Sunday, 29 January 2012

• Goodbye India... for now

  Theresa’s Incredible Impressions of !ndia

  January 2012

   

  72 hours from now I will be arriving in Chennai for my departure to America, ending my 3 years of service at Sarah’s Covenant Homes in Ongole,India….at least for now. I am feeling a peace as I close this season of my life, yet I still need to carry out the goodbyes to precious children and wonderful Indian woman to whom I have become close.

  In the last month and a half, I have had the pleasure of enjoying India and the children at a much slower pace and without the pressures of the Home responsibilities. It’s been wonderful to wake up in the morning and travel downstairs in my pj’s to greet the 9 children in the apartment on the first floor; spend time just playing, teaching, sharing with volunteers of activities to address the needs of the children there and having many good laughs with the caretakers. It’s a time of joy and making memories, and also a prep to be separated from them for a while. I’ve even enjoyed sleepovers with my little princess, Aloe on several occasions. To go to bed at night and see that little bunny peacefully sleeping beside me is heavenly. And then to awake and watch her crawl from under the blanket and stretch and stretch and stretch as she wakes up with a big ole’ smile is just a wonder for my heart.

  This month we have two additional volunteers arrive who will be staying 4-5 months helping with various aspects of SCH. And more are on the way as the months pass with a whole boat load of young’ns expected for the summer months. Times will continue to be busy in Ongole as new children are still arriving one by one and everyone is working hard to get them healthy, keep them healthy and prepare the way for them to meet their forever families. The process for children to be adopted has been underway. Additional children’s files will continue to be submitted to the government and some children are in the process already. There are great things happening and I am blessed to have seen it this far and been a part of the ministry.

  I expect even greater things to come; More volunteers, healthier children, educated children, expanded housing situations moving towards family-style apartment living and children joining their forever families. There is hope and there is expectation for greatness to be seen through the Lord’s hand on this ministry.

  For me, as the next season begins, SCH will not be far from my thoughts. They are family and will continue to be ever present in my heart and probably the first posts I check everyday on Facebook. I will continue to celebrate the progress and grieve the challenges. I will continue to battle for the best through prayer and support. I will continue to speak of the work of the Lord in Ongole as I move on to other areas of ministry. And I will anticipate the time when the Lord directs me to return for another season.

  I’m not sure what the future holds but I know who holds my future…I think that’s from an old hymn maybe….And I am certain there is a specific plan for me.

  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Jeremiah 29:11

  My next assignment…. I will press in and focus on renewing an intimate relationship with the Lord. I need to hear His heart on matter I will walk into. I desire to be on the same page with Him in His work. I’m excited about that. I anticipate even greater things coming my way too. I anticipate a season of freshness and excitement. I anticipate learning new things of the Lord and experiencing His Love and Goodness in new and great ways. This is a season of refreshment. This is a season of advancement in the Kingdom. Not sure what that looks like right now but ready for it just the same. 

  I will keep you posted! My plane departs at 4:30am on Feb 2 from Chennai and I will be arriving at Dulles at 2:40pm on Feb 2 (no it’s not a 10 hour flight but actually 20 hrs and 40 min from Chennai with 5 hours of travel already under my belt. See many of you soon!

  With a blessed and filled heart,

  Theresa <><

   

   

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