...Love & Light...

I leave for India in 7 days!!

Throughout the first week in India we will be ministering at Sahaara. This is a refuge of sorts within the red light district in Mumbai. A safe place for women and children who have been affected by human trafficking and prostitution. We'll be hosting a conference called Love & Light. How perfect is that title? What could be better than bringing the love and light of Christ into such a dark place?

Here is what we'll cover:

• Spiritual Warfare
• Crisis Counseling
• Health Education
• Arts & Crafts
• Prayer
• Testimonies

I am so looking forward to spending time with the people who run this incredible ministry as they stare evil in the face every single day. Human trafficking is the 3rd largest illegal industry in the world. Children are being taken from their homes and forced into prostitution at extremely young ages; their innocence stolen. They need to know the love of Christ and they need a safe place to which they can escape. In Mumbai, Sahaara is that place.

Please be praying for the precious lives we'll encounter in the red light district and for all of our protection.

I know the Lord has a plan and I cannot wait to watch it unfold.

...14 Days...

In 14 days I will be joining these sweet faces above in India. I just cannot believe it's so close. I did some packing last night and Kevin and I talked a lot about how strange it will be for us to be apart for 15 days and about how exciting this is going to be. In the coming days I will post details of exactly what we'll be doing in India and about the 3 other people on my team.

I love that so many of you have chosen to be a part of this, whether it be because of your prayer support, financial support or by reading this blog.

I'm so grateful for the Lord's gentle and refining hand. I'm so grateful that He has led me to this point and has provided me with this opportunity to minister in the Red Light District to women and children rescued from human trafficking and to children in a Christian orphanage!!

...All...

The word "all" is defined as follows:

• everything
• one's whole interest, energy, or property
• wholly, entirely, completely

I was wondering today how willing I am to give my ALL to the Lord. In asking myself that question, I wanted to be certain I understood the full meaning of this word ALL.

Now that I understand what ALL means I must stop to ask myself the question again.

Am I willing to give everything; all my interest, energy & property; wholly, entirely and completely?

I believe the Lord wants ALL of us. Our entire heart. Our complete trust. Currently my life is mostly consumed with India as I prepare to go and serve, however, ALL of my life needs to be about serving, loving and giving COMPLETELY. Giving EVERYTHING. ALL of the time.

The path leading me to this trip has been so impacting and life changing that I cannot even imagine what the actual trip will entail. I am going to put forth every effort to give it ALL to serve the Lord everyday.

...The Power of Prayer...

In the last 2 days I have seen the Lord move in an incredible way...

08.04.09

• 10:20 am - Received an email informing me I had to submit the remainder of my India funds ($1,215) by 08.07.09 followed by a lot of encouragement that this WAS possible.
• 10:21 am - Worried & doubted that coming up with $1,215 was actually possible.
• 10:22 am - I started praying.
• 3:25 pm - Sent an email to my church prayer team asking them to pray
• 4:10 pm - Sent an email to some of the incredible praying women in my life asking them to pray
• 6:00pm - Received a call from my Pastor informing me that $300 had come in the offering for my trip.

08.05.09

• 8:47 am - Sent an email to some family & friends requesting more prayer
• 8:58 am - Received a $125 commitment
• 9:00 am - Received a $500 commitment
• 9:01 am - Sat in my office amazed that I only had $290 left to raise...called my husband REJOICING! Called Kaytie, my team leader, and screamed with her on the phone :)
• 9:16 am - Updated my facebook status: "...only $290 to go!!! Praise the Lord...He is THE provider!!"
• 10:56 am - Received a facebook message from a good high school friend who I haven't seen in 11 years..."Hey, I've got $290.00 to give you!"
• 10:56 am COMPLETELY BLESSED AND FULLY FUNDED!!!!!!!!!!

I have said, all along, that I'm certain the Lord wants me in India this September. The enemy has attacked full force but he is no match for our God...KING of Kings...LORD of Lords...CREATOR of heaven & earth.

SUBMIT yourself to the Lord wholly and humbly.

HE WILL PROVIDE.

HE WILL LEAD.

HE WILL BLESS.

...PRAISE THE LORD...

As of yesterday morning, the actual amount needed to turn in by Friday was $1,215. As of 8:30 this morning, the actual amount needed to turn in by Friday is $290.

God is so faithful.

PRAISE THE LORD.

Thank you to those of you who have generously and obediently sacrificed to give and pray.

29 days to go.

...Prayerfully, Faithfully...

The financial deadline is rapidly approaching as all funds for my mission trip to India are due at the end of this week!! I still need to bring in approximately $1,200. I am prayerfully, faithfully TRUSTING the Lord...KNOWING He will provide. I need your help...please pray with me.

...3...

There are 3 areas I've asked for support from my family and friends...here's an update...

• Accountability - The Lord has been doing a lot of work on my heart in the last few weeks. I'm learning more and more about complete surrender. I want to be certain the Lord is able to use me according to His will in India so I'm committed to allow Him to work on many areas of my life that have been in great need of some polishing. Thank you to those of you who have gently held me accountable as I need you to be a part of this process.
• Financially - God is SO good. I'm grateful and amazed at the obedience and generosity of so many of you. I'm excited to have you on board with me as, TOGETHER, we are committed to serving the Lord by spreading His word and love in India. Currently I still need to raise about $1,400 and I trust the Lord knowing He will continue to provide.
• Prayerfully - I know you're praying and I cannot thank you enough. Please continue to pray for my team, the people we'll encounter and all the Lord has in store. Please pray that the finances will come together and that I will continue to grow in my faith.

I'm certain this is only the beginning of our work in India together. Will you be coming with me on my next trip? Will you plan one of your own? I wonder what the Lord has in store for India...I know, according to His word, He will be faithful to complete the work He's started.

Blessings on each of you...Reshma

...Hosea 10:12...

"Plow new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness and reap the blessing your devotion to Me will produce! It's time for you to turn to Me, your Lord, and I will come and pour out blessing on you."

I am clinging to this verse. God is doing a major work on my heart and in my life this week and I am so grateful. He is so faithful. The refining process can be painful and difficult but I am committed to trusting in the Lord and allowing Him to mold me into the woman He wants me to be. Let's be clear...I am no champ. I've fought and fought to avoid turning my life entirely over to Him but He is so gracious and has granted me another opportunity to walk closely with Him. SO gracious.

I am going to walk with Him.

One foot in front of the other...here WE go...

...Patience...

When I was little my mom used to sing this song to me and my brothers...

"Have patience, have patience. Don't be in such a hurry. Have patience, have patience. You tend to start to worry. Remember, remember, that God is patient too and think of all the times that others had to wait for you."

As you can imagine this song used to infuriate my brothers and I ;)

I've been thinking about patience lately and my lack of it. I leave for India in 60 days. I am anxious, excited, nervous and IMPATIENT. I just want to get there already. However, I believe that every day leading up to September 4th is another day and opportunity for me to prepare myself spiritually, another opportunity for Him to refine me and, most of all, another opportunity to minister wherever I am. I believe that every day matters; all 60 minutes of every hour and all 24 hours of every day. As I've said before, I believe God is a God of purpose. He is deliberate. India is not my only opportunity to minister and serve. Each day I have the incredible opportunity to minister to my family, friends, co-workers and strangers. Every day matters.

I'm convicted.

I want every day of my life to be purposeful and deliberate.

I choose to start today. Today I choose to be patient and to see what is right in front of me right now.

Of course India is going to be on my mind every day, however, MINISTRY is what needs to be in the forefront of my mind. Ministry at the grocery store, in my office, with my family...etc...

...Thought...

My dad is one of the most thoughtful people in my life. While I'm blessed to be surrounded by many thoughtful people, he stands out as one who is extra kind, generous, loving and thoughtful. Not only does he enjoy gift giving but he takes the process very seriously; he is patient and puts a lot of thought into what gift he wants to give, what the reason behind it is and how it will bless the recipient.

The photo above is of my most recent gifts from him. The Indian Rupee is the original official currency of India. My dad, being the generous man he is, went to his bank and specially ordered some Indian Rupees to give to me before I go to India. He wanted to help me in raising funds for my trip and was very creative in his delivery of said funds :)

I'm leaving for India in 66 days and I so appreciate the thought my dad put into his generous gift of support. Thank you dad, I love you. ...R...