Jaimie and I are counting down the days now, as we are one month away before we take off and head towards India. Let’s recap on what happened!
One Suitcase Each (Jaimie)
According to our research, it looks like United Airlines allows us each to check only one (1) suitcase free of charge on our flight from Orlando to Mumbai. Since there is a hefty charge for additional baggage, we will be sticking it to the man and fitting our entire lives into two bags weighing 50lbs and measuring 62.0-linear-inches.
Mostly I enjoy playing this game. How much stuff do we really need to bring, anyway? Now we are in the process of evaluating needs vs. wants. Luckily, I can’t think of very many needs. One of my well-traveled friends advised me to bring jeans and shoes to last a year, since I won’t be able to find my size in India (sad truth). Other than those and a few cosmetics (which are not technically “needs,” but whatever) I can purchase things there as needed.
Selling our things has been a freeing experience for us so far. We have gotten rid of a lot, and I haven’t really missed any of it! I’m kind of excited I’ll only have to keep track of one bag of stuff. Freedom!
I read a verse this week that encouraged me in this:
1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
What To Do To Prepare for Being Gone One Year? (Ben)
What does one do before moving for a year? Last week I: Canceled health insurance, Re-worked life insurance, Added Jaimie to a bank account, Had her cancel two bank accounts, Trimmed the hedges, Had some meetings, Got new traveling credit cards, Canceled old credit cards, Got to the beach, …and I’m sure I’m missing a dozen more things.
This week is already scheduled full of events as well! On top of all that, some Jehovah Witnesses came to the door a while ago.
Jehovah Witness
What was I to do? I’ve never had this experience happen to me. For so long, I’ve had friends joke and spread gossip about what it was like. But I wanted to know the truth about Jehovah Witnesses, and I invited them in. After a puzzled look and a few moments of excuses, I welcomed them into my home – a husband, wife, and two adult children.
We sat and spoke for an hour. I’ve learned so much about the Jehovah Witnesses. To my surprise, there were many things they believed that Jaimie and I believe, that a lot of denominations around here don’t. Like when Jesus comes back, there will not be a “rapture.” He’ll come back and that will be that. And that baptism is part of salvation, and there is penalty for sins, etc. But there were some big inconsistencies as well. Like Jesus is the highest angel and there is no hell.
The great thing about talking to someone who believes differently than you do is how much you’ll learn if you’re prepared. I don’t consider myself to be wise. And I knew ahead of time if I want going to speak to them, I may get a little confused and have to research things later. And one thing that did puzzle me the most is that they believed that God created Jesus.
Cor 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
With that scripture alone, with no context (which is what they explained to me) meant that God created Jesus. He was the “first born.” (There was a few loosely linked other scriptures). And I’ll be honest, that was tripping me up. Until a friend of mine recommend I do a word study on “firstborn.” That was the best piece of advice I got all week and really helped bring it into perspective.
Psalm 89:27 And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
That scripture is talking about David, the youngest of all his brothers, and God is appointing him to be firstborn. As in a position of rank. Just like Jesus is the first position of rank over all creation. I’d suggest you do a word study of firstborn as well to get a better idea. Over the last week, I studied this and I come to find out that there is one God – the Trinity, made up of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who has always been there.
One thing I walked away with is if you’re going to have a conversation with a false religion, do not believe in ignorance. Examine the scriptures, be very cautious, and seek wise counsel.
Acts 17:11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
I Quit My Job (Ben)
It was actually one of the best exits I have had at a company. I think everyone there looks at me through a “I don’t understand that” lens. But can you blame them? I look at myself through that lens daily. One person told me that they admire that I am doing something that I believe in. Never thought of it like that. I’m turning my life upside down, moving my wife and I to a foreign country, putting everything on hold – perhaps never to be picked up again, and all because I believe 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus was telling the truth.
Apartment Hunt
So what is the first thing one does when he quits his job? Looks for an apartment in another country, of course. I have a friend in India who is the most helpful anyone has ever been to me. He and I are hunting them down. We are looking at one closely, and it is $4,000 – for the year. It’s not quite like the one above, it’s more like the one to the left. Coincidentally, that’s how much our plane tickets cost. We can live in India for a year on what it takes to get there and back once.
It’s a 2 bedroom, so we have space for someone to come and visit. If anyone is interested, we got this! You can read our earlier post on tips for first time India travelers, and we’ll help you out along the way!
Also, if you need a website built, I’ll hook you up. (I’m out of work now – I’m pretty good).
