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
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
posted by Beth at 5:36 AM
1 Comments:
Hiya Bethany,
Good to feel more caught up on yur Delhi adventures. Looking forward to seeing the new dances! We're counting the days to your homecoming. Keep on shining. You've always been good at the strong finishes. Remember the Cooper!
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