Erin is settling into her new digs quite well. The two lads in the photo have been posted outside Erin's room by Henry. They have taken their duty very seriously. The two have also help Erin rig up her new mosquito netting. The technology is simple but effective. Here is what Erin has to say:

My new mosquito net. It's not quite as romantic as you'd hope (as I hoped) the way they look in all those steamy monsoon movies. But it works. These boys Rajashekar and Ajay - are the two who sleep outside my room. They helped me rig it up. You might notice that the cords that suspend it above my bed are at about jugular height. My room instantly became a gymnasium. But it works, you know? I laid in my bed and watched the little buggers land on it. Ha!

Erin shares another story of hope given to one in need:

I met Renuka when I was here last. She is a pretty perfect example of the sorts of people Henry hopes to help with his new Care and Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and TB patients. Renuka contracted HIV after her husband got it from a prostitute. Now a widow she is very sick. She came to GSM with the intention of turning over her kids and then committing suicide, but Henry convinced her that she had a reason to keep going and that she should dedicate her life to Christ. Today, though very sick, she is a Christian and would like to spend the rest of her days "helping people like her" - preventative education. There's a pretty sizable stigma in India about AIDS/HIV patients - either they don't understand it or it's a conscious ostracization - but they are treated very poorly. Most people will not touch them or come near them, so the people at GSM go to extra lengths to hug her and hold her. She and her two children live in Tirupati (20-25 miles) where the kids go to school, but Henry sends them 3000 rupees (about $75) a month for her food and medical bills.

Editors Note: Renuka and her children do have an American sponsor.

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress;have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalms 4:1

Indian Transportation Systems

India has a broad array of transportation options. Erin visited her Uncle in Chennai for a weekend. Auto Rickshaw was the mode of transportation in the city. The three wheeled motorcycles have two-stroke engines and are ever present throughout most towns and cities. Henry sent his brother, Annand, to escort her back to Puttur. They traveled the 70-80 miles back to Puttur on a third class train ride.

Erin describes her experinece,

Picture 1 -- what it looks like from the inside of an Auto Rickshaw. I always wanted to take one, and now I have. In fact, they were our main mode of transportation in Chennai Picture 2 -- The train station in Chennai. I have also always wanted to take a train, and here it is. Picture 3 -- Anand and me on the train. You can contrast Anand's feelings about the train with my feelings about the train via the looks on our faces. I got a window seat! (Don't think we didn't have to fight for it.) Picture 4 -- This is what it looks like on an Indian Train. It's not quite like the movie "Darjeeling Lmtd." but then, we rode 3rd class.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9 (NIV)