I’m going to INDIA!

I‘m going to India. I am going to India. I can’t believe I’m going to INDIA!!! I keep saying it over and over again, but it still doesn’t seem real.

But it is. On January 27 I leave for almost a month in India!

The Story:
It all started Fall of ’06, when I took a Perspectives (missions) class in at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn. I was there because I felt called to go to Africa, and wanted to learn more about missions. The funny thing was, the whole semester seemed to be about India! Our speakers, videos, and even text continued to come back to the middle east and India over and over. I felt God start to tug on my heart…

At the end of the course some of my friends decided to host an “Indian Girls Night”- an event at the church where American and Indian young women would fellowship together. It was a wonderful experience! We met new friends, ate authentic Indian food (which I honestly am not too fond of- ah, it’s going to be an interesting 3 and 1/2 weeks there! haha!), and I fell in love with a little boy named Hushagru. The children that were there completely stole my heart (a sign of things to come!) We also put on a “fashion show” where we modeled the ladies beautiful Indian attire. I LOVED my Sari, and the sweet woman who owned it insisted I keep it! Something told me then, that someday I would be going to India.

Fast forward to my job at AIM. When I came on staff in September, I found out I would be raising money for orphans in three countries- Swaziland (where I went this summer- my heart is still there), Kenya (where I have 2 Compassion kids I sponsor- Dama & Erick), and INDIA!

I was excited, but wondered if I would ever be able to visit the children I was trying desperately to help. This recently became a topic of discussion with one of my bosses, Jerry, who told me, “Ericka, you need to be with the children.” He’s right. My heart is to be with them, to spend time with them, to love them. I need to hear their stories and to make memories with them. I long to serve. I want to be broken – to understand the need because I’ve gone, I’ve experienced it, I’ve lived it. I want God to break my heart for these children the way it is broken for my sweet little ones in Africa. And then I want to return home to share my heart with you, so that you can understand God’s heart for children half a world away.

“So, what’s on your heart?” Jerry asked. I instantly responded, “India”. My mind raced. Only days before I’d found out 2 of the World Racers (Chris and Lynette, from the Jan 07 team- the same team I met in Swaziland) were going to India. Something had tugged on my heart then.

“So, how do we get you there?” Jerry asked. “How do we raise the money for you to go?” That should have been a hard question, since I’m already trying to raise support for my salary (and I’m only about 25% there). But, God is a miracle worker! Only 2 days before, I’d received a Christmas gift from a friend overseas. This friend has an incredible heart for orphans, and has been so supportive and encouraging to me in the work I’m doing. Tucked away in the box with my gift was a note, explaining how he wanted advance the Lord’s kingdom through my work. Inside was $1,180.

I was completely blown away! I was so overwhelmed with gratitude, and even more overwhelmed when he told me to use it for whatever God was calling me to do. I told Jerry about the money, and his eyes lit up. “This is going to be fun!” he said, as he turned to his computer.

He typed in a search for a ticket from Atlanta to New Delhi and we held our breath as the search engine went to work. When it stopped, we both yelled in excitement- the ticket was $1,175 ! I couldn’t believe my eyes! My trip was paid for!

We prayed then and there – thanking God for confirming my heart and plans, and for His provision. We asked that He continue to work out the details of this trip, and by and by He is! I am excited beyond belief! We continue to see His hand all over this plan in so many amazing ways!

So now, I am going to India! I will leave January 27 and return February 19. During my time I will minister in at least 2 orphanages and a leper colony. As I find out more about my trip, I’ll be posting details here. I’ll also be sharing my heart as I work through the ways God is preparing me to go. Then, while I’m there, it looks like I’ll be able to have some internet, so I’ll be keeping you updated here. So PLEASE keep visiting!

How you can help:
I hope by now you’re asking “WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?”

There are a few things I would GREATLY appreciate if God calls you to support me on this trip:

PRAYER

• Please pray that my visa comes in on time! Some of you know the fits I had getting my passport– if my visa doesn’t arrive by the 25th, I can’t leave the country!
• Please pray God will continue to work out the details of the trip – we know He has an amazing plan just waiting on us! Pray that He prepares the way and reveals His direction to us.
• Please pray I keep good health before I leave and throughout the trip – pray that God will make me immune to any illness, disease, virus, and injury.
• Please pray against side effects from the malaria medicine – specifically against problems sleeping. The main side effect is vivid dreams, and I always have horrible nightmares on mission trips. Please pray for sweet sleep!
• Please pray for safety in travel, as I will be doing some traveling alone.
• Please pray for Lynette, my traveling buddy for most of my trip (we really feel God has put us together for a reason!)
• Please pray God prepares my heart for all I will see and do. I don’t yet know if I’m ready at all- especially for the leper colony. Still, I know I MUST go and show His love to those who need it most desperately!
• Please pray for God to prepare the hearts of the people we will meet.
• Please pray God will empower us with His authority and power to heal, rebuke the enemy, teach, and love in His name, and His discernment to know how and when to do this kingdom work.
• Please pray for God to continue to provide support for me – it is hard to leave the country knowing I still haven’t raised the full support I need monthly!

MONEY

God already provided the money for the ticket to India and back, and last night He provided the money to cover my visa. (THANK YOU to those who were willing to give!) Still there are a few more needs I hope He will lay on your heart to provide.

• I need $270 to cover the cost of my in-country flight from New Delhi to Rajahmundry, India to serve for the 2nd half of my trip. This is where the 2nd orphanage is located, as well as some other ministry opportunities we feel God has for us.
• I need $100 (estimated, not yet sure of the definite cost) to cover the cost of my malaria medicine.
• I still need monthly supporters to partner with me in my ministry – any amount you can give is appreciated!

I’ve already made these purchases in faith that God will provide.
If God is calling you to give to these needs, please click here: Support Me!
or mail a check to
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470

Atlanta, GA 30353-4470

(Please write “appealed for Ericka Bennett” in the memo line of the check.)

CONTACT

Please stay in touch! Contact with you is of utmost importance to me. Keeping up with my blogs especially will help you know how to pray for me as I prepare to go and while I am gone. You can sign up for my updates by clicking here: Get My UPDATES! and entering your email address. Then you’ll know every time I update!

Your comments on my blogs are so encouraging to me, so please post away! And if you have any friends or family who might be interested in what I’m doing, I would LOVE it if you would forward my link to them!