Scales Fall

When the Lord allows us to see things, to know the truth and the scales fall from our eyes, we then have an obligation of obedience.  We are at that crossroad and know that it is time to act and give a voice to the orphan, to those in need in India.  As we've been praying about how this would look and how best to show what is on our hearts, God, in His sovereignty, has given us an avenue that is beyond wonderful. 


We have been in contact with the producers of the new documentary film; Mother India; Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan and have agreed to host viewings of the film.  If your small group, church or organization would be interested in having an event, we would come, share our experience, show the film and bring an array of ways in which you can become intimately involved in sharing Christ with orphans in India. 

Watch the trailer and may your hearts too be never the same!

http://motherindiafilm.com/

How Many Mommies?

For four and a half years Punya lived in an environment where there was eleven different care-givers that came in and out of her life.  They fed her, clothed her, bathed her, assisted her, taking care of her needs.  Is it no wonder that, though the title has changed from "Auntie" to "Mommy" she is having a hard time figuring out who this term is for?  A bit hard for this Momma to stomach a first, she calls everyone who cares for her in some way "Mom".  I first noticed it when she was over the fence at the neighbor's for about fifteen minutes, then it was her sisters.  We've had to ask our dear friends to give us more time to adjust and regroup as a family.  This we know is just one of the learning curves with older-child adoption and there will be plenty more ahead of us.  Thank you to our loving family and friends who are painfully holding back and helping us, help Punya figure out the difference between family and friends. 

Some specific ways you can help:

1) Allow her immediate family to touch only; hugs, kisses and holding need to belong here for an unknown amount of time.  High fives are great!  She will reach for hugs from everyone so be completely comfortable telling her friends high five and steering her back to us for anything else.

2) Allow us to feed her.  If food is offered, allow us to hand it to her, give her the plate, etc.  She needs to know that her immediate family will meet her physical needs.

3) Don't worry at all if you forget, I do too!  If either of us remembers just say it to her; "Oops, no hugs from friends, high five me instead!" 

4) Pray that God will help us meet her heart needs and see/sense what she cannot tell us.

THANKS FOR HELPING US! 

Cashiers Here We Come!

So, we have now RARELY missed a chance to offer prayer to people we meet while checking out.  We have also received the entire spectrum of responses to our question; "Is there anything we can pray for you?"  It has been such a good growing experience for us.  We have a notebook we keep in the car and listed are all the people, their situations, their requests or responses and my personal notes.  Before we re-enter a store, we'll review our list and hope we run into the same people. 

What I have found most interesting is how deep that question will take a usually dry, polite chat of the weather.  We are praying for babies being formed in the womb by our Maker, new beginnings as young adults prepare to go off to college, a daughter's distress for a mother who refuses to pray, a man who thinks "it's all good, I don't need prayer", a young mom who is trying to manage a young daughter, a Sunday School teacher who wants to connect with her students but has a child that needs much of her attention and many more.  What is also a delight is really connecting with people!  Being able to say their name and see their eyes shine that we remembered them and cared to ask about how their particular issue was going. 

My friend "took that challenge" as she called it and her interaction has resulted in being a "BRINGER" to church; pray that Nikita will indeed come this Sunday! 

Believe that every interaction was a God-designed stop along your day, you are Him to that person; show it!