FOR INDIA!!!

     My team leaves for India in 3 days. We just found out tonight that our beloved team leader, Hannah, cannot come with us because of visa complications. I cant even put into words how hard it was to find that out and how hard it is on our team. She is the third member of our team to not come with us. The first two people were incredibly funny and strong teammates that I still hold dear to my hearts and now it is Hannah; an awe-inspiring woman of God that I have been so blessed to know.
     The events that happened tonight reminded me of my sophomore year of high school. I was apart of the worship team at my youth group and absolutely LOVED everything about my youth group. But my church was struggling, we had just lost a pastor and with that a lot of people. There was a lot of transition going on to say the least. The youth were falling into all different directions; some landed in other churches but most just fell away completely. It was heartbreaking. I knew what was going to happen next; God had been preparing my heart for it. One day, my pastor asked to speak with me before worship practice. He told me that God was calling him to another church and it was his time to leave. He told me that he saw that I was a leader and knew that it was my time to fight, to encourage, to hold fast. As he was speaking, God floored me with the realization of the fact that he was right. If I loved my youth group and my church as much as I said I did, then I would stay and fight for them. Our group went from 100-8 people on a Thursday night. But what happened? We pressed in, things got real, and we persevered. Our youth group grew a lot, but we never lost that core group. To this day, I am still so blessed from that group of friends and all that God taught us in those hard times.
    I see a similar thing happening here... There were so many time I was unsure and honestly just wanted to go home. I figured it would be easier at home then it would have been here. But as we met in that room, I knew what was going to happen. And God said again, you can leave Paige or you can stay and fight. I expected heartbreak and despair, but instead found peace. And a renewed sense of purpose and boldness. At this point, I KNOW that India will be amazing because we wouldn't have to fight so hard if it was going to be easy. India is worth it because that is where Gods heart is for us and that is where we are going to fight! Uniting with my team is worth it!The people we encounter there are worth it! Every child I get to hold and show love is worth it! My doubts and my fears don't even come close to comparing to Gods grace and Gods almighty power that is going to shake that country up. I know He is after their hearts and that He hears His children crying out for them. I know God is taking India back as His land and will break the darkness that has engulfed them. I am blessed enough to get to be a small bit of that. We have six weeks there and every moment of that is going to be for Him! Because God is worth it!
       Our team of 16 is now down to 13; we grieve for the loss of another teammate, but we will not be deterred. How amazing is our God? We expect despair and He brings hope! For the first time in a few weeks, I feel more like myself again. My feisty spirit has risen up again and I am not backing down. I just imagine some epic song will be playing in my head as we walk through that airport because we am going into battle! We am fighting for India in the Name of Jesus Christ!

This is my beautiful team from the very beginning of this journey (minus Hannah and Katrina, my leaders who aren't photographed). They are some of the strongest, funniest, talented, most God-fearing people I know. Please keep us in your prayers. Pray for unity and perseverance and never taking a day for granted!