Here’s a summary about the movement we are participating in, Global Outreach Developments International (GOD Int’l).  We are a group of young people from all over the country who are studying the Word of God and learning different skills useful to serving the poor in various parts of the world. Our study is not limited to a two-year or four-year program, for we understand the needs of our friends in the developing world are complex and deep rooted, requiring a fundamental change in our understanding and approaching the needs of human beings. In addition to our practical studies, we live in community with one another, facilitating our holistic relational development. Community is a hot buzz word in post-modern Christian circles.  It is apparent that Christians are in search of something more than fellowship once or twice a week. But it’s true, community is a vital part of our personal and spiritual growth, and for this reason we live in close proximity, partaking in fellowship and service to one another the way we see Jesus demonstrating for us in Luke’s gospel. Our study of God’s Word informs the way in which we interpret the world and our experiences.

After years of living, eating, working and growing together we will be sent to our respective regions of the world. The family we gain in one another will be transplanted to another world and culture, for us this is India. We have confidence that when we need people to work alongside us, to encourage us to continue serving, they will be right there with us. The immense talent and resources we share as a team will be shared in India as well.

For three months this summer, we will get to experience that on a very small scale. We will be living with another couple, Taylor and Heather Maute and their lovely son, Ajay. A few others will join us for several weeks throughout our three month stay. Together we will be learning the city and developing relationships by taking language courses, visiting professors, midwives, slums and the local neighborhood.

India is a land with rich history and culture, an endeavor we are excited to embark on together. Please continue to browse the rest of the website and learn more about how you can partner with us in changing the world for Christ.

Growing up, it seemed that I was the only child in a family of six who had constant health needs to be reckoned with. The most chronic illness I encountered was Atopic Dermatitis, an acute painful skin condition that is similar to eczema. The main difference between the two conditions is that mine is connected to both asthma and hay fever, which intensified when the seasons changed. I had grown accustomed to visiting the dermatologist on a monthly basis, only to be prescribed the same topical steroids over and over. The skin condition was sporadic throughout my adolescence but worsened in my adulthood.

As an adult, the skin condition began to take over my life. The pain caused by small open wounds all over my body kept me from sleeping through the night. At first I was able to compensate by taking short naps in the day. But when I began attending school again, it ruined me. So I resorted to over-the counter sleeping pills, often tripling the dose, in order to sleep just two short hours. As a result of these health problems, my overall health suffered. I lost confidence in myself and was humiliated by my appearance. When I was in public, mothers would often guard their children around me, people would stare at me or flinch when they saw my hands covered in scratches, sores and blood.

In May of 2008, I was in a rural village in India doing missionary work (this is what I am in school for) when suddenly my heart began to race, making me dizzy and nauseous. My hearing started to wane and before I knew it I couldn’t walk any further. I informed my teammates that something was wrong with my heart and I needed to lie down. I was shuffled into a small mud hut and felt my heart rate rise to 100…120…130, even as fast as 180 bpm. This type of thing would continue to happen to me at random times, I couldn’t predict what would trigger the symptoms but it was very painful. After a year of suffering through these various problems, often every illness happening all at once, I was able to receive assistance to see a cardiologist to address my heart issue. It’s an arrhythmia condition called Supraventricular Tachycardia. At it’s worst, my teachers encouraged me to hold off on taking classes for a semester in order to focus on regaining my health. After wearing a heart monitor for a month aside from visits, the cardiologist informed me I wasn’t eligible for surgery, “You’re just going to have to learn to deal with it.” I was devastated. I was only 26 at the time, not the kind of news a young woman wants to hear.

In the late summer of 2010, my skin had reached it’s worst. It was inflamed, cracking, bleeding- very painful to say the least. My husband would wake up every couple of hours to apply different lotions, salves, burn relief and ointments just to ease the pain for a couple hours. Although I had changed my diet drastically to aid in my skin condition, it wasn’t enough- even combined with multiple lotions! Then, in September I came to a vaccine seminar hosted by a local chiropractor. I thought I might come in for a consultation; I had nothing to lose at that point.

After discovering that my neck lacked the ‘arc of life’ as well as my spine being slightly curved, I began to get adjusted three times a week, in addition to taking probiotics and berry greens. Within the first week, my insomnia was gone! Within the next several weeks, I realized I wasn’t scratching my skin, there were no scales, blisters or wounds anywhere. Although the change was gradual, it wasn’t slow. Everybody was complimenting me on my skin and how it glowed. My heart hasn’t given me any problems either, which is a huge relief. Members of my community were excited to see my body heal, as they have been a part of my journey to healing.

As somebody training to live in India, I count it a priority to be in good health so that I am both able to serve and be an example of health. I am planning to be in India with my husband and a few other team mates this summer, I look forward to a better experience full of strength, energy and life! In doing so, we will be taking the example of Christ in the book of Luke by offering holistic healing to those we serve- showing concern for the spiritual, mental and physical health of the community. Restoration to community is a vital part of one’s healing, it it what gives us confidence and a sense of shared values. The community I am in certainly values the holistic development of health and I thank God I get to be a part of it.