India

"I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"

Isaiah 65:24

Population:

1,189,172,906

country comparison to the world: 2

Area:

slightly more than one-third the size of the US (US population 307,006,550)

Age Structure:

0-14 years: 29.7%

15-64 years: 64.9%

65 years and over: 5.5%

Major Cities - Population:

New Delhi (capital) 21.72 million

Mumbai 19.695 million

Kolkata 15.294 million

Chennai 7.416 million

Bangalore 7.079 million

People living with HIV/AIDS:

2.4 million

Religion:

Hindu 80.5%

Muslim 13.4%

Christian 2.3%

Sikh 1.9%

other 1.8%

unspecified 0.1%

"The numbers, reported from a conference in India on human trafficking, literally defy belief: more than 1.2 million children in India are caught up in human trafficking as child prostitutes. Worse, as many as 100 million people in India — soon to be the world’s most populous country — are involved in trafficking-related activities.

The shocking statistics confirm what many human rights activists long have contended: that if there’s a “ground zero” for contemporary slavery, it is the Indian sub-continent."

Information taken from www.freedomcenter.org and www.cia.gov. Some photos from www.reasonpad.com.

Daddy's wallet

Look what I found in Dad's wallet! I don't think I've ever seen these ones...

Kindergarten. I only ever wore pink dresses. Obviously an 80's girl!

Little brother Jeffrey! He used to make us call him "sheriff kid"!

Dance Dance

A letter

I got a letter this week. From myself! What a weird feeling to see your own handwriting on an envelope addressed to YOU. After a few moments though, it all came flooding back to me..

On the last day of my senior year in high school, our teacher had us write letters to ourselves that would be kept and mailed back to us... 5 years later! At that time (when I was 18) everything had a tendency of overwhelming me. Graduation, college, future, dreams, wanting to grow up but not quite sure if you're ready to take on all of it's responsibilities... you catch my drift. I did however have a few prophetic, encouraging and challenging lines to myself. I guess I just wanted to make sure that I was still on track with what God had placed in my heart. I think it's important for all of us to remember where we started - grow past it, learn beyond and dream further... but don't step away from the foundation on which it was all built.

I signed out "Walk in your glorious destiny! - Gabrielle" and thankfully I can assure you that next to the Holy Spirit, I am continuing in that path.

So check yourself! Have you stepped away from promises you made yourself years ago? Have you gotten caught up in life and missed out on getting caught up in God's dreams? YOU decide upon your own life. Life doesn't decide for you. The only fear to consider is the fear of missing out on something bigger than yourself.

Papers galore

It's been one week since I sent my application (for permission to reside in Sweden - which will make me like a Swede except for my citizenship) off to the Swedish consulate. Now we're all waiting and praying that they look at it with favor and let me get back to my hubs! I've heard just about every option there is for a time line... 2 months, several months, 6 months, up to 9 months... my return ticket was set for the beginning of June... I'm just planning that I won't even need to change that!

My future on that table! My mind's been swimming in papers... can't wait to be finished!

Samuel left on Sunday. I cried of course and then mom, dad and me went down to the beach where we could watch his plane take off. I found out later that he got bumped up to first class with a 3 course shrimp and steak meal and was drinking glasses of orange juice on his take off... so I guess he wasn't as sad as all of us down below!

Saying goodbye...

Samuel, we're all sad here without you! You're the highlight of our lives!!

Today was family field trip day to the license bureau. Haha.. we spent 3 hours there! And we were all so nervous we wouldn't pass our exams! (You should seriously study for those things)

Now I'm officially an island girl :)

On another note... have I mentioned how in love with Ethiopia I am?? It's the best country in the universe. And the people simply take my breath away. It's the land of injera, hyenas and coffee beans. A land of green mountains, waterfalls, deserts, volcanos and barren planes. It's a land holding diverse people groups... light skin, dark skin, blue eyes, brown eyes, tall, short... I love them all! Can't wait to get back one day soon :)

Now I'm reading Always Enough by Rolland and Heidi Baker (http://www.irismin.org).... heroooooes and missionaries who have raised up an incredible ministry of love. Love to the poor, the lost, and the least.

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

— Matthew 25:40

I've read it before, but that made no difference... it took me two days to get through the 5 pages of Introduction... and another 2 days to get through the first paragraph of the first chapter. Can I share that paragraph with you?

"Heidi!" I (Rolland) called. "You want a mission field? Listen to this! They're blowing up Red Cross trucks in Mozambique!" I was reading Time magazine's coverage of the civil war there, and I couldn't believe such evil. "Oh!" she called back. "Let's go there! They need help!"

And they did. As simple as that.

A call from God is not complicated. It does not require half the struggle we think we must endure to finally be prepared enough to take a step. A call from God is simply an invitation to adventure. To life. Freedom. Joy. Love. A call is simple..... " GO..."

Stop making God wait on you to get ready... just Go... and leave the rest in His hands.

My computer speakers are filled up with the sounds of worshipping orphans from Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda. Most beautiful sound I know. You can find this album on the link above :)

Rock the dress...

Samuel and I have been married for 19 months today! Regardless, it was time to bring out the gown and rock that dress again...

Special thanks to the photographer... daddy :)

Today

Just got back from a night swim. My hair's still wet and I have half the pool in my nose... but I don't mind because it all got in there from laughing so hard with Samuel!

The day began with a birthday ocean-view-breakfast.

Then we went to the beach to catch some waves...

... and out for frozen yogurt...

Tonight we lit candles around the lanai and had some bbq ribs and birthday cake with hawaiian music playing in the background. After Sam opened some gifts, we went down to the pool and spa under the stars. What a fun way to spend an evening.

Thanks for letting us celebrate another year of life with you :)

Tomorrow's Samuel's last day in Hawaii.... I'll be staying behind until my immigration stuuuuuff is completed. What will tomorrow bring???? Ugh, I gotta go get this pool out of my head...