Leela

As many of you may know, my summer is being spent a little differently then the past nine of my life. Instead of the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, the Lord gave me the opportunity to serve Him in a different way. He provided me with the chance to love on a different set of people, on the other side of the world. Needless to say, this experience has been incredible and the people I've met have changed the way I think, perceive and even love. I came to to India to change lives by letting Christ love those around me well, and to share with all that I encountered the hope found in a Savior. The Lord however, changed my heart in the process and I have been changed in ways I cannot begin to explain in words. 


One of the many women who changed my life lived a few steps away from me. She owns a little shop on the beach that she has run since she was eight years old. This woman's name is Leela, and her story is one that I will always carry with me:


In India, women are truly at the bottom of the totem pole. They are viewed as inferior and it is a shame to your family have female children. It is illegal for women to find out the gender of their baby before giving birth because they are likely to have an abortion upon discovering they are carrying a girl. Leela's father passed away days before she was born and all her mother wanted was a boy to carry on the family, obviously when Leela came out it was a huge disappointment. Let's stop and soak that in for a minute. A beautiful daughter of the Lord is placed on this earth and everyone welcoming her into the world already hate her. Leela's mother tried to kill her the second she found out but Jesus stepped in and her uncle took her away before she was suffocated. For the next thirteen years, Leela was verbally and physically abused by her family, particularly her mom. She never experienced love, or the beauty of Christ's comfort because she didn't know who he was and no one around her cared for her. She was married to her cousin and soon became pregnant. She gave birth to Natasha at fifteen, and was immediately hated all over again. A short time later, she gave birth to another girl and her family lost hope in her having any boys. She was beat often by her husband, even during her pregnancies. Leela however, remembered her own childhood and vowed to love her girls with all that she had because no one else would. She is the most incredible mother to those kids and she loves them with ever ounce of her heart. During her next pregnancy, Leela was beat by her husband quite frequently because he expected another girl. One night he came to her store and beat her, left her to find a way home and took her money she had earned that day. Two days later she gave birth to a son, Robbie. Two days after she was brutally beat, and left behind she gave birth. Leela now has four children, three girls and a boy, and she gives them all that she can everyday. She loves without limits because she knows what not having love feels like. I was lucky enough to become great friends with Leela this summer, and share with her stories everyday about this Jesus guy she had heard bits and pieces about. Leela wants to believe. She wants to devote her life to a God that loves and protects her because nobody else will or wants to. Satan's hold on Leela is fear. She fears what will happen to her children and to her if she chooses to believe and tell her husband. She has no doubt he will be furious, and far from understanding or encouragement. Regardless, I pray that you all pray for Leela's salvation. I ask you to pray with shameless persistence that Christ will be strong for her and that I will be able to see her beautiful face in Heaven someday. 


Leela is an unbelievable woman who taught me to love with all that I am. She reminded me that not everyone has love, or has ever experienced it. She encouraged me to be courageous and selfless in my love for others. She taught me to be strong when the world is against me. She taught me to never give up because there will always be someone who needs love and it is the easiest gift I can give. I challenge each of you to love today with all that you are, because you never know when you will meet a Leela. You may never know a person's past, but you can change their future simply by loving them well.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."
Revelation 21:4

India thus far

Many entries are to come of those who have changed my life here but I figured I would share with you all a few pictures of the people and places that have made this trip so beautiful thus far.

This is the view from where I work everyday

This is Prima, one of the women I get to work with every morning.

This is Roni and the stitching teacher. Two days a week they make jewelry that they can then sell in America to make money for themselves. 

Beautiful Netra working on a necklace.

This is one of the boys who comes to children's nutrition.

This beautiful girl waits patiently everyday for us at the bus stop and is always overjoyed to greet us and send us off for the day. She also knows that we carry candy...

This is Leela and her youngest daughter Niesha at her shop on the beach.

This is Nancy(Breanna), Dill(Katie) and I after one of our many sunset swims.

More to come, and many entries upon my arrival home should be expected!

Chelsea Parks

Chel Chel!
              I am so fortunate to have met Chelsea last summer. We were co-counselors together, and quite frankly had no idea what we were doing. Chelsea inspired me from the beginning in how she wholly relied on the Lord to instruct and guide us throughout the summer. She showed me that the Lord would use our inadequacies to bring himself glory and that all we needed to do was be open and willing to be used for His name and He would take care of the rest.

            Chels and I bonded pretty quickly over a mutual love and adoration of our campers. The way Chelsea loved our girls through her actions and in such a selfless manner was so encouraging to me. She helped me realize that love is not something that needs to be earned but is something we do because the Lord commands us to. Chelsea has such a beautiful way of loving impartially and selflessly. She always puts the Lord first, others second, and herself last. She has shown me that despite the sometimes tiring and hard work, it is absolutely worth it to follow Jesus with everything you have. She has encouraged me to see the beauty in the Lord’s discipline and in His perfect timing for absolutely everything.
            Chels has encouraged me so much in the way she acts boldly through the passions the Lord has laid on her heart. She inspires me to put my heart into everything I do and to never limit our infinite God. Chelsea’s awe and reverence for the Lord’s sovereignty and faithfulness is so uplifting to experience and hearing how the Lord is moving through her life is always such a joy.
            Chel Chel, I cannot thank you enough for all that you have helped show me about the Lord’s character. I want to encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on eternity and to keep being persistent with people. Never lose hope because the Lord is always faithful and has big plans for you. Always trust in His timing and continue to be a light for the Lord wherever you go.
 
I love you forever,

            Jor Jor

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” – 2 Corinthians 3:2-3  

Will Andrews

Awnie, Awnie, Awnie... we have come quite a ways since you yelled at me to get off the archery range when I was sixteen, and as much as I loved being remembered that way, I am grateful you gradually have gotten to know a different Kate Miller over the year. Awnie I have had the incredible opportunity to grow to know and love Meredith more this year, and through that I have watched you heart and her's encourage each other in selfless and beautiful ways. One incredible thing about you is that you never let other's opinion effect who the Lord has made you to be. You have an undeniable confidence in who you are in Christ that is so refreshing to be around. You bring out such joy in people's hearts because of your silly playfulness and your ability to love others for who they are.


On our drive back from the Braves game, we started talking about words that described us best and the one I had for you was compassionate. I stand by that word, because your heart truly is one of the most caring I have ever known. If someone needs you, nothing stops you from being there. Your obedience to the Lord's plan for you is so encouraging to see. I have loved watching your journey with Him this year, and I admire that you take the time to listen to His call for you. Never forget how important the gifts are that He has given you and never back away from using them. You are an incredible man of the Lord Will and I am so excited to continue to watch Him mold you. I love you forever Awnie.


Psalm 118:24
"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Sarah Dixon

Oh my beautiful Sarah, I cannot express to you in words how dearly I treasure our coffee dates. They are so few and far between but when you tell me stories and encourage me I can truly hear the Lord's voice taking over. You are such an incredible vessel for him to work through and I am constantly encouraged by your wise words and insight on things going on in your life and those around you. Your selfless attitude is beautiful to see in action and your intent listening to God's purpose for you is a constant reminder for me to never get to comfortable.

Today you said something that brought me back to the beautiful realization that I should never be too content to leave if He tells me to. Your fear of settling caught me off guard and your comment about adjusting to wherever you are really hit my heart. It reminded me of how passionate I was to listen to the Lord's plan for me and because I am stuck in a routine, I often quit listening and just obey the rules of society as opposed to the ones He has set for me. Thank you for calling me out even if you didn't intend to, and thank you for always letting Jesus shine through you. I am so excited for your summer and all that will bring. Continue to rejoice in all of the Lord's victories in your life and others, and never lose sight of His calling for you! I love you forever.

Psalm 119:34

"Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart."

Squiggs Hood

    I was completely unaware of the many blessings the Lord would pour out on me when I started college almost a year ago. I could probably list a hundred, but Lauren Hood’s unconditional love and continual desire for me to seek out the Lord has been one of the greatest undeserved gifts. When I first found out that she was to be one of my bible study leaders for the year  I was a little apprehensive and I wasn’t sure why. Now I know that it was because she would accept nothing less than complete honesty and vulnerability from the other girls and I. Lauren doesn’t pretend that she is perfect. But more importantly, she doesn’t forget that we aren’t either. Her desire to share in our struggles and hurts is paired wonderfully with total sincerity and tenderness.
    Lauren is also REALLY loud and I love it. Although this may be joked about, I don’t think anyone could understand how oddly comforting this has been. I grew up in a loud home, people constantly running in and out, competing to be heard by yelling louder than one another, my mom’s laugh and voice was a constant background to everything. Now that my life has quieted down, being in the same room as Lauren brings me a simple joy that reminds me of my family.  Even though it seems silly that I appreciate this so much about Lauren, it has shown me that not only does God know me so well and has quite the sense of humor, but he cares about even the silliest and seemingly smallest desires of my heart.
    As the fall semester moved on, I got the chance to ask Lauren to disciple me. As this year has passed, she has learned about my brokenness, my insecurities and seen the struggles that cause me to lack faith and trust in God. Again, her obedience to the Lord led her to shed wisdom into my life and share in my burdens. She has constantly reminded me and, even better, demonstrated through the way she lives her life that the Lord is faithful to his children AND Jesus has made it so that He won’t ever turn His back on me. How beautiful and loving is our God??
    Thank you so so much for your friendship, Squiggs, and for being a beautiful example of having joy and hope in our savior. I am so grateful that I get to pray, evangelize, fellowship, eat Italian food, color, laugh, and learn from you. I am praying that God will provide me with another sister to pass along the love that He has allowed you to show to me.

         Love you always.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. -Psalm 16:11

April 10, 2011 - Deanna Pate

            Well, I met Deanna at a beach retreat last fall and it was then that she told me about a mission trip she would be taking to Cambodia this May to help at the Rapha House. She was so joyful that the Lord had given her this great opportunity. She told me how she had wanted to go there for quite a while but knew she had to be patient with the Lord’s will, because He has perfect timing. The Lord’s gift to Deanna exuded His faithfulness and encouraged me to trust in the Lord’s promises in my life.
            Deanna told me how she had to raise 3,000 dollars for the trip and how she didn’t have any of it. After beach retreat, I ran into Deanna every couple of weeks. Without fail, I would ask for any updates on her trip funding. My faith muscle grew as I heard how the Lord was persistently pouring His blessings on Deanna for this trip. Deanna’s updates always reminded me of the importance of praying earnestly and persistently. I was always so encouraged by the way Deanna trusted that the Lord would provide everything she needed for this trip because she knew He wanted her there. In my latest run-in with Deanna, I rejoiced in hearing that everything was in order and ready to go for her trip! She has helped me realize that the desires the Lord places in our hearts are stunning because they are from Him. She has shown me how important it is not to suppress those hopes but, to adore and love them. Deanna’s hope and obedience to the Lord’s plan for her life inspires me to always be in reverent awe of our Creator. Her continuous trip updates would always remind me that the Lord’s blessings are endless and He is always working through people.
            Deanna, thank you for all that you have opened my eyes to. I want to encourage you to keep sharing how God is working in your life. Keep seeking the Lord’s instruction and discipline in your life. Trust that his love is far stronger than any temptation you may come across. Never lose sight of His peace.

            I love you forever,

                        Jordan

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9