courtney's reflections - July 3

"if you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matt. 19:21



After being in India I have such a greater calling to give up my possessions to the poor. I have a responsibility to share what I've experienced. After everything I've seen, I feel responsible to change my way of living. How can I justify spending money on myself, on things I don't need after what I've seen? How can I continue living the way I did after seeing the poorest of the poor? At the same time, I'm learning that just because I feel called to live this way, I can't expect others to feel the same. I feel called to be a missionary some day, to live a simple life, to give my life for others, but I can't judge those who don't feel that way. All I know is, I have to obey God with what He's put on my heart.

India has changed my life. It's given me new perspectives and has ruined me in so many ways. My world has been torn apart. There are so many thoughts going on in my head...so many questions unanswered. Processing all of what I've seen and felt is the next part of my journey. India was amazing and confusing. It was an adventure that will stay in my heart forever. I will never be the same. India has changed my life.

courtney's india journal - July 2

We got into our taxi to go to the airport. I sat there looking outside at the people, the little shops, the dogs, palm trees, taxis everywhere, all the trash...everything....thinking about that first taxi ride 3 weeks ago, how everything seemed so foreign and crazy and overwhelming. Now it was normal, ordinary, it was just life and I've realized how I've become so used to how things work here, the traffic, the pace, the smells and just the way of life in India. Not like I know everything there is to know, but I've just become really used to everything. I started to tear up in the taxi, because I didn't want to leave this place that has been my home for the past 3 weeks. I couldn't believe that this would be my last taxi ride in India...that our trip was coming to an end. I couldn't believe I was going home. I don't really want to go home, but I know I'll be back, if God wants me to. I don't know what it is about India that just captivates my heart. It wasn't a horrible experience being here, like some have told me it would be. It was challenging but it wasn't awful. It's taught me a lot about myself, about God, about the world. I'm definitely not the same person I was 3 weeks ago. I really feel called to live a more simple life, to not let things become so important to me. There is so much in my life that is unnecessary, that I can do without, when I remember all those people who have absolutely nothing.

courtney's india journal - July 1

I'll never forget tonight. It's our last night, and Sarah and I were on our way back from dinner going to our hotel. We walked by a sleeping baby on the sidewalk. He had to have been under a year old...laying down on a piece of cardboard, covered up by a worn-out little piece of cloth. As normal as this is on the streets of India, it really hit me because it was the first time I'd seen a baby sleeping by itself on the streets. And I guess it didn't affect me until later when I thought about it, when I pictured that little baby. Walking down the streets it's hard to be affected by all I see because I just get so used to it. The poverty becomes normal. The images of people laying on the ground is something I saw all the time. Picturing that little baby in my mind, I can't get it out of my head. Sleeping so peacefully, but knowing what a hard life that little person has. Why does this happen in our world? Why is there so much poverty, but also so much wealth? It made me question my own life, how can I continue living the way I do when I know there are little babies without a bed to sleep in? Little babies growing up learning how to beg before they can walk, before they can even talk they are pointing to their mouths motioning for me to give them food. Little babies...oh it blows my mind...it breaks my heart. For the first time I feel like my heart has broken. It makes me sad and confused that it happened the day before we leave. I feel like I've been so excited to be here, just loving the culture and the people and everything, that the poverty is just part of it all. But tonight I feel like things changed for me. I saw the injustice of our world, how unfair it is that millions of people are living on the streets when others are living in mansions. My heart breaks for the poor and oppressed, those who seem to have no hope, who live such hard lives. My heart breaks for wealthy Americans, like myself, who have no clue what it would be like to have no place to live, no clue what it means to be poor.

courtney's india journal - June 30

Tomorrow is our last day in India! I can't believe it...it seems like it's been fast, but at the same time, it seems like I've been here forever! I'm getting really used to living here, it's weird to think about what it will be like back home. This weekend is a little strange though, because we're staying in a SUPER nice hotel. It's the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in! I'm enjoying the amazing showers and the AC, but It just feels weird. I've totally experienced the contrast of Kolkata. People who have nothing, and those who seem to have everything. It's weird, that you can see both on the same street!

courtney's india journal - June 29

Today was a lot of waiting around. We went to a village where we were going to have lunch, see a baptism, and plant some trees on their new property. We did all of that, along with probably 6 hours of waiting around throughout the day, and 4 hours driving from place to place. It was a long day, but I enjoyed seeing all the kids and just in awe of the beautiful people here! I don't think I've seen one ugly Indian...they are all gorgeous:) Here are some pictures I took of the beautiful people in the village today:

courtney's india journal - June 28

Our time in Gaya isn't exactly what we expected. We only spent a little while with the kids at the orphanage, which was a bummer. I think we were all really looking forward to spending most of the time with the kids, which isn't what's happened at all. Even though our time with them has been short, the kids are so adorable and a lot of fun:) Here are some of the kids I spent time coloring and playing games with during our time here:





We've taken a lot of long car rides to small villages. One village was Prince's father-in-law's where we ate lunch and took a tour of the village. It was really funny having huge crowds of mostly kids, but some adults too, following us, staring at us, and laughing at us crazy white people:) I've gotten used to it by now...just smiling at them when they stare...it's really funny to me. It has been really intriguing being in this part of the country where the people live so differently than in the city. I really like being here in Gaya, even if we don't have a lot to do, I like experiencing this part of the country.

courtney's india journal - June 27

Last night we took our 9 hour train ride to Gaya to visit Pastor Samson and the Village Gospel Missionaries of India Orphanage. The train ride was a very interesting experience! The train station was really crowded, so it was crazy trying to get our group together to find a spot to sit and wait for the train. We had a while to wait, so as I was sitting down eating my chicken fried rice, I had time to just watch everything going on around me.

A woman was carrying her little baby in her arms with a huge bundle balancing on top of her head. She sat down on her two flip flops that she'd taken off and put the bundle in front of her. She covered her baby with her sari and started feeding him....An old man was sitting on a crushed basket eating a mango. Another guy who wanted his spot came by and yelled at him in Bengali to move, thrusting a small wooden stool at him. The man threw a fit but eventually moved away as the other guy put his stool down and sat to wait....Men in lungees (man-skirts) walked by with huge things on their heads, baskets with fruit, tied up leaves, bundles of random things.....A horn blew for the train on platform 13 right next to us. About 50 people probably came out of nowhere sprinting to get on the train....A girl stood in front of me in a red and green tattered dress holding out her hand as I ate my food. I finished half of it, then gave the rest to her. She smiled at me and started walking away as she put a big bite into her mouth....

The train came around 8:30, and it was a sleeper train so I was in a group of six that had bunks for each of us. We had to defend our area so people without tickets wouldn't try to steal our spots. I was able to sleep off and on, but it felt good to just lay down. My eyes were bugging me a lot too, so I had to take out my contacts so I couldn't see when we got into Gaya, which was a little stressful, but it was ok. (Yeah...I left my glasses at home, so that has been a bummer) Pastor Samson and his two sons Prince Calypso and King Johnson (yes, those are their actual names!) picked us up from the train station and took us to our hotel...which has air conditioning!! It's kind of weird staying in a nice place, but it's also a nice break to be able to have a really good sleep!

courtney's india journal - June 26

Today was our last day working in the Mother Teresa homes. After breakfast at the Mother House they always ask if it's anyones last day, and we sing a song to them. So today, our whole group got in the middle of everyone and they sang the song:

"We thank you, thank you, thank you
We thank you, thank you, thank you
We thank you, thank you, thank you from my heart
We thank you, thank you, thank you
We thank you, thank you, thank you
We thank you, thank you, thank you from my heart"

And then it's "We love you" and then "We'll miss you"

So that was kind of fun but a little awkward having everyone singing to us looking at our big group:)

I had a really good time at Prem Dan. We spent the first part doing laundry as usual. Here is a picture of where we did the laundry:


I spent the rest of my time massaging the women, which was really relaxing. And I got to meet a few new women that I've never sat with, so it was fun seeing new faces. It was kind of hard to leave the women, knowing I'll never see them again. But today was such a crazy day, that we were on to the next thing, so we didn't really have a long good-bye or anything. Here are some pictures of the women I spent the most time with: (I wish I knew their names, but Bengali is so hard to pronounce, I couldn't even say it right after hearing them say it)


Here is a picture of the four other girls from my Fox team that went to Prem Dan with me everyday: (me, Molly, Emily, Ra, Meaghan)

So after that we had lunch at KFC which is across from the YWCA where we stay because we wanted something fast. It feels really weird eating fast food in India, I don't like it, but today we were in a hurry, and it takes FOREVER in India to get food, so we wanted to make sure we had enough time. Then we got on the Metro (subway) and headed toward Kalighat for our trip to Sari Bari. Kristen (one of the "Word Made Flesh" workers) met us at our stop and led us to the home where the women work making the quilts. It was really neat hearing about how Sari Bari is making a difference in the lives of these women. And it's not just a place for them to work, but they are also developing their confidence and increasing their self-worth. WMF is really working to encourage them and provide a positive, peaceful environment. They're also teaching the women reading, writing, and math during their training period, which is like 6 months I think.

courtney's india journal - June 25

This past weekend we went on a "retreat" to the beach to take a break from the city. We took a 5-hour bus ride and it was so bumpy I couldn't read or write during it, so I just thought a lot...and looked outside:) It's really relaxing to just sit and stare at all of India passing me by as we drive, especially when we get out of the city. It's so green and colorful, I love it!

I feel like when our whole group is together I get kind of quiet. There are so many conversations going on, I just listen because I'm either too tired to think or just don't really have anything to say. There was one point where I was just really overwhelmed because it seemed like everyone was having really deep conversations, philosophical type stuff or something...and sometimes I get sick of always having deep conversations:) It's kind of exhausting to me. So I'm content just staring out of my window, feeling the breeze on my face, looking at all the women in their sarees, loving the palm trees and mud huts:)

The weekend at the beach, was basically a day. We got there around 1 or 2 on Saturday, and then left around noon on Sunday, but it was good. After getting settled into our rooms (which took a long time because there was a mix-up and the people that worked there were really rude) we all walked out to the beach. Our hotel was the closest to the beach, so it was a short walk.

Oh man, the Indian Ocean is amazing! It's the first time I've been to another beach beside the Pacific Ocean...it was so warm and my toes didn't sting from being frozen! It felt so good to swim with a couple people from my team. Most everyone just hung out in the sand, but I wanted to swim:) Although it was a little challenging because the pants I was wearing didn't have a drawstring, just elastic, so they kept falling down everytime I went to dive under a wave:) After a day at the beach I was pretty exhausted, so it felt good to just hang out that night and go to bed early:)

The next day all of us woke up at 4:30 to see the sun rise. We were so excited to see the sun rise over the ocean...but that never happened:( First of all, the sun wasn't rising over the ocean, it was more over the trees off the coast a little ways. And second, we couldn't really see the sun rise because it was cloudy. But we did see some cool rays of sunshine behind the clouds, so that was neat. And it was relaxing being out there early in the morning, just a little disappointing:) Then, it started raining...haha. So it was definitely an adventure, not what we were hoping for, but I love it when it rains, so I was happy. We all went back and slept some more, then woke up and I journalled for a while as it was POURING down rain! Oh man, when it rains in India, it rains hard!! I love it!

For breakfast, Sarah had asked for french toast, and they gave us the Indian equivalent I guess, deep fried bread, haha. It was good, kind of plain (no syrup) but it was a nice change from the white bread, banana and hard boiled egg we've been eating at the YWCA.

It was an interesting experience this weekend. The people at our hotel (I think that's what it's called) were pretty rude, but that's ok.

Last night our team had our Namaste and it was really good. We had worship, Sarah read Psalm 40, Clint read from his book (I think "3 cups of tea," or something like that) and then we all went around and shared something we're learning from our time at the Sisters of Charity homes, or something we'll never forget...It was really neat hearing about what people are learning through the work at the homes. And it's interesting because God is speaking to us all in different ways, so we're not having the same experiences. At this point, I feel like each day I really enjoy being with the women at Prem Dan, but at the same time, it's not the "amazing experience" some people are sharing.

I have a feeling that it's when I'm home that I'll really realize all that I'm learning right now. I think the biggest thing I'm learning right now is to be present in the moment. I've been able to just serve the woman right in front of me, love her as much as I can, when most of the time I feel useless. I've felt like I'm just in the way, and awkward at points, but when I think about the poor on the streets, I know that what I feel is nothing compared to the hopelessness, worthlessness, that they feel. I've been really humbled here. I can't try to fix anything. I can't expect to come in and know what to do and make a difference. So many people in the world feel useless and are treated like trash. I have no clue what that feels like. There's no way I can relate to the desperation they feel.

We only have one more day of working at the homes. Tomorrow morning we'll work at Prem Dan, and then in the afternoon, a group of us will go to Sari Bari, a place started by Word Made Flesh . I'm really excited to visit there, it's a place for women who come out of the red light district to make a living sewing quilts made out of used sarees. It's such a cool thing, and I've been really impressed with the impact WMF is making. It's really inspiring, there are three women from WMF who live here in Kolkata, and they are all between 24 and 32 years old, such amazing women:) We had dinner with them last week, and it was really cool hearing each of their stories. One of them was a fine arts major, who wanted something to give her life to, and then God opened the door for Sari Bari, which she now manages. I'm excited to see it tomorrow:)

Tomorrow night we leave for our 8 hour train ride, which will be an interesting experience! I guess we have to be careful and hold our spots because they are really crowded, and there aren't enough seats for everyone, so it'll be an adventure:) Then we'll be in Gaya for three days at an orphanage. I'm so excited! I'm really looking forward to this next week, it will be a great way to end our trip:)

update from india - june 21

Sarah and Clint Baldwin are the leaders of Courtney's trip to India. Sarah is the Campus Pastor at George Fox University. She just sent this email out...

Hey, all--

We had an epic journey (as Bethany would say) on Saturday. We traveled crammed into two vehicles 2.5 hours outside of the city on a wild ride over bumps and through congested villages to an island off of the coast. Once arriving at the coast we traveled by a half-raft/half-fishing boatish contraption to the island and then took bicycle rickshaws to the beautiful Friends' Orphanage named the Emmanuel Hostel. The children were beautiful, they treated us like royalty and for most if not all, it was the highlight of the trip so far. Being outside the craziness of the city refreshed us and although we were sore and exhausted by the time we returned, it was worth it.

We worshipped with a fellowship that meets at the Y yesterday and today are beginning our work in the homes. We have three or four different groups of students who will work in three or four different homes. We either work in the morning or afternoon--and some will work both shifts. The heat and the length of transportation make a half-day feel like a whole day.

A couple people are sick--we are right on schedule. Stay a week in Kolkata, some will get sick, stay two weeks, most will. :) But no one is desperately ill. This will most likely be our biggest need of prayer while we are here--physical health.

I am sure many of you are hearing from the students--the internet cafe is a convenient after lunch stop.

Thank you for your prayers.
Sarah & Clint

hallucinations and other exciting adventures

"Larium may cause restlessness, confusion, dizziness, and hallucinations." Only three people on my team are taking the drug Larium, for Malaria prevention. I happen to be one of them, and so far, I'm the only one who's hallucinated! It's kind of funny thinking back on it...but at the time, really freaky. So, I've been having trouble sleeping (apparently due to my malaria medication) and I wake up during the night, and then again at 4 or 5:00am and can't go back to sleep. Well I woke up around 4:00am today, and there was an old Indian woman standing at the foot of Bethany's bed. Ok, it wasn't really an old woman, but I could've sworn that the towel and sheet hanging on that hook was a woman. I was so freaked out. The fans were blowing, so it looked like she was standing there scratching her back or something. I laid there for an hour and a half completely believing that a woman from the streets had wandered into our room and was just standing there looking at us. So, apparently those Larium side effects are no joke...quite an experience!

The past three days from 8am-noon I have been working with other volunteers at one of Mother Teresa's home: Prem Dan. I have been having so much fun hanging out with these women, smiling at them, helping them go to the bathroom, feeding them, rubbing their backs...I love it. And it's been fun to be able to come back to the same women and have them recognize me, it's so cute:) Today I sat down by a woman who I hadn't talked with yet. She was laying down on her cot and I started rubbing her back. Then she put her arm around my neck, pulled me close to her and kissed my cheek! She probably kissed me 5 or 6 times...and said "Tomorrow? Morning?" and I knew she wanted to see me again:) It was just so precious and made my day!

This is where all the women sit for their meals. There are benches along the walls and in the middle so all the women cram in this long hallway area to eat.

Last night Father Abello came to talk to our group at the YWCA, where we're staying in Kolkata. He was kind of interesting, I mean he knew Mother Teresa, and so that was amazing to hear about her! But, he rambled...a lot...and it was really hard to keep track of where he was going. And we were all SO tired as we listened to him from 7-9:45pm. That time of night is killer, because we've all had such LONG days. I really wanted to get more of what he was saying, but I couldn't stay awake...oh man, it was tough:)

The past couple days have been a bit odd for me. I feel like I'm getting used to how things are here, not a lot shocks me or makes me really sad when I see it. There is so much poverty and gross things everywhere, and I feel like I'm not really affected by it. And I'm also just really confused. I don't know what I think about things...I guess still processing and figuring out what life is like in India. It's also weird, because part of me just wants to live WAY more simply...giving away what I don't need, like how Mother Teresa lived her life. Seeing how people are living here, makes me realize how much I don't need in my life. But then, there's also the part of me, that wants to go shopping for sarees or purses or whatever, because everything is just so amazing here and I love the style! So, I guess I'm kind of struggling with that...wondering how to react to what I see, and how it will change me. I know these weeks in India are going to change my life forever. I'm already thinking about things differently and realizing how I'm really drawn to this place, to these people. I feel really overwhelmed sometimes, I try to figure out what I think about everything, try to understand how I'm feeling, and I just get more confused:) I feel like there are so many emotions going on in me...happiness, love, sadness, confusion, joy, overwhelmed...sometimes I just feel like crying because of what I see, or else I just want to laugh and smile. Hmm...so anyway, it's just weird. But I'm so happy...I know that much. I love India. I love the kids. I love the old women. (even hallucinations of them...haha) I love my team. I love God. Life is so good:)

update from india - june 18

Posted by Curt, but written by Courtney...

I don't even know where to begin, India is truly an amazing place. I am so in love with the culture, the people, the trees...everything! It's weird because I've dreamed of coming to India for so long, and as much as I've thought about it or researched it, I could never imagine it would be like this. India is intense...heat...poverty...people everywhere...it's so different than anything I've ever experienced, and I am so intrigued by it all! I haven't minded being sweaty ALL the time, the humidity is crazy, but it's actually a little cooler than the past month because we're getting into the rainy season now. The city of Kolkata is really busy and dirty. There is so much traffic all the time...it's always an adventure crossing the street! It's been so amazing taking different forms of transportation too:) In one day we rode the Metro (the subway), a bus, a small ferry, and an auto rickshaw (a three-wheeled 4 passenger thing...hard to explain). We've also taken taxis, riden on the back of a cart pulled by a guy on a cycle (bike) and a smaller boat. Those have been a lot of fun...some people on the team are a little scared about the taxis-weaving in and out of traffic, but I absolutely love it! It's so much fun, and the drivers here are so good...no one ever hits any other cars...well sometimes the mirrors get hit:)

The past couple days have been so full of adventures. My favorite day so far has been our day outside of the city where we visited an orphanage. It was so amazing! It was like a 2.5 hour van ride, followd by a boat ride over the ocean to the island, followed by a cart ride to the orphanage. It kind of reminded me of the pictures I've seen from Hill in Uganda in the Bush. The houses were all mud with straw roofs. It was so cool! There were palm trees everywhere, kids playing in little streams, women working in the fields in their beautiful sarees, groups of goats, sheep, and cows walking along the streets. And then the orphanage was amazing...the kids were so adorable and so happy! They sang songs for us and we sang to them too:) We had a little while to play with them, but it seemed like a really short visit. I fell in love with this island! I seriously want to move here someday:) I feel like that's been the hardest part of this trip, wanting so badly to belong here, but feeling a lot like a tourist. I'm starting to feel more comfortable here, and can totally picture myself living here:) We'll see what God has planned!

Everyday has been such an adventure and every experience has been so exciting! I love walking around some of the smaller streets where people aren't trying to always sell me something, and just smiling at the kids and women. It's so fun to make eye contact with people and just be friendly:) I really wish I knew the language...it would be so fun to find out more about the beautiful people all around me!

Today we started working with the Sisters of Charity homes. I was placed at Prem Dan which is a home for elderly men and women (but as a woman, I just stay with the women). It was such an interesting experience. It was really hard to see the older women in pain, or handicapped in some way, or mentally challenged. But at the same time it was really fun to just sit and hold hands with a woman for a long time. It's hard trying to communicate with them when they don't speak any english, but I just smiled a lot:) We also did laundry and dishes for a couple hours which was hard work, and I got SOAKING wet...but it was fun to be able to connect with other volunteers from all over the world. Later today I'm going to a home for kids, just for today. The rest of the week I will probably only go to Prem Dan in the morning and that will be it. But I'm really looking forward to hanging out with kids and playing with them! I think it will be easier for me to communicate with the kids, because we can just play games:)

I'm kind of getting used to the time difference, although since I've been here I wake up at 5am, along with two other girls on the team...it's like clockwork every morning:) The three of us just read or journal because we can't get back to sleep...it's been a good way for me to start my day, just relaxing, praying, thinking about the adventures I've been on so far, and what I will experience that day.

And I absolutely LOVE my team! It's so cool because we are all really different, but have so much fun together, and are really learning a lot from each other. I've been able to have some really good conversations with people on my team which has been so good! I like when the group is all together sometimes, but have really enjoyed being with only a couple people...and it's easier to travel without the WHOLE group:) I'm just having a lot of fun right now. A lot of thinking and processing. I'm not really that saddened by the poverty I see. It's all around, wherever I look, and I wonder if I should feel more. I think at this point I'm just taking it all in, absorbing everything I see. I'm just so fascinated by the people and this country, and I just want to get to know them rather than feel sorry for them.

Anyway, those are my thoughts so far. Kind of random...but that's how I am right now. My mind is all over the place, just so excited to be here and learn more about this place and the people:) Thanks for your prayers, if you could pray for our team, a couple people are sick...thankfully I'm not. But we still have 2 more weeks...definitely time for us to get sick:) Thanks!

greetings from kolkata, india - june 15

Sarah and Clint Baldwin are the leaders of Courtney's trip to India. Sarah is the Campus Pastor at George Fox University. She just sent this email out...

Dear friends and family:

Greetings from Kolkata! After 28 hours of travel (with no problems or delays), we made our way to the YWCA hostel that we are staying. We are all well and overall in good spirits. Thanks for all your prayers.

Yesterday we took a four hour walking tour of the city. We were very much immersed in the sights and sounds (and smells) of Kolkata. Last night as we were debriefing several students mentioned that what most struck them was the sheer amount of people that were everywhere that we looked. Over 16 million people flow through the streets of Kolkata every day in a city the size of the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport. Amazing! We crossed the Howrah bridge on foot--it's the busiest bridge in the world with over a million people crossing it every day. We truly were sucked into a sea of people like we have never been in before. We took every kind of transportation possible yesterday (almost!). We took taxis, ferry, bus, subway and autorickshaw. But the end of the day, we truly were exhausted.

Stock photo of the Howra Bridge.

This morning we visited the Assemblies of God hospital and were super impressed with its facilities. It's just a 5 minute taxi ride from our hostel, so parents, you can breathe easier. We have good medical care practically in our backyard.

In an hour we are going to register at the Mother House so that we can begin work this Monday. Tomorrow we will visit a Friends' Orphanage and continue our acclimation process to this crazy city we are living in. Sunday we will worship with the church that meets in our hostel.

Please pray for our team's continued health. The climate is tough here and disease is everywhere you look--but we are consuming vasts amounts of anti-bacterial gel on our hands. Also, please pray for those of us who are suffering with jet lag. It's hard to manage this city on not a lot of sleep. And pray for us as we prepare to work in the homes.

Thanks so much for your prayers!
every blessing to you,
Sarah & Clint

courtney flies out of portland

Well, my mom and I just dropped Courtney off at the airport. Their team seemed excited and rarin' to go as they arrived at PDX three hours before their flight was to take off. She was calm on the outside, but her nerves showed a little as she shared her Starbucks Toffee Nut Latte with the airport carpet! With a complementary replacement we were on our way. After that, the check-in went incredibly smoothly and the whole group from George Fox University was processed in a matter of minutes. The last I saw Courtney, she and her team were heading off in all directions to eat lunch before reconnecting at the gate. The buildup is starting to get to her and she is really anxious to just get going! Finally, her dream of visiting India, the country that has intrigued her since childhood, will become reality. She knows it will be difficult to experience the level of poverty that they will encounter, but is really approaching the trip with expectancy. I see online that their flight took off 17 minutes late, but will arrive on time in Frankfurt, Germany at 8:08am local time. Have a safe trip!

counting down the hours...

Posted by Curt, but written by Courtney...

This month has been filled with much anticipation as I get ready for my first trip overseas! I stayed really busy at Starbucks this month, which helped pass the time, but I've been ready to get on that plane this whole week:) It's weird, thinking that it's been a month since I've seen my teammates for the India trip, and I'm so excited that I get to see everyone again tonight! We're having a "last supper" tonight and then we're all meeting at the airport tomorrow morning. Thoughts of India have consumed my mind for so long now...I find myself imagining what the air will feel like, what different smells there will be, how the chai tea will taste, the loud sounds of the city...but knowing the whole time that I really have no clue what my experience will be like. I know I will just take everything in...as I'm in a completely different culture with adventures waiting to happen! And I realize that I'm equally excited to just experience the culture and people and sights of India, as I am to be used by God in this poor part of the world. I love new things...I always have. Whether it's the start of a new school year, trying new foods, making a new friend, trying a different sport...I just love doing things that are out of the ordinary, out of my comfort zone...it excites me and while I'm a little nervous about stepping into this completely different world, I'm just overwhelmed with excitement because it's something new and different. I also feel like God has really placed India on my heart for the past couple years, and it makes me excited to be able follow Him into the unknown...follow Him and see what makes His heart break...follow Him and be touched by the faces I'll see there.

I feel like I'm a mess right now...so much is going on in my mind I don't really know how to respond to it all...or how to put it into words. All I know is I'm so excited for this adventure to start! I've been counting down the days, and now the hours, as I just wait for tomorrow to come:) I'm ready to soak it all in and eager to do whatever God has planned for me.

wow! your support is amazing!

Many of you have emailed me asking how you can support Courtney and Hillary for their mission trips this summer, so I thought I'd post it here.

If you'd like to help Courtney for her work in India, first read the letter that she sent out describing her trip. Then you can click here, print out the response card, and send it in with your donation.

If you'd like to help with Hillary's work in Uganda, you can learn more about her summer in Uganda by watching her video. This is the response card that came with the video. If you feel like giving, just print it out and send it with your donation.

Our family would like to thank you so much for the amazing support you've given the girls thus far. Several of you have said things like, "I'm not really someone who would feel comfortable traveling to third world countries, but I'd love to help someone who is willing to go." Your sacrificial giving truly humbles us and reaches way beyond what we could ever do on our own. Thank you so much!

i'm going to india!!

Photo of our India team from GFU. I'm in the upper right

Namaste! ("I see God in you") I can't believe it...I'll be leaving for India in exactly one month from today! This year has been a crazy adventure. Last summer I heard about happy home for the handicapped in Shimoga, India, and wanted to take the first plane out to visit them. God had a different plan for me, however. I ended up applying for a George Fox University "serve trip" to Kolkata, India (Calcutta). 14 students were accepted and I'm so thrilled to be a part of this team (pictured above). This semester we have been busy raising financial support and meeting weekly to start preparing for what we will we be doing in India. This whole experience is so new to me, as I have never even traveled out of the country! I'm so excited to be given the opportunity to go to India:) I love my team and I can't wait to see how God will work through us in this poor country, and how our lives will be changed from this experience! I'll keep you posted as much as I can.