In Frankfurt

The plane from Frankfurt to Newark is scheduled on time and has just arrived. We landed in snow--we had circled for an hour!

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. -Psalm 121:8 (NRSV)

Send Off at the Airport

We are in the airport waiting to go through baggage security and then to the ticket counter. We will see you in Frankfurt!

In you, O LORD, I take refuge; . . . Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. -Psalm 71:1, 3 (NRSV)

Friday

We all slept like rocks last night. Praveen came about 11am and took us to the music store. We had a great time there. The one man there wants to study music in the USA. He played and sang songs for us. I accompanied him on Suzy Q!!!! We then went to Spencer's and shopped til we dropped-actually it was as long as it took for Doug to kill himself-1 hour 45 minutes. It is okay-he had fun!! Lavanya met us at Spencer's-she is sponsored by the Humphrey's-and we paid $200 for her last semester tuition in college. She is studying chemistry. We ate at Pizza Hut and then back to the hotel to check out. We are now waiting comfortably at the hotel before going to the airport to wait outside before we can enter.

A vision for the appointed time ... speaks of the end. ... If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. -Habakkuk 2:3 (NRSV)

Thursday Night

We are in Chennai. We ate at the hotel and then Praveen took us to St. Thomas Basilica--very, very beautiful!! There was a wedding while we were there. We then went down to the Bay of Bengal (right behind the church) then back to the hotel for rest, early dinner, and sleep.

Jesus said, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." -Mark 6:31 (NIV)

Thursday

We had breakfast at Vijay and Grace's house.





Doug wants one!

After breakfast, we sang hymns and said prayers. Grace is giving Stacie a blessing and then the tears began flowing as we said our good byes and gave hugs. Well, maybe not good byes but "see you later"!

Doug-I thank God for Charlie and Marianna for opening up my eyes to what God is doing through Brother Henry here at GSM. Miracles truly happen here, and we are the fortunate ones to see them with our own eyes. For me, these mission trips to GSM are an integral part of every journey with God. Perhaps the most vivid times in my life when I can actually feel His transforming power at work in and through me and my co-missionaries.

Before leaving, we blessed the new slit lamp and new dental chair. The microscope will be picked up in Chennai tomorrow and brought to the airport for our send off!!

Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good; his love is eternal. -Psalm 136:1 (TEV)

Wednesday Evening

Our last evening at the mission was probably the most powerful and emotional. We purchased blankets for the poor (this sect of poor do not bathe, some do not wear clothing, and they do not live in houses). We distributed 50 blankets. They treasured their gifts-you would have thought we had given them a million dollars!

The children are lined up in the Ashram receiving one set of clothing and a blanket.

Tara is distributing a blanket.

This little boy is at the mission with his brother. The father has passed away and the mother also stays at the mission so she can be watched because she is mentally unstable. He carries the little beanie baby puppy around with him that we gave him. He is so precious.

Vijay, Henry's brother, leads the Evangelists in prayer thanking us for our journey to GSM and for safe travel home. Paradise is to the right of Vijay (with microphone). We held a service at his village when we first arrived. The tears flowed as we were thanked individually.

The outside area was dark--we served food to over 400 people!!!

The story behind this picture--Mary served us food for almost two weeks and Doug served Mary heaping amounts of food out in the court yard--they feel it is their duty to serve as we are guests. So, after we served, we went back to the house (for dinner-not that we were hungry) and Mary brought heaping amounts of food for Doug.
Ahh amaaa!!

After no one was hungry to eat (as it was 10:30 pm) and we were physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted, the girls brought henna to decorate our hands. It took about an hour and then we had to wait an hour to let it dry(we couldn't do it)--we just went to bed and just crashed!

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. -James 1:17 (NRSV)

Dedication

The band and singers sang the Welcome song for each person and special guests--whew, I thought we were going to be singing ALL day!!

Sister Diann reads the dedication for Terry's cottage.




Robin says a prayer.









Sister Diann displays the sign.

Brother Doug and Sister Helen read the dedication and Sister Deb prays for Phyllis' cottages.

Pastor Stacie says the prayer for the Jesus room Sister Diann dedicated to the team.

People enjoying a wonderful meal!

Banana leaves for plates--Doug & Pete used the leaves for plates and ate with their hands but the rest of us remained Americanized!!!

Jen-It's good to be back... I'd say it's good to be home but I don't want to scare anyone! You really do feel so welcome here, and you know it's where you are suppose to be. I said when I was here in '97 how stunning the children are here, and nothing's changed. Pete had devotions the other morning and the verse he chose was Matthew 18:5- "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.". This verse totally explains Good Shepherd Mission. Henry is completely open to God's will. He surrenders it all, and in his weakness God's grace gives him the strength to provide for so many. You can see the love of Jesus coming through in the faces and smiles of all the children here. Henry receives these children with open arms and in return he is blessed over and over again.

Henry and his grandson, Henry Samuel, Praveen and Anita's son.

[Jesus] took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. -Mark 10:16 (NIV)

Tuesday Night

The team was treated to a wonderful meal last night by Praveen and Anita. Before leaving, we saw the new slit lamp that was purchased with your generous donations. Brother Henry and Praveen and ALL the satff are so excited and appreciative of the gifts--slit lamp, dental chair (funds from Grace Evangelical in Missouri), microscope, clothing gifts for all the children and staff, blankets for the children and 50 poor people, a dedication meal and celebration (funded by Sister Paula Flippin), a meal hosted and served by the team, dinner for the medical staff, only 4 medical camps which the strikes cut short because we were unable to get to Kolladam--please note, all medications not distributed at camps is then distributed free at the hospital--and lastly, part of the prayer garden (the rest of the garden will be completed as the cottages will be finished--more donations are needed for it's completion). We have a list of needs and concerns for women health issues to work on next. One last note so it is not forgotten,Praveen has decided to have the 5 residents for the HIV/AIDS center begin residing now rather than February 1 even though there is no furniture, ceiling fans, lights, and other amenities in which donations are needed.

Deb--This musical chorus has played over and over in my head for the past ten days:
"We are standing on holy ground, for I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now, for web are standing in His presence on holy ground."

Wherever God is present becomes sacred and he is surely present at the Good Shepherd Mission. We have felt it again and again.

Mary has spoiled us. We have such a variety and abundance of food for each meal (but nothing goes to waste because what is not eaten goes to the children). We came back one day to potato chips.

The Dedication!!

What work has gone into getting the cottages ready and how beautiful they are!!! This picture shows Terry's cottage. Can you see the brick walkway?

The psalmist wrote, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped." -Psalm 28:7 (NRSV)

HIV/AIDS Center

We started the day working at HIV/AIDS center--lots to do because the dedication is tomorrow. We really wanted to work on the prayer garden but the brick layer had to do the work so we went with the flow!!! Deb, Jen, and Morgan are painting the walls.

Robin is helping filter the sand from the gravel.



Doug and Pete are transferring gravel.





Robin - Philippians 4:9
"Put into practice what you have learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together will work you into his excellent harmonies."

I hope to be as gracious, open, and loving as the people I've met in India. Their wide open arms and hearts are truely an expression of God's excellent harmonies.

Morgan- I want to thank my wonderful family for allowing me to take this journey. The Good Shepherd Mission is a place all should see, hear, or experience for themselves.

Pete says hi and tell my mom to send money. (Don't worry-we ARE bringing him home!!!!!)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. -Colossians 3:23 (TEV)

Monday Night

Monday evening after working in the prayer garden-- Mary and the girls walked into town and brought back lungies and house dresses to choose from. The lungies were a huge hit as you can see!! Pete bought 2 and wants to buy 2 more!!

Pete REALLY likes his lungie!!

The team has spent a lot of time laughing and there was quite a roar coming from the upstairs of Henry's house. The many blessings that the Lord has been showering on us has just been incredible!!

Pastor Stacie-"Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.". All the beautiful children and people, their warmth, welcome and hospitality have shown us God's love. We have been incredibly blessed by the experience of being with them and getting to know them. It has been a privilege and joy.

Diann-A wonderful journey-India truly is a most beautiful country- PEOPLE, LOVE, JOY, FUN-God's love!!!

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people." -Luke 2:10 (NRSV)

HIV/AIDS Center

Diann is carrying over bricks for the wall.

Tamping dance. Everyone is helping press down the sand.

The countdown is on. As you can see, lots of progress has been made at the HIV/AIDS Center--well, the dedication is on Wednesday and it's Monday evening!!! We are preparing the dirt for the bricks which we will lay tomorrow.

Pouring wet dirt, stones, and sand for the footers!!

This is the sunset the patients will see each night from the center.
The beauty of the Lord's creation.

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. -Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

Monday

The children are not in school because of the strike so our little buddies came to see us this morning. They were singing while Doug played the guitar. Then Sisters Moran (as Ganesh calls her), Jen, and Robin taught them to dance!!!

This woman brought her baby to the clinic today at the DMV (dept of motor vehicles). More people had been expected but because of the strike, people did not leave their homes. However, we did see 430 people and gave 80 Hep B shots.

People lined up to see the doctors. Robin triaged and one man stood in line to see her 3 times.

Sunday evening we hosted a dinner at Hotel Kences in Tiraputi for the medical staff. Everyone had a nice time speaking with the doctors and thanking them for the wonderful work they do at the GSM Hospital. Plans began for a new dental chair to honor Dr Charlie. Praise the Lord!!

He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

Sunday Morning

We are off to Nindra, Henry's boyhood church, in our Sunday finest!!!
It didn't take long for Mary and Grace to wrap us. I guarantee the sarees will never be wrapped the same!!! The young girls tried to braid everyone's hair (haha) before putting beautiful jasmine flowers in our hair. The wind from the van ride didn't help our hair either.

Before heading off to Nindra, we drove past the HIV/AIDS center. The men are working long days in preparation for the celebration January 6th.

When we arrived in Nindra, we were given an ox cart ride through the village to the church. We were led by singing--no band!! Helen gave the message with Robin closing in prayer. Another memorable day at GSM.

God creator and spirit of all creation geny remind us we are not in control of life. Your comfort and grace are free to all people, and we are deserving of these blessings. Encourage us to pause and appreciate every moment of life. May we continue to motivate, inspire, and contribute during our magnificent journey together. We pray that our words and actions promote peace, justice, and love to all people. Amen.



After returning from Nindra, we were surprised by guests from the USA. Jeanette and Janet came to see Jennifer and the group as a reunion from their 1997 trip!! (just kidding - it's a picture from '97)

The psalmist wrote, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!'" -Psalm 122:1 (NRSV)

Saturday Night

The team traveled to Jayaranipuram to see the church dedicated to Annabelle Werner. What a thrill for Jennifer. The church is in need of repairs. An outdoor service allowed for many to see and hear the word of God spoken by Doug and Diann. There was a lot of singing and dancing. Afterwards, the children received blessings and then back to the mission at 9 pm for our dinner meal.

Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers. -James 1:22 (NRSV)