Early this morning, our group met (as we do every day) to talk about how we are all doing and to discuss what we had experienced in the previous days. We began by sharing personal stories of how the trip to India has impacted our lives. While we each came at it from our own perspective, it amazed me to hear the message that was ringing so clear.

I think India has a way of forcing me to face the stark contrast between what we get to do here, and my 'normal' life at home. I find that I can sometimes be satisfied, and dare I say...complacent in my day-to-day life. It forces me to ask a question...'What can I do to be more in the ordinary course of my week?'

Around 9am, we visited an orphan slum in a place called Vijaywada. There is a large river that flows through the center of the city. Every August, the rains come and the river swells up and overflows displacing tens of thousands for about a month. Then the waters recede and the people go back and start all over again. It occured to me at that moment that the place we were standing in would soon be underwater. We were standing in the church.

As we were ducking under the small thatched roofs, members of our team asked questions about the daily lives of the people. There are no jobs, no food, no medicine, really no anything. We asked what the main source of income was for the people in the slums. It is prostitution. It is also the reason why 50-75% of children are HIV infected. After coming to India several times, I have grown used to the poverty, but nothing prepared me for what I saw.

Two weeks ago, and right up until the day we left for India, I was not sure why I was going, or even if I should. It really made no logical sense. I couldn't have picked a worse time to be gone and everything pointed to my staying at home. To be truthful, I hadn't any good answers throughout the first part of the trip...until this morning.

God turned me on to something in our meeting this morning. I came to love on a few kids and see what I could do to help in a two week trip. No matter how many times I come here, I forget how much I benefit from the simple act of obeying. It helps me to clear my mind, reset my priorities, and catch a glimpse of what God is doing in this world. It pulls me kicking and screaming out of my little world and into His kingdom. When this happens, it is easy to hone in on what God was trying to say to me all along.

In one of those moments of clarity, it is easy to see how I was created to live a life of 'adventure' in the midst of the emails, phone calls, meetings and conversations. In the middle of the mundane, daily life, I want to experience what I experience here. Things that are truly amazing and things that are obtainable in our every day lives. I hope to be able to keep a hold of how close to God I feel at this moment.

Thanks to everyone who has emailed me over the past couple of weeks. I am truly blessed to have such great family, friends and co-workers. It may not seem like it, but your words are encouraging in a time when we need it most.