humidity, travel, and parentheses

The Word for the World missionaries have departed from Dehradun, and John and I have traveled with our Indian family to Chennai. The acclimation to India continues and has taken on new meaning with the hot, humid climate of south India. After the conference, we said goodbye to many brothers and sisters who returned to the work which God called them. I suspect the prayer concerns these believers have given us to bear will come to mind more often as we begin participating in the ministry.

The train ride from Dehli to Chennai took 2 nights and 1 day. Singing with Uncle Ebenezar and his wife Angel, waving at naked children, AC in our train car, reading, cows, many terrains, and interesting discussions are just a few highlights of this trip. (We went to Taj Mahal before traveling. Pictures and words will do little to describe it. This palace tomb is an extraordinary, time-tested piece of architecture.)

Our brief time (1 week) in Chennai will consist of sleeping at the Word for the World office, sharing during devotion times, teaching some English, playing Connect Four with a prayer warrior named Jim Asir (who happens to be disabled and from whom I have much to learn), and preparing for the ministry opportunities in Mumbai.

Thank you for your prayers and support. (Forgive me for the many parentheses. Maybe I'll use footnotes next time.)

dancing, McDonald's, and prayer

(from left to right) John, Prikash, Babu, Myself, and Elia. These men serve as pastors in the slums of Chandigarh.

John and I find ourselves in a unique situation in India--surrounded by followers of Christ at Word for the World's missionary conference. We have met many genuine people from all over India who love Christ and are being used to further His kingdom. We have prayed with our brothers and sisters from India, played cricket with them, learned some of their language, drank much chai, and I have danced with them (John was unfortunately resting when this comical event occured. The Indians were complimentary of my dancing, but I remain skeptical.)

We are adjusting to the culture, although at times we find ourselves confused. Yesterday I sat on a bed at the Prebyterian Theological Seminary in Dehradun, India reading a book about an artistic Jewish boy growing up in Brooklyn. John soon returned from McDonald's with Samuel and we shared McChicken's with this 17 year old from Tamilnadu who is only a few years away from an arranged marriage.

Despite such confusing situations John and I have been encouraged and strengthened (John did have a fever yesterday. He is recovering his strength. "Prayer is powerful" as Elia of Chandigarh says). These believers have refreshed us as we prepare to work with their ministries this summer. Some of them, from Orissa and Karnataka, face opposition and persecution, but yet they ask us to pray that the hearts of their persecutors would softened to the Gospel.

Dhanyavad ("thank you" in Hindi) for you prayers and support. Our restful time at the conference in Dehradun will be over tomorrow, and after many hours on a train (and a stop at the Taj Mahal) will begin working in Chennai.

friends, streets, and smiles

John and I with our friend Jeetu (who is actually very awake) waiting by a busy Indian road in Dehradun.

Binesh (one of our Tamil teachers) and I in Dehradun. -->

<---- John and I with distracted smiles as we stand next to an always interesting (at times dangerous) Indian road.

another prespective

John Moore, the friend I am with, has also created a blog. This Arkansan, musician, "worldviewer," relationship builder, soon to be Tamil expert, and all around great guy offers another prespective on our time in India.

You can reach his blog by the following link:
http://onatrainfromdelhi.wordpress.com

(John will also serve as the photographer for our excursion, so any pictures that appear on this site are courtesy of John Moore unless otherwise specified.)

Suda erruku ("It is very hot" in Tamil)

as kites fly over Dehradun

As kites fly over Dehradun
Emmanuel laughs at a "funny."
An eagle has landed on the swing set
while many drink chai under
the large tree painted red and white.

We are called upon to do "actions"
and Tibetan children swing and run
as the crow searches through curry.

Chipati is made as beautiful people
who love to laugh
inspire me to join them.

The precious children jingle
as they play with one another.
John smiles at his son Emmanuel,
the joyful one
is dearly loved by his father.
A father's love and pride (good pride)
swells despite Emmanuel's disability.

This moment is good,
given by a good God
whose own love for His children
has swollen
and burst forth into history.

I hesitate to post this, but this 'moment' that I observed in Dehradun as the Tamil man spoke was too good not to share. I doubt that such reflections will be frequent in this blog.

Thank you for your prayers. We are not sick and are adjusting well. We will begin ministering to the socially neglected of India soon. Pray for us as we prepare and heed the Father's guiding voice.

Strotum ("Praise the Lord" in Tamil).

chai, brothers, and tamil

John and I are in northern India, amidst the foothills of the Himalayas, at a conference that is being conducted for the sponsors of Word for the World missionaries. As our bodies continue to acclimate to the heat, food, and new sleep cycle we are surrounded by brothers and sisters listening to the Word being proclaimed in their South Indian tongue--Tamil.

We have chai (tea) three times a day with the believers that we have met. They graciously offer us things we need, things we don't know we need, and a few things we are not sure if we want. We are grateful to have brothers who care for us and take us to the Internet cafe from which I write this post. [Jeeto is the friend who brought us here and purchased Lays potato chips for us, that are unlike any flavor sold in the U.S.]

As I sit in the conference sessions, unable to understand a single word I realize that God's Word and His Bride are not mine to control. I merely handle the Word (2 Tim. 2:15) , but it is living, moving and transforming. The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.

I am thankful for the Word and for those brothers who are teaching me Tamil. Nala erukku ("It is good" in Tamil).

english, traffic, and adjustment

We have been in India now for 3 whole days and the way I speak has already been influenced by Indian English. (They actually speak very good English, for which I am thankful.)

To say that India is different from my experience is an understatement. I could write so much about the people and places we passed on the 9 1/2 hour drive from Dehli to Dehradun. The riding itself was an experience worthy of a brief dissertation (possibly entitled "On Surviving while Driving in India").

Thank you for prayers and support. Continue to remember John and I as we adjust to India culture.