just ask.

When I first signed up for this India trip, I really didn't know much about it. I knew it was a missions trip, I knew it involved orphans and I knew it was in India. That was pretty much the extent of my knowledge. As time passed I went to a meeting, gathered more details and began the process of preparing for this trip. From typhoid shots and passport renewals, to stamps and deposits, the costs began to add up. What was a $3000 trip is now closer to $4000 after everything is said and done. As each number presented itself I remained confident in the provision of Jesus. After all, my whole life I have been provided for. Whether through loving parents, loyal friends, random strangers, great jobs, just okay jobs, and miracles, I have never been in lack. Especially now, in my post-college, newly "independent" days, I am learning more and more about the Lord as my Father, not just my Creator or King. There is something different about Him when you acknowledge Him as your father. Think about your earthly dad, I'll think about mine. Besides having a great mustache (which I love) my dad is a hard worker, very smart, handy-man, and logical thinker that has NEVER let me go without. Both him and my mom have spent the last 22 years making sure I had everything that was needed. Often times my needs were met before I even asked, they simply anticipated the things I needed, not only for basic survival but to be happy, to enjoy life.

Whether your dad did this or not, I trust we all have a picture in our heads similar to this. Now, multiply it by 5, then 10, then infinity and that is God. Matthew 7 says "keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for... you parents- if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." Another verse goes as far to say that He knows what we need before we even ask...how amazing is that? The past couple of years have been the most transitional yet incredible of my life. I have witnessed provision in ridiculous ways, asking for specific things and having them, needing bills to be paid and not having the money yet they get paid,  never going hungry, never going without, always being blessed and always able to bless others. 

I say all this because yesterday and today have been frustrating days. As I sat down to tally up all the outside costs of my trip I became discouraged. Just printing the letters to ask for money was going to cost more than I could afford. I say all this because I need to remember who my God is. Not what He has, even though He has everything, but that He is by definition my Provider. If I believe the Bible is true, and I do, then I have to acknowledge that if in Genesis God calls himself Yaweh Yireh- the Lord will Provide- he CANNOT deviate from that identity. Meaning I will always be provided for, with my finances, with wisdom, with joy, with love, with everything I need and more. 

Philippians 4:19 says "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." 

Its a promise. So as I prepare for this trip, as I believe Jesus to be who He said He is, as I stand on His word, I will change what I say and think to be that of confidence in my God. I trust that I will have more than enough to go on this trip, that all my costs will be covered. I go ahead and thank Him in advance for all that He will do. 

Even if its not financial, what are you in need of today? His Word is simple and clear- JUST ASK. Know that He wants to give to you, for no other reason than because you are His child. Life in abundance. 

[Countdown to India: 106 days]

I'm going to India!

Hello readers. Whether you stumbled here because you received one of my letters, I told you about my blog or because you googled India, welcome! In case you didn't know, I am going to India! As weird as that sounds (or looks) I have been surprised to find that with each utterance of that sentence I get more excited, more restless and yet more at peace in my heart. I remember when my church first announced that we were partnering with DRM (Dominic Russo Ministries) for three mission trips. I thought, "wow, gosh I really want to go on one of those but I don't think I'll be able to." Yet each time they showed the promo video for the trips I was moved to tears as this want in me began to increase. I started praying about the trips and thought "okay, maybe I can go. But I bet it will be to one of the spanish speaking countries since I speak spanish...Jesus probably wants to use me there, not India." Somehow when the time came to choose and apply for a trip I still hadn't decided. So I sat down and prayed the most honest prayer I could with the most open heart. I read over each trip description and it just hit me, India. It's India. I haven't looked back since. 

Three or so months later here I am blogging about this country that was never really on my radar outside of history class and my dear friend Chad Mukherjee (he's half Indian). Since then I have somehow managed to stumble upon all sorts of things concerning India-news articles, people, facts, anything and everything. I've been googling, reading and listening, trying to learn all that I can about this nation, this people. A lot of what I have learned has been beautiful and exciting-the culture, traditions, colors, land. Yet so much has been saddening and heart wrenching. In my letter I skimmed the surface of the basic facts about India however the more I read the more I discover the heartaches going on in this country. From sex trafficking to poverty, disease and crime, many times I find myself crying and praying with each article, news clip and story.

But then I remember- "ONLY ask and I will give you the nations as your inheritance.." Psalm 2:8- what a promise. I start this blog with a prayer for India, thanking God for this beautiful country and for this amazing opportunity to be a part of something so much greater than myself. A chance to learn, to experience something new, to see God's grace in a different light.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of my journey. My hope is that over the next few months as I prepare for this trip, this blog will somehow open you up to the things God wants to do in you, the things He has prepared for you to do in this great big world. I hope it stirs up in you an excitement for His Kingdom and the people in it. And I hope that you learn some new things, about India, about me and about Jesus.

[Countdown to India: 108 days]