Good News

Four flights, 12 hours in a taxi and a few bicycle rickshaws later...I got my visa renewal! Thank you for lifting my friends and me up this past weekend. We couldn't have made it full circle without your prayers and help from God. I should be all set with visa related issues for the rest of my term. I'll finish here mid-April and will be home by early May. Looking forward to visiting with many of you in-person next summer!

Merry Christmas!

Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again!

Hi Everyone!
I wanted to let you know that I'll be taking my visa renewal trip this weekend to a neighboring country. Please pray for me and other friends as we travel this weekend. Pray for safe & smooth travels, good health, peace and favor with the immigration officers as we exit and re-enter the country. Ask that no one in our group get 2-month stamps locking us out of the country going or coming back in.

I'll be crossing the border around 4:30 AM CST on Saturday, then crossing back at 11:30PM CST on Saturday. If you're awake during these times please remember our group in prayer.

Blessings,
C

I know him!

Jesse Tree

Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots."

Last Christmas, some dear friends introduced me to the Jesse Tree stories. They shared each of these stories with their neighbors and friends. I've decided to read these stories on my own this year and am praying that I'll be able to share some of the stories with ladies and families in my neighborhood.

I've found that people here are interested in symbols and a deeper meaning behind stories, and the Jesse Tree stories have both those elements.

Some people cut out the symbols hang them as ornaments on their tree:

Another resource I found incorporates the ornaments into a paper chain.

What traditions does your family observe during the Christmas season?

Urgent Request for my visa

I am required to leave the country every six-months to renew my visa and am set to exit later this month. There is a possibility that I will not be able to re-enter the country for 2 months after I exit because of a new customs rule. So far, our company people have been allowed back into the country, but some airports have begun stamping a "no-rentry for 2 months" in all passports. At this time, no one knows what's going to happen later this month.
This may mean that I will have to end my term and come home early. I'm packing all my things in case something like this happens. This country has become a second home to me in so many ways and I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet!

Please join me in praying for this situation. Pr. that I'll be able to get back into the country as planned and won't be delayed for 2 months or sent home. I invite you to join me in prayer and fasting for this situation on Monday, December 7th.

Random but it will make you laugh

Hey all,
Wanted to share this youtube video with you. It's pretty random and has nothing to do with anything, but it always makes me laugh. And it's only a minute and a half, so if you hate it, I didn't waste that much of your life, right? Haha.

C

Pray for my health

Friends,
I've been having health problems on and off for over a month now. Most recently, I've been suffering from severe mold allergies and digestion problems. Please pray for my total healing and for the Father to bind the enemy from me and all those that live in my household who have been struggling with similar health issues. Looking back on the last few months, I can see how satan has been actively distracting me from what the Father called me here for through different circumstances and illness. Pray that this would soon end and that I would be able to give 100% during my last 6 months here. I covet your prayers.

-Camille

Left Behind

A friend sent me a link to this video and I wanted to share with you. It gives another perspective on life in the slums.

http://www.daisugano.net/Left_behind_lg.html

Eid Mobarak | Happy Eid

Today is Eid, the last day of Ramadan. This evening I went to my language helper's house to celebrate with her family and eat my favorite Indian food - mutton biriyani. Yum! Here's a picture of the awesome outfit I had made especially for this occasion. The Mus lm ladies in my city LOVE bling. If you would have shown me this outfit 2 years ago, I would have told you how ugly and tacky I thought it was, but now... well, let's just say my fashion sense has come a LONG way. I love the bling, as you can see by the picture above!

And I have to share one more picture. This is the niece and nephew of my friend above. Take a close look at the boy. Yes, he's wearing lipstick. He loves to put on lipstick, eyeliner and wear nail polish on his toes just like his sister and mom. He was cracking me up!


Have a great week everyone and thanks for reading and praying through Ramadan with me. You rock! :)

Yay and Nay

Yay! My computer is back! I picked it up today and they even upgraded me to the newest operating system. Woo hoo! (I'm such a computer nerd).

Nay! Ewww, gross. The centipedes are back! I had one crawl into bed with me a few months ago. It stung me in my sleep! I haven't seen them for awhile, but my house helper showed me a dead one she found in my bed when she was cleaning today! GROSS! I live on a ground-level apartment that doesn't get much sunlight and we're right in the middle of monsoon season = perfect breeding ground for centipedes. But do they have to hang out in my room and my BED?! If anyone knows a good remedy for getting rid of them, I'm all ears. Yuck.

The Other Half

Last week I went to a slum not far from my home on a photo assignment. I had been there before, but never as far in as we went on this day. Most people in this slum live from day to day, not knowing if they will have enough money for their next meal or enough dry fire wood to cook their food. The breadwinners in this slum are primarily the women who typically work as maids. The majority of the husbands don't work and spend all the money that the women make on alcohol. I went into four houses that day. Each house was probably a little bit bigger than your bathroom at home. It's common to see nine adults and three or four children living in spaces a fraction of the size of your living room. Here are some of the things I saw inside each home:

Inside two houses

This corner of the house serves as a shower, dish washing area and laundry room

Can you see how the house is open to the elements behind the cups? This was actually a nicer home because it had a gas stove top. And of course, Coca Cola is everywhere!

The owner with pictures of her gods in the background.

The stories that each woman shared were heart-wrenching. One woman told us how her husband would come home drunk everyday, choke her, beat her and her daughters and then demand that she give him the money she had made that day so he could buy more alcohol. I saw another boy whose father literally threw him outside the house on his stomach onto the hard cement. His stomach was swollen because his dad had thrown him so hard. He couldn't have been more than 6 years old. And this is how it goes, day in and day out for many of the hundreds of families that live here.

But there are other stories. Stories about a family of Believers who opened their home just around the corner from the slum. About how this family feeds more than 200 children a day. Sometimes this is the only meal this children have each day. This family also helps the children with their homework and for those children who can't afford to go to school (a rather pricey thing for many families in India), free tuitions are offered. Some families have made public professions of faith because of the testimony of Believers they have met through this family. Others are secret Believers. God is moving in this slum and doing something among the people of this neighborhood. However, many people continue to bow to idols and look to inanimate objects for peace.

Some of the homes that I entered that day asked me to pray for them before I left. Would you join me in praying for the special people of this slum as I did last week:

• Ask that the people of this slum would know the One true living God.
• Ask that He would reveal Himself to them in dreams and visions.
• Pray that the people that live here would find peace that only comes from JC.
• Ask that new Believers would stand strong in their faith.
• Pray a special blessing for the women of this slum. Many of the women in this slum are constantly devalued and abused. Ask that they would know the Lover of their soul and look to Him for strength in the midst of the challenging conditions they face each day.

Computer has officially failed :(

Well, my computer finally bit the dust and is in the shop right now getting a brain transplant. Thankfully, I can use the computer at work to keep up with posting occasionally and to check my email. They said my computer should be fixed in 2-3 business days, but that could mean 2 weeks. I'm not holding my breath. It's actually kind of freeing not to have a computer at my disposal all the time, but also frustrating in some ways. I'm on a PC right now and realize how inefficient it is! Once you go Mac you never go back, I suppose. Haha.

Prayer Days 19-30

Day 19
Ask the Father to break down the inward looking and culturally isolated churches in India. Pray for a breakdown of all barriers for witness and for sharing the gospel with M.slims.

Day 20
Pray against the spirit of fear that has consumed many national churches when trying to reach out to M.slims.

Day 21
Pray for strength and boldness for national Believers in sharing among Urdu-speaking communities.

Day 22
Ask that the Father would raise up leaders in indigenous churches to lead M.slim outreach.

Day 23
Ask that the Father would equip and raise up Christian women to take the Gospel to M.slim women and children.

Day 24
Ask that the youth in local churches would be strengthened in their faith and catch the vision for reaching M.slim friends and classmates.

Day 25
Pray that the local church would have a greater vision for using media ministry (radio, TV, literature distribution) to reach M.slims. Pray that finances to support this ministry would be released.

Day 26
Ask that the local church would have a better understanding of M.slim culture, their felt needs and how to best present JC in a culturally sensitive way.

Day 27***
"Night of Power"
This is considered to be the night in which the first revelations of Isl.m and the prophethood of M.hamm.d began. This night is in celebration of the arrival of the Q.r an.

The whole Night of Power, from sunset to dawn, is the holiest night of the year. It is believed that there are groups of special angels who are only seen on the Night of Power. These angels perform special purposes. Some come down for worship, others for granting the request of the believing M.slim. Other angels come down bringing with them proclamations of the coming year.

Researchers contend that 80% of new Christians in South Asia come to Christ as a direct result of supernatural encounters.Pray for a supernatural move of the Holy Spirit to reveal JC to the many M.slims who will seek God tonight (Psalm 118:21, Acts 4:33).

Day 28
Pray that the Father would use VBS’s to reach many M.slim children and parents. Ask that the local church would know how to follow-up with M.slims who make decisions.

Day 29
Pray that the church would provide strong support and fellowship when M.slims turn to JC.

Day 30
Pray for secret M.slim Background Believer house churches to grow strong and remain vibrant in the midst of persecution.

Prayer Days 12-18

Hi Friends,
I'm having trouble uploading the pictures each day, but still wanted to get these requests out to you. Thanks for thinking of me and these people today.

<3 C


Day 12
Ask that the Father would open doors to the g.spel even in the midst of opposition (1 Cor. 16:9).

Day 13
Ask as M's fast this month they will encounter the One who said, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst." (Jn 6:35)

Day 14
Ask that M's would have the opportunity to learn about the details of JC's death and resurrection. Ask for Believers to have a real perseverance in telling the story.

Day 15
Ask that M's in S. Asia will find JC this month. Pr. that they would have an opportunity to see and hear the gospel presented in culturally relevant ways.

Day 16
Ask that G.spel radio programs will reach M communities.

Day 17
Ask that whole M households would come to faith at one time.

Day 18
Pr. for revival among M refugees living in S. Asia (Afghanians, Iranians, et. al.)

Day 11 Prayer

Pray that M's would come to believe that God Himself wants to communicate directly with them. Pray specifically for M's you may know personally. Ask that they would know His truth.

Computer Problems

Hi Friends,
I've been having some computer problems, but I hope to be back soon with more Ramzan pr. requests. Right now you could just pr. for my computer!

Have a great weekend,
C

Day 10 Prayer

Ask that the Word would be made available to M children around the world in literate and oral forms.

Day 9 Prayer

Ask that entire Urdu-speaking communities in S. Asia will decide to follow JC.

Day 8 Prayer

Ask that M.sl.ms would have dreams and visions that would lead to JC.

Day 7 Prayer

Ask that M.sl.m's eyes would be open to the peace they are searching for found only in JC.

29, 30 & 31st PR

29th - Lift up my fellow Sisters & workers, Kibba & Avi, as they seek God's will for their lives. Pray that they God would provide jobs for them.

30th - Pray for unity among our organization's workers.

31st - Pray that I would have good times with the Father every morning.

Day 6 Prayer

Ask for boldness and courage on behalf of Believers in Kashmir.

Day 5 Prayer

Pr. for secret Believers who are even now facing the possibility of death. May God protect them.

Day 4 Prayer

Ask that the Holy Sp. will raise up Believers to go to M.sl.m villages with the Good News.

Scripture to proclaim in prayer: 2 Peter 1:16-18, 2 Samuel 7:12-14

Day 3 Prayer

Ask that obstacles that have kept M.sl.ms from knowing JC will soon be removed.

Scriptures to proclaim in prayer: Leviticus 19:2, Matthew 5:48, Romans 12:2

Day 2 Prayer

Ask that Believers in S. Asia would have a boldness to share with their M.sl.m neighbors this month.

Scripture to proclaim in prayer: Matthew 19:26, Jeremiah 32:27, Romans 12:1-2

24-28 August PR

24th - Ask that Christ-followers in America would be filled with a spirit of intercession and willingness to stand in the gap.

25th - Pray that God would be stirring the hearts of Believers around the world to come to S. Asia to share.

26th - Pray for good health and plenty of rest everynight.

27th - Pray that God would open doors to share about Him with my neighbors.

28th - Ask for special blessings on my friend, Asha today. Ask for improved family relationships.

Ramadan Begins

Well, this seems to be the week of festivals. Both the Ganesh Festival and Ramadan begin today. Even now as I type this there are lots of fireworks going off all around my house in celebration of these holidays.

Here's some quick info on Ramadan, also know as Ramzan around these parts:

"Ramzan/Ramadan is the 30 days of prayer and fasting observed by M.sl.ms throughout the world. This is when M.sl.ms believe the Qu'r@n was revealed to their holy prophet Mohammad. During Ramadan the people who fast are not allowed to eat or drink anything (including water) from dawn to after sunset. Also, one has to restrain other body parts, which may render the fast worthless despite the main factor of hunger and thirst; so the tongue, for instance, must avoid backbiting, slander, and lies; the eyes should avoid looking into things considered by the Lawgiver as unlawful; the ears must stop from listening to conversation, words, songs and lyrics that spoil the spirit of fasting; and finally restraining of the heart, and mind from indulging, themselves in other things besides the remembrance of All@h. If a person is sick or has some medical reason or if a woman is pregnant then they are exempt from fasting."

Join me in asking...
Lord we ask that those who are fasting this month will have powerful dreams and visions of Isa Masih (JC). Father, help them to know that no matter how much fasting and good deeds they do they can never earn their way to heaven. Help followers of the Truth to live their lives in such a way that their M.sl.m neighbors would see a difference. May they come to know the followers of JC as those who love one another, who don't tell lies or "stab" one another with their tongues, but those who truly seek after justice and righteousness for all. Give us the love and boldness to share the Truth during this time of fasting and prayer when many of our M.sl.m friend are seeking for You.

Learn more at http://www.30-days.net/

Exchanging Truth for Lies

The Ganesh Festival begins Sunday in my city. Here's a short description of this festival taken from the internet:

"Ganesha, known as the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune by Hindus world-wide.

Traditionally, the Ganesh icon was sculpted out of earth taken from nearby one's home and after worshipping the idol it was returned back to the Earth by immersing it in a nearby body of water (representing the cycle of creation and dissolution in Nature.) Today, the Ganesh is often created out of plater of partis and is then immersed into the lakes, rivers and sea causing many environmental problems."

Here are some photos I took in the "craftsman" part of town. The road sides were filled with Ganesh idols for purchase both large and small. There were more Ganesh idols than I had ever seen before, all shapes and sizes and in all kinds of different outfits.

Ask the Father to open the eyes of these idol-makers and those who are buying these idols this week. Ask that they would no longer serve something that has eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear and mouths that do not speak. Ask that they would know the one true and living God.

Weekend PR

22nd - Ask that my joy wouldn't be stolen by people or circumstances.

23rd - Ask that I would be able to worship even in times of trial.

S-B-1

S-B-1
Uploaded by tnhutch. - Exotic and entertaining travel videos.

17-21 August PR

17th - Ask that God would fill me with a supernatural joy that is full of glory.

18th - Ask that He would fill me with peace that surpasses all understanding today.

19th - Pray that He would fill me with a kind & gracious attitude toward others.

20th - Ask that God would raise up nationals to reach their own people

21st - Pray for a national or another worker to take over my job in September

Weekend PR

15th - Ask that I would catch up on my rest today and be able to have a true sabbath!

16th - Ask that He would fill me with humiity, brokenness & a repentent, obedient spirit.

More Touchdowns and parties Upstairs

Today, the women on the volunteer team visited a rehabilitation center for victims of sex trade and abuse. The center teaches the women valuable skills, like sewing and English, so that they can make a living on their own. Today, the volunteers shared how to raise children, taught them how to do embroidery and one volunteer who is a certified masseuse gave hand massages to all the women :)

The stories these women share are heart wrenching and sometimes it's hard for me to imagine the pain and suffering that they have endured. One woman, "L", was only 16 when her aunt sold her into prostitution. Her aunt still tells her to this day that she should come back and be a prostitute so she could make more money. This girl has to keep the center a secret from her aunt. Some girls would be killed if their families knew they were going to this rehabilitation center during the day. Another girl escaped from a situation that was essentially slavery in which she could never repay a debt in her lifetime and so she was forced into prostitution. When she finally escaped, she left her sister behind. This girl actually went back into prostitution in the village she escaped from so she could save her sister and so they could escape together.

Today "L" along with three other ladies made decisions and "joined the family".

If you want to know more about this center, please visit their website below. You can purchase purses, cards, jewelry and more made by the ladies at this center through their online catalog or in-person at their store in Gainsville.

http://www.rahabsrope.com/about_us.html

Team Update

Just wanted to give a quick update and let you know that a lady "joined the family" this week. It was incredible! I wish could replay it on video for you somehow. Really cool!

Showing the team around at a local market

Also, we've just finished our second day of our breast cancer awareness training. We were able to share with several ladies over the last two days. Here's a picture of some of the team with our interpreters.

This little girl is the daughter of one of the women on the team. She came with us to the hospital to do the breast cancer awareness program and was quite the attraction! All the nationals wanted to touch her hair and have their picture taken with her. She was so good and never complained once! She even asked me to teach her some phrases in the local language so she could talk to the ladies. What a sweet girl!

10-14 August PR

10th - Volunteers: pray against sickness & that God would keep them safe as they are in the city

11th - Volunteers: pray for the ladies as they lead Breast Cancer Awareness camps in local hospitals

12th - Volunteers: ask that God would give the male volunteers discernment & boldness as they share today

13th - Volunteers: ask that the Spirit would give each volunteer boldness to share with many people today

14th - Volunteers: pray for wisdom & discernment for the team leaders as they determine the next step in their church partnership

Weekend PR

8th - Volunteers: ask that the Father would be preparing the way for the volunteers even now

9th - Volunteers: ask that everyone would make their flights on time and arrive safely

Request for next week's volunteer team

Hi Friends,
Please be lifting up a 14-person volunteer team coming in this Saturday. They'll be here one week to do breast cancer awareness camps, build relationships and share their stories throughout the city. We have 5 returnees on this trip which I think is pretty awesome. I've loved partnering with this group in the past and their investment and love for the people here.

Please ask that...
-they make all their flights
-their luggage makes all the flights, too
-good health during their stay
-restful sleep and extra energy as they battle jet lag
-open doors to pray and love on the ladies we'll be teaching at the women's health seminar
-that He would guide our steps as we prayer walk around the city on Monday
-for me to be a good hostess to the team, provide a great orientation, and to take a step back to let this team do their thing
-that I would have extra energy to keep me going next week (this introvert will be in extrovert land overload next week!)
-for our translators who don't know Him
-that He would humble us and use us for His glory
-that we would trust His plans fully next week even when they change
-good attitudes and servant's hearts
-bold words
-His mercy

Thanks for thinking of the team and me next week!

3-7 August PR

3rd - City Revival: that God will give His people a passion for missions & planting churches.

4th - City Revival: that God will call thousands to ministry, missions & Christian service.

5th - City Revival: that God will pour out His Spirit like a mighty purifying fire

6th - City Revival: for a move of conviction & salvation to engulf major communities of cultural influence (gov't officials).

7th - Volunteers: lift up the volunteer team as they make last minute preps. to leave

Weekend PR

1st - City Revival: that God will bring unity among local churches in this city.

2nd - City Revival: that God would fill His people with a passion to see people saved.

27-31 July PR

27th - Local Church: for God to raise up many laborers for His work.

28th - Local Church: for a powerful spirit of worship, prayer & holiness to permeate the local church.

29th - City Revival: ask God to pour out deep conviction of sin, spiritual brokenes & repentance among His ppl.

30th - City Revival: for a deep cleansing, repentence & spiritual power to engulf pastors & Christian leaders.

31st - City Revival: for God to bestow a spiritual hunger in His people & draw them to fervent intercession.

Weekend PR

25th - Local Church: that the church would clearly receive direction in all decisions & ministries.

26th - Local Church: for blessing & abundance of resources to do God's work.

Solar Eclipse!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8149149.stm

The longest solar eclipse of the century took place this morning. Some people even chartered planes to get the best view of the eclipse. The seats aren't cheap according to this article (link above):

One of the planes will have 21 seats facing the Sun ("Sun-side seats") and 21 seats facing the Earth ("Earth-side seats"), says a tour operator.

"Sun-side seats, which will have a direct view of the eclipse, cost about 79,000 rupees [$1,618]," he says.

The solar eclipse stuff is cool, but so many religious festivals center around celestial events like this eclipse. For me, this meant waking up to clanging gongs, cymbals, pounding drums and chanting two doors down. This house is practically a temple. There's a huge idol in a garage type area and some hi level politicians come to do puja there, too. My friend tells me it's all a scam to get money from people. I don't know much about that, but I know that place breaks my heart...and wakes me up too early! Think of them this week.

PR 20-24 July

20th - Local Church: for powerful anointing & direction upon local pastors, teachers & leaders.

21st - Local Church: for deep love among church members.

22nd - Local Church: that strife and disunity would be subdued.

23rd - Local Church:that Satan would be completely bound from all the members & activities of the church.

24th - Local Church: for a strong wall of protection to surround the church & its members.

Weekend PR

18th - Local Pastors: fulfillment of personal and family needs

19th - Local Church: powerful move of Holy Spirit to bring conviction, repentence, & release of God's power.

15th, 16th & 17th

15th - Local Pastors: wall of protection from Satan's influence

16th - Local Pastors: pure motives

17th - Local Pastors: fruitfulness in their ministry

PR: July 13th & 14th

Lift up the local pastors in my city:

Pray that they will have discernment of His will
Pray for their deep purity and holiness

PR Day 3

Ask that God would bring more Christ-followers into "S's" life & for her improved health. Pray that she would know that this healing comes from Christ alone.

Prayer Req. of the Day

Ask that Christ would draw "S" to Himself in a powerful way.

July & August Prayer

Hello All,
I'm going to try to post prayer request for the rest of this month and the month of August, so check back for new daily prayer requests! Thanks for your support. I'd love to hear from you. Send me an email or give me a call on skype (SkypeID: camille3010). Here's today's request:

Pray for my friend "S" that Christ would reveal Himself to her.

Be Back Soon

Hi Friends,
I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post. I've been busy transitioning to a new job and preparing for our big yearly meeting in Thailand. I hope to be posting and back soon with lots of stories from my travels. Thanks for reading. More to come in a few weeks!

C

Wait, how old am I?

So a lot of times, I feel like I'm five years old around these parts. I'm leaning on a railing, "Oh, madaam don't DO THAT!", I'm taking a picture, "Oh madaam, NO PICTURES!", I'm shopping in a store I frequent, "Oh madaam let me help you. I don't think you know what you're doing. THIS is a salwaar kameez." - Me:"Yes, I know. I'm wearing a salwaar kameez right now."

Probably the best thus far was the other week when I got scolded by my landlord for coming home after dark. "You should NOT do! Even I don't allow my 26 year old daughter to do that! You need to let your roommate know where you are at all times. You need to call her when you're coming home late."

"But she's not my mother," I jokingly say (I'm such a smart-alleck).

"You DEFINITELY need to be in earlier! You will get cheated by the auto rickshaws!"

*sidenote: I'm kinda bummed because I asked my landlord to scold me in Hindi, but then he thought twice about it and said that no one else in the room would have understood how bad he was scolding me if he spoke in Hindi. I love this shame culture :)

Sometimes I just don't want to be told how to do things every minute, you know? Maybe the hardest for me is when American women here treat me like I'm five. The other week a sweet, American lady whom I love told me, "You know, Camille, you probably shouldn't be out past 8pm." Me:"Well, I know my mom would appreciate you saying that."

The problem is I work in an office until 5:30/6pm everyday, so I'm not really sure when I could get to know people or do my grocery shopping, but I suppose it is possible.

I know they're only trying to be helpful and look out for the white girl. What can I do except laugh at how they think I'm five years old even though, guess what, I'm 24.

Huh?

They've plastered this billboard ad all over the city recently. I don't think this billboard could win on "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader".

Ov'r Thur Yonder

I've been trying to step up my game with language learning lately. I have some new language helpers that I study with four days a week and I go out into the neighborhood in the evenings to practice speaking. Sometimes it's really difficult to produce the same sounds as native speakers, so I have to listen to them say the word over and over and then record them saying it so I can listen to it over and over when they leave. Many times, I ask, "What place are you putting your tongue when you say that word? Is it on the roof of your mouth or is it behind your teeth?" This makes a huge difference in correct pronunciation. Everyday I learn new vocabulary words and try to incorporate them into my daily conversations with nationals.

So, I thought it would be fun, and possibly helpful to language learning, to learn how to speak "Southern". I have friends here from Mississippi, Arkansas, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas, so you better believe I'm getting some good Southern-speak schooling. I figure, if I can speak Southern then surely I can speak Hindi/Urdu, right? The way I see it, this is just helping me get in touch with my Mississippi roots. Here's my current list of Southern vocabulary that I'm working into my daily conversations (with Westerners). If you are a native Southern speaker, please feel free to suggest new vocab words!

1. Thur = "there"
2. Tyre = "tower"
3. Heeyil = "hill"
4. Rine = "Ryan"
5. O'ol = "oil" *this one is so difficult for me!
6. Yonder = "over thur"<--- see #1
7. Fixin' a = "getting ready to"'
8. Feat = "fit"
9. Fyre = "fire"
10. Yuna = "Do you want to?"
11. Yguna = "Are you going to?"

1 Year Countdown

Last week was my "1 Year left" marking point. It's hard to believe I've been here nearly a year and half now! I know the next year will fly which makes me sad, but I look forward to returning to my homeland and seeing you all again :) Here are the places I hope to visit during my first few months back in no particular order:

1. San Francisco
2. Portland, OR
3. National Park Tour (Yosemite, Yellowstone...)
4. Texas
5. Mississippi
6. Alabama
7. Rochester, NY
8. NYC
9. Southern IL
10. Chicago
11. New Orleans
12. Virginia :)

Ok, so this might take more than a few months...

P.S. I'm looking for a road trip buddy!

Wedding #2 of the Season

More pics to come soon.

Let the weddings begin..

It's wedding season around these parts. Here are some pics from the first one of the season:

Friends

The Bride (in red) - brides are traditionally supposed to be "sad" on their wedding day, thus the downcast face. I saw her laughing and giggling at other points during the day though.

Check out this stud. What a cutie!

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The Shack

I finally was able to read "The Shack" during my vacation to Nepal. Some friends had been passing it around the office and I was able to borrow it. I honestly didn't know much about this book at all except that it was about some guy that meets God in a shack...or something like that. Wow! What an incredible and provocative story. I've been thinking about this book on and off ever since I finished it. I felt like I connected to certain parts of the book because it just made sense to me and the way I think.

I hope you'll get the opportunity to pick up this book sometime soon. It's a fast read. My advice is don't read any reviews or discuss the book with anyone you know who has read it. Just go read it, let go of anything that you think this book might be about and take it for what it's worth to you personally.

If you've read this book or if you finish it sometime soon, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Like I said, I'm still processing it all, but would be interested to hear your insights.