Wednesday, May 8, 2024

India 2024- Day 3

 Reflections from a Lectio reading of Ephesians 3 shared with the students 
this morning for our devotion: 

 

God of abundance,

God of the cup that overflows,

God of love

that is

deeper,

wider,

longer,

and higher

than we can imagine,

expand our hearts today

that we can soak in this love.

Just like a good curry dish,

infuse the flavors in us.

Rewrite our hearts today

through the people

and stories we will encounter.

Let our roots go a little deeper

and let our soil be a little richer

as you give growth

to our mustard seeds

of faith. 


sunrise on morning walk with Ratnakar 



In our morning devotion today, I asked the small group of students who were with us the question Jaime is famous for in our neighborhood, “What’s the most important thing you know?” We read Ephesians 3 in English and we listened to this delightful Ellie Holcomb song called “Don’t Forget to Remember." (Amaravathi is pictured above holding my phone with the video of the song. See below for the link so you can listen in.)  

After breakfast this morning, I got to witness Amaravathi and Harshavardini helping in the kitchen and being surrounded by this extended family to them. They have been staying here during their summer holiday, and it's clear that they love it. And this house always has an open door for the kids who come here to spend their time (see the picture below of a group of students who gathered here for lunch!). Seeing these things in action reminded me of the research behind "Sticky Faith" which is all about ways "to actively encourage young people’s spiritual growth so that it will stick with them into adulthood and empower them to develop a living, lasting faith." 



visit to Madhavi and Suresh's home this morning: 
and wonderful peeks into how much they've grown below: 


2012   

2014

2014 

2018 

2018 

It was Samson's birthday today, so we celebrated with cake and birthday cheer. :) 
(While I brought the gold crowns and the necklaces for the banquet on Sunday, it does convince me that I might need to always travel with them for emergency birthday celebrations!) 




enjoying some palm fruit 

💗
and below are pictures from our evening visit with Sabitha and Rushendra

showing pictures of the kids from when they were younger 

with Sabitha who has contagious delight and energy... 

from 2018 

2018 


 
from 2018 

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