Beautiful India

I've been in India for 10 days, and so much has already happened!

Our welcome was INCREDIBLE! It paralleled what I would imagine a heavenly welcome would feel like. There were smiling children everywhere, and we were given flowers, and there was a beautiful banner made for us!
And of course, I cried, because things like that make me cry happy tears 🙂

I also made 3 best friends right away, who declared they were my best friends about 10 minutes after meeting me, and they are devoted. Always there, always smiling, always squealing when I come out and come back. It's so sweet and funny all at once.

Sowjanya, Dharani, and Mani, my Indian bffls

We’ve met rejoicing elderly ladies, who LOVE Jesus and get really really excited about Him, so excited that they grabbed our booties when they hugged us. We’ve seen little children invite Jesus into their hearts and declare that they will worship Him and Him alone. I’ve seen women with leg, back, hand, neck, and all kinds of body pains receive relief from pain in Jesus’ holy name. I’ve had the honor of hugging and praying over widows. I’ve had the honor of kissing orphans and squeezing them in tight hugs.
 
We've preached in church and in house churches, sharing the gospel, and everywhere we go and share, more people are moved to receive Jesus. It's amazing! It's a time of harvest here in India!

We live right beside an orphanage, but most of these children aren't orphaned. Their mothers are simply too poor to provide for them, so they live here and receive an education. They are so sweet and friendly, always saying "Miss! Miss!" and handing us flowers. Every single day, the children find something to compliment on me, and say “Byoo-tee-fool, miss! Suuper!!” and make the “okay” sign with their hands hahaha! They stare and smile and giggle, and then stare and smile some more. The team and I had a henna night, and the girls made beautiful henna artwork on our hands! Check out one of my hands (henna was still on).

I've been on state-wide television twice, and supposedly also made the paper. Not bad, huh? My testimony was broadcast to millions of people, which is nothing short of epic. Glory to God for that!
Everywhere we go, we are guests of honor. It’s incredibly humbling. These people don’t even know us, but they honor us so much. I’m learning the definition of honor.

We've visited a disabled boys' home and sang songs and played ball with them. Their smiles were precious and their joy was contagious!
We have witnessed some pretty impressive dancing acts. I took a really funny video of a dancing baby in the audience who stole my attention from the main performers. I will hopefully be able to make and post this video when I get home. Let’s just say I’ve been wowed by the dancing here.

We've been to two different prisons, and seen many prisoners come to Christ. We handed out Bibles and also prayed over guards.

We've gone to very remote villages which were affected by the floods, prayed with the people, and handed out rice. We met girls who had to stop their education at 3^rd grade because they had to work in the fields, and some were married as young as 15 years old. They encouraged us with their faith.
Here are the people of a small village waving to our bus after we visited them! Please keep them in your prayers during this flood season.

And… I have seen the ocean!

In January, my dear friend Amanda prophesied over me that I would see the ocean in India (she didn't even know India was on my route!) and that there would be an orange flower there. She described the flower very specifically. She also said my heart would feel very full, overflowing full of joy and love.

Well it all came about. I saw the ocean…

…and soon after, I was handed this flower, which is exactly the flower she described.

Oh and my heart is very full. 🙂 Thank You Holy Spirit for giving my friend that vision!

We went to a wedding reception and dressed up in fancy saris. Here's mine:

We are blessed to live with the Pastor's family, and are daily encouraged by their faith and love for each other.

We’ve been busy here, and many have been encouraged and added to the Kingdom.

Please visit heyheyhelena.blogspot.com for my personal updates, and make sure to subscribe since it will become my main blog in about 3 weeks!

Love yall, and I will see you SOON!