I had the incredible opportunity to go with a team of women from Pulpit Rock recently to India. Visiting this country has long been on my heart and I’ve been drawn to the stories of the people of India for many years. I never spoke this aloud to anyone, but in my heart, I promised God if there ever was a way to go, I would go. Probably close to two years ago in a 
meeting at Pulpit Rock, Suzy Bates talked about a new partnership opportunity through Tirzah with some ministries in India. She was planning to go on a trip to meet them and see. I pulled her aside that day and told her about my heart’s longing. Fast forward to earlier this year when a trip was opened up for the women of this church! I was excited that this dream would be able to become a reality, but I was also a bit nervous. I’d been on a couple of trips in recent years that were really hard for various reasons. {In fact, on the last trip I’d been on, I told the Lord, ‘I think I don’t need to go on any more overseas trips – I think I’m good’.} But I could not say no to this promise I had made years ago.
I am so incredibly glad I did! There was not a specific ‘aha’ moment where I realized why I needed to go to India and there were still hard and uncomfortable things about the trip – but my yes was such a blessing to me. There is something 
special about being with a group of women and practicing presence and vulnerability with another group of women –
even if we don’t come from the same country or even speak the same language. There is still much in common to share. I will never forget the moment of sitting on another women’s bed with her friends and neighbors while she makes tea for us, dancing with the women from the Kshamata Center to their favorite songs, or praising the incredibly skilled handiwork of the women at Kushbu that helps them become financially stable and hearing the stories of how this job and community helped them come to believe in Jesus.
I am still processing and thinking through my experiences and I’m sure I will be for a long time. I am so thankful I went and practiced obedience to deep and private seeds planted by the Lord.
My hands are open…