a slight recap.

the journey begins. so blessed to have catherine by my side :)

visiting an orphanage near the Karmar's house. there were strikes going on, so we weren't able to do much since everything was closed. it was definitely nice to have some time to rest though.

singing with the kids at a church in chittagong. amazing experience!

visiting a local fisherman slum.

visiting the "rail-gate" slums with some girls from a shelter nearby. by far one of the most heartwarming, yet heartbreaking experiences. such sweethearts.

we got to lead counsel time with the kids at grace baptist church in banskhali. this is actually the first church that started Awana in this area. 

a local compassion project in banskhali.

just holding a little parrot in one of the villages :)

worshipping with 120 awana kids at church friday morning. 

the absolutely beautiful land of bangladesh.

getting ready for a "bachelorette party" bengali style.

yes, we went to a bengali wedding and got to wear absolutely stunning saris. the heat just added to the experience.

as you can see, we have definitely been busy. we've been able to sing and share our testimonies with more than eight groups, and it becomes more sweet every time. being able to use the gifts that God has given us all the way across the world has been incredible. this past week has definitely been one of THE most eye opening weeks of my life, and i cant wait to see what the Lord has in store as we finish up the trip. it has been so much different than what i expected, but im learning that sometimes that makes it even more beautiful. there is no doubt in my mind that this is exactly where i needed to be this summer. i have discovered so much about myself, and so much about my God. please continue praying for catherine and i as we finish our last week here! we have a lot still to do, and we so want to glorify the Lord to the best of our ability.

by the way, sorry the pictures are all over the place. my computer tends to do whatever it feels like doing.

chittagong, bangladesh

we arrived saturday morning and were welcomed by Prodip and Shikha Karmakar, along with their daughters Catherine and Katrina. thankfully we got here without any issues, just a lot of jet lag. 

the culture shock has definitely begun to set in. i have realized that it is a lot different traveling internationally with one person rather than an entire team. you are now the object of attention, not the group that you are with. and im not going to lie, it’s tough. it’s tough to feel out of place. but in the midst of it all, it’s exciting. it’s exciting to have nowhere to go but to my Savior. is it hard? unbearably. do i miss my family? more than i thought possible. do i miss the comforts of America? honestly, more than i thought i would. but the thing that’s incredible is that im not going at this alone. i am a child of the almighty comforter, the almighty healer, the almighty protecter. so i will stretch out my hands to Him, as david says in psalm 143, and i will seek Him above all else. 

i cannot wait to see what the Lord does in and through us. the adventure has just begun, and i can honestly say that i am looking to the Lord for strength as it continues. please continue to pray for catherine and i, that we may be a blessing to everyone we come in contact with, that the love of Christ will pour out of us, and that we will be able to adjust to our surroundings.

much love from bangladesh! 

Psalm 143:8-12

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;

          For I trust in You;

          Teach me the way in which I should walk;

          For to You I lift up my soul.

Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;

          I take refuge in You.

Teach me to do Your will,

          For You are my God;

          Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me.

          In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.

And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies

          And destroy all those who afflict my soul,

          For I am Your servant.