Halfway There

"Never miss out on the opportunity to impact someone's life; however do it with Jesus. The harvest for both is plenty worth it"

There is nothing like riding on top of a truck with your oldest "son"-- who happens to be a week older than you-- as you travel out of the country.  

(Yes I have kids, 25 or so to be exact. Just a side note.)

I've reached the halfway point of my stay in India. It's pretty bitter. Not sweet at all. To think that I stepped off a plane and onto this country 4 and a half months ago is crazy. I don't know where the time went at all. I just know, I want it back. 

We've been doing a lot of traveling recently. We went to this place called Shillong with the kids for a study tour that didn't involve any studying. That was one of the best times ever. Now the Americans are headed to Nepal because we don't want the Indian government to get upset. We'll be there a week.

When i was packing my bags, it was like I was getting ready to come back to America. Leaving my kids. Abandoning my children. It wasn't a good feeling. I didn't want to imagine how packing up would feel when Dec rolled around.

The kids have told me recently that they have been thinking about me leaving more. Especially over the Shillong trip. One of the girls said she cried thinking about it. Suban, in a state of panic, out of nowhere told me "sir don't leave! I love you!" 

Yea, my heart broke. 

My children are everything here. My laughter, my frustration, the best and the worst (before ice princess), my joy, the targets of my scolding, the recipients of half of my food and my spoiling, the ones I teach songs to and the ones I attempt to teach life lessons to (cause I've lived so much life in my 22 years.....).

They are the ones I always think about. And how they shine Jesus in my life and teach me more about Him than many have. 

I'm enjoying my time here. There is no doubt. If I could stay forever I would. I'm just coming back to eat chipotle.

Ha just kidding, you guys are on my mind.

And yet, at this halfway mark, I'm already saddened by the time left. This is proof that I will be an emotional wreck when I actually come back. Don't mind me. I'll be in my own little corner. 

I would even say I'm homesick for this place. Not America. Not Tennessee. For India. It's strange. I think I was always meant to take bath outside, eat with my hands, eat rice for every meal, pretend to heal the sick when it's actually God, preach some sermons, raise a bunch of awesome kids. And the thought that this will all come to an end soon... Well I'm not jumping up for joy.

But.... I'm only halfway. I'm still going to laugh, and sing, and teach and heal and spoil, and enjoy, and so much more. I'm going to make the best of this 4 and a half months.

I may be a wreck when i get back but at least it was for good cause. At least I made the best of my time here At least I took a lot of pictures, played a lot of games, played dad, smiled much, saw Jesus, hopefully gave Jesus.

 

One thing that keeps me grounded is knowing that we're more than halfway there to heaven. Prophecy is moving fast. (Read it if you haven't). And I know there, that place we call heaven, will be the absolute best. 

So I'll strive for that place. Cause that's where my kids will be hopefully 

And that will be really nice.

Really nice.

Wow halfway there.

Where did the time go?

praise to the best