India. Week 15.

Hindi, Hindi and more Hindi. Everyday my brain is fried with trying to learn new sounds, words or phrases. I knew this was going to be a major step for me, learning a script language, but in some areas it has been easier than I thought and in others it has been far more difficult.

My friend, Brittany and I have almost finished learning the alphabet. As we walk or drive down the streets we try and read the signs painted on the side of the road and even though we cannot make sense of what the word means, being able to pronounce it fills us with joy. Accomplishment.

Back in time…

At the beginning of March I waved my loved team of 13 girls off to the USA to graduate their DTS. It was hard to believe that two and a half months had flown by. We had had jam packed days of ministry, loving on dirty children on the streets, doing programs at a school, preaching at Churches, encouraging Pastors, praying healing over the sick in a village and seeing healings! And combing out knotted hair of kids in the slums.

Each of the girls on my team grew so dear to my heart, watching them push past the hard things, encouraging one another when they wanted to be passive and most importantly letting God rule in each area of their lives. We saw victories, testimonies were made, healings happened and light called the darkness out.

I had the great pleasure of leading with my friend, Sarah. She is a precious woman who loves Jesus with her whole heart. It was her second time to India, we both share a passion for this nation. I could not have asked for a better support, I can honestly say she was my rock in many situations.

What an awesome God we serve, that He would enable me to be in my heartland, learning a new language among people whom I treasure dearly all in hopes of returning here long term.

Next Step…

Brittany and I have two months left here in India before we return to North Carolina. Please be praying for good health, for us to be made stronger, not only in our relationship with each other but with God too, for protection in our travels and for a continued focus on what we are here to do…

Vision…

Most of you already know my heart in wanting to move to India to help those involved in human sex trafficking…this is the time that both Brittany and I are taking time to pray into this vision that we have. For more insight and clarity into what God is speaking. I’m so excited that this plan He has given us is being brought into reality.

Thank you all for your continued love, prayers and support.

India.

I’m sitting in a small classroom, in the city of Jaipur listening to exotic birds coo in the trees and children out playing on the streets.

Everyday I have woken up in this beautiful land thinking how blessed I am to be here. For me there is no place like India. Although I’m tired and sometimes I get frustrated I cannot think of a better place to be.

At the moment we’re working with slum children, teaching them Bible stories in school and visiting their homes each week to do health care (hair cutting, teeth cleaning and doing their nails). It’s wonderful to build relationships not only with the children themselves but with their families. Some of them are from Christian homes so we’re able to share our testimonies, verses that are special to us and teach them songs.

My Hindi learning is slow! But it’s always fun to learn words like “shanti” (meaning quiet) from the children.

One special friend to me is Sheba, she’s a 14 year old who does not come from a Christian home, however she loves the Lord with all of her heart, you can tell simply by the way she smiles. We are constantly reading scripture together. Every week I’ll be able to visit her, drink some chai with her, listen to how her week as been and talk more about the Bible. It’s precious children like her that need encouragement to stay strong even though times are hard.

I cannot express how much I love each of these dear children. They are precious to my heart.

We will be here in Jaipur for the next four weeks, reaching out to the local community, encouraging those around us and praying, praying, praying!!!

God has been speaking a lot to me through the life of David recently, how even though he was by no means a perfect man he continued to repent, receive forgiveness and walk out in the grace that God gives so freely. Sometimes it's so easy for me to strive for perfection and then kick myself when I make mistakes and fail but God doesn't call us to that...He calls us learn from our mistakes and lean on Him for the strength that we need to do better next time.

Please remember our team in your prayers with good health, pray against passivity and a continued love of life here.

Here's a few pictures of our outreach so far:

New Blog.

I've been working on putting a new blog together on a new website. I will not be updating this blog anytime soon, so here's the link to the new one:

http://www.arkpages.com/laurabeth/

Enjoy!

Sun filled gardens with orange lilies and honey bees.

Each year I jet across the Atlantic ocean to a place I've once called home. Here I am again, sitting in my family's cottage, snacking on biscuits, watching Wimbledon and hearing the cars buzz by on the country lanes.

Every time I come back to England I wonder how it's all going to look. I begin to think about who must be taller than me, because they've turned 12 or 13. I ponder on how much more mature my little brother and sister are going to be, because they're not really little anymore. And I continue to imagine...

Everything can change in a year, heights and weights, sounds and looks, buildings and towns and people. We have a choice, we can reject the change, or we can embrace it. I know which I would rather do.

This past year the Lord has changed so much within me and is continuing to transform me into a likeness of Him. Work in progress. I recently heard a quote, something that is written on Ruth Bell Graham's headstone: "End of construction. Thank you for your patience." Wow. What a statement!

Since I've been here, I've celebrated my 22nd birthday, been to the American embassy and had my visa accepted-Praise Jesus, had a meeting with my youth pastor, cheered on Novak Djokovic (from home), seen my friends at Church and hung out with my extended family.

On July 20th I'll be winding my way back to North Carolina to continue my journey over there. Please be praying that my three more weeks at home will be restful, productive and filled with the Lord.