We are resting now after a much more relaxed schedule. Somehow we are still exhausted.  After breakfast we took a drive to Tiraputi to the temple of Hindu's most powerful God. The drive took us through several small villages dotted with brightly colored buildings covered in painted advertisements. Every flat space in India is an opportunity to put a plug in for something-often for items as dull as PVC piping or concrete.

On the way we nearly ran head-on into a bus. A frequent enough occurrence but this particular bus was very colorful and had the words "God is good" displayed across the front in large neon letters. Talk about driving a point home.  Soon enough we were in Tiraputi. Skyscrapers and thatch-roofed hovels were next door neighbors. The streets, although divided by a center island, didn't stop people from barreling towards oncoming traffic. 

The temple was perched on top of a high mountain between two hills. Indian mountains put our Pennsylvanian mounds to shame. Before ascending, we went through a "security check" which consists of brown uniformed men and women who peeked into our bus long enough to make it awkward.  I was shocked to learn that people walk barefooted to the top, about 5 hours, to prove themselves. At the top is a mini village with fast food restaurants, and street stands selling statues, necklaces, and food.  The air is thick with incense and many of the men and woman are only discerned by their form of dress, having shaved their heads in devotion to their god.

Pat and Pastor Stacie had multiple people approach and hand them a camera. At first Pat thought they wanted their picture taken but they were asking for Pat and Stacie to get in a picture with them. We are quite an attraction in India. Some of them have probably never seen such pale people in person. We lingered briefly and prayed under our breaths.
During the long trip down the mountain, it began to rain and we learned that the bus windows don't roll up. Poor Praveen was getting the brunt of it and we rigged a contraption consisting of my scarf, a seat cushion,
and my foot to keep the rain at bay.
 
Praveen treated us to lunch at a hotel in the city. The food was incredible as usual and we were getting ready to leave just as the power went out. Perfect timing. For those of you who didn't know, working electricity is not a promise in India and may cut out at will.

After making our way back, a few of us went to the clinic and were able to witness a cataract surgery. We shared fabric head coverings and surgical masks and walked into the operating room snapping pictures while they operated. The patients ask no questions as we intrude on their surgery. Later Mary took us into our very own city of Puttur for a short shopping trip. We encountered our first cow guarding a jewelry store and a man let us feed him a banana. Apparently the cow is believed to be a goddess and is dotted with red paint as a sign of this.

The tailor came over tonight to deliver our Saris, a gift from Henry. There was a lot of laughter as we tried to figure out how to assemble them. Dressing in India is such an experience-full of folding and pinning and wrapping and tucking.

Tomorrow is a busy day of medical camps so we are calling it a night.

Lord, save these people.
By his Grace,
Team 11 in '11
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."  John 1:1