Today’s the day.
Destination: West Bengal, India via Toronto, Brussels, Delhi and Bagdogra.
ETA: March 2, 10:30 pm (11 am Central) in Delhi, where we overnight and March 3, 1:00 pm (1:30 am Central) in Bagdogra
Am hoping to find internet cafes and post as we go. Stay tuned my friends! And in the interim, please pray for the safety of our group, for unity in our relationships and good health for all.
Namaste!
I am fortunate, blessed in a myriad of ways. One of the great blessings in my life is that I am able to take most every opportunity to walk through open doors and step out of boats, knowing that the home fires will be kept burning. (Yes, I know, I used too many cliches in a single sentence!) This blessing comes to me courtesy of my competent, capable, often patient and steadfast husband, Anthony.
When I explore new opportunities, whether in my work, or in travel with friends, or in this case, going overseas to serve with a mission team, I am able to do so without worrying about how my girl will be looked after, or if my house will be well-kept or really, about anything home-related at all because Anthony somehow makes it all happen. He does it so well, so effortlessly that it’s easy for me to take this blessing for granted; that is, until I talk to others about how I’m not really making many preparations at all for my family while I’m gone and am then reminded that perhaps this isn’t the norm in every relationship.
This reminds me of the story of Moses looking out over the battlefield with Aaron, his brother, and Hur, positioned on either side of him, holding up his hands so that the Israelites would prevail in the battle:
Exodus 17:10-13 (NKJV)
10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Anthony holds up my hands so I can prevail, and do the things I need to do. He keeps it all together when I’m focused on other projects. Without him at my side, I know I couldn’t possibly be going to India.
So this post is for Anthony, who is staying behind and holding it all together, with my deepest gratitude and much love.
I write this morning with a thankful heart, humbled by knowing that so many of you are supporting me in this journey.
Some of you (you know who you are) have contributed financially to this mission, providing support in excess of 75% of my costs. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Some have offered logistical support to our family during my absence. We deeply appreciate this and will take you up on your offers.
Even more have provided moral support, and encouragement as I take this step of faith. That means so much to me.
To all of you, I give you the words of the Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Philippi:
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; …9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
– Philippians 1:3-11
Yesterday, the church requested that people make a special offering in support of the team travelling to India, and to support the work of Far Corners Ministry.
I’ve just heard that in excess of $11,000 was raised in this one offering to support our trip. I am awed and amazed and humbled.
Thank you Whyte Ridge Baptist Church!
The itinerary for our team’s work in India is nearly set. We know we’ll be entering and exiting the country via New Delhi. We’ll spend a few days there at the start and finish of our work, but will spend most of our time in the area of Sikkim/West Bengal in the northeast.
Our plans include two 3-day conferences in different rural communities, with total attendance expected of in excess of 250. Between the conferences, we’ll take some time to visit the Grace Ashram orphanage as well as some of the churches that Far Corners has worked with.
There are now less than 2 months remaining until our departure, and still so much to do in preparation. Time to revisit that checklist and start ticking off a few more boxes.
I’ve chosen my speaking topics but have yet to flesh these out. Stay tuned for summaries of these as future posts!
Thank you to all who’ve let me know you’re supporting this work through prayers, and to the many who have supported me through your interest in this project. If you’re interested in providing financial support too, the deadline for contributing is at the end of this month. For details on how to lend your support, please see my earlier post, I can’t do this alone.
Dear Friends & Family,
I am writing to let you know about the opportunity I have to put my faith into action in India early next year.
I will be joining a team of eight from Whyte Ridge Baptist Church that will be embarking on a 17-day journey to Northeast India in March 2012 with Far Corners Ministry. Far Corners Ministry exists to support the growing church in Northeast India by training local pastors and lay leaders, building churches, and helping the poor.
The details of our trip are as follows (as best we know at this point):
When: March 1 – 17, 2012
Where: West Bengal, India
Why: We will support Christian churches in West Bengal by providing theological training to pastors and their wives through a series of three conferences to be held in three locations throughout the state. In addition, we will be distributing necessary supplies to the poor in these areas – fundraising for these supplies is underway through Whyte Ridge Baptist Church with items to be purchased locally in India.
How: I cannot do take this step of faith without your support.
Prayer Support: This is a brand new experience for me and will challenge me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I ask for your prayer support for me personally as I follow the path laid out before me and as I encounter obstacles along that path. Please pray also for the effectiveness of our team, for safety in our travels and for the children and spouses left at home.
Financial Support: Team members are each expected to raise a minimum of $2000 toward the total participation cost of $3500 per person with the balance to be provided through the budget of Whyte Ridge Baptist Church.
I am thrilled to be part of this journey to the far corners of India and to be able to have the experience of seeing firsthand the work of God in the Indian church. I hope you will consider sharing with me in this opportunity by committing your support, whether in prayer or financially or both. To provide financial support, please print and fill in the Financial Support Attachment, make your cheque out to Whyte Ridge Baptist Church and send both to:
Whyte Ridge Baptist Church
ATTN: Pastor Kevin Klassen
201 Scurfield Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R3Y 1A5
If you have any questions or need more information, please do contact me and to follow the progress of my preparations and for updates as we travel, please keep visiting this blog
Gratefully yours,
Karen
As the Christmas season approaches, the pace of my life seems to accelerate rapidly. There are invitations requiring RSVPs, cards to address and send, gifts to purchase, babysitters to book, lights to hang, a tree to cut & decorate and so much more! With so much to do, I realize it’s time to make a few lists – so that the details will all be attended to and nothing of import will be forgotten.
Adding to the busyness of this season, is the fact that preparations are also gearing up for the mission to West Bengal. Fortunately, our team leader, Kevin Klassen, has seen fit to make a list for the team. It’s just a single page so far but I fear it will grow much larger. And already I find it intimidating as it includes such items as:
Checking off any of these checklist items of course requires that multiple sub-tasks are completed first. So I am definitely focused on the lists at this point.
This is making me think about how much work it must be for Santa to go thru all his lists (and check them twice) each Christmas season. Anyone know where I can find a couple of elves to help me out with my lists?
Looking for a Fine Balance 