Reaching out in Bangladesh

I am currently in Brigong (sp?) which is outside of Dinajpor. We are staying at the church compound which is actually a Compassion International base. There are about 200 kids who come here daily, all of them are full of smiles and wanting attention! As soon as they see us walk out of the house, they start running and screaming, "Auntie!" I don't know what it is about kids calling us that, but that is also what kids called us (the girls!) in Hawaii, too! The house we are staying in is nice and the women who cook for us are so sweet!. We have the same meal everyday. It usually consists of potatoes, rotee(tortilla type things), coffee, jelly, and eggs for breakfast and lunch is the same thing, but with some type of meat (goat, lamb, cow, or chicken) and for supper we usually get potatoes, rice, meat, jelly, and rotee. Ay yi yi!! Ha Ha! The other night they surprised us with crepes, ice cream, and french fries. The most unhealthy meal ever, but all of us were like, 'Oh My gosh!! ' It was exciting!

Our ministry is going well. Three days a week we take a van ride for about an hour or two to different villages and we also went to another Compassion base. One time when we showed up to a village there was a marching band to greet us. We danced the whole way into the village!! We have tea and snacks and sing. We preach and do skits and have prayer. I have preached one time and will preach again on Monday. I have talked on 'finding Gods love in your pain.' It went well and I liked it. The groups we speak to range from 20 to 250 people. When I spoke it was in a Christian community, but we have spoken to Hindu and Muslim communities, too. We also minister to children, women, and youth. The people here are all so hospitable and genuine. They will do anything to make us feel comfortable. We do get a lot of stares and it gets old, but I guess they never see white people.

I have gotten used to the poverty now, but when I go through the pictures we have taken I just think of how unreal it is! It looks like the pictures in the magazines of the people who need help. Little kids holding babies, no diapers, dirty faces and hands, bare feet, men and women and sometimes children working in fields. Once you've seen one village you've seen them all!

I am doing pretty well. I am sorry I will be missing Christmas, but God planned for me to be here for Christmas. My team is getting along well. Some days are more difficult, but I guess thats a given with 9 people in a foreign country. A lot of us have been sick with colds though. We are not used to this chilly weather. It's not freezing, but we didn't bring warm clothes and we always wear flip flops. I have not been sick though. I would appreciate prayers for just missing home and just being able to encourage the people here. I can't imagine living the way they do.

Please pray for all of us. We need your prayers!
Love,
Ames
(posted by Mom)

HAVE ARRIVED IN BANGLADESH

Where do I even begin to tell you all what I feel and see here in Bangladesh?!! I am currently in Dhaka, but I leave tomorrow to go up north to begin our ministry. Right now there is a festival going on called "Eid." It involves the sacrificing of cows and goats for the peoples sins. Tomorrow is the day that this will take place, so I will be seeing a lot of blood!! Yesterday we had breakfast in our hotel and then we were able to leave the building. We had not seen anything yet because we arrived at 2 in the morning the night before. As soon as we stepped out, I was overwhelmed by the dirt and the stares from the people. The sounds of horns were everywhere and no one stops for anything! People were asking for money and we were told not to look at them. I am happy to be here though. This is short and vague, but I have to get going. I know God is going to do big things through us, but I would love to have your prayers. I see the beauty in the people and Gods love for them. I will try and write again, but it may be hard to find a place to get on a computer. Please remember me in your prayers!
Miss you all
Ames

Bangladesh Here I Come!!

Hello Everyone!
I am in Chaing Mai Thailand right now! I am loving it. What a beautiful place and culture. I have loved the food and the people I have gotten to know the past couple of days. I leave today for Bangladesh. We fly out of here and into Bangkok. We arrive in Bangladesh about 2 in the morning. I am so excited to see the ways God is going to work! I don't know what to expect when we get there but I know that the internet will be a rare thing. I will try to update you all as much as I can.
My prayer is that I will adjust quickly to the culture (or as much as i can!) I want to show Gods love to the people and give them hope. I just want to be used where God needs me. I know I can't save anyone and I won't be anyones hero but I know that God has such big plans for me as well as my team.
Thank you again for all the love and support with this adventure I am on!
I am so blessed to have all of you in my life.
<3