I Wonder What Bern’s Doing…

You’re probably wondering where the heck I am and what the heck I’m doing, which is completely my fault. I am terribly sorry for not keeping you all up to date in a consistent way. I would like for that to change, and have it start now! 

My squad made it to India around 3 weeks ago. After a few flights and a quick bus ride, we arrived at our location in Churachandpur India, in the state of Manipur! We are living at Trinity Seminary for the time being in a small village that is 98% Christian. (Didn’t expect that, huh? Yeah, neither did I.) The mountain views that surround us have my heart jumping for joy each time I venture out to see them. Thankfully, venturing only means walking onto our balcony.

Our host’s names are John and Lawm Pudaite, a beautiful couple with a beautiful family including two children – their third is on the way! They see us as who we are: daughters and sons of the King. They love their community and do their best to help them where they are, not where they want them to be. John and Lawm also value our emotional and spiritual health. “What we do here is important, but your heart has to be in a healthy place to do it well.” This is something John stated when we were first meeting him, and it has stuck with me ever since. ‘Prayer Mountain’ is a peaceful place of calm that’s only a small hike away. With cabins and beautiful views, this is a space John and Lawm encourage us to go to when we are craving a getaway spot with the Lord. The spiritual influence this couple carries blows me away—fun fact! John’s father was actually the man to translate the bible into the native language of this tribe, the language of Hmar. Is this not crazy or WHAT??

Our first project to tackle was helping host a medical clinic at the local hospital connected with John and Lawm’s ministry. A team of 8 doctors came in from Colorado to lead the main medical tasks, while we filled in wherever needed. Some of our jobs included registering patients to come inside, run them to the stations they needed to go to, organize the halls to make sure everything was in order, and pray for the patients one on one. Some of my squadmates have been medically trained and were able to assist in eye exams, teeth pulling, and cervical exams. It was an insanely productive week filled with full hours and even fuller smiles. I made a video about the whole thing, here’s the link if you’d like to watch!

Our current set up has been alternating between constructing a chapel and helping out at the Christian school down the road. Soon we’ll head into the surrounding unreached villages to dig into the people there. Our mornings have started with chai and been filled with joy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Last week, I had a guest! KIMBERLY BEACHAM HERSELF JOINED ME IN INDIA!! World Race has a wonderful thing called PVT, standing for the ‘Parent Vision Trip.’ My momma flew some crazy flights and changed time zones to come minister with me for a few days. Not only did we minister together, but Mum and I had some amazing conversations during her time here. There’s a photo album on my facebook page called PVT 2018 – check it out for a look into our ministry days!

Now that we are all up to date about India, a few things happened month two of Peru that you all should know about.

At the start of the race, I was asked by my leadership to take on the position of Point Person for my team. This meant communicating team details with our leadership back at home, as well as being discipled into more and more leadership as the race went on. During the second month of Peru, month 6 of the race, the squad leaders asked each point person to step up and take on the role of Team Leader! Certain responsibilities increased, the roles of the squad leaders have decreased in specific ways, and my goal has changed to something greater. The Lord spoke so loudly to me in this transition that He HAS called me to be a leader, and it’s time to dig into what that means from His perspective. I’m loving this new experience with the Lord and can’t wait to continue down the path He has me on.

Another wild change that took place towards the end of our time in Peru was something I prayed against for the majority of the race…

Team changes.

Team Priceless in Him rocked my socks off in just about every way possible. I loved living life with these ladies and am so blessed to be able to say I had 6 months of my race with such fantastic women. Priceless, we’ve laughed about and gone through just about everything I can think of. I am crazy thankful for each second of our lived we walked through together, even though some moments were more difficult than others. Was it worth it…? This isn’t even a question. HECK yeah it was, and this will never change. I love you all so deeply. 

When I was told we were having team changes, I instantly thought the new people on my team would be the worst things to ever happen to me. I just KNEW they’d have it out to get me, because why wouldn’t they? I laugh at this now, as I am resting so sweetly into this new group of women. Team MIX’d, thank you for being so gracious to one another as we make this transition. I am loving life with each one of you and adore hearing what the Lord is teaching you. I can’t wait to see each moment we’ll walk together as a team and a family!

In a few days I’ll be posting a blog about MIX’d, introducing all of these amazing ladies and telling you a little bit about each of them.

It’s wild to think we have a little less than two months left on the race; it feels like just yesterday I was a Sophomore at CCS craving to embark on this adventure. I’d love your prayers in some specific areas! At the moment, the Lord is teaching me what it looks like to completely rely on Him. This isn’t easy, but seeing Him show up in new ways has been insanely beautiful. Id you could be praying that I would have the strength to keep up with this, I would greatly appreciate that! Is there any way I can be praying for you? If so, leave a comment or shoot me an email at [email protected]! I’d love to support you in prayer. Thank you for staying curious about my life, I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do with all of these changes in the upcoming months!

PS, ROUTE CHANGE!!!!!! Instead of spending our final 3 months in India, we will be spending the last month of our race in NEPAL! Exciting stuff, people! 😉

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Here’s some rockin tunes!!

“When I’m With You” by Ben Rector

“Simple Gospel” by United Pursuit

“Ring the Bells” by Johnnyswim, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors