Yesterday was the day of many goodbyes. We had one last helping of Mary's good cooking and took a trip to the aids clinic. Diann wanted us to see the prayer garden in the day time. The garden was a completely different experience in dull sunlight. The clinic glows with brilliant colors painted along the trim and face of the building, a vibrant relief from the scorched landscape. The little boy who prayed for us during the baptism walked out of his room bare-footed and as cute as ever. I asked Praveen if we could get him to show us how he prays in the garden. A few words babbled in Telegu sent him walking towards the life-size monument of Jesus. He crossed the tile stage and laid himself at the feet of Jesus. Curling up with his head to the ground, he began to pray rapidly in his own language. Not one of us, Telegu or not, could understand him. He paused long enough to lift his head and reach for Jesus, then began again- his little voice a pleading tone that captured all of our attention. David is his new name. It is the name he chose the night Stacie baptized him. I wish I could recreate that seen for you. Watching a three year old boy on his knees in prayer.

The van's next destination was a sacred waterfall where people of the Hindu faith go to pray. It was beautiful and strange all at once. A few women were washing their saris in the trash laden pool at the base of the waterfall. People showered under its flows or lounged at the edge.

Back at the mission for one final meal, the team loaded the van and began the long drive to Chennai. The children ran out for one last goodbye. Everyone was quiet as the mission disappeared from view. So much has happened and there is so much to be done. I don't think any of us will forget these people. I think all of us left a little piece of our heart in India; each with a different face, a name, a memory.

Once in Chennai we had time to visit St. Thomas' basilica and the beach. I'll spare your gag reflex and not describe the beach in detail.

Day two in Chennai meant that poor Praveen was forced to walk around the shops with us. We split off from almost half of our group because they had other plans before returning home. We are finally at the airport and waiting to board our flight to Germany.

We spent some of our waiting time discussing ways that we can be a help to the ministry. As we talk, I am overwhelmed by how much they need and also by how much they accomplish with such little resources. God has clearly and abundantly blessed this ministry. Henry is dreaming big dreams and we all want to see them fulfilled. More to come. To God be the glory!

In Him,
Team 11 (6 still standing) in '11
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5

Yesterday was our last full day here at the mission. It began with an early morning wake up call so that Nathaniel, Tara, Dee, Sue, and I could climb a nearby mountain. Praveen sent a few of GSM's young men along to assist us and carry chai in a thermos up the mountain for a tea party at the top. We watched the boys leap from rock to rock wearing only flip flops, while we bumbled and stumbled up the steep mountain in our "proper footwear". The view is amazing. The Indian landscape stretches on for miles. The sun was just finishing its climb above the horizon as we had tea together and watched monkeys chase each other up and down the hillside. Sue was right when she said that watching the boys carry the cups and coffee thermos to the mountain top reminded her of a Columbian coffee commercial.

After breakfast Mary and Anitha came and wrapped us in our tailor-made saris (One of our gifts from Henry) he wanted us to wear them to the medical camp. A few of us learned the importance of tying your skirt tightly, which is the structure of the whole outfit. Those people have probably never seen so many flashes of white belly skin as we pulled and tucked all day, trying to stay together. The camp about 5 minutes away, was held in a brilliantly painted one-room church. Inside, tables and chairs lined the perimeter and people were packed wall to wall waving slips of paper and babbling rapidly in Telegu. We treated the children with vaccinations and a few doctors from the clinic volunteered to write prescriptions and see patients. The school children pushed their faces against the bars yelling "Sister, what is your name? Sister, come!" until a teacher would rush at them and scoot them away. Towards the end of the day they were brave enough to wander inside and we sang together. They taught me how to do a traditional Indian dance. I'm sure my teammates were amused.

After the medical camp we went back to the mission. Henry offered to take us shopping, but the children were out and we decided to spend the evening at home with them. Their demeanors had changed a little from earlier in the week with a lot more head drooping and lip pouts. It was clear that they didn't want us to leave. "One more song, sister. One more!". A young girl who cannot speak or hear wandered into the hostel. I followed her in and sat with her for a while. She goes to a school that teaches her sign language, but nobody at the mission understands it. She is usually in the back of the crowd hanging back with a sweet smile on her face. I was wishing I knew how to talk with her. Communication has been a difficulty this week. The poor girls get so frustrated when they can't say enough in English. The relationship has mostly been formed through games, hugs, songs, and what few words we have in common. they started calling me "momma" today. That is not making it any easier.

At 7pm Henry held a children's meeting at the church. We were able to give all of them (including some of the elderly gypsies who wandered in) stuffed animals, candy, gum, and other treats. A few hundred little hands waved in the air, reaching for our gifts. I've rarely seen a child so excited about a gift and never about a pack of gum. Afterwards, Praveen's son, Sam sang "Give thanks with a grateful heart." (He is actually 10 yrs old) and the children extended their hands to pray for us. We lined up outside the door and the children exited the Ashram one at a time and said their goodbyes.

At night, a few of the girls came over to put henna designs on our hands and feet. Sue and Bonnie in particular are covered with bold designs stretching up from their feet to their knees. Nathaniel, Tara, and I stayed up with the girls and gave them ice-cream as a late-night snack. They are so grateful for everything and most refuse gifts numerous times before accepting. 

These people are amazing and saying goodbye is so hard. More to come. This bus is bumpy and it is making it difficult to type.

By his Grace,
Team 11 in '11
He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."   Mark 9:36-37

I'm going to begin tonight with a few Team India bloopers because this evening was probably the most difficult. We'll make you laugh before you cry.  We've had a lot of animal adventures here in India. Like leaving Pastor Stacie home alone to fend for herself when a bat came into the house. She never actually saw it leave and we are wondering if we've really heard the last of it.  Today we had a little squirrel visitor in Sue, Dee, Jean, and Lori's room. They took turns screaming like a vocal version of "the wave" as the squirrel tore through the room from bed to bed. Lori said it is like the wild kingdom.  Jean is missing a ceiling tile above her bed and had some gecko visitors. When they finally decided to ascend back into the ceiling someone asked " are they gone?". Looking up, one of the geckos shot out one little scaly green hand from the ceiling "not quite" was his answer. My question was will "Geico" stop at nothing?  Really now... Geckos in the ceiling as you sleep?

Today a gypsy woman walked up to our porch with a monkey on a string and Dee asked if she could hold it. Nobody was around to speak better sense to her, but afterwards Henry said that maybe holding a monkey on a string is a bad idea. She still says it was worth it.

Last night we had to wake Bonnie to allow the tailors to measure her. She seemed entirely out of it, wouldn't speak to anyone and stared dead-eyed and straight ahead. The tailors measured her and she went back to bed. The next day we learned that she was sleep walking and doesn't remember any of it.

On Sunday morning, as the pastor handed Sue the microphone so that she could speak he leaned in and said "You look strong, like man". She just looked back at him and said "Thanks.", not quite sure how to respond to that. We won't be letting her live that one down.

Ok, those are a few bloopers, now on to our day. In the morning we went to the clinic to hand out sunglasses and medication to the cataract surgery patients from yesterday. For 15 US dollars Good Shepherd Ministries can give one person the gift of sight. This includes meals and an overnight stay. It was amazing to see the patients going home with new sight.

We loaded into the van and were off to Pannur for a medical camp at a school. More screaming, syringes, singing, and doing the hokey pokey with a few hundred children in the schoolyard. We vaccinated about 70 kids.

I opened a bathroom stall during set up, asking the girls who had followed us "can I use this one?". Just as I said that, a frog jump down into the hole we call a squatty potty. Guess not.

Surrounded by children, they began commenting on my pale complexion and then rushed off and returned pushing a light-skinned boy with blonde hair in front of me. "He is Indian" they said. He was a smudge of white in a sea of rich chocolate brown skin. Clearly Indian, but freckled and pale, just like me :)

After leaving the medical camp, we came home for food and free time. Dee, Tara, Sue, and Nathaniel went out to play with the children. They taught them a new Indian game and kept asking Dee what day we are going home. They nearly cried when she told them. I don't want to think about leaving.

A few of us went to visit Praveen at his house. He and his wife, Anitha are amazing, taking in some of the orphans to live in their house, and feeding the homeless. They are the true picture of genuine faith. They keep no savings but give generously and have trusted God to provide every item they own. Praveen's son, Sam has overwhelmed me with his sweet spirit. At such a young age (8 yrs old), he has such a heart to serve his people. He wants to come to America and study to be a doctor so that he can return to the mission and work in the clinic. Anywhere there is a job to be done, Sam is there. Translating for us, setting up for church, serving food, I asked him tonight if it makes him sad to see people living in poverty. He said "Yes, that is why you need to go home and show pictures of how the Indian people's situation is so that you can maybe make program and raise money to help them."

Bonnie and I went to Puttur for a shopping trip. We demanded to walk to town rather than be driven. Our escort took us through stopped trains then jumping off elevated platforms, across tracks and climbing up the other side as we crossed the tracks, much to the amusement of the Puttur people. Apparently they mean to have an underpass beneath the train tracks for walking, but a few years later, and it is still under construction.

Shopping is such an experience in Puttur. The store clerks ask what you are looking for and then ruffle through drawers and glass cases, bringing up boxes and packages full of merchandise. Before you are done, every inch of counter space is covered and you feel so guilty for having him pull everything out for you, that you buy much more than you intended.

After shopping, we headed to the Ashram for a "special" service, as Henry said. When we arrived, they were hanging a banner announcing that Diann had donated money to feed and give new blankets to the gypsies. This is where the night gets hard. Men and women. blind, lame and diseased. some old with walking sticks. Others young and with children filed into the meeting hall. Pastor Stacie was right to say that it reminded her of Jesus feeding people in the bible.

We prayed over the food and then began serving. The meal was a special chicken byriani dish with rice and a special treat- ice cream! One older gentleman said he had never had a byriani meal or ice cream in his life and he was at least 75! Praveen said that most of them were probably eating ice cream and a good meal for the first time tonight.

Praveen told me that he was sitting with the gypsies just before we arrived and one of them told him that just that morning he was shivering in the cold and asked God for a blanket. Someone gave him a towel but it wasn't warm enough. He walked into town when the Good Shepherd van pulled up and asked him to get inside. Tonight he was given a new blanket and Praveen was able to give it in Jesus' name. Watching the little gypsy children interact with us, shirtless and smiling, was heart warming. Praveen told us that the reason they don't wear a shirt is because they don't own one. Sitting on the porch as I type, I feel a chill in the air, and can't help but be grateful that those precious little children have a blanket to keep them warm tonight and full bellies. Often these people go without food for the entire day and then go to homeless programs put on by the rich and are served meager portions at the temples. After serving dinner, I broke down. I've seen poor people. I've seen homeless people, but never starving people. Not so close that I touched them, fed them, talked with them. To see thin skin stretched across skeleton faces and legs so thin they looked like painted bones and muscles. It was my wake up call and my call to action. I cannot feed the world, but by God's grace, I can help these people. Looking from the beautiful children to their elders gave a shocking depiction of where they are headed if something isn't done. Lord, grant me the strength to help even one life for your glory.

On the way out a man stopped me and began babbling. I asked Sam to translate and he told me that he asked if I would "remember him". Then he lifted his pant leg to reveal to large, angry black callouses on his knee that made Dee, the nurse who was with me, cringe. "Oh. He wants me to pray for his knee." "No, sister." Sam responded. "He says he prays so much that it makes his knees like this." He lifted the other pant leg to reveal identical callouses on the opposite leg. I asked to take a picture and captured the picture in my mind as well. I will not forget him.

I used to be so overwhelmed when I thought about the need in other countries, that I did nothing. Being here has directed and specified my focus. Those needy people in India are not strangers anymore. I now call them friends, and it's time to act.

Off to bed. We are up before 6am tomorrow for an early morning hike, then a medical camp.

Be blessed,
Team 11 in '11
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.  Isaiah 58:10

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

 

Today can only be described as intensely emotional. We were either laughing hysterically at an inside joke or crying together.  We left for our first medical camp in the morning. We drove for about 1 1/2 hours to Sathyavedu to a small concrete school building. We set up camp on a long metal table with a tapestry draped across. We had an assembly line of unwrapping needles, filling them, holding children, making them cry, and giving them a tootsie roll. We started singing loud, happy songs in an attempt to make our room seem a little more inviting to those waiting outside. The yodeling failed, so we turned to church songs and show tunes. They still cried, probably thinking "what crazy people these Americans are. They sing while they stab us."

After the camp, we made our way to Kolladam to see the Good Shepherd Ministry's boys home. We ate in the church building. Henry's brother, Prasad fed us the most incredible Indian cuisine. Afterwards we rested and then handed out lollipops to the local school children. I taught them a "lollipop song" which they sang at various intervals for the remainder of our time there.

Soon the children were out of school and walking us through the surrounding village. This was truly one of the highlights of my day. Watching these villages rush by from the safety of a van, it is easy to feel detached. Walking with the children to their homes was an entirely different experience. They grabbed my hands and led me through dirt streets with sewage flowing to either side. Naked children peeped out of doorways without doors, and women cooked over open fires. To see the children's eyes light up as they said "Auntie, this is my home. Come." made my heart ache. The team and children all walked as one big parade down the village lane. The children were directing the adults to let us take their picture and stopping at intervals to pick flowers for us. "Auntie, look another flower!"  I let the kids lead me off the path into an open field "Look! Watermelons! Want one, Auntie??" I kindly refused and they grabbed my hands and pulled me through the field to where the women were working. One of the smallest boys walking with us began ordering the women around so that I could get some pictures. Dee was right when she said she feels like she is in a national geographic TV show. The female workers carried bundles on their head as they picked melons and handed them up onto a large truck.  Maybe if I wasn't so busy thinking I was a National Geographic photographer, I would have seen the strong and determined woman running towards me brandishing a large stick like a Viking broad sword. She brushed past me and swiped at one of the children in our group ranting in some Indian language. In her defense, our children were stealing watermelons and using them like beach balls. I began to walk them out of the field thinking the woman had spent her rage when Pat, Tara, and Diann screamed for me to come. The woman was on the war path again and what their angle afforded was a view of me walking leisurely towards them and a woman rushing at my back with a baseball bat of a stick. I still think she was all bark and no bite.

Another point of interest while in Kolladam was the thatched roof houses with a satellite dish perched on top. They may not be able to feed their family, but some have TVs that you can see glowing through the rough opening they call their doorway.

Leaving Kolladam was emotional. We had bonded with children we may never see again. The next ride was much shorter and brought us to a church in, and I mean, the middle of nowhere. So rural it took us a few attempts to figure out how to get the van over to it. We all sang a few songs from the front of the church. They love to hear us sing and I'm beginning to wonder if they are tone deaf. Singers we are not, but God deserves all the praise we can give Him.  More flower garlands, then Bonnie spoke on being alive in Christ and even brought visuals- two palm branches. Lori got to hold the most beautiful little baby girl through the service, and after church we prayed for and talked with the people.

They are always so receptive to prayer and seemed very confused when I asked them to return the favor. I kneeled and bowed my head just as they had, and after a few nervous giggles, an old malnourished-looking woman placed her hand on my head and quietly muttered. I don't want them to over spiritualize America. It is their faith that I am humbled by--walking miles to church when most Americans mutter when they can't find a close parking space. These people come to church with empty bellies and leave with full souls. You can see how much it strengthens them to meet with us- foreign believers. I think they feel less alone when they see that God's power is moving all over the world.

The drive home was more lighthearted. Driving in India is...well... like a video game and I'm not sure who wins. Most roads are narrow, one-ways. Most drivers use their high beams at all times at night. They beep every time they intend to pass. Slower vehicles yield to faster ones and pedestrians draw the shorter straw, second only to dogs and goats. It began to rain and it seemed our driver was too confident in his eyesight to use the wipers. We asked Praveen if they worked. He said "no, sister. They only work in the rainy season and this isn't it." We told Praveen we would strap him to the roof with two towels and he could wave his arms. I think we nearly crashed a hundred times. Not to scare anyone back home ;)

Back at the house, the emotional part came in again. Before dinner Bonnie took Me, Tara, Sue, and Dee to the girls hostel to see how they slept. How they sleep is on a hard concrete floor with thin blankets strewn haphazardly across the floor and at least three girls to blanket. They have another blanket that they use as a pillow, so they need to choose...comfort or warmth. Along the wall are a bunch of little trunks and bags all lined up. EVERYTHING they own can be kept in one bag. They didn't notice us come in or flinch as we flashed our cameras at them. All God's little girls were sound asleep for the night. I pray they were dreaming of heaven where difficulty is washed away in the light of His face.

With Thankfulness for all he has blessed us with,
Team 11 in '11
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  I Peter 4:10

Today was so rich with detail, but I will attempt to be brief. Pastor Stacie woke up sick in the middle of the night. We gathered around her in prayer and she went back to sleep. In the morning she felt a little better and decided to do the two morning baptisms.  They were a husband and wife. To my knowledge, the man was a prominent member of society and involved politically. He gave the testimony of how he was involved in black magic for over 35 years until the Lord gripped his heart. His wife was more hesitant, but with time the truth of the gospel washed over her soul. What an amazing event to be a part of.

After the ceremony, we loaded into the van and were off to a church in Nigara. Pastor Stacie, who was planning to preach, stayed behind which meant that our 20 minute drive to the church involved writing a quick message in 20 minutes that was supposed to be 20 minutes long. I've probably never written so much so fast, or found the scriptures I was looking for so quickly. God is amazing. The church was lined with mats and was fully packed save a narrow aisle down the center. We were seated behind the pulpit and the service began. Dee and Sue led a few songs with hand motions that made a few of the church attendees giggle in embarrassment. Soon they warmed up, and loosened up, enough to sing along. Bonnie, Diann and I spoke while Praveen translated for us. After I finished speaking, Henry told me that he had been preparing to speak on that same topic (Difficulty). It is amazing how God aligns two minds to get his message across.  The service was followed by prayer time. These people are desperate for prayer. They will wait in line until you lay your hand on their head and pray for them.

Back at the mission we had he opportunity to experience and serve lunch to the orphans and other men and women at the mission. GSM (Good Shepherd Mission) serves about 250 people 3 meals per day. It is overwhelming to be there, watching them sit in button row lines on the floor of the ashram, and to feed them. In honor of our presence everyone was given a special treat: vanilla ice-cream.

Tara with 3 girls at GSM

We had free time after lunch which meant Tara, Dee, Sue, and I were looking for the kids so that we could beg them to play with us. It didn't take too much coaxing. A few hours and 50 games, a puppet show, yoyo lesson, juggling, and a few games later we were back in our room sighing relief in the cooler air. There is no heat like the Indian sun and summer isn't even here yet!

Soon it was time for yet another trip. This time to the GSM's aids clinic about 1 mile away which drove more like two. While we were there we dedicated a prayer garden at the clinic and pastor Stacie performed about 20 more baptisms in the garden's pool. Beyond the pool is a statue of Jesus and the man he healed in Bethesda. Praveen said that the importance of this statue is that many people in India can't read and have no access to God's word. They want this to be a place where people can come with their needs and find their savior in Christ. The statues tell a story for the Indian people.

My heart nearly melted when a little boy (who I later learned is an HIV patient) got up to pray for our team. He couldn't had been more than 3 yrs old, but boldly stepped up to the microphone and gave a long prayer in our honor. Praveen told me that they would often find this little boy sitting by the pool alone and praying for people. He was baptized tonight along with the others and each received a new bible in their native tongue, and enjoyed their first communion together.

It was a full day with much more to come in the morning. Tomorrow we leave for kolladam (a 3 hour drive) to visit GSM's boys home and give vaccinations in the village. We will not return until the evening. Pray for safe travels and God's glory!

In Him, through Him, and all to Him,
India '11
"for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted"  John 5:4