Greetings from India!

Posted by Regina Knickelbein

(Note: Regina is one of Christ The Rock’s Mission House students. Read more about the program here.)

Regina Knickelbein on her mission trip to India

I thank you again for all of the encouragement and support that you have given me. It is so wonderful to know that our team and time here in India is lifted up daily – that we are covered in prayer. I thank you so much, so sincerely.

Last night I got to pray, share the Word, and sing worship to the children. The children had never heard Amazing Grace so, with my embarrassing voice, I sat before 28 people and sang Amazing Grace, solo. And no one laughed! A couple of the children asked me to write the words in their notebook so they could remember. Then, all the children copied the words. This morning, six girls ran up to me and said, “Regina Auntie, Regina Auntie, we know the song!” And they sang it to me and it was beautiful.

Some of the children who sing with Regina!

Last week I gave 24 haircuts in six days. Of all the things I thought I would do in India, giving haircuts never crossed my mind. In May I will cut the hair of all the 22 children in the other home as well.

Here’s what a normal day looks like for me: After breakfast, I tutor for a few hours and then have lunch. Then I usually study or prepare for the Bible study. I tutor some more in the afternoon and have also taken up teaching Sunday school. These things are good and I know they help but I really feel God directing me to support some of the “Aunties” on staff here.

There are six Aunties who are in their early twenties and God has put it on my heart just to be a friend with them and be a support – be someone they can laugh with, someone they can confide in, someone they can trust, someone to help with the kids. The highlight of my time here has been in building relationships with the Aunties. This is much different than I expected I would be doing here but this is the path that God has opened for me.

The Bible study has turned into a blessing also. We get to talk about the Lord and I get to spend time with the Aunties. Last week, I was feeling pretty discouraged because our Bible study went from 12 when Brenda was here to 5 with me. The Aunties that showed up were the ones who lived in the building where we have the study. Anyway, I told the Aunties that it’s okay if they don’t want to study, they don’t have to feel obligated and I understand it is one of the few times that they can rest during the day.

One of the Aunties who speaks very good English said that she loves the study but doesn’t know that the other Aunties are grasping all of it because of language. So, we decided to go much slower and do rounds of translation. I share in English, another Auntie speaks English to Tamil, and another auntie speaks Tamil to Hindi. We have done this a few times and it is amazing the difference! The Aunties actually appear to be enjoying themselves and understanding. One of the Aunties, who did not speak much before, said she was really challenged by something I said. This happened after we started translating.

Some Prayer Requests:

• For a teenage boy here who is struggling.
• For Rob, Jason, and I as we prepare to do a Vacation Bible School for two weeks starting May 3. We did not know we were going to lead it until a few weeks ago so we have no materials, few ideas, and little resources.
• For our team dynamics as the enemy tries to split us apart.
• If I could ask, please pray against my having nightmares and also against being homesick. The realities here are challenging and I miss home.

You all are such blessings!

So much love,

Regina

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