Open Doors...

...

not really sure what to say anymore. too much to write. too much i'm thinking. too much going on. Please continually pray for me.

My prayer has been for God to open doors for me to share...that even the people here would be amazed at the open doors in my life. well, that happened. yesterday.

I spoke at youth last sunday night. 40+ kids. amazing. no words to describe. After returning home with David, there were several youth waiting at his house. They told us about how they went to their college and shared about what we talked about on Sunday. I am invited to share across town this upcoming sunday night at another place (ironically, located next to police station where i was deported)with even more youth. Again, last night was a special youth meeting. After it was over, david was speaking to a man. He is a teacher at a school here. He has invited me to share to the entire school this upcoming tuesday.

Tonight i am teaching songs to the youth and preparing for tomorrow (Sunday).

Tomorrow i will be sharing in the morning, at youth at 3, and across town at 430.

Too much more to share. not enough time or $$$ to continue writing.

one more thought (and something i'm thankful for). As much as i enjoy hunting, killing, skinning and cooking my own dinner.....i am thankful for Chik Fil A.

please pray for me.

Drained

man...

Extremely blessed to be able to get on a computer here and write this.

Never been so drained in my entire life. Physically, Spiritually, Emotionally.
Since being here in Nagaland, i have been able to preach and share the Gospel over 9 times to 9 different groups of people in Hindi, Nepali and Nagamese. Yesterday was church. I woke up at 530 to teach sunday school to 50 kids (Daniel and the Lions Den and David and Goliath), preached at church (Importance of Listening), shared my testimony at youth and Preached again at a special sunday night service. In between each service i had to walk a mile back to the house to rest, try and eat and take a nap. I have NEVER been so drained, but at the same time, never felt that God was the one working through my life. I have nothing left. I mean that. I'm so tired and in awe of everything that has happened. There is still another 12 days left here. More churches, more youth, more kids, more Hindu's, more Nepali's, more Naga's...

I just opened my facebook (something i do NOT take for granted anymore..so blessed to have that thing to be connected with friends who pray for me). Couldn't help but cry when my homepage came up. It's a good thing im in the corner of this cafe with curtains around me. Tears running down my face. I am so blessed to have amazing friends and family who have written to me and posted encouaraging things on my wall. you have NO IDEA HOW MUCH I NEED THAT. For you to write me a bible verse is like food to me. I mean that. I now know what it means to live off of the word of God...seriously, not joking. I have not been feeling very well. Eating frogs, worms, pig and even killing my own chicken to eat. All together...so worth it. Worth every moment of the discomfort that i feel.

The pastor sat me down yesterday and looked me in the eyes. He says 'Word about what God has done in your life is spreading through Nagaland. We had a lot of people at church this morning. Next week, we expect much more. Everyone has heard about the miracle God has done and how you are here. It really is a miracle.'

I sat down after thinking i was going to die...no joke. i felt bad because of everyone who was involved and how much draining it had to be on everyone who was there. David turned and looked at me and said...'Every person who was involved in this situation has been blessed to be apart of it. They have seen God's faithfulness like they have never seen it before.' It is very hard for me to believe that because of all the emotions that i had running through me, but i do believe that. I believe that because i am alive...only because GOD had kept me alive and continues to be faithful to me.

Seriously, love you all, more than you know. Don't have the words to express it. Please contintue to pray for me as the next 13 days (unless i get deported again) will be just as busy as the past 4.

I thank God for YOU.

Deported

Cant tell you how blessed i am to be able to write what i'm about to write.

I was interrogated in Kalkutta.
Met at airport in Nagaland by military.
Put in office and interrogated again.
Taken to police station in the 'criminal office'
Deported.
Put in back of military truck with police officers and driven outside of Nagaland.
FORCED to stay at expensive hotel that i had to pay for.
Told not to leave hotel.

Then...

God makes a way. Showes himsefl FAITHFUL to me and i am now writing this while sitting at a very shaddy internet cafe in Nagaland. I was allowed into the city a couple hours ago.

I am here with David Pou (who stuck by my side during the whole mess) and his family. Amazing people. Great Faith. Nothing but encouragement through it all.

Never felt so close to God in my entire life.

In the midst of the situation, david looks at me and says, 'it is obvious that satan does not want you here...your purpose is big.' I believe that and ask that you pray with me for God to use me in a mighty way during my time here in Nagaland. I already have my schedule for the next 2 weeks. Looks to be the busiest 2 weeks of my life.

Again, God is FAITHFUL. So blessto know the LIVING and TRUE God who delivers and makes a way where there is no way.

ABSOLUTELY undeserving of everything that is in front of me at this moment.
So much more to write, but no time.
Thank you for praying for me.

Open Doors...

If you haven't read the blog post under this (Shanti Orphange), please do so.

Today was an amazing testimony of how God opens doors. Tonight I went to a friends house here in Mumbai. I was introduced to this new friend (We'll call him Vik) last week right after i arrived here. Vik and his family are Hindi. They have an idol in their kitchen with candles burning around it. We got to his house around 7 o'clock tonight. His family is very wealthy. They have 2 servants, 2 cars and houses in other parts of India. Just being invited to his house was a testimony that God will order your footsteps when you seek after Him. Vik is extremely talented and very smart. He speaks 5 languages fluently. After getting to the house, we met his parents. Both were very kind and later took us out to dinner. While still at the house, Vik wanted to show us that he knew how to play the paino. He played several songs then asked if I knew how to play. I said yes, but to be honest, the only songs i know how to play on the piano are worship songs. One of the languages that Vik speaks fluently is Spanish. So, i played a worship song in spanish as my friend and i sang the song. Vik just sat there and stared. While in the middle of this, i couldn't help but take notice to the facts. I'm sitting in a rich Hindi family's house in India with an idol in the next room, and i'm singing worship songs in spanish that he understands. That's crazy. That's God. After playing for a little bit i offered to teach him how to play some songs while i am here. He immediately said 'yes' and we are planning to get together in a couple weeks. I will be teaching him the songs i played tonight (worship songs). Again, that's crazy. Think about that. While he is home practicing what i teach him in the next couple weeks, he will be practicing worship songs to God. Seeds being planted. Pray for Vik.

It's 12:30 am on Tuesday morning. I have to pack and the lights in my room dont work. I'm using a flash light to pack my suitcase. I have to leave in about 5 hours to go to the airport. I will be flying from Mumbai to Kalkuta to Dimapur. David Pou will pick me up from the airport then we will head to Nagaland.

I highly doubt i will have service to do anything on the internet while i am there. This will probably be my last blog post for a couple weeks until i get back to Mumbai on Sept. 4. Please pray for my safety. Also pray that God opens doors for me to serve, encourage and preach the Gospel.

Thank You for reading this, for praying for me and all the things i post on here.

Shanti Orphanage

Yesterday i went to the Shanti Orphanage (located about 3 hours from where I am staying). There are 27 kids at this orphanage...and they are amazing. I was able to spend some time there and see where they live, how they live and also see some of the needs that they have. They do not speak English very well (if at all). There are only 2 that i was able to communicate with in English.




This is Roxana. She is one of the 2 that was able to communicate, a little, in english. She taught me some hindi (how to say 'Jesus loves You' and 'You are my little sister'). It is impossible for me not to smile when i see her. She is always smiling, even in the pictures i have from last year when i saw her.



This is the newest member of the orphanage. She came a couple months ago when her parents died. Every kid has a story, all of which you could write a book about.



They love taking pictures. They like to take my camera and see themselves in the pictures that i take. I noticed that there were no pictures anywhere in the house. I took pictures of all the kids yesterday while i was there. I am going to print up the pictures and bring them to the orphanage when i get back to Nagaland.





Always smiling.



This is my other little friend who speaks a little english.



About 10 feet from the orphange are the slums. There are tons of kids living in houses like you see in the background of this picture.



This girl is obviously a saints fan. She is getting ready for the Saints season by wearing her black and gold. =)



I asked yesterday about the adoptions process. 'Under no circumstances are any of the children adopted out' i was told. This is because, in the past, those who have adopted the children have turned them into child servants or sold them into the sex trade industry.

Everyday, I see how my 'needs' do not even compare to those living here in India. I was blown away by the living conditions that these kids live in. All 27 kids sleep on the floor (some in a room, some in a hallway). They have a little mat that they roll up and sleep on. They use the restroom outside of the orphanage. They do not have clean water and the food that is prepared for them is not prepared under safe conditions. They do not brush their teeth because they do not have toothbrushes or toothpaste. There are many more needs that i could list...

Help me help them? Please.

I want to do as much as i can for these kids while i am here. I would like to buy them 54 toothbrushes (so each child has an extra when one gets used up), toothpaste, 27 NEW pillows, maybe some shoes and some clothes (I can just go and buy alot, because each kid is a different size and they will all be able to be used) and anything else that i see that i can help them with. I brought some food yesterday (chocolates and cookies) to give the kids, but realized that was nothing compared to their needs. I will buy all these things (as much as i can afford) when i return from Nagaland in 3 weeks. If you would like to help me buy these things ($10 would really help), please click the donate button and you will be able to give me money. I will take photos of everything i buy and when i bring it to them so that you know that your money is being used wisely and for this purpose. I ask that you send me an email (sdaigle188@gmail.com) telling me that you have donated and if there is something specifically that you would like me to do with the money you give.

THANK YOU for reading this and praying for me. Please pray for the kids at the Shanti Orphanage. Pray that God continues to protect them and keep them safe while they are given an environment that shows them the love of Christ.

The Crib

This is where i live in India.

This is my room.

This is the bathroom. There is a little hot water heater on the wall, but it doesn't work. Only cold water. After taking a shower, you have to use the squeegy mop and push the water into the drain.

There is a washer machine in the apartment, but the dryer does not work. I washed a load of clothes yesterday, but something went wrong and the soap didn't mix (so they stink...haha). I let my clothes dry outside the window, but after 2 days, they still haven't dried. That might be because when it rains (everyday), my clothes are hanging outside and get wet.

Today is Sunday. I will go to church this morning at the local church (5 minute walk from house). After service, we will be going to Shanti Orphanage to see the kids. Thank You for keeping me in your prayers.

Yawhar

Last night we went to Yawhar. After 3 hours of driving up a mountain in the middle of nowhere, we reached a little village with no electricity, phones or clean water. We were told that it had been some time since anyone from the church has been to this village because the last time they came, a woman tried to stone the pastor. We were very unsure what the situation was going to be when we arrived.



We go to Yawhar around 7pm, so it was dark. You couldn't see anything except for a couple candles burning in some mud houses. We brought food into the house and the children in the village all came to the house and sat down. The house was filled with posters on the walls of different Hindu gods. We were unable to preach the gospel last night because of the uneasiness that the pastor felt from the last time they came. But, we were able to sing a song with the children, distribute food and tell those who showed up that Jesus loved them.



There was little girl who came last night that put a huge smile on my face. She sat right across from the while everyone sang and as the food was distributed. Everytime i looked at her she had a huge smile on her face. I made funny faces at her and we laughed back and forth for about 5 minutes. I noticed that she was coughing a lot while we were there. I was able to sit next to her and put my hand on her shoulder and pray for her. Im blessed to have had that opportunity to pray for healing for her. Please keep her in your prayers as well as the children in that village.



After we distributed food to those who showed up (lettuce, bread and peppers), we left. We made it home last night around midnight. I took notice last night to the last time that i was here in India and visited that same village. I was able to share a message for 15 minutes about God's love that was translated into their language. This was one year ago. Now, that same message couldn't be preached in that same village because the circumstances had changed. I'm so blessed to have had that opportunity one year ago to share about Gods love. Makes me think, the opportunities we have right now may not be available later. Share your testimony and the Gospel NOW....because you may not have that same opportunity in the future.

I have been studying and praying, preparing myself for next week when i leave to live with david and his family in the mountains. I want to be ready to share the faith i have in Christ if I am given the opportunity, no matter what the setting is like. I had a conversation yesterday with a member of the church here that caught my attention and concerned me. I ask for you to pray for my safety.

Again, thank you for reading this and praying for me.

Got My Ticket! Yawhar Tonight.

Thank You for reading this and keeping me in your prayers.


Yesterday was a very eventful day. I went out for the first time by myself on a train ride around India. I bought a ticket and got on a train to Church Gate (an hour away). The train was extremely packed....i think someone punched me in the back a couple times. I familiarized myself with as much of the city as possible. After, i took a train ride to Bandra. I spent part of the day there and eventually met up with a friend to have coffee. While in Bandra, i was in a rickshaw and passed by a store that was run by a muslim man. The music was very loud so everyone could hear. Later that afternoon, i passed by the same store and there were about 200 men, on the ground in the middle of the road on their knees praying while this music was loud for all to hear. It was something i have never seen before. There were so many men on the ground praying that they were blocking the street.



This morning i woke up and bought my ticket to go to Nagaland. After some trouble with my bank card, because i'm not in america and trying to use it in India, the situation was resolved. I now have my ticket! Thank You God! The ticket cost was $400, a little more than i expected it to be. I know that God will provide for me if i run out of money but i am being very wise with my spending. I will be leaving next Tuesday morning to go to the mountains and help David Pou with his ministry. The flight is about 5 hours from Bombay. I am unsure of....well, basically everything. All I know is that God has opened up this door for me and provided for me to go there. I have been praying and asking God that he would use me however he desires and if i am given the opportunity to share, that He would give me the words that i need to say. Please pray this for me.

This is what i see everyday when i need to go anywhere in India. This is actually a very nice looking rickshaw in comparison to all the others that i ride on a daily basis. The average cost of traveling somewhere in Borivoli (Colony where i live) is about 50 cents US. That doesn't seem like alot at all, but it adds up quickly after riding in a rickshaw around 8 times a day, and sometimes going outside of the little colony i live in (could cost $1 or more).

In a couple hours, I will be leaving to go to Yawhar. We will be going to a little village in the middle of nowhere (i mean that, in the middle of NOWHERE). We will be bringing them food as well as sharing with them a little message about God. Please pray for safety as we travel (6 hour ride in car) as well as for those who we will be giving food to and talking to about God. Pray that God allows them to understand how much he loves them, that He IS the living God and that He desires to have a relationship with them.

Mumbai, Home for Now.

Blessed.

I think that sums it up. I'm so grateful to be here and be able to help in any way that will be made available for me to do so. God has already been taking care of the little details. I was told that the process to buy a sim card for my phone would take at LEAST 3 weeks because i am not a citizen and need permission. That 'process' took 10 minutes and i now have a working cell phone. Thank You God.


I took the picture to the left yesterday while at the station. This is a normal sight here in Mumbai. I have been adjusting for jet lag while trying to familiarize myself with the railroad system and see where all of the stores/shops are that i will need on a daily basis. I feel very comfortable with the knowledge that i have so far. Yesterday, i went to the market to buy some fruit as well as to the mall (about 15 minutes in a rickshaw). It rained last night, and I stood in the rain for 20 minutes waiting for a rickshaw to pick me up and take me home. Last night i met with the local pastor her in Mumbai where i will be attending church. I let her know that i was here and ready to do anything that i am needed to do. I will be working more closely with the church when i return from Nagaland in several weeks. There are plans for this weekend to go to the orphanage as well as a church in a village located in the mountains.



Here is a picture from my train ride yesterday. I will be riding this same train today as i head to Church Gate, near the Taj Hotel, to pick up some things i need for my trip.

Thank You for praying for me and for reading this.

Prayer Request

On my flight from New Orleans to Washington I sat next to a man who was in the army and coming home from a 16 month stay in the middle east. He obviously heard the conversation i was having with a friend while getting on the plane because he asked me about what i was doing and where i was going. That opened the door for me to share my testimony and tell him how God wants to have a relationship with Him. There was no prayer said or a commitment made to Christ, but i do know that a seed was planted on that flight. Please keep Edgar in your prayers. He was headed to Virginia where he is stationed for the next 2 years.

I am buying my ticket today for Dimapur today. I will fly there next week and be picked up by David and Glory at the airport. We will then head to Nagaland where i will be living with them for several weeks. Please pray for my safety as well as God to open the door to share about Him.

On the Ground....

After 24+ hours in a plane...3 hours at the Mumbai airport and 2 hours with a crazy taxi driver, i finally made it to the apartment in Mumbai. Despite sitting in front of a crying baby for 12 hours, it was the smoothest trip i have ever taken. There were no problems at all. Thank You God for working out the small details.

I arrived in Mumbai around 6am on Tuesday morning (India time). I immediately went to sleep only to be wake up 2 hours later at 8am. Yesterday was spent unpacking, fighting to stay awake and beat jet lag, trying to get my phone connected here in India, reading and praying, and walking around in Borivili (town im staying in) trying to remember where everything is.

I talked to David and Glory (Nagaland) yesterday. I was surprised that i was able to get in touch with them as soon as i did. Less than 6 hours already in India, I was asked when i would be flying to the north to assist David with his ministry in Nagaland. I looked into buying a ticket leaving sometime early next week. The cheapest flight i could find was around $400. Today i will talk to the local pastor in Mumbai and find out if there is anything that they need me to do here in Mumbai. I expect to know my plans for the next 4 weeks later today.


It is Wednesday morning here, which means it is Tuesday night back home. Im praying for iTuesday and all my friends in New Orleans. Miss you guys. Thank You for reading this and continuing to pray for me. Please pray that God would give me wisdom and order my footsteps. Pray that God's plans would be obvious to me and i would not worry about the details of what is going to happen.

I have yet to take any pictures, but will post some as soon as i do.

Again, THANK YOU for praying for me.

India

Today i leave for India. The picture above (I took at the Shanti Orphanage in India last year when i was living there) basically describes how i feel right now as i type this. I am pumped.

Yesterday was spent getting everything packed and ready to go for today. This morning i will be going to my home church, Verbo, where i will be prayed for before i leave for India. I am thankful to have a church family that is committing to pray for me. My flight leaves at 5:15 pm today from New Orleans. I head to Washington, D.C, where i have a one hour layover. From there it's an 18 hour plane ride to Dubai. From there.....a 3 hour layover then a 5 hour flight to Mumbai, India. I will be arriving in India at 3 am on Tuesday morning.

I am excited to see what God has in store for me to be apart of in India for the next 48 days. I can honestly say that I am and have been listening to God more closely over the past several months leading up to this big step that i am taking. John 10:27 is something that i have been holding onto knowing that God desires to speak to us and lead us as we live this life. At this time....I am just following that voice into India knowing that God is going to do something amazing with me and to me.



Prayer Request



The annual Ganesh Festival will be starting soon after i arrive in India. The only way that i know how to describe this is by saying that it is a demonic Mardi Gras. There are alot of similarities to Mardi Gras with the addition of a god that is worshiped during this time, Ganesh. Ganesh is a boy with an elephant head and 6 arms. I do not know the entire story behind this festival, but i do feel uncomfortable when it happens. Please pray for my protection (physical and spiritual) during my stay as well as during this particular festival. I pray that God would use me in an amazing way during this time when so many people are turning to and worshiping idols .



The last time i was in India i met a couple who are missionary's to India, David and Glory Pou. I have been keeping in touch with David Pou since my last visit and our ministry in New Orleans has even been able to bless them financially. I wrote to David and told him that i would be visiting India. He immediately wrote me back and expressed that i was welcome where they are doing ministry at in India...a place called Nagaland. I am extremely pumped about the possibility of going to visit David and his family and see/assist in anyway that i can with the work they are doing. This is the email that i received from David last week:

'We are so glad that you are planinig to visit India. We will be very happy to have you in Nagaland. How many of you want to come and for how many days will you able to spend with us ?. We will arrange everything together and make all posible. Thank you so much brother. We are anxiously waiting for you.'

My plan is to visit David and his family shortly after I arrive in India. I will have to fly from Mumbai to Dimapur. Today i looked into how much a ticket would be to do that and the cost was around $350. At this moment, i cannot afford to buy that ticket but know that God will provide if it is His will for me to go. Please pray for this potential trip that i may take as well as David and his family who are planting a church in Nagaland.







Please pray for the people that i will come in contact with/be working with in Mumbai. Pray that they are open to the Gospel and that their hearts are receptive to the seed that will be planted. I am unsure of what magnitude i will be serving while in Mumbai, but please pray that if i am give the opportunity to preach or lead any sort of group that God would lead and guide me on what exactly to share about. Please pray that i am sensitive to the Holy Spirit and only what God wants me to say is said.



Thinking about the past couple weeks as i was preparing for this trip and sharing with my friends and family, i am so blessed to have those of you in my life that pray for me. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this and to pray for me and for these things i have shared with you. I have been prayed for more over the past month by friends and churches than any time in my entire life. Thank You to all of you who have allowed me to share about what i am doing and how God has led me to this point in my life. I do not have the words to express how much I am grateful for you. I love you and will be praying for all of you.

Please keep in touch with me via Facebook or email (sdaigle188@gmail.com). If you would like to help me financially, i have put a button on the right hand side of this blog where you can do so. If there is a specific place where you would like the money to be used (ex. Plane ticket, Shanti Orphanage, Church in Mumbai, etc..), please specify that when you are asked during the donation process.

Philippines 1:3
'I thank my God every time I remember You.'

Time to go.
Next time i blog will be from India.
Thats a crazy thought.
I'm pumped.

Factor

Tonight was our weekly Factor 3:16 meeting. I had the awesome opportunity to lead worship tonight in Spanish. I was thinking tonight....how awesome it is that we are able to worship God in different languages. Next week at this time i will be in India and apart of a worship service in Hindi (their language). I'm pumped. I Have alot of stuff on my mind preparing to leave for India in 2 days. Please keep me in your prayers. I haven't started to pack yet. I'm planning on staying up tomorrow night to try and beat jet lag.

History Makers Gathering

I had the opportunity to share tonight at History Makers Gathering @ Crossroads Community Church (Kenner, LA). Thank you for praying for me and for the event tonight. I was blessed to be apart of tonight. It went great. I had the opportunity to hear a friend share about discipleship as well as a pastor from a church in Louisiana share about leadership.

Tomorrow night, Factor (young adults group from Verbo Ministry), will be meeting at my house. I'm excited to be able to lead worship in Spanish at the meeting. A pastor from Verbo will be sharing tomorrow night. Please pray for tomorrow nights meeting.

I need to start packing for India...i leave in 2 days...

Also, please continue to pray for my friends, David and McKenzie, in Guatemala.

Thank You for reading this and praying for me.

Grace Point Church

This morning i was privileged to speak at Grace Point Church in Tyler, TX. I talked about the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit in everyday life. This past week i had been reading through John and came across John 10:27-28. This is a great passage that reminds us that we should be listening to hear God's voice as he leads and guides us. I really enjoyed this morning at Grace Point. My friend, Josh Trammel, led worship this morning with his friend Garrett. I was able to share a little bit about how i got to the point where i am at now, leaving for India in 7 days. I'm already looking forward to the next time i get to see my friends from Grace Point Church again.




Mark Trammel (Pastor), Josh Trammel (Worship Leader), Me, Garrett Goode (Worship Leader)



Just got back to New Orleans. This week is going to be...busy. I need to start packing for India. I'm pumped about iTuesday as well as this weeks conference at Crossroads Community Church. My friend, Dean Ross, asked me to share about global missions in a break out session. Perfect timing. I will be leaving for India 2 days later. Thank You God for Your mercy on my life and all the provisions that you have made for me. Blessed.