Rebecca Mehl
Namaste! (Greeting meaning "The God in me greets the God in you!")and Hello!Namaste Becca
During the 08-09 year, I will am living in an orphanage in Kottayam, Kerala, India, doing voluntary service through the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Missions(YAGM) program. I will also be serving in a number of other ways in the community including work in and through a local church, social work with the Dalits, English teaching, and more. I will be posting blogs about my experiences periodically and would love to share them with you and hear your responses and questions, so feel free to take a look around and make comments! Blessings
Travel Blog Posts
May 17th 2009
Lindsey SantaMaria - Lindsey-journeytoindia.blogspot.com David Buco - davidbuco.blogspot.com Rev. Thomas John (Achen) - thomas-john.blogspot.com Ariel Givens - arielinindia@blogspot.com Sudie Niesen - sudieniesen.com John Stanger - johnstanger.blogspot.com... read more
May 9th 2009
April 2009 - Inspired Living Namaste(the God in me greets the God in you)! First of all, I must confess that though this last month of solid, All-India travel and exploration has been completely exhilarating, it feels WONDERFUL to be back at the Mandirams Society! It is a welcome relief to feel like I can let my guard down a little bit now that I am not constantly on the move in places and situations that are new to me. I have had a completely packed month of unforgettable and meaningful experiences to be sure, but I am so glad to be home. What I mean is that it's nice not to have to think two steps ahead anymore; I don't need to contemplate what time I need to take which mode of transportation to and ... read more
May 4th 2009
March flew like I can't even tell you and April was even faster. This is the rundown of March, but soo much more happened. There will be a REAL newsletter for April very soon, I promise! March: My dear friends (and fellow wardens) Soni and Sherin left Mandiram to continue studies at the Orthodox Seminary, but I had a fantastic time with the girls at the orphanage even though studies were intense as countless state exams took place. The elderly Appachens and Amachees always keep life interesting and busy :). It was decided that my Lindsey, a volunteer in this program through the Presbyterian church would be returning to the US immediately following our All-India tour in April, which brings me a lot of sadness, but it may turn out for the best as she will ... read more
March 8th 2009
January and February- Transitions into 2009 This month I am going to do something a little different; I’m actually going to use the writing topics suggested by the ELCA. Why haven’t I before? …mostly because I write my reflections in my room at night, and not near a computer with internet where I can look up said topics, but probably also because I have felt certain topics were more the focus of my experience at the time, and I thought you might prefer those to the topics my heart wasn’t really in. Anyway, before we jump into those, I’d like to give you a synopsis of what I did this Jan. Here goes: - Went to Kumerakum, the famous and breathtaking Keralan Backwaters with friends to celebrate New Year’s, but nowhere near midnight of course. ... read more
January 19th 2009
December! “Home” It’s a funny thing that I’ve planned to focus this entry around ideas and concepts of “home,” and now I find myself sitting in front of my computer tonight treating myself to a pot of boxed turkey stuffing my family sent me for Thanksgiving, and Raspberry Crystal Lite... both things obviously from home. Coincidence or proof of an active subconscious? Who knows? This December was truly breaking the mold I have formed about what Christmas means. And I’m thankful. Christmas is always a time that our thoughts drift home - to Christmases past; memories of where we were, who we’ve shared it with, what we did or got, and of course how we felt. I found myself listening to Bing Crosby’s rendition of “I’ll be Home for Christmas” on my laptop long before ... read more
December 6th 2008
October My Dear, U.S.-residing(mostly), loved ones, I’m finding it unbelievably hard to comprehend that I wrote you less than a month ago - it seems like forever! So much has happened and so much will continue to change. Before I break into all of that, I just want to send out a thank you for the responses I received after the last letter; it truly brightens my week to hear from you and about home! I love, miss and am praying for you! October started off with a bang - a grand visit to the overwhelming beauty displayed in the countryside of Munnar. Munnar is a portion of Kerala, famous for its breathtaking mountains and endless tea plantations, both of which I was privileged enough to visit. The 5 other volunteers and I had some ... read more
December 6th 2008
November Greetings to All! This letter may be a little longer than the first, but I hope it will encourage and challenge you as well as give you some insight into the Mandirams society this month. Enjoy! Thus far, I would venture to say that November is looking like my best month yet. I hope I am not speaking too soon in saying such but it has been a wonderful surprise, especially since November is the month volunteers typically find most difficult. I have been busy with many things; the daily life tasks of caring for the Amachees and Appachens, teaching English at the Leyamma Memorial Nursing school, and taking the place of the resident tutor for Balika Mandiram(the girls’ orphanage), as we await a replacement for the last. My Malayalam language lessons are fairing alright, ... read more
October 2nd 2008
Hello Dear Friends! It’s a unique time, this year, and I completely realize that. I’m not quite sure if I can draw any solid conclusions about life, the country and culture, and God just yet, but I think time goes on I will be able to say more about what I’ve experienced here in India. It is 3:30pm, nap time, on my third day here at my final destination, the Mandirams Society in Manganam, a rural section of the bustling city of Kottayam. There are about 150 destitute “Amachees” and “Apachens” (old women and old men), as well as a 12 orphaned girls, and poor families totaling approximately 50 people(mostly older, single mothers) in residency here. They have humbled me greatly with their graciousness, love, acceptance, and hospitality - I am completely beyond words. I almost ... read more
September 4th 2008
Namaste! I have safely arrived at the home of Achen (Pastor) Thomas John, my country coordinator, near Cochin, India after about 34ish hours of flights and airport travel. I am so glad to be finished with travel, at least for the next two weeks. I am amazed at the lush, tropical greenery all around, and can assure you I will be enjoying God's creation, nature, to the fullest this year! There is so much to take in and learn here! I don't have enough time quite yet to describe all that we're doing and experiencing here, but I will make sure to write about it later this week. For now, peace and blessings, and greetings from India! ... read more
August 26th 2008
Today is my first day back. I have spent the last week in Chicago, IL training, discussing, and fellowshipping with the other 37 YAGMs serving abroad this year in Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, the UK, Kenya, South Africa, Slovakia, Palestine, and India. What a week! It was phenomenal to get to know so many wonderfully beautiful people in such a short amount of time. Even though I know we will not all stay in touch once we get settled in our respectice countries and placements, it is comforting to know that I am not alone in this. There are 38 of us that share a bond through this last week's orientation, and now through the experience of having dedicated ourselves to living and serving abroad, loving in the name of Christ. Monday morning and afternoon we all ... read more
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