Missing home (Journal Entry)

Sometimes I wish I could just jump in a rickshaw or car and just go home for a few minutes. When Mommy tells me about Trisha, Rahul, Gajju, Sachin and Asmita coming over for dinner or helping them move, I just want to be back home. I am not necessarily “homesick”- I just want to be a part of things going on there- and with my friends and family. My family is going to Hatteras this coming week- I want to go. I wish that the phone call to my Mom wasn’t really a phone call from the other side of the world- I wish it was just the other side of the street- it is so clear it sounds like that. I should be thankful. I am. I just long sometimes to be back there- just for a day or two…
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Sunday’s sermon started out with an illustration of the London police. It was when there were the bombs had gone off in London. There was one man that looked suspicious and the police shot him. Later reports came out that he was from Brazil and most likely innocent. Thus the police shot an innocent man. The police forgot the rules but still had the privilege of being a policeman.

In the same way, we too forget our very own rule book, but still get the privilege of being called God’s children. The pastor challenged the congregation to remember the Bible and that when we forget/neglect to read the Bible, pray and mediate that we have forgotten who we are.

Wow. Forgotten who we are, but acting as if we know who we are, right? We take the privileges and blessings for granted, we act as if they are a right, as if we deserve them somehow.

The second point the pastor made was that when we forget the Word, we forget our responsibility as God’s children. Along with that the third point of when we forget the Word, we forget our mission. Can people around us tell that we are followers of Jesus or are the surprised when they find out?

What am I doing that makes me different from the rest of the world around me? And what am I doing in my private life that indicates that I’m a child of God? It’s not so much what others think, but what does God think when no one else is looking? Do I remember who I am during those times?

Lord, help me remember who I am- your child. Help me focus on you more and spent more time in your word.
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“Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter.” (Exodus 15:22-23).

How can I complain? I usually have water one or two hours a day…and I’m not even in a desert! Yet, the Israelistes did complain against Moses at this point.

“So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.” (Exodus 15:24-25)

Lord, you do sent sweet water- as needed. And you do send it when we ask you for it. It’s generally do to our lack of asking or lack of faith in asking that keeps it from coming! Of course, in your sovereignty, it’s not because of our prayer or no prayer that the water comes, but it seems you do bless us when we ask for it!

Trip to Den town (where I did my student teaching in 2003) (Journal Entry)

Anyway, today I went down to Den town to visit Bindiya’s family as well as Katare Ma’am and go to PTS for church. Wow- what a day. It was so nice to be with people I knew and be in a place I called home at one point! I had a really nice time.

I left our guesthouse this morning around 8:30- already a half hour later than I wanted to leave- but couldn’t leave earlier due to no water to take a shower. I did get a shower before leaving, so the half-hour late part was worth it. It was even better since Goldy (one of the guys who took us on motorcycles on Saturday) saw me from his jeep and offered me a ride down the mountain! What perfect timing. I had just started out and was able to get down the mountain about an hour quicker than I would have if I had walked! And, the bus was there and left in about 10 minutes so again, perfect timing.

The bus down went well- I tried to watch how people got off the bus, and I thought that they just kind-of yelled at him and he stopped. I figured out that they whistle when it’s all clear and he can go again. So, what did I do when I wanted to stop? Well, first I asked a guy near to me to ask the driver. That guy either didn’t understand or didn’t want to talk to the driver. So, I had to kind-of yell. He looked at me like, “what’s wrong” and directed me to the door of the bus- but we were still moving! Basically, I realized that when you want to get off, you move to the door (while bus is in motion, of course) and then yell from there. Anyway, he did stop long enough for one of my feet to touch the ground! Haha.

I walked back a little bit to Bindiya’s road- I had remembered it from before! Anyway, I spent time with Diksha, Mr. and Mrs. Arora, Bindiya and Bindiya’s fiancé! She told me a friend was coming to visit- she didn’t say on the phone that it was her fiancé! Wow! I’ll have to write more about that later also since I’m not sure Bindiya’s ready for that! Anyway, it was a really nice time with their family.

I then left- feeling bad for staying so long. I walked to the Vikrum stand and caught a vikrum – sitting halfway on the seat between two men as there wasn’t really room anywhere else. I got off at PTS and went to visit Katare Ma’am- and Mr. Katare. It was such a pleasant visit- I felt so at home with them and was happy to be there.

Frisbee partner! (email to friends)

Check out my new frisbee partner:

Email Update

Short Version:
* Language Learning: “Learn the culture!”
* Expectations: “Have you forgotten what country you’re in?”
* One month Anniversary: “Where else would we get our shoes from?”
* 2 Pictures!

Language Learning
Today, my teacher explained an emphatic particle in Hindi “to” [pronounced ‘toe’]. It means “indeed, actually, in fact.” In a sentence it would read:

He gave an example:
Aap to aayie (you please come here).
However, he said that it is implied that something comes after that…such as:
(par aapka dost nahin- but not your friends)
Thus the whole thing would translate: “Indeed you come here, but not your friend.”
However, he said that generally the second part “but not your friend” is implied, but written or spoken. He said anything could be implied such as “but not your friend” or “not your umbrella” or “the dog” or whatever.
I asked, “How do you know what is implied and what’s not?”
He looked at me and said, “Ah, that’s the culture…you have to just learn the culture.”

Wow. What an exciting thing to think about…but also overwhelming! How can I ever come to know what is implied when there are so many possibilities!

Although it’s a lot to learn and we spend about 10 hours a days studying, I’m enjoying language learning very much! It’s so exciting to be able to communicate with those around me in their own language rather than waiting for them to figure things out in English. I still have a long way to go, so please keep praying for clarity while studying and also for boldness to make mistakes- as that will be the best way to learn!

“Have you forgotten what country you’re in?” (Altering Expectations)
This was an unspoken response to my question of “Is there anyone to call about the water?” We had not had water for approx. 30 hours at this point and so I was just wondering if there was something that could/should be done about it. But, you see if I had not expected to have water and we didn’t have it, I wouldn’t be disappointed! Thus, altering my expectations to meet my circumstances, can help adjust my attitude! [We did eventually get water back and now have it about 80% of the time, for which I am thankful!]

In my naya ghar (new home), I also need not expect hot water when I want it. Hot water is only available when the electricity is on (maybe 70% of the time?), and then you have to wait 20 minutes for it to heat up. But be sure to turn off the hot water heater before getting in the shower to reduce the risk of electric shock (which did happen to someone here!)

Still, in spite of these “inconveniences” I am still enjoying life here very much.

One Month Anniversary! Where else would we get our shoes from?
“Where else would we get our shoes from?” In a conversation with one of my language helpers we were talking about the shoemakers in the bazaar. I told her how cool it was that they will make shoes for you! She didn’t seem too impressed as she said, “Where else would we get our shoes from?” I realized that for her the shoemaker was not just a daily sight in the bazaar, but a real necessity! I tried to tell her that we have stores in America that sell shoes. She was still confused, so I said, “They are ‘ready-made’ shoes, like you have ‘ready-made’ clothes?” I am not sure she completely understood. Shoemakers…just another daily experience!

We have been here one month. One question that we often ask each other is “Where are we again?” In the past month, several situations caused us to ask this question. For example, this past week we went down to the bazaar- about a 45 minute walk down a very steep mountain. We noticed clothing shops, electric parts shops, food shops. We saw tailors, and shoemakers! We saw random video arcade places, a popcorn stand, Dominos pizza, a man with donkey taking kids for a ride, another man and donkey with vegetables in large sacks, etc, etc. We ate in a restaurant where we listened to English 80’s music. Yeah, where are we again? Sometimes, it’s hard to tell! And yet, walking along the street with us are the cows – oh yeah, we know where we are. :)

P&P
Praises:
* Safety to the town we are in now (including keeping our taxi driver awake on the way here!)
* Excellent training the past three weeks and good relationships with other M’s.

Please pry. For:
* Language learning: For perseverance- as we’re spending about 10 hours/day studying! (We’ll be here until Mid-Sept)
* Logistics of traveling to our people group in mid-Sept and tickets for our training in Thailand (the internet is so slow here, I have friends working on tickets from America for us!!!)

Below is a picture of the town where we live right now.

Long email (email to Parents)

(it's monsoon seasons, so it's rainy and fogg here!)

Mommy and Daddy,

How are you? Wow, a whole week has gone by since I’ve talked to you I think! I thought you might call sometime this week and perhaps you have tried but couldn’t get through. “Koi baat nahin” (no worries), it’s okay. We’ve been swamped with Hindi stuff. I spend at least 9 or 10 hours a day studying. And still I don’t know the language!!! It’s getting better and I’m understanding more of the in’s and out’s and how the language works.

Asha, the girl who I’ve asked to come now everyday, is good for practicing the grammar stuff. It’s hard to know if I should just try and converse with her or ask her to help me practice the grammar stuff. We usually do a little of both. She is really nice, I am enjoying my time with her- she is 24 I think. I told her about my friends in America and how I miss them (I said all that in Hindi!). I would like to go to her home sometime and meet her family, her mother was in the hospital this past week for some reason (dirty water probably). Anyway, I pay her approx. $2.00/hour- which is a lot here, but is the going rate for private tutors. If I was going to stay here longer, I would make more of an effort just to get to know her and do more things with her. I may end up doing that anyway. I asked one of my teachers if he does private lessons- they are not supposed to, but some do. He said when he has time and that we could talk about it more next week. So, I may begin to do that also. I feel that my time is limited and I need to crunch as much in as I can. I can then apply it to life and such later. Evy and Bhagat (who work for the same group I do) who live in just 2 minutes away, said that it’s good to get as much grammar as you can while you’re here, because that is what they are good at, and the practical application stuff will come. I’m trying to do both as much as I can, but it’s not always easy.

We went to the Indian Independence Day at the school on Monday. (we did not have regular classes). It was enjoyable, but funny. The Indians gave speeches in English, the students (American, or other countries) gave speeches in Hindi! One said something in French! Cool! We then went to Evy’s house and talked with her for a long time about misc. stuff in this city and in this country. It was nice to talk with her and hear her perspective on things and also see her home- it was “quaint”- that’s the best word I can think of to describe it. I would say beautiful, clean and big- but here that means a completely different thing than it would in America. For here, it was those things.

They had just gotten back from Delhi (oh yeah, Vivian decided to stay in Delhi to do the more “immersion” style of language learning, where we have more grammar- it will be interesting to see who has learned more! Anyway, Evy and Bhagat (fyi: Evy is from Hong Kong, but lived in Canada and grew up there for the most part- but is now married to Bhagat, who is Indian). They brought back a “Dehumnidifier” from Delhi. Evy said, “Well, you just get used to wiping mold off your wall every day, but it will be nice to not have to do it as much now!” Everything here is damp, but not too bad. The sun has come out 3 of the 14 days we’ve been here and it’s so beautiful when it does come out. Oh, it poured rain one day as I was getting ready to go to class. I used my waterproof boots and my rain jacket (wow, that was more than $300 worth of stuff on my body!!!). I had Aunt Bonnie’s umbrella too, but the jacket and boots were GREAT! And, I’ve been wearing those “teva” sandles that Gajju had recommended just about every day (With or without socks), and I’ve used the sleeping bag they have me a lot too- for padding! :) I need to write another thank-you note to them for all that!

Not much else is new…Honestly, we spend most/all our time studying. We do eat and sleep, but not much else. We watched a Hindi movie one night and an American movie one night. The kids here have stopped crying at night, so we’ve been sleeping better. They get up pretty early, 6:30, and are talking and whining, but its okay. There is another girl coming to stay in our room for 4-5 days (?). She was supposed to come last Sunday apparently, but hasn’t come yet- she is supposed to come today. We’ll see. We have had water 90% of the time this week, so that’s been very good. We are both feeling 99% well also- I’m not sure you can feel 100% here…? Haha, I pretty much feel 100% actually…for which I’m thankful.

We are going to Dominos with David and Ginny tomorrow! Yes, there is one at the bottom of the hill (approx. 45 minute walk). We plan to do internet and a little shopping on the way down. I want to get some warm/woolen Indian suits to wear, since I only have one with me and when we come back from Thailand, it will be cold- and we are supposed to mainly wear suits in Almora. The sun did come out today so I took off my sweatshirt and had a short sleeve shirt on- and was still hot! The weather is very predictable here- in that you should be prepared for everything and expect anything!

We will probably go to a different church this week- I think it might be another Methodist one, but I’m not sure. It’s the one that I went to with Ginny when I was here before. I can’t imagine how my college student friends hop around to so many different churches. I mean there is some excitement about going to a new place, but how can you really connect with anyone? Not that we are trying to connect with anyone here since we’re only here for a short time, but still…

So what is happening back home? It’s hard to imagine how far away I am sometimes. It’s so beautiful here though- I keep thinking about when you will come to visit me!!! :) Have you started school yet? What is Jennifer doing? Did she make out okay working at the apartments? Did lessons start back up again for the year? Did the violin group have a pool party at the house recently? How did that go? I hope you are doing well! I miss you!

Love ya!

~ Elizabeth

Sunday (Journal Entry)

August 13, 2005
Today is your day Jesus! Today is Sunday, the first day of the week. Today we are going to church! It’s not perhaps a church I’d pick to go to if I was home. However, there aren’t many options here. It’s not a church that I’ll go to every week, but at least try once or twice. Asha is meeting Robin and me to go since that’s the church she goes to.

The service is in English and Hindi at the same time (or rather, the preacher preaches in English, and it’s translated into Hindi)- how cool! Of course, while good for language learning, it may be distracting, but I think anything will be distracting at least for a while til I get used to it.

I read some from Exodus today- about the Passover. The book “What the Bible is all About” has some interesting thoughts on it. It stated that it is not the life of Jesus that saves us. Just as it is not the white-ness of the lamb that was necessary on the door frames of the people. But it was the death and the blood of Jesus on the cross and the blood of the lamb on the doorframe that meant something. Jesus death (not his life) was what saved us.

However, if it had not been for his life, his death would also be worth nothing. If he had not lived a perfect life and still died, that would not be something to save us. If he had not lived at all, just came and died somehow- that would not demonstrate the true love for the people that He had. His life and his death---but even then, more importantly his resurrection is what is important. His death saved us yes, but had he stayed dead, that would not have saved us.

Basically, Jesus- the whole person of Jesus is important in our salvation!!!

Two days ago a new family came to live at the guesthouse where we live. They have three kids- two who are twins I think (about 1 ½ years old). The other is an infant. I think they may have just arrived from the U.S.A- thus are still on jet-lag. The kids are very cute, but very loud. They cry at night- or rather they scream. Around 3 or 4am, they start screaming. They don’t stop for about 15 minutes. It’s incredible- I didn’t know a kid could scream (in anger) that long. It’s as if we (Robin and I) are the only ones affected by it or the only ones who hear it. Our room is right next to theirs…but mainly it seems the parents do not do anything about it. It’s as if they are sleeping right through it!!!

It’s frustrating. Added to that the fact that we have no water- and even more a limited supply since there are now 6 new people to share the water amongst.

What am I to learn from this situation? When the kids are screaming in the middle of the night, part of me wants to go to their door and ask, “Um, your kids are crying.” Or this morning, I felt like saying in a jokingly manner to the little kid crawling around on the floor while her dad played the guitar in the sitting room, “Are you the one who keeps making so much noise at night, or is it one of your sisters?” Ugh…I must keep those thoughts to myself. How would I handle having a family, including three small kids here? Taking a shower and brushing my teeth without any water is hard enough.

Perhaps I need to ask how I can help them? I need to take on the attitude of a servant and see how I can help the situation.

Lord, thank you for giving me a place to stay and water only when I need it. It causes me to depend on you more. Thank you for giving me ears to hear the screaming kids- for if I could not hear them, I would not be able to hear anything else. Lord, thank you for providing food for me, even if it makes me sick. Thank you for taking care of me to the extent that I need. Thank you for showing me that my life in America is so full of so many things not needed and how it is possible to live on very little. And yet, still what I have is more than most around me. Thank you for allowing me to have just what I need.

In your name, I pray.

~ Amen

Dropped Phone...in the toilet! (Email to parents)

Okay, so I dropped my phone in the toilet. Ugh. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was a toilet in the states, but our toilet here, we aren't supposed to put our toilet paper in. There is a little trash can to put it in which we do- however I forgot about 5 times the first few days…Yes, so I had to take it out. Same thing with the phone. Right now, it’s drying out- however, I think it’s broken for good. How aggravating. Thus, I don’t know how long it will be before I get another one…

It’s interesting. It’s not the hot water (or lack of), or the electricity (or lack of) that bothers me, but my own clumsiness which could have happened no matter what country I’m in.

Oh yes, we are not moving after all. I talked to a girl who lives at the place we were considering and she had actually lived in the room we had been offered for one night and said it’s dangerous- the water (no matter if the hot water heater is on or not) shocks you…gives you little shocks from the electrical current. She said, if you don’t mind being shocked all the time, it’s a nice little place, but I couldn’t handle it. Thus, we decided not to move.

All well. What to do?

I’m feeling better. Nearly 100%, however I’m praying that the medicine has cleared whatever it is out of my body and it’s not just keeping the symptoms away. I decided to stop the medicine today and see what happens.

Monday we have holiday- it’s Indian independence day. We don’t have Hindi classes, but we do have a little celebration thing at the school in the morning. Should be interesting.

I love you!!! ~ Elizabeth

"What modern conveniences are necessary?" (Journal Entry)

Many times I think I can’t believe I’m really here. But then the electricity goes out, the water runs out, or something like that happens and very much reminds me I’m in this great country of India! I constantly go back and forth between what a wonderful country this is and why it can’t have some of the modern conveniences that I would consider necessary such as electricity and water. Yet, then I realize that life can (And does!) continue without these things at least for a time. Some things here are just not as important as they might be in another country. Some things here are more important.

Anyway, I love learning the language. Today, Asha came (Another language helper). I told her how I missed my Indian friends and my family. She seems like she could become a great friend, even though I’ve just met her twice.

I'm happy to be here! (Journal Entry)

We’re here in M town…and I’ve realized I need to journal a lot more! Fortunately, I’ve only lost about a month- but a critical month. The first month here!

Right now, I think I’m very happy to be here! Strange to say, huh? Yes, I am happy to be here. On the trip to Nas town, we had so many complications and issues with getting there and such, but I made a comment in the jeep – after 24 hours or so in the train and at the station and stopping to change the tire, etc, etc…I said, “I’m so happy to be here, in India- it’s like a dream come true.” I really was so happy. I felt as if nothing could make me happier. I felt like I was right where I was supposed to be. It was wonderful.

I still feel that way, but must admit earlier today was missing home. Just for a few moments. Even yesterday when I was more sick than I am now, I didn’t feel really homesick- as I thought I would when I got physically sick. But today, I just started missing my friends and yes family too- and whenever I talk to Natalie I have tears in my eyes. I’m not sure how she would take it if I did start crying on the phone, but I think before too long, I will.

Below is an e-mail that I sent to my friends...It describes my feelings…
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Hey Paltan….

So, I’m here, thinking of you and wondering, how is it that I’m here in your country and yet you’re not here? How is it that I’m studying your language, but you’re not here to talk to? How is it that I have reminders of you all around me, but it’s not the same as being with you? How is it that I’m eating your food, but when I look up from the dinner table, it’s not you I see. How is it that I’m wearing your traditional clothing, and then remember you back home wearing my traditional clothing! How is it that I’m riding crowded busses and rickshaws and you’re riding (And driving!) real cars- with air conditioning!

Having my best friends from the country I’m working in is not as easy as it seems. I think the preparation couldn’t have been better, yet since everything here is a constant reminder of all of you- I miss you that much more.

Anyway, I just wanted to write and say, it’s not yet been a month, but I do miss all of you lots. I did play Frisbee the other day with some Indians with the Frisbee I brought. We didn’t get into an ultimate Frisbee game, but just threw it around. It was great, but again, not the same. Not that I’m expecting it to be the same…it’s as if everything is so close to being the same, and yet then so far from it.

I hope you are all doing well – please let me know what’s going on, what surprise parties are coming up, who has moved, who started classes again and how are they, who is coming to India first… :)

~ Liz

Sick...(Email to Parents)

I'm here at the internet cafe downloading Robin's messages, it's taken 20 minutes to download about 20 messages so far. I'll do mine next- though may not have time to do all of them.

Anyway, I slept well last night, but today have had gotten sick 4 times- and I have not had any water- trying to let it get out of my system. Tonight we plan to buy bottled water and try that...just to see. However, if this continues for another day or two, I'm going to have to do something. Stomach pains ever hour and not always having a bathroom...just isn't a good thing to put my body through...Anyway, I have to go now...pray that both Robin and I will feel better...and if not, if we can determine why we are feeling this way so we can end it!!!

Love you..and miss you. ~ Elizabeth

Clouds placed by His hand... (Journal Entry)

(after arriving in M town - a place where we'll be studying some of the trade language for the next month)

It is late and I need to get to bed. However, not without thanking you, Lord, for another day and for your beautiful creation. Robin and I went for a walk this evening and were overcome by the majestic mountains and the beautiful valleys.

The rosy sunset behind the mountains slowly disappears as the purple mist hovers on the mountains like a hummingbird hovers over the sweet nectar in the flower. The clouds rest on top of the mountain as if they were placed there by hand – and they were! The little dots of light spread out on the mountain cause me to wonder, “Who lives there? Do they know about Jesus?” Lord, I pray that your word would penetrate the hearts of the people here and all over the mountains around me.

On our own (Journal Entry)

I’m here in the next town where I’ll be for a month doing language learning. We arrived a few hours ago. It’s only 9pm, but feels like midnight. We traveled about 9 hours by taxi with all our luggage. Our driver was very nice, but didn’t speak much English at all. And, about halfway there, it seemed he was falling asleep! I tried to talk with him in Hindi to keep him awake! He assured me that he was okay, but I continued to talk and ask him questions. It was good practice for me too. Oh yes, our taxi didn’t have one of the back windows. And, like the last time, it started to rain. We just put a black trash bag over the window and all was fine.

In the taxi, Robin and I just sat there and both realized we were on our own! What a great feeling. Yet, this taxi driver could just take all our luggage and the two of us pretty much wherever and we wouldn’t be able to do much about it. I realized my own dependence on not only the taxi driver, but the Lord- especially when the taxi driver was falling asleep! I often think I can do so much. I can call and order the taxi, I can even communicate some in his language. But, once in the car- I have little control and can either become paranoid with the situation being out of my control, or trust the driver and more importantly, the Lord to get me to my destination.

Anyway, we arrived and were greeted by an English speaking girl from Switzerland. We were shown to our room- actually like a dorm room, but right now there aren’t any other people staying in that room. There are many other people here- a couple from Australia, a woman from France. Another couple from California. And a few others. Should be an interesting group!

IT'S SO HOT (Journal Entry)

We are in the capitol. The heat is nearly unbearable. I am wondering when the relief will come! Fortunately, yesterday the rains came and refreshed everything. It was wonderful! I had been out with Linda shopping and just couldn’t even think anymore- the sweat was running down my face as if I had been crying for hours. The dust on the street was sticking to my arms and getting in my eyes.

I came into the hotel to find shade (not A/C), and the hotel is not much to speak of. It is actually hotter in the hotel than outside.

We’re in a hotel that is actually still being built. I didn’t get any pictures, but the men are plastering mud up on the walls and building another wall or another floor or something- it’s hard to tell right now.

Train Story (Mass Update)

“Aap kahan jaeangi?” (where are you going?)
“Nass.” (name of town)
“Train nahin hai” (there’s no train) - the woman laughed.

I tried to talk with this woman in Hindi (third from right above- her family/friends are around her) as we waited on the train platform. We had arrived at a train station in a small town, after riding on the first train for 21 hours, (which was already a Plan B- since our Plan A was cancelled due to flooding in the city where we were going to go through!) We arrived only to learn that our connecting train had been cancelled.

Vegetable and fruit vendors on the train platform tried to sell us their goods and beggars (both young and old) came up to us asking for anything we might have- some of them having deformities that are hard to explain and things I’ve never seen before.

We (who are “we”- our training crew- about 10 people) went out of the train station and took a rickshaw (a 3 wheeled motorized vehicle) – We took it two or three people at a time with our huge 70 pound luggage bags to a nearby taxi stand. Once we were there, I had a flashback to one of my first experiences in this great country. Men, young and old all around- looking as though they had never seen a white woman before. My goodness- did they stare and look and look and stare! See a few pictures below.

We were finally on our way. Oh yeah, my luggage was again on top of the jeep. But koi baat nahin (no problems!). Well, that is, until it started raining. Which, of course it did. We had to stop, we put a tarp on the luggage and we were on our way again, without too much hassle.

Oh, but wait- with so much weight with the luggage and people, it really is a lot to ask for an Indian tire. So, sure enough, our tire went flat. We had been driving for almost 2 hours at that point, were out in the middle of no where, and had another hour or so to go- and someone else also had to “go” – to the bathroom…Yep, that’s right. I asked one of our leaders what to do- they said, “you could go ask those people over there, or just look for a bush.” Well, I chose the second option- perhaps I’m a true Indian now?

Okay, we (or rather the Indian drivers who spoke no English) fixed the tire, and we were on our way again. I don’t think we had any more major issues, except dodging the cows in the road and swerving to fit in-between two Ta-ta Trucks (Indian version of tractor-trailer- shorter, but wider).

(Picture of Robin and myself in the jeep/taxi thing!)

We finally arrived at our hotel- everyone still had all their luggage which was a shock, since on
all other trainings in the past, something had gotten stolen!

We are in a small town and it’s been raining ever since we got here, pray that there isn’t flooding here as there has been in a nearby town where more than 800 people have already died. We are on the 3rd floor of a hotel so no worries, but the streets are already a muddy mess…hopefully, it won’t get worse.

We did take a walk yesterday and here is a picture of the street we walked down.
And a picture of some little boys who were playing in the water. We were soaking wet when we got back.




We’re here visiting a partner organization learning about how Indians can take classes similar to
those in the states to learn how to do translation of the Book, etc. It’s neat to be here with Indians who are doing the same things we are and working towards the same goals. What an encouragement!

Something else that one of our leaders shared that was a blessing to me was how when we trust in Jesus, this earth is not our real home. He explained that since his wife and he have been here for 10 years, they feel comfortable here, but not exactly at home. Yet, when they return to their “home” in Canada, so much has changed, that Canada is not exactly home for them either. There is a dissatisfaction with belonging, and settling in because their “home” is not really anywhere here on this earth. He asked the group who would called this town that we are in their “home.” No one raised their hand. They are all taking the training courses from various parts of India or even other countries in some cases. None of us are “at home” here in this town and even not on
this earth. Yet, we have hope because for those who trust in Jesus, we have a home in Heaven where we will be one day!

Hope all is well back “home!” Here is a picture of our group….
Our first real meal after our approx. 35 hour trip!
P+P
Praise the Lord for health and safety thus far!
Please be praying for us as we travel to another major city where we will be for a few days, then
heading off to language school- where some details are still being worked out.