...thank you to those of you who have sent snow pictures!
These past couple of weeks have been filled with an American Thanksgiving party, a friend from church's birthday party, and the end of our Hindi classes with Subodh, our teacher who often preached to us.
This past weekend was a heavy one for four of us (Greg, Jen, Jon, and me) who visited a city called Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in India. Its steps lead right onto the Ganges River and Hindu people from all over this country go there to bathe in it to wash their sins away. Not only did we see people dipping themselves in the polluted water (like seriously polluted...I wouldn't have wanted to dip one finger in that river), but Hindus often bring their dead there to be burned in fires so their ashes can be scattered in the water.
I can't really describe what that was like--to see such masses of lost people searching for truth in false gods. We all felt it too, and the spiritual heaviness was draining.
One morning Jen, Greg, and I woke up at 5:30am to watch the sunrise on the Ganges and we were praying on the steps near the water. A little boy, about 11 years old, came over to try to sell us these floating candles that you can send off into the water. They are actually quite pretty but the meaning behind them stopped us from buying any. As we started to pray he stuck around and a few others gathered. But they were all talking loudly and kept trying to sell us things. At first I thought it was just a bother, but I started talking to the boy (he spoke decent English). I said, "The reason we don't want to buy your candles is because we believe that there is one God only." I pointed around me explaining, "He made the sky, the river, the birds, the sun that's about to come up, and he made you and me. And you know what else? Jesus loves me, and Jesus loves you too." His face looked threatened. Then he walked away. Please join with me to pray for children like this one, that he would see Jesus' light shine even brighter than the candles he sells.
There were some hints of hope in that city: the children with joy on their faces, the picturesque river and sunrise, the baby animals running around everywhere. There is hope for the nations, as promised by God the Father.
Another mentionable and completely unrelated change that happened last week is that I got my hair cut! Those of you who know me well enough would know that that is a big deal because the last time I had it short was in grade 11. I felt it was a thing God wanted me to let go of so I did, and I'm glad about it. Much easier to take care of anyway, and maybe my Fructis shampoo will be able to last me a couple extra months!
Thank you once again for your prayers. We are deciding, this week, which areas of volunteering we will each be focusing on for the rest of our time here, so if you could pray for discernment and peace in that area that would be great. We will also travel to the Punjab state this coming week for five days, so pray for protection and that our eyes would be opened to the way God sees the people we meet.
Hope all is going well…I miss each and every one of you!
Love, Beth
F.Y.I.--Photos are coming soon :)
Well, it's December sixth and from the sounds of it, things are really looking a lot like Christmas back in B.C.! It's starting to be sweater weather out here but we won't be getting snow...thank you to those of you who have sent snow pictures!
These past couple of weeks have been filled with an American Thanksgiving party, a friend from church's birthday party, and the end of our Hindi classes with Subodh, our teacher who often preached to us.
This past weekend was a heavy one for four of us (Greg, Jen, Jon, and me) who visited a city called Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in India. Its steps lead right onto the Ganges River and Hindu people from all over this country go there to bathe in it to wash their sins away. Not only did we see people dipping themselves in the polluted water (like seriously polluted...I wouldn't have wanted to dip one finger in that river), but Hindus often bring their dead there to be burned in fires so their ashes can be scattered in the water.
I can't really describe what that was like--to see such masses of lost people searching for truth in false gods. We all felt it too, and the spiritual heaviness was draining.
One morning Jen, Greg, and I woke up at 5:30am to watch the sunrise on the Ganges and we were praying on the steps near the water. A little boy, about 11 years old, came over to try to sell us these floating candles that you can send off into the water. They are actually quite pretty but the meaning behind them stopped us from buying any. As we started to pray he stuck around and a few others gathered. But they were all talking loudly and kept trying to sell us things. At first I thought it was just a bother, but I started talking to the boy (he spoke decent English). I said, "The reason we don't want to buy your candles is because we believe that there is one God only." I pointed around me explaining, "He made the sky, the river, the birds, the sun that's about to come up, and he made you and me. And you know what else? Jesus loves me, and Jesus loves you too." His face looked threatened. Then he walked away. Please join with me to pray for children like this one, that he would see Jesus' light shine even brighter than the candles he sells.
There were some hints of hope in that city: the children with joy on their faces, the picturesque river and sunrise, the baby animals running around everywhere. There is hope for the nations, as promised by God the Father.
Another mentionable and completely unrelated change that happened last week is that I got my hair cut! Those of you who know me well enough would know that that is a big deal because the last time I had it short was in grade 11. I felt it was a thing God wanted me to let go of so I did, and I'm glad about it. Much easier to take care of anyway, and maybe my Fructis shampoo will be able to last me a couple extra months!
Thank you once again for your prayers. We are deciding, this week, which areas of volunteering we will each be focusing on for the rest of our time here, so if you could pray for discernment and peace in that area that would be great. We will also travel to the Punjab state this coming week for five days, so pray for protection and that our eyes would be opened to the way God sees the people we meet.
Hope all is going well…I miss each and every one of you!
Love, Beth
posted by Beth at 10:26 PM
3 Comments:
Hey Beautiful!
So good to hear what you are up to and how God is moving. I'm pumped to see what your hair looks like as well. I know God is using you as you rest in his presence. Its sweet that you shared about Jesus with that little boy. Who knows what seeds were planted in his heart? I love you girl, and I'm praying for you.
Hey Beth, you are definitely shining your little light in a dark country, and you have a gift for writing too. You should write a book when you get back. It's funny how we all want to see your hair now, so get those pics posted.
We were hoping to put a team into the Christmas family volleyball tournament this year, but we don't have the players, so you're not missing out.
Keep shining that light, and God will use you in powerful ways.
Love ya.
I know the story of an entire nation that found the love of God through the witness of one small boy who was befriended by one woman who knew Jesus. (I'll email it to you, Bethany of the cropped still beautiful hair.) Amazing how God uses one tiny flame, lit by one of his own faithful servant/friends, to bring new life and light to many. That little boy will remember. You will see each other again!
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