varanasi... and happy birthday to many!

well well well....
so here we are again.

this is now my third trip to this city i am learning more each time... at least i hope.

the last time i learned to have some sort of protection against blood sucking insects...
along with that, i learned that this city is the birth place of much...
this is the city in which buddha preached his first sermon... i had the opportunity to visit where that was. along with that.. it is a huge stronghold place for hinduism....

i am also learning about contextualization. it is something that will take more than a blog to explain.. so i will save it for conversation, but highly recommend looking it up for yourself.

this time around, i am staying with a hindu family that some friends know. it is more than a great opportunity to learn hindi as well as see the culture.. well.. more like live the culture.
this is also the first time in my time here that i can go out with shorts on... oh is it appreciated. the temperature is rising and i find myself hiding indoors over that last couple days. but it is more to do with the holiday "holi".

holi, as i have mentioned it before, but spelled incorrectly... :) is the day they celebrate with throwing powder dyes at each other as well as horse play and many other things. it is the day of transition between winter and spring.. and i think a significant day representing new birth.
colorful, fun.. and full people acting outside their norm... everyone gets involved.. so say good bye to any nice clothing you happen to wear.

i think God has been showing me more about these people too... from how they live, to just being real with them. sometimes it seems so fake... foreigner prices, asking names, where i am from... it's many times just related to getting me into their shops and purchasing what they have.. but even then love needs to be shown. He has for sure been helping me to give a gentle smile and kind words, and i still have much to learn.. don't get me wrong. but the more experience, the more i am loving these people. thank You Papa for showing me another aspect... or teaching me another way of loving people.

i look to be here around two weeks.. not forsure dates... then really seeking to head north into himachel pradesh. it is an area with mountains, snow.. and i am hoping cleaner air... but more importantly.. i have had the honor of meeting some people who work and live there, and they do prayer treks as well as other ministries to reach the people. in the time there, i will have the opportunity of somewhat scouting for future teams doing outreach.... and i have a huge heart for mountainous areas...

the other day, God hooked up money for the ticket to germany... but the date lingers yet and i will continue to seek Him as well as inquire about which day to head there... i am more than ecstatic to head back and God only knows my heart for that place.. though it still trembles in comparison to His heart for germany/berlin.
i would love to chat for hours on this but should head back before it gets much later here and the people get crazy...

health is better and all the prayers have been more than appreciated. as for requests.. or actions.. regular support is of course needed. health. a love for these people as well as a wisdom on how to approach them with His message. also, for some friends i have met while being here. i love them so much and want even more for them to experience this grace and salvation... bei Gott ist nichts unmoeglich...

today is my moms birthday.. send her a card! :)

much love from one of the oldest cities on earth. i look forward to being more and more part of His plan....

thank You God for Your love and grace... may we learn more of You as we step out. take us from our comfort.. all us who what to know You more.. and please bless beyond blessings those i have met thus far here. especially the BA's. (you know who you are!)
viel viel Liebe, und in Jesus name, amen!

we may plant, but it is only You that can make it grow. please grow them.

tschuessie and happy birthday to many!

israel