Thursday, February 7, 2013

Miracle in the airport


Writing from Mt. Pleasant, SC. So good to be back for a few weeks. I (Alicia) am slowly adjusting to the 10.5 hour time difference and my body is taking it hard. Evan is well and happy to eat without fear of what will happen afterward! We have some re-entry culture shock- it seems soo quiet and uninhabited compared to India! But there is something so sweet and peaceful about being in Charleston. We are staying with dear friends that we are very thankful for. I just wanted to do a quick update and share about the miracle in the airport as we left India. :)

We had a lot of baggage because we had been completely living abroad for almost a year. We planned very carefully and checked airline policy to be sure we could bring all of our baggage without paying the $100 fee for each extra bag (we had no money)! According to the airline website we could each check 2 bags from India to US. So we had 4 bags to check including Evan's guitar and we each had a big hiking backpack as carry ons plus 2 small backpacks as a personal item; this is how we normally travel everywhere. In all we had 8 bags. At check in we were told we could each only check 1 bag. On top of that they were VERY strict with their carry on policy and weighed our backpacks and said they were too big and too heavy for carry on. So basically they were saying we had 4 extra bags. We began praying intensely and explaining the situation and what the website says. He brought over a manager and he made phone calls, etc as this went on for about 30 minutes. They were both insistent that we could only check 1 bag each and our carry ons were too big. Evan remembered he had seen earlier on my Facebook a quote "When you are waiting for God to open a door, praise Him in the hallway." So we began to praise God. A couple of minutes later the manager said okay you can check the 4 bags. Then he came and looked at our carry ons and said this is still a problem. And then just said, "Ok you can check those too." Evan asked, "For free?" He said yes for free. WHAT! JUST HAPPENED? WHOA! He completely changed and did everything to help us! We were able to check SIX bags for FREE. That has never come close to happening to us or anyone we know! That left us with just 2 small backpacks to carry, our lightest load ever. Evan and I walked away so amazed at God's presence and favor with us. It was an impossible situation and God came through once again with His faithfulness and power! There was nothing else that could have changed that situation or the man's attitude towards us. Everything arrived on time and our travels were so smooth. We are still praising Him for this 3 days later. Thanks you for your prayers as we traveled!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Saying Goodbye India, for now


Wow! Here is an India recap/debrief: I (Alicia) can’t believe our 2 months in India is finished and we are heading back to the States for some time. God taught each of us a lot during this time. It would be a lie to say that it was an easy time. I came with expectations and plans that didn’t happen (constantly learning not to have my own expectations). But I had some lessons to learn about giving up all my rights to the Lord of my life and living day by day in total trust. I got to do ministry with hula hoops a lot and received more clarity for how that will look in my future. We both got to teach in the church and in cell groups and spend time with local believers. Evan got to teach in the Bible College several time and really enjoyed working with the students. They had a lot of great things to say about him and his teachings. With so many speaking opportunities his preaching style has been developing and God has really strengthened this gift. He is full of wisdom. We prayed for many people and saw God move people with His love. Evan prayed for 4 people at the hospital one night, they were very sick and had been in the hospital for an extended time; 3 of them were released from the hospital the next day!

We also saw God’s continued faithfulness in providing in awesome ways for our time and travel here. Just being here for 2 months is such a miracle and testimony of His faithfulness and provision when we are following Him. About $1500 was provided in unexpected ways within a week to purchase our plane tickets home! We already miss our friends in Ranchi and look forward to the time we can return to invest in the people there.

There are many needs in India and more workers are needed. One of the biggest needs is training for believers and leaders. They need teaching and discipleship. Then the locals can reach many more than we can as foreigners.

We got to have some fun too enjoying the local field hockey team games, Evan went to an India/England cricket match (and now loves cricket), and went to a waterfall. We took an overnight train back to New Delhi and enjoyed seeing some sites including the India Gate, Hindu, and Sikh temples. You can check out more photos on Facebook but I’ll put a few here. Mixed emotions as we prepare to leave this crazy, beautiful nation and the wonderful people here; but looking forward to some comfort and friends in South Carolina and what we expect to be an amazing time in Kona. Thank you always for all your support and prayers!

Packed and ready for culture shock, Idk if our culture could be more opposite than here. Can you pray for us as we travel from New Delhi to Charleston? We leave India at 2:25 am Feb 5 (Mon 4:00 pm Eastern time) on an 8 hour flight to Austria. Then we have a 10.5 hour flight to DC before our short flight to Charleston where we should arrive Tue evening after nearly 30 hours of travel! How can we pray for you!? Write to us!

Evan, Jesus, and Pawan preaching at Impact City Church
Evan with the Bible College students he taught
Hindu temple, New Delhi
Our group adventure to a waterfall, yes I guess people worship that
Girls cell group
India Gate