Expectations...What Does That Really Mean?

One of the most asked questions upon returning from a trip is, "was it what you expected?".  As we have said from day one, we weren't going to have expectations, we were going to throw the agenda out the window, and just go with the flow.  Whatever God had in store for us, that's what we wanted, not to be following a schedule from day to day and minute to minute.  And it's a good thing we went with that mindset!  It's almost laughable to look at our "original" schedule from March because what really happened didn't fit into that "box".  I guess I will say that my expectation in this was to go, take a few pictures, hug a few Indians, pray, and teach.  Those all happened, so I guess I should just answer "yes" when I am asked if it was what I expected.  But really, that would be a complete and utter lie!

I didn't expect this trip to be so EASY.

3 flights that were a total of 24 hours. Sitting for a very long time on a plane and trying to keep myself entertained and occupied shouldn't have been easy.  All of our flights were on time or early, all of our luggage arrived without difficulty, and we met up with the last member of our team at the Bangalore airport. Our travel was easy.

Our first night, we arrived at 1:30 am.  We were beat and ready to sleep!  We got comfy beds, semi-hot showers, bottled water, and air conditioning.  It was easy.

After we got a little rest (10 1/2 hour time difference), we got into a van for a 5 hour trip south to IGL's headquarters in Salem, Tamil Nadu. As we traveled, we stopped for a lunch buffet at a nice hotel.  Even if we couldn't pronounce most of the dishes and some didn't look as appetizing as others, it was still easy.

Sharing sleeping quarters with 2 other women when I'm used to my own space...it was easy.

Being goofy and loving on kids...it was easy.

Giving a small gift...it was easy.

Praying for others...it was easy.

Sharing smiles and high fives...it was easy.

Speaking to a church full of women (and a few men)...it was easy.
**yes, I was quite nervous before the first session, but the second I stood up there, I had no nerves.  I probably spoke a little too quickly and didn't cover as much material as I should have, but it was still easy.

I expected the Holy Spirit to lead us and He did.  There were times when it didn't always make sense, like the 2 hour drive that took 6 and we were stuck in the midst of riots and traffic jams.  But in the midst of that, an opportunity to minister came from two of our team knocking on a stranger's door to use the squatty potty!  And a chance for us to seek God and see Him move the 'mountain' that was in front of us.  Yet, it was still easy.

So, I guess it was what I expected, yet nothing at all what I expected.

I expected to look into the face of a child and feel such a compassion for that child...and a desire for them to grow up in the Lord and make a difference.  It happened.

I expected to see sorrow and hope in the eyes of women.  It happened.

I expected to see hunger for support and encouragement and knowledge of things of God.  It happened.

When we expect from God, He shows up and doesn't disappoint!  In fact, He goes far above and beyond our expectations.  He takes us out of our normal comfort zones and then provides us comfort in Him.  He loves us so much.  When He asks us to do something, we just have to be willing and He will provide everything we need...finances, training, support, encouragement, courage, and words in our mouths.  Our job is to say "Yes"...sometimes it is to GO, sometimes to STAY, sometimes to step up where we are.  Obedience is our job, everything else is up to Him!

So, yes, India was what I expected.
So, no, India was not what I expected.

I came away having learned and been blessed by the people I went to teach and love.

- Candy Girl