Sunday February 13th :: Taylor, John & I attended a 1 year anniversary for a local village church. 9pm - midnight prayer and fasting, amazing service. However, as we were wrapping up they invited us to stay for dinner... at midnight. Surprisingly it was absolutely amazing food and we enjoyed every bite.
Monday February 14th :: Passover feast with the team. Slightly difficult to get through the first part, but so interesting to watch 4 year old Nancy and 7 year old Vacintha as they were completely unfazed. Favorite part was the bitter herb curry that the Kumars made in lieu of simple bitter herbs. It was actually super tasty.
Wednesday February 16th :: Day at the beach. Lots of laughs with the team. Many encounters with nature. HBO on the hotel tv. Random cows sunbathing. NO MOSQUITOS. Body Surfing. A Cricket team on tour asking Taylor to teach them to swim. Being able to completely relax and unplug.
Wednesday February 16th :: Day at the beach. Lots of laughs with the team. Many encounters with nature. HBO on the hotel tv. Random cows sunbathing. NO MOSQUITOS. Body Surfing. A Cricket team on tour asking Taylor to teach them to swim. Being able to completely relax and unplug.
Thursday February 17th :: College Outreach at St. Peters. Bethany gave the message and didn't throw up or pass out from stage fright. Taylor found his calling as a game show host.
Friday February 18th :: Taylor, John, Cory, Elana & Bethany visited another Harvest India Orphan home to catalogue the kids for sponsorship & learned much more of the heart behind these homes. Watched geckos hunt down a huge dragon fly. Saw a firefly indoors chillin on a chair. Came home and laughed hysterically when a large rat ran through a drain pipe and across our living room while John & Crystal tried to jump on the couch, only to find that it is not stable or intended to be jumped on.
Saturday February 19th :: College Outreach at JMJ, a Catholic all girls school. Learned that Indian girls are COMPLETELY different when there are no Indian boys around. By far the most fun College crowd we have had so far, as well as the largest.
Sunday February 20th :: 7am - 9am church service at Ambedkar College (where we held our first College Outreach). Taylor shared a passage from Luke and encouraged the students that even when the storm rages around us, Christ is still in the boat with us. The president of the school totally affirmed Taylor for how pertinent the message was and then raved about his drumming, dancing, and guitar skills. Got to call Bethany's parents and wish her dad a happy birthday!
Monday February 21st :: Caught up with Suresh and began dreaming about future College Outreach events. Skyped with Todd and realized that we are more on track with our goals and objectives than we sometimes realize. Were invited to the 200 year birthday of the Bible Society of India in nearby Guntur. It was a Harvest India Crusade on Steroids, (not funded by HI). There were speakers & delegates from the US, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere. While we were excited to just sit in the crowd and 'blend in' we somehow ended up on the jumbo-tron half a dozen times. Guess we haven't quite figured out how to blend in just yet.
First, let me say what a blessing it was to get my very first birthday greeting from India. I can't tell you how special it was and the phone quality seemed as if you were only in Hong Kong.
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome testimony of the Lord's faithfulness to all of His children, no matter the color of their skin, the language they speak or their country of origin. As believers living in a highly developed civilization it is difficult to understand the need that is there for missionaries, teachers, medical and dental professionals and so much more that we take for granted here at home.
My heart leaps for joy as I read all that He is doing to and through you on the "Mission Field" of India. God bless both of you and all that are with you.