India's word= Adjust

hey hey all,
I am so sorry I have not written anything since being states side, but the Internet connecting process is not working on my computer so this is the first chance i have had to write anything.
so we adjust:)
Even if I had Internet all the time we have been burning the candle at both ends and time to sit is few and far between. As many of you are aware my flight to India was postponed, thus i landed in India the day after Christmas. Because of this, the children will be receiving Christmas presents on New Years.
So we adjust...
So ever since I landed it has been Go Go Go. Preparing Christmas for 300 children is more overwhelming then I ever expected. One of the things I love about Agape is they treat these kids like their own children, not like an institution. every gift is planned and thought out, the child's package is made with them in mind all the way down to the appropriate hair piece according to length of hair.
I was not feeling well at all when I landed, most likely from the stress of not being able to find my ride amongst the hundreds of India people. But when I saw the kiddos a few hours later I was back to myself, or an exhausted version. So thanks to some local volunteer college organization that came to do a presentation (play a drum solo and dance some free style, it was interesting to say the least) I got to see all the kids at the same time.
It was such a joy to see them, and oh i love how they freak out and all scream MISS AMY MISS AMY, and they all fully expect that i can sit next to each one of them...
SO some updates include, DEEPAK IS HUGE!!! well skinny as can be but very tall, his vision is not so good so i honestly don't think he understood who i was because the other blonde volunteer that has come to agape in the past is Miss Emily so confusion is understandable.
The precious thing was, when I picked him up and hugged him and whispered "PRAY-ME-SHU-NA-NOON" which is I love you in telegu, he realized who i was and screamed and hugged my face saying "MAY-ME, MAY-ME" cause he cant say Amy :) so so cute

So Life in India is good... I really like it here, it is hard to adjust but its getting more and more normal. The only thing I dont get use to is the food, rice rice rice... and lynne has me eat when i get home even if it is 11 or after midnight, and for all who know me i like my belly shut off after 7pm... so again we adjust:)

I do ask you all to keep Lynne in your prayers, I have been working next to her alot and have seen the huge burden she is carrying. Her work load is intense, and frankly to much so please be praying for her as this is the hardest time of the year.

Oh and another surprising plus of living at lynnes house... wait for it, wait for it....
HOT WATER!!!!!!!!
so i haven't had to take a clod bucket bath all week!!! and i drink coffee in the morning, American coffee not India :) so life is definitely not as shockingly different here this time around... so i came a tad over prepared in some areas and under in others oops...
So we adjust:)

I am very excited to see what God has in store. As I am spending times with Him and walking each day, my goal has been to look and see where God is working and join Him there.
I would love to write more about what the Lord is teaching me and showing me as well as all the details of this amazing place but it is late and I am praying I will have the opportunity to write soon.
many blessings and thank you for all your prayers
-Amy

God provides the big things and the small things and tons of Toys!!!

God Provides. (period)

I have read my whole life and have heard from many missionaries, pastors, and veterans of the faith that "God will provide all your needs." I have also heard over and over that "He is in control of EVERYTHING." But these two basic concepts have only been that in my life, "concepts." I have not really ever viewed God in that way. I live such a blessed life, that I Amy Johnson like to have control over. I have food on the table, money in the bank to pay for school, I am blessed with a job, and parents who love and support me.

Over the past few months God has been working on me to learn how to "rely on Him." Nursing school was getting very overwhelming and I felt the Lord ask me to trust Him and cut back on my hours at work immensely. I liked the feeling of security and never having to worry about my finances, I liked the control. But the Lord was asking me to give Him the control. And when I let go and let God, guess what everything was still OK:)

This trip to India is by far the most expensive missions trip I have ever gone on. In a bad economy I will admit I had doubts. I was worried I made the wrong decision about work and that it was not all going to work out. But as you can probably guess IT DID! God provided all the money for the trip! And just when I was impressed by God, He decided to show just how amazing He is! So I think God's economy is doing just fine!!!!

Last Wednesday night we talked to Lynne the owner of Agape International. She explained how some of her volunteers and staff had stepped down and now there was no toys for the children for Christmas. God began to pour out the very next day when received a check from my Grandparent's church and then on Sunday a pile of toys was in the foyer at church and a friend from nursing school even pulled together toys. God provided exactly the amount needed! Right now in my kitchen there are 3 suitcases 50lbs each FULL and I mean FULL of toys for His little Kiddos!!! Over 400 toys so every child will get blessed!!!

God's provision does not stop their. As many of you know I was suppose to be in India as I type this, but as I am learning God is in control. Due to 5 inches of snow in London, Heathrow airport has been shut down since Friday night. My original flight before my nursing exams were moved had me landing in Heathrow late Friday night/ early Saturday morning. My nursing exams were moved and one of my instructors refused to allow me to take my exam on another day. Extremely frustrated I moved my flight. But God was in control. He was protecting me! In His plan I had more time to study, which was needed, I don't think I could have handled the original crammed plan. His plan also saved me from things I could not for see.

If I had been on my original flight I would have been stuck in London airport from Friday the 17th till now!!!! The 23rd. The flights from London to Hyderabad had been canceled as well, so instead of being home I would have been stuck in London airport for six days and counting..

So GOD PROVIDES and HE IS IN CONTROL!!!

I have a new found Awe of Him. I sat in church on Sunday and was constantly moved to tears just thinking about how much He loves us. He moved on so many peoples hearts to give in this hard financial time especially around Christmas!!! Every time someone handed me a check or cash or told me they were praying or donated toys, I saw the faces of these children I love receiving the gifts, but those giving don't know these children, they just gave out of the love of their hearts. So to all of you THANK YOU!!! and from the beautiful children of India THANK YOU!!!

I challenge you to give more then you can afford, And watch the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY PROVIDE!!!!

Just take a minute now and praise Him with me for all HE is!!!!

Not for all He does or has given you because He is worthy of praise for that hands down, but God is worthy of praise for WHO HE IS!!!! (period) The fact that HE EXISTS is worth all the praise we could every give!!!

I have learned to have a new trust in my creator and stand in awe of Him and how He is in control of everything. I am excited to see who He puts in my path as I spend Christmas in an airport and on a plain. I trust in His plan, and desire to see His name glorified!!!

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." Luke 2:14