The Year of God's Presence

They say the grass is greener on the other side, and without a doubt India is greener and much sweeter. Everything from the banana's to the bread to the coffee-natural or man-made, life and food here have the ability to make your heart curve up into an over-joyed, mouth gaping, teeth showing grin. Everything and everyone is so beautiful. I read this morning in Colossians that " whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." This verse describes the children with such accuracy, you'd have to see it to believe me though. They never approach you with a shallow "Hey, what's up?"..instead " Bless you sister, praise God for this day!"- Little four year old girls say this..can you imagine? I wake up every morning at 5 am to the praise and worship coming from the school downstairs. The light breeze whisps past my bed, almost like the Holy Spirit coming in to tell me it's time to get up..and with that I know my day will be good, not because of my circumstances, but because of His deep desire to be with me.
There has been a huge revival here the past few days. A well-known pastor has been coming and speaking to Vizag . People have been healed in the name of Jesus. I've seen a woman get her hearing back, another woman cured of her cancer, still another man cured of his blindness. Salvation has come to hundreds of people the last three days and it's with great honor and humility to see God change hearts right in front of my eyes. If you are reading this and you're not a christian, believe on the miracles that I've been witnessing. Its all so crazy and so real. I was told a few weeks prior to my coming that a villiage woman was raised from the dead when people from the church prayed over her. The US doesn't see these kinds of miracles because we don't rely on Him.. we rely on doctors, health insurance and ourselves. They don't have that here though. I love the speakers and the pastors because they don't sit on a rock and preach until they are blue in the face.. sure they have a message, but most of their time is spent healing and prophesying and through that, God shows His mighty power and strength. It's a testimony of His existence and people run back with great excitement to tell their families. It reminds me of Jesus' ministry.
The most powerful thing I've seen so far though was last night at the revival. The speaker called us up on stage in front of thousands of people. He had the crowd raise their hands up to God and then sway them back and forth. They looked like wheat blowing in the wind. He encouraged us with the story in Matthew about how the harvest is ready but the workers are few. Last night though, he told us to look out at all the thirsty people craving to know Jesus more and said that the workers ARE ready.. it's time to reap the harvest. It was incredible and so true. This is the year of God's presence in India. Exodus 33:14 says " the Lord replied 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'" God is giving people rest here-He is healing them of anxiety, shame, disgrace, and all sorts of diseases. He wants so bad to do the same in us.
Pray without ceasing, love without bounds, and know that God cares for your life, otherwise He wouldn't have sent His son to die for it. Love you all! I'm missing home so much, but I'm so content where God has me. By the way.. apparently the rumors of Cobra's are true. The missonary's son just found a 6 foot long snake skin. ahh haha.