Closing

Our trip is coming to a close. It's been both exciting, heart wrenching, and HOT!

This week we've done a lot of tourist type things. We've been to a few more temples and traveled to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.



We've also had opportunity to hangout with some nationals. A great coffee shop called Costa Coffee has employed quite a few deaf people. Two of them quickly befriended our team. One of them is a Christ-follower and the other is Hindu. The Hindu friend, Rajeev, told us that we much see a temple called Ashratam, so we asked if he would take us and show us around. Both went with us on Thursday. It was horribly hot but the temple was immaculate. ...In the US I had watched and IMAX film with Paula (Aaron's mom)about an Indian boy who traveled through India and became a Yogi... it turns out the boy that this boy was the central focus of worship in this temple. The temple had the IMAX film for us to watch as well as a ride (Pirated of the Carribean style), and an exhibition that walked through the stages of his life. Many of the things he was know for sounded a lot like the things Jesus did - cared for the poor, lived simply, taught peace, etc. It was all quite interesting. We talked with the two deaf boys more about our experience when we went back to Costa with them.

I've also grown fond of a girl named Sonia. She's Hindu but very modern. She walked us through the ISKCON temple this morning. She kept telling us "...but this is mythology, and I don't really believe it." And she pointed out that she thought it was pretty ridiculous that this huge temple was build so nicely (and expensively) but there are still people starving right outside of its doors. She admitted that she only really held onto Hinduism slightly because it seems to give her some soft of peace in hard times.... very interesting! I have her contact info and I really hope to keep in contact with her. She's a really neat girl outside of those things too. Very nice, very gentle, and so giving.

Tomorrow we leave (in the late evening). I'll admit that I'm pretty excited to go home. I miss feeling "at home" and I have been dealing with this weird heat rash thing that I've never seen before. Aaron is also sick with a flu of some sort. We miss our cat and we miss the comfort of our bed :)

So... soon we shall see you friends! SOON!

Signing off,
Spotted and Eager

Hanuman's Temple and Sikh Gurdwara

Today we went to the Hanuman temple and Sikh Gurdwara. It was neat to go again. I think I draw nearer to God each time I re-learn how unique He is. He's not chaotic and unpredictable. He's just and quick to act. He's welcoming and kind to all, like the Sikhs, but He's promised eternal salvation to those who come to Him! He is not partial (whereas the Hindu Gods give favor to those who give lots of money and flowers and food).

Also, I'm constantly amazed at how complete, how whole, how provocative the Word of our Father is. He has already addressed, so clearly, the things that are happening here, even in this present age. Today I read Romans 1 and 2. I see the things in this text lived out in my surroundings here. They have indeed traded in truth for falsehood! They have indeed seen the wonders of God but turned away! They are indeed not only practicing lawlessness, but ENCOURAGING and HONORING it!

I love our Father! What a mighty One He is! What a righteous and loving One we serve. What a personal and accepting Lord we know! What a forgiving Son we love!

Signing off,
An Admirer

Finished Program

It's Saturday morning... yesterday we finished the children's program in the slum area. It turned out that only Aaron, Janelle, and I could go yesterday because Dawn and Becky were very sick. But other than that, it was so fun to see the program come to a close. The kids were so excited to share their memory verses with us, perform a skit, and sing songs. They kinda got to take over and lead he program. It was very fun.






Last night we went to this dance show. It was a Jazz dance thing that Dawn wanted to go to because the girl she met in the cafe was performing. It was very interesting though. The show was set up like a history timeline. One of the major markers was the death AND RESURRECTION of Christ! The announcer even said something like "when the Christ was killed for the sin of all people...." It was very interesting, the markers they chose to use throughout history.

Today is a pretty relaxed day. Of course! It's Saturday!
...but how crazy to think we are half way through out time here.
...and then we have to get back on that darn plane.... eh!
Happy Saturday!

Signing off,
Ready for the Weekend

Photos from India

Today we went to the slum again to work with the children. While we were there the electricity went out (which is fairly typical) and so the fans turned off. It got sooo hot! I could feel sweat dripping down my back and front side as if water had been poured over my head. It's was pretty extreme.

Last night we didn't get to go to the Big Chill, so we went for lunch today. YUMMY!



Last night we went to Cafe Coffee Day and Janelle and I met some really neat girls. Hopefully on Saturday we'll get to go with them to the ISKON temple. One of them worships there so she said she'd show us. I'm pretty excited about it.

Now we're about to have a team meeting. SO......

Signing off,
Just signing off :)

Time in the Slums

Today and yesterday have been very encouraging. Both days, we went to a slum with Janaman. We've been telling Bible stories to the children and done coloring pages with them. We've also played some games with them. They've seemed to really enjoy it.

I'm very proud of my team too. They've done so well in getting involved with the children. I have to admit that Aaron's anxiety about teaching children made me a little nervous. I thought he'd basically refuse to do anything with them, but he's been AMAZING. I love to watch him singing the worship songs and doing the hand motions. He gets all into it and it makes me so happy!

-interjection: all that I have written so far has been thought out in an Indian accent and I apologized for the awkward sentence formation... I'm not sure I can help it right now -

I hope that maybe tomorrow I can take some pictures and post them here. I think it would be fun for many of you to see the things we are doing while we are here.

Tonight we will be going to some coffee houses in hopes of meeting some friends. We would like to begin conversations about culture and religion with them. (For those who know Delhi-) I think I am going to take the team to Saket; to the Cafe Coffee Day (or whatever that coffee shop is). Then we will come back for dinner because Kheem is cooking... and then... THE BIG CHILL! WHAT WHAT!

The first couple days were rough, but as time goes on it is getting better. Praise God!

Signing off,
Ever so excited about the Big Chill

Purses, Postcards, and Elephants, Oh My!

Today we went to the market again and bought purses, wall hangings, key chains, and all that junk that only Americans waste money on, I mean, buy. It was a lot of fun though. We bought some pretty cool stuff. The team seemed to really enjoy the experience.

For lunch we went to Pizza Hut. I know... we're being very "cultural" huh? HA! Well we were EXHAUSTED by the time we had lunch (3:30) so we just did that. Aaron got all brave on us and ordered and drink called Masala Lemonade. It was the sickest thing I ever did taste. It definitely tasted like rotten eggs. ECK!

Tonight we went to meet with Janaman and we discussed our plan for the week. We are still planning to do VBS Tues-Fri. I think my team will be pretty shocked by what they see. But I am sure it will be a great awakening for them. I'm excited to see the change that God works in them.

Well, I am going to sit with my team and plan out games, so I shall go.

Signing off,
Tired, Sweaty, and Sticky

Just to Say We're Here

We're here in India, it's true. We had quite the flight. It was cramped and very long. I sincerely thought I was going to go insane about 6 hours into the second flight (which was 13 hours). It was just such a small amount of room to be in for 13 hours straight. But we're here and we've had a busy day. So now (it's 11:15pm) we're very tired and ready for bed. Tomorrow I will report more about today's events.

Signing off,
FROM INDIA!