Rani is my new best friend....

(tiff's post)
Thank you for checking back with us.  We have been so busy and blessed and then the server was down and we couldn't get on-line!  But I've been struggling what to write ever since Stacie said it was my turn to jot my thoughts down.

First, i really rode an elephant.  The very thing i said i would never do.  And it wasn't like Sheila said it would be: on a box with a driver.  There was a small blanket thrown over, and Rani was steered into place and held there as Stacie and i got on.  Then we hung on for dear life and we laughed so hard that we almost fell off several times.  Once we were well into the river and out of ear shot of our friends, the elephant owners asked us for more money!  I would have laughed except for the fact that i was on a huge elephant!  Feeling very vulnerable!!!  Stacie has the presence of mind to suggest there would be a tip when we got back to the starting point and then we moved on.  We still laugh very hard over it. But, i think that satisfied any further desire to do such a thing.  It was strangly remeniscent of a mule ride down the East Sierras!

Second, these people are absolutly beautiful and wonderful.  i never want to leave them.  They are so gracious and caring.  Our hosts have such an impact on their community that many Sri Lankens come to visit and the way they love us and others is powerful and humbling.  I am so blessed.  I am also eating the best food i've ever eaten.  Every day, the table is filled with fantastic dishes of curries and other choices along with rice and bread staples.

Third, we went to visit the boys orphanage and were blessed by their faith and charming spirits.  Also, while there we heard the testimonies of two men whose lives have been totally changed by the Lord--both ex-cons and now moving in hope and power.  We got to pray with them and i can't tell you how it impacted me.

Fourth, the women's retreat was a great joy.  Both Stacie and I had the time of our lives and were very blessed by these women.  Our host said it was the most powerful time she has ever had in her ministry, but mostly because she stepped into her own authority and was free to move in her abundant gifts.  So for that, we were pretty thankful.  Beautiful women. Amazing time.  Thank you for praying for us all!

Tonight we'll treat the boy to pizza---their favorite---and then we begin the last part of our trip.  Stacie has a bit of a cold, so please pray for her.  She has gotten fantastic pictures of all that we've done.  We keep looking at each other and wondering out loud how we're going to talk about this.  It is so amazing and words don't do justice to all that we are seeing the Lord do.

Thanks for walking with us!