Next stop: India!

So I really wanted to get this post up yesterday, but I was pretty tired and had a bunch of other stuff to take care of. Anyway, the four India interns (Harry, Edwin, Ko, and myself) are leaving for India shortly after breakfast on Monday, so this is probably my last post before India. Unfortunately, I don't know how accessible e-mail will be in India until we arrive at the office on Wednesday, but I will try to get something up before then. Its basically an 18 hour plane flight (one-stop) to New Delhi where we will stay the night and then take an 8 hour train ride and a taxi up to Mussoorie, where the office is. I'm totally pumped to see India!

However, the past few days have been full. On Thursday we discussed both our spiritual gifts and testimony, and tied that into the personality test in order to start gaining some self awareness as to how we serve most effectively. On Friday we visited the main EMI office in Colorado Springs for our official commisioning and a great discussion on the Biblical perspective of poverty. Today we talked about our individual talents, how to turn those into strengths, and finally looking to the future as to what calling God may place on us. We also went hiking today which was challenging and really fun, but I'll probably feel it in the morning.

Overall the week has just gotten better and better. Although I've done some of the personality and spiritual gifts stuff, integrating it into my own testimony and strengths has been surprisingly helpful in understanding myself. It hasn't just been a self-realization adventure, though. The Biblical support concerning missions, the Church, poverty, and culture has tought me a lot about God, and serving others in a cross-cultural context. I'm really looking forward to getting to India, although I'm expecting it to be really hard. If you'd like, I know the other interns and I would really appreciate prayer over the adjustment process; Indian culture is far different than American and I don't want to withdraw. Thanks, and see you in India!