12 November 2006

Convinced in Badami

Some teachers get apples and some get little idol gods made of sugar... like
me, for example. My little informal English tutoring sessions fluctuate from
5-20 kids, from 6-15 year olds and from a learning atmosphere to utter
chaos. One kid, Ravi, is the obvious teachers pet, telling me who is talking
and offering to go find a stick for me to beat the kids into order. At first
I found myself kindly refusing, now I tell him to sit down, shut-up and read
while I teach the younger kids sounds of the alphabet. The best part is they
don't actually understand English at this point, so , no feelings are on the
line but mine as far as I can tell... Though somehow I did manage to force a
shy kid to stand and read, the other kids, though gestures, told me that he
could not read English. So I started with the alphabet, but he just wasn't
even trying. Only then did I realize the kid was blind. Soooo, being caught
slightly off gaurd, I asked him to sit while I brainstormed what to do next.

See, I've never taught kids, English, or anything. So everyday they come to
my door yelling "Auntie Corney", school books in hand, I sigh, ask for the
Lord's help and dive in... story of my life.

I had this elaborate outline to let you know how things are... but as is my
style I am scrapping it and going off the seat of my pants.

So we are back in Badami for the remainder of our outreach... a week. God
really led the team back here and the fruit has been amazing. We no longer
are doing open air preaching or anything like that. Our ministry consists
mostly of house visits and building God an enduring house in and around
Badami. Over our past three weeks here we have revisited villages where we
have done outreaches and spent time with the new and old Christians there.

It has been amazing seeing people again who were healed or radically changed
through the hand of God and now we are seeing the fruit from our labors and
seeing fruit producing more fruit. The other thing is, house visits are less
obtrusive more what Indian culture does anyway. We go into a house and as
much of the neighborhood that can fit inside does and they listen to a
message and we all sing Kannada worship songs and watch people really get
it. God gives us words specific to the people and it is amazing to be
speaking and watching people well up in tears cause the words are hitting
their heart. This way, when we leave, everyone knows what house to go to to
hear more about Jesus... and an enduring house finds its foundation.

I'm looking at my list of things to include in my update and deciding not
to. Just keep the work in your prayers. We have 1 week of regular outreach,
then a conference in Bangalore, a week of rest then we leave on a jet plane
for the states. Just like that my time in the fantastic land of India is
coming to a close and I look ahead to graduating UCSD in June and then
beyond...

Until the next time I get to sit infront of a painfully slow computer, peace
and grace to you.

Your sister,
courtney