I AM NOT FORGOTTEN

Yesterday...I taught the kids through the Psalm 27, then showed them the dance (with 4 that learned it)hopefully, they will learn for Christmas!
The best part of my day today after this wonderful day you see pictured is this moment: walking outside and hearing two children skip along doing another task and singing just the words: "I am not forgotten." (those are the words to the song). ...it made me smile -and know that their lives were impacted.

These children have impaced my heart and will be remembered...but most importantly their Heavenly Father knows each by name and every unique characteristic. If he cares for the birds, how much MORE will he CARE for them.

Ps.27:10 "When my mother and father forsake me, the Lord takes me in."

Season of Change...

October 1, 2009 Season's are Changing and so am I!

Dearest friends and family,

Catching YOU up...

The events that have transpired and thus making this journey even more exciting are as follows!

Due to the political climate in India, Pastor Paul informed me two weeks ago it is too difficult for him to host me for more than 30-40 days at this time. This did not come as a shock to me, because before I came, I knew of some tensions going on but I just stepped out in faith, knowing God would be faithful to provide a way for me to serve the Lord on the mission field. That was my goal. After prayerful consideration and weighing the options with my pastors, we decided upon an opportunity which I will begin October 5th, Monday! Needless to say, I have just days left in India. I wanted to inform you of this and invite you to continue with me on my missionary journey…extended…

In 2003, I met some wonderful ministers, Jim and Brenda Puhr, in 2003 when my mother and I traveled to Europe in quest to visit my grandfather’s homeland of Albania. The Puhrs have served in international missions since 1982. You can learn more about them by clicking on this link: www.cmiworld.org and then find "missionaries" on the menu bar! Mom and I visited with them in Budapest and even traveled to Slovakia on a ministry trip. In reading their newsletter just before I left for India, I noticed they had need of a support staff member. I was feeling a strange interest in their ministry but was already committed to come to India. Two-weeks ago when I learned that the door was closing for me to be here, I immediately had a list of 15 options. lol...

Many are the plans of a man's heart, but the Lord’s prevails! –Proverbs.

My first email, however, was to Jim Puhr to inquire about possibly coming to help with their ministry and live with their family for some time. He answered and informed me they would love for me to come! So, I will be helping them in their ministry- joining the Christian Missions International team. I didn’t want to get too excited at first as this door was springing open, but inside, I was leaping with joy—knowing that one day I would return to Europe but not knowing when or how. I only had pondered it in my heart...

So, God may use this as a “stepping-stone” to reach some dreams of mine:

1. To teach overseas. There is an International Christian School- Budapest that their daughter attends—in walking distance to their house that I will volunteer at on my time off! I visited this same school in ’03 and it opened my eyes to the reality of the dream I had to teach overseas.

2. To return to Albania to visit my distant cousins/ relatives again. I will be only a 2 hour plane trip away.

I am excited to live with a missionary family who has been on the field for more than 25 years, to learn much, and to serve them and my Lord with gladness!

My pastors in Lakeland, Pastor Jim and Brenda and I all have a peace about this opportunity! So the next journey begins…

My Departure date from India: October 5th

My Return home to Tampa/ Lakeland: January 4th

With my American passport I can stay there 90 days, so I will return to the U.S. and then pray about what is next for me. Thank you for praying for God’s perfect will to be done in my life. I am available for His leading.

Thank you for your continued love and support.

I have enjoyed hearing from you all very much. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and keeping in touch!

In Awe of God's Faithfulness,

Alexis K. Brokas

If you would like to send me mail to my new address, email or facebook me and I would be glad to give it to you if you don't already have it! (I don't want to put it on here...thanks!)

Ten years ago the Lord told me if I stick with him, life will be an adventure. Please join me on this new journey to Eastern Europe...and with a new adventure, I had to change my blog title to just "Alexis' Adventures" because I never know where the Lord may take me!

Let’s Go!



U.S. Address for support is the same:

P.O. Box 5421, Lakeland FL 33807

Thank you!!

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN AND SEE ALL I HAVE UPDATED...AND RE-VISIT HERE, AS THE PICTURES ARE NOT OVER..I STILL HAVE 3 DAYS TO SPEND WITH THE CHILDREN!

Back in Sholinghur...

Today playing "King's Corner"/ Four Corners with some of the boys...I also started teaching the dance...yeah!!

Back in Sholinghur, God’s House… it is my 36th day here in India and it has been a great experience...
Today the children are “on holiday” (due to Moslem/ Hindu festivals) but yet they have homework …?? I don’t get it. Today they should begin a few days where they will be free to spend some time with me. We will hopefully learn a dance together, entitled: “I am not forgotten”—as these children are NOT forgotten, God knows them by name! –please pray that God continues to provide for them. Their sole supporter for the children for the past 3 years is discontinuing their support starting January 2010. So, please join with me in prayer. There are 18 children that live at God’s House, but they support 53 total children throughout the villages—they support their school fees, books, clothing and basic needs medically. They desire for more children to come and live here at God’s House depending on finances and the specific school they need to attend. Also, pray, because there will hopefully be a “benefit concert” for the children on my alma-mater campus of Southeastern University …so pray the college students empty their pockets! (and come with full ones) I have been busy trying to make sure my friend, Ray Allen, an R.D. on campus, has pictures, video and what he needs to make this happen and the college students and staff are informed of what they are supporting by attending.

THIS IS ALSO AN ADVERTISEMENT: IF YOU LIVE IN LAKELAND, PLEASE ATTEND THIS CONCERT AND SPREAD THE WORD WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT IT! The children and Pastors here will be grateful. Also, when I leave I hope to bless God’s House as much as I can, and in the future as well. A piece of my heart will be with them always.

House Dedication/ Tearful Goodbye

Dedication...
On Sunday, Phillip’s parents dedicated their 3rd story of their house to their son, Phillip (only Christian in their family). So, we gathered there very early and I witnessed many customs for an Indian house dedication. This was very involved! ;) We relaxed a lot there and I met a lot of family members –we sang together, talked, ate together and enjoyed each other! I was a little emotional at the moment when we were all singing to the Lord a song in Tamil. The moment was priceless. I will never forget the love these people share as a family. They are so devoted to their God in the midst of a dark world. They love their family so much and they all rejoice together and suffer together…so in that moment I think I felt God’s glory. God was pleased, as was I.
A tearful goodbye…
As we all loaded the van to leave Bangalore, Phillip tipped the driver, Shiva, and we were on our way! We then crossed paths with a taxi and I noticed a man in between two younger females. It was an elderly man obviously in need of some medical attention. I became emotional and prayed out to the Lord silently that He would heal that man and bring that family to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Then I was flooded with the emotion and thought that: I hate the suffering here..there is so much---but I love the people SO very much…it’s a weird feeling, almost like a tug at my heart. I guess I am experiencing the “heart of a true missionary, the heart of Jesus” as my friend and mother described. I will miss being with Pastor Paul’s family in Bangalore. I am not sure when I will return. Their love and their kindness in Christ made an impact on this “foreigner’s” heart. I will be different, I know, because of it. I will start my own family different. Today everything changes!
I think leaving Bangalore made me think of leaving India altogether in just a short week, that I was a little more emotional not knowing when I will see these people again that are so lovely to be with! I will leave a part of my heart for sure.

"Peace Haven" in Bangalore

This past weekend I spent some time in Bangalore, India – the “City of Gardens”. Pastor Paul’s previous home is there called “Peace Haven”. And it is just that –a peace haven--as it nestles between Hindu worshippers. In “Peace Haven” Pastor Paul’s daughter, Grace lives with her husband, Phillip, and brilliant 9-yr. old daughter, Deborah. They rent out some of the rooms in the two- story building. The pix of me is acutally on the roadside, on the way back from Bangalore...PEACE!

Garden Time

The children spend time in the garden consistently to build muscle and gardening skill! Auntie Lexi sits by and takes photos, uses her watercolor/ colored pencils (really cool pencils you dip in water and they turn into watercolor!) and some morning coffee. I have coffee or hot ginger tea in this mug...they give me the same one everytime. :)

Pics from God's House