a day of prayer.

well, sarah and i had every intention of waking up early this morning and heading out and pwalking for a bit. however, when the alarm went off, it wasn't happening. we slept in, had a good breakfast and headed to our "appointment." it was nice. we taught the girls a fun game and had a simple not-so-spicy lunch. then, we were invited next door to the house of the woman who is dying of chronic liver failure. she is getting really bad. sarah and i continud to lift her up. thn the womeen began to set up for smethign and before we knew it twenty women and young girls filld the room. they covered thir heads, took out thir prayer books in urdo, took som stones from th center of the circle, and began to utter prayers from thebook. it was devistating. we found out later that they did this every monday and friday. after they finished a paryer they would kiss the stone and then stouch their foreheads, then blow on the peanuts, then the sugar, and then the water in the center of the circle. i never found out the meaning of those elements, but truly pointless and truly sad.

sarah and i took out our sword and read. we hummed songs. we prayed from our hearts. we hope they know this. it was hard. we kept saying "if only we could speak hindi!" but really, He would have to transcend even our languageto open their eyes and hearts; ask that it would be so. ask that those women would be transformed by the little things that sarah and i did today. ask that we would have faith enough to speak, despite the language barrior, (ie would that not be an excuss not to speak the Truth).

yes, prayer filled the day, but oh how sad it was to hear prayer to nothing and then to be able to pray to the Almighty. be grateful to know HIM!

the latest

once again, things seem to have picked up. our supervisor isn't in the country, so we've been making our own schedule. it's been fun and challenging to be sure. in our focus family, we've were able to share more about the truth in a very focused way again (PTL!) and really, it's because he understands english so much better. in one of the other homes we go to, we were able to share a story, but it is hard to communicate because our hindi is poor and they speak little english; ask that we would be able to communicate the Truth more clearly in whatever capasity He would allow. we go there again tomorrow (monday) and we are nervous because they want us to spend the night. we need to try to communicate why we can't in a tactful way. ask that He would give us the words. it blows my mind that people would want us to stay in their homes for seven hours, let alone spend the night when we can't even communicate verbally affectively. oh well, that's hospitality again for you!

in other news, i learned how to cook a dish and how to make chai. yes, you all will be subjected to my cooking now (suckas!). we went site-seeing today and spent too much money (equivelent to 25 US dollars). but now we can at last say that we have seen much of the pride and joy of this city and the main attractions that we pass by almost every day. :)

thank you for lifting us up! right now it seems that i am almost too comfortable and forget to rely on Him. while it is almost impossible to get comfortable in this place, it is to get caught up in oneself and in my desires instead of looking to His desires and to Him. ask that my focus would be on His glory and every step and decision for His work, not my own. thank you again, for your faithfulness! -cs

a month

well, it's been a month since this crazy adventure really got started and today it felt like it (i won't lie). with more rickshaw drama and drama with our families, i felt like i wanted to go home, but i was totally convicted when i read proverbs twenty four, thirty to thirty three. there is a huge harvest ripe for harvest and i must be out there, no matter how tired, (rather sick and tired), i get. that's right cindy, it's not about me, it is SO about Him and His glory. i find that when sarah and i lift Him up before we go out in the mornings, the day is much more "productive." sadly, today was not one of those days. language was a real difficulty. please lift up not just our ability to speak and communicate, but also to remember to lift up the Name about all names before we begin anything. thank you again for your faithfulness.

it's been a while

well, google hasn't been letting me long in, so forgive my inability to update. here are some things that have been going on.
(begin the emotional rollercoster)
Thursday: we went to our main house and because the head of the house was sick, th mofi was there. definately an intense situation to walk in on. the mofi gave the head some "magic" words on a piece of paper and told him to do some stuff with it. it'sweir dhow similar sufism is to hindiusm, (but don't tell them i said that). after the mofi left, we had a great conversation about the Son. we full on told him the good news. while there was some language problems and some confusion, he is still inviting us back, so yeah. how blessed we felt to be able to share with such a good, but lost friend! later that night we went to the durga again. down we went on the rollercoaster as we saw the friends we love so much pray not unto the Most High, but unto the dead.
Friday: we went back to the house for a short visit, but it is their day of worship, so the two girls we are closets with were praying and reading from their book. it was hard to deal with. we left shortly after, but had some good conversation. nevertheless, we went further down on the emotional rollercoaster, wondering why He had allowed us to share, only to set this overarching spiritual conversation four steps back. we also headed to another friend's home for a short visit. we met with two women there and some kids. this brought the emotions up on the rollercoaster. one of the women had been married at 13 (that's right, 13!!!). it was crazy to them that i was 22 and had no kids! she showed us her work and her pictures and made us some delicious chai :). then the other lady was making lunch/supper/something. it is amazing to me that these women do so much with so little. she made chapaties and it was fun to watch. we headed out b/c sarah's meds were making her feel like pooh.
SAturday: it was our supervisor's last day with us for a bit (no worries, we are doing okay), so we wantedto go to pizza hut to get some meat and celebrate. first, we paid a visit to a home we had gone to a few times before, (selma'shouse). her sister has been in and out of the hospital, so we went to visit her. as you know, as soon people find out i'm a nursing (student-they seem to forget this part), they show me lab work, med sheets, x-rays, etc. this poor woman is dying of chronic kidney failure. the family can'tafford any sort of dialysis. she has other diagnosis that would cause such a disease,but those weren't treated/diagnosed until recently.it drives me crazy because ifshe had been in the us, she would have received SOME sort of medical attention, insteadshe's left to die at home with no hope and in complete pain. what's even worse is that she has no hope of eternity with the Father.talk about an emotional rollercoaster.
Sunday:yesterday we hung out with our closets family adn we really felt like family.we laughed and shopped, ( i finally got another suit!) and it seemed the tension was cut fromt he previous week. we are slowly slowly learning the language and so are they. it was really a super day :) we also had chicken for dinner.

i don't know what the Almighty has in store for those we have met and been able to share with, seeds are being planted. i know that the work here is by NO MEANS dependent on me, but it is exciting to see the work eing down. ask that the next few weeks we may continue to be diligent with out time inorder to bring most glory to Him. ask that we would be bold and couragous in sharing. pray that my body would stop feeling yucky.
thank you for being faithful.

much needed update

it's been a few days-and rightfully so. we finally called a doctor regarding sarah's health and he recommnded not only some anti-biotics, but some tests at the hospital. the next day, no improvement, so to the hospital we went expecting a mere outpaitent poceedure and got an overnight stay in an indian hospital. at one point i said i wanted to see the indian health care system; this was sure a funny way of making that come about. all in all, sarah is doing MUCH better. after some iv fluids, antibiotics, and being a co-author to an amazing poem, she is on the road to recovery. however, it seems i am now presenting some of her previous symptoms. i am being more proactive than we were with her, mostly because we know how serious it was/can become. please ask that i will find the ability to drink 3-4 liters of water a day, eat, (i know, who knew i would ever need prayer in this area!), and have the ability to keep ministering to our families. last week we had some people from the company come and spend time encouraging us in our task. it was really amazing! they gave us ideas of how/where to talk with people and reminded us to be bold in sharing. the also reminded us to be bold in the homes, (how will they know our motives for loving on them and serving them if we do not speak of the One?). on a more physical level, they brought us chocolate, (which we haven't eaten b/c of our health but are longing to enjoy ;)), told us we could just get antibiotics at the chemist, (a trip to be sure!), and showed us where to get sme simple grocieries so we didn't have to survive on trail mix for the next 4 weeks, (yes, even PB&J :)). tomorrow we will visit with our closest family. we hope to them a story. ask for boldness for us and understanding for them. in the eveing, it is off to farmer d's. things are exciting as we are finally "comfortable" without being fully comfortable. please ask that we would have our minds fixed on Him and on His work here and not be distracted by home. also, ask that we would be open and honest with each other as we begin to start a new way of reaching out to this city. THANK YOU for lifting us up this weekend; i will defiantely have some crazy stories to tell!

shorty

just a short update.
-sarah is sickly again. flu-like symptoms. lift her up please!
-our friend is reading luke before she goes to bed at night (what!??!) PTL!!! He works in ways i would never expect! ask that we would discern how to share with her and which stories to tell!
-it is starting to rain. it is good ebcause it is not so hot, but bad because the roads suck.

wull, that's all for now! thanks for lifting us up!!!

a chance to share

everyday, i want to run and scream from the roof tops, "don't you see? the Son is the answer!! He brings grace and forgiveness." but everyday i have to be reminded by Him, "just wait, my timing is perfect." today was the day we got to share. after hours and hours of looking at family photos and playing with screaming children, (which i do love, i promise), we finally took the opportunity to tell a story about the Son. we told our closest family the story when the Son healed the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years and then acted it out. to be sure of understanding, we broke out a Hindi testament, but she had one, (truly suprising), and started reading it. more awe came over her face. later, her mom came home and she read it to her. we thought for sure we would get kicked out, but HE is good and the mom just nodded her head. we don't know what this means, but we are excited to share again. we go again tomorrow, but probably won't share another story unless asked. we don't want to be overbearing, but desire to share more than anything!! ask that He would continue to give us boldness to share and that our families would not only be receptive, but have understanding.

everything else seems to be going well. we are getting a bit of delhi-belly sonce we are eating more of the food, (i had 2 samosas today!!!). but we stomach it for the sake of the cross :).

love you all and am excited to share more in person!

why go to disneyland?

today i went on the longest rickshaw ride of my life! no joke! half an hour to some random place in our city. on our way back, after eating indian sweets and offending someone's cousin's uncle, (or something), i had a revelation. auto rides are just like the indian jone's ride in disneyland! i tried to explain this to sarah, but being an okie and never having been to disneyland, (i know, a sin for sure), she could hardly understand. well, the temple of doom ride is very indian. for reals, check out the decapitated hindu god next time you are in line-pretty much amazing. wull, you get in this crazy jeep that jerks you to and fro; zooms to the left and then to the right; it breaks down and then starts again; it has no regard for bumps in the road. if you ask me, that is just like an auto! well, at least like the auto ride we had today into the boondocks of our city. so, who needs a season pass to disneyland when you can go to india?





we were able to talk more to our family about the Son today, but no real intentionality in the covnersation. our big brother leaves tonight, so maybe in the future we will be able to have more say in the conversation. please lift up our conversations.





one family has really latched onto the fact that i am a nursing student; well, they think i am a nurse. they want me to fix everything, (write perscriptions, give injections, re-bandage wounds). it has been an adventure. please ask that i would have discernment in how to deal with these situations.





tomorrow we go to a family's home that we have only been to once(the lemon water house). we are to have lunch/dinner. little english is spoken by the women, so ask that sarah and i would be bold in communication.








on a different note-the last few days i have been impatient. i have been thinking, "when will i be able to share? Father, let me share about the Son and His work!" but He is good to remind that of isaiah thirtynine:twenty eighty through thirty one. His strength is perfect-just wait. i was able to share more today than i have in a while-PTL!





thanks for lifting us up! love y'all!

(me, rizzi, sarah)

food

yesterday we had our first "muslim" meal. it was SO GOOD! i'll be making it at a house near you, so be ready!!! i can't wait to share with you the hospitality that i have learned! the family we ate with was so gracious. the very much force fed us, but they loved us and allowed me to help a bit (ok, just cutting some onions). this family has a lot of love and happiness. ask that they would have the joy of the Son and would come to know Him!!

today we brought some stuff to our little friend who is paralyzed on one side. i hope they understood the instructions. we will check up on him on thrusday when we go to eat at his aunt's house. i know we say steiger's don't go hungry, but for reals, they feed us like no buddy's business aroudn here!

today we were supposed to go to another family's house for dinner, but that feel through. we will go another day this week, as well as re-connecting with our close indian families. sarah and i had a craving for some chicken (all veg just wasn't cutting it), so farmer d took us to a really yummy resteraunt(sp?) not too far from our hotel. IT WAS SO GOOD! (almost like njp, but more specific to this state). nothin' beats tandori chicken, dal, and naan!!!

that's all for now! please continue to lift up His work in this place, especially as we join in it (for we so often mess thigns up). in the coming weeks we will be on our own more, so ask for safety and discernment. ask for boldness as we truly begin to share the ultimate story!

bollywood

today we slept in (yay!) and hung out with our family for the day. it was absolutely fabulous! they took us sight-seeing for a bit, but since it was so hot (probably the hottest day yet), we just went straight to the movies. we got our tickets for the new show. i forget what it's called, but it was crazy, but not in a fun way. everybody and their mother got shot-for reals. but it was a good time with the family. we went straight from the movie house to our hotel (9 at night+2 white girls=bad news). well, our adopted brother helped us out. he jumped in the auto after another dude had as well. he said "for your saftey." thanks bro! but then from our hotel he said he would just walk home and he wouldn't let us pay for him to take an auto to his home. please pray that 1)we didn't offend him or his family throughout the day since a lot of $$$ came up, 2)that we would continue to shine brightly the Truth, and 3) that our purpose would be clear.

tomorrow we head to another home and then visit with the our family again so that we can visit with the boy who i think is having strokes (or at least had one; if any nursing folk are reading this, feel free to email me with some advice-every time someone finds out i'm a "nurse" the questions and tasks pile on!!!). the Almighty is amazing and we are excited to see what He has in store for those we are able to share with. thank you for lifting not just us up, but those we meet!!

our south asian family

sarah and i have the priveledge of having a south asian family. we have met with them 3 times and already they feel like home, (yes, they). they welcome us, love us, barter for us, watch over us in the streets. the brother who is now in charge of the family since the father died is like our big brother. he was our protector today as we experienced the real south asia. he carried our bags and made sure we didn't pay too much for our clothes. our sister, (his real sister), is a gem. she helped us pick out suits. sarah got three ready mades for 900! and i got one to make for 225, (a bit pricey, but i REALLY liked it). also, she helped me at the talor. ok, so this doesn't really even begin to describe how much we love and appreciate this family, but we love them. sadly, they do not know Jesus as the way. pray for their eyes to be opened. pray that we would be bold in sharing. pray that their hearts would melt after this wonder God!!

today, we saw a child who had had an accident. he was pretty well malled on one side and screaming. i wanted to run out of the rickshaw to help him, but big brother wouldn't let me. our family has a family member, a young child (maybe 4?), who is paralyzed on one side, (mostly). he gets real bad headaches. strokes, you say? i would agree. doctors aren't doing anything for him. sarah and i are investigating what we can do for him-you? you can pray for him. pray for healing.

so much is going on. sarah and i had omlettes for dinner (yum!). it was nice to have a day with out farmer d, although we love and apprecite him. today was amazing to see the faithfulness of the Almighty in and through every step, (prayed for breeze, breeze came; asked for rest, we rested; prayed for a refreshment, we were offered bani). HE IS WORTHY!

families

we have had such a pleasure of meeting with families. farmer d (as sarah calls him) is happy because he can get into homes because of us. who knew that women could play such an important role in a culture that opresses women so much! :). it has been a blessing to pray for these families, to eat with these families, to laugh with these families. our beliefs are so similar, but oh so crucially different! lift them up, that they may have their eyes unveiled to the saving work of the Son.

today we met with 2 families. the first after a long walk in the town and a short bicycle rickshaw ride (i still hate those-they work so hard for so little money!). they family was so kind! they spoke little english so farmer d did most of the chatting. however, they served us LEMON WATER! (any old teammates out there? yes! the same stuff, but with good water-it makes ALL the difference.) we go again sunday for lunch; ask for open doors and hearts to share the good news and for receptiveness.
we also met with a family we have meet previously. one of the girls is going to be our informal language teacher and we hers. she is AMAZING! there has been a lot of tragedy in their family, so one of the younger brothers acts of the father. he is kind. well, they all are. i had two cups of tea, just tea today. what we can learn from their hopsitality and giving out of poverty, both spiritual and finicial. we will go with the girls to the market to buy fabric for a new suit on wed. also, we will take a cs lewis work to them to have the youngest practice reading. ask for opportunities, understanding, and receptiveness.

thank you for lifting us up. we have our moments of sickness and culture shock, but the Father is great to remind us of our purpose. Isa Acha Hai!