So hilarious story: the community college girls on campus erupted in laughter after I said my name (the way the children pronounce it). Megan and I were very confused as to why everyone kept laughing until we asked Sam Stephens (the president of IGL) what Tamil word was close to "Maladi" - it turns out that "meladi" in Tamil means "beat me really hard on the head." ha ha greeeaat. So I've been telling some of the people here to hit me. Anyway, now I just stick with Mallory and let them butcher it.
Yesterday (Friday) we went to a leper colony which was about 2 hours away from Sharon. The people there were so welcoming and we got to pray with many of the villagers. Their joy is inspiring especially considering each person's condition. There was one woman there who did not look like she had leprosy who was pregnant. Honestly, it looked as if she could go into labor at any second. I can't imagine what that must be like - to live in the heat and humidity in a village where it is next to impossible to feel clean for very long and to top it all of you're living among lepers. It turns out that leprosy can be transmitted through open wounds or by living with lepers for a prolonged period of time. Most Americans' immune systems keep them safe from the disease because we eat well and are much more healthy.
Being here has shown me just how awful some places in the world are. I finally get what my parents and others talked about when they chastized me for not being thankful. The people here often live in filth and have known nothing else. Fortunately the Spirit is at work here and God has really been encouraging me with these several passages from Habakkuk:
In Habakkuk 1:2-4 he complains about the evil in the world. I felt this when I thought about the awful situation these people are in and try to reconcile that fact with a sovereign and good God. God's reply is incredible. He responds, "Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." (Hab 1:5)
Habakkuk presses the Lord further in 1:12-13 and the Lord replies saying, "For still the vision awaits its its appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; ti will surely come; it will not delay." and He continues saying that "the righteous shall live by his faith." (Hab 2:2-3 & 2:4)
That is incredible - it blew me away. God is still good even if there is pain everywhere because despite how things look or seem He is still working it all for good. I was encouraged by this and it placed a new perspective in my heart regarding missions.
Lastly, Megan has been such an amazing encouragement to me during my time here. She leaves little bible verses everywhere in my stuff for me to find and all of them have moved my heart. I praise God that such an amazing woman of faith is here serving in India.
Thank you everyone for your prayers! You are all wonderful!
Love, Mallory
P.S. Gigi - my flight from Cleveland to Chicago was my first flight - I really enjoyed it! my second flight was about 14 hours long from Chicago to Delhi. I like flying a lot and it's not as unnerving as I thought it might be - thanks for asking!
