So the countdown begins...

I'm back!
My dear friends, I have returned to this land of spices and sewage, of roadside pee-ers, and cows that stand in my way when I try to get into the internet cafe to connect with you!
These few weeks have galloped along at a breakneck speed as I jumped head first into the melange of English speeches, chapati class, goodbye letters, graduation, tears and laughter.
My final week at Green Valley was blessed beyond imagination as I was reunited with the students who mean so much to me, and given the opportunity to witness their progress and their unconditional love for me. Their joy over my return was the warmest I've experienced, and at a complete contrast from my last time in India, I felt at every moment that it was the exact, only, place that I was supposed to be. And then, too fast, it was over. On Sunday we had graduation, as us interns, all sari-clad, shook hands and posed for pictures with our proud pupils, and packed up to leave the place that was so dear to our hearts. I spent my last evening sleeping on the roof, under the stars, the Big Dipper winking at me, dangling there to remind me of home (it was hidden on the other side of the world for my fall semester in India...) and all that my life was now angling itself towards. "Two weeks" it whispered in promise. And I woke to one of the most difficult partings of my life, knowing that these brothers and sisters who I have come to cherish so deeply, who sing at the top of their lungs as they walk to the dining hall, who cheerful offer us chai at breaktime, who impressed me almost to tears with their impressive speeches in English class, might be disappearing from my life forever. As one put in his speech, "Green Valley is like a little bit of heaven", and I picture a small corner of heaven with palm trees and red dirt, the chicken coop smell wafting through the doors, where we will reunite our voices once again in a rousing chorus of "Days of Elijah," actions and all.
We departed from Green Valley and split ways, some interns heading to Andra Pradesh for a week and a half trip to visit different student homes and see some more of the South, while Rachel, Jay, Steph and I are here in Ooty, the cool mountain station up amongst the mists and greenery, where we will volunteer at an orphanage for two weeks, and perhaps stay in a remote village to help at a school, as well. Unfortunately, Rachel and my little immune systems have finally succumbed to the sickness that has been threatening with sore throats and coughs for a few weeks, and are resting under piles of blankets in between visits to the orphanage and into town. Thankfully, it is cool and we have time to sleep it off. And we have Jay and Steph to bring us home rememdies, like Tiger balm slathered on the feet, and gargling with whiskey!(Thankfully, Rachel was the only one commanded to do so...)I'm sure the mountain air will soon cure us.

I have again come to a place where my heart is confused, probably because I know I cannot settle here, and so much will happen in the next weeks. Due to some confusion and mix-ups with flights, I am having to trust God that I will have sufficient funding to get me home! The change fees are ridiculous, and have more than doubled from last time. I feel....disappointed. I guess I had hoped that since the miracle of the visa occured, things would be smooth sailing, that God had taught me my lesson, and I could spend the rest of my trip in blissful confidence. I should have known better. He, "who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine" clearly likes me to continuously depend on Him, and has many more lessons for me, not least of them the reminder that money is not what controls this world, and He is bigger than even my bank account. Praise Him for providing for me so much already, and yet I still quiver in fear of one of my greatest weaknesses. It seems I have always failed at surrendering finances to the Lord, at having a 'good relationship' with money. Well, looks like me and my wallet are going to be going for some counseling, as I put out more than is probably wise in order to complete my trip to India the way I feel is right. Maybe I am being selfish, and forgive me my friends, for desiring so, but I want to finish off this trip right. I want to fly to Delhi, to see the Taj Mahal, and spend my final days with the other interns who I have experienced so much with. I want to conclude my time with a blaringly shocking Indian experience. I want to feel safe and protected by not having to travel alone. For this occasion, I feel like the Lord is telling me to trust Him in a different way, to not risk losing these things, and instead lose something else that is far more dear to my heart than it should be....my financial security! Please wrap this in your prayers, my faithful warriors who have truly traveled with me such distances, and held me aloft through your great encouragements.
Again, thank you for listening to my blabber...it soothes my soul to share this with you. And my dears! In only 15 days I will be there, shivering, with you, hopefully full to the brim with the hope of this new adventure, this coming home, and carrying with me the dearest souvenir, of a closer relationship with Christ.
Reunions are so sweet...my heart is already halfway there, celebrating with you. See you SOON!