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)

Caring for the "Least of These."

Erin and Prim (long time mission worker and "mission boy") are preparing to observe a cataract surgery at the GSM hospital. Surgeries are performed on a sliding scale with free care offered to the poorest patients.

"Prim and I, just before we went into the Operating Theatre to see a cataract surgery. I nearly passed out. It was hot in there and the optho. was REALLY attacking his eyes. Oh man. Afterwards Henry said, "I don't think you should go into medicine, Sister." Prim, I happily report, was very professional."

Henry has recently retired from his position as mandal education officer (district superintendent) for the Puttur area. Mornings are spent listening to the needs of and caring for the poor and needy that come to the mission. Erin is relating a story about this grandmother and her grandson in an email to Jeanette Mausolf, July 2008, Mission Team Leader.

"I don't really remember their story, but this old woman and her grandson (I think) just came to the mission the first few days I was there. I'm not sure if they've been admitted or are just staying around for a while. Very sad. Oh Jeanette, the people I've met. Every morning Henry and I sit on the porch and take tea and EVERY morning there are new, sadder people. At first it made me sick, but now it's like I've come to expect it. I don't know how Henry does it. If anything, this trip has given me a very clear image of what Henry does."

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Mathew 25:40 (TNIV)

Erin's Good Shepherd Routine

My days go like this: wake, shower, breakfast, hospital, lunch, rest, ______, dinner, sleep. The blank could be any number of things, from going back to the hospital to shopping to church services to a rousing game of Indian Uno, where we basically throw cards at each other until it is apparent that one of us is victorious. I have never won a game.

I think about you often. Probably everyday I start to think about home, wonder what I'd be doing if I'd just gotten a summer job, stayed home, rented old movies. I miss America. But then, almost immediately, I remember why I'm here and how good it is.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Cor 15:58 (NIV)

Erin Raffensperger, from St. Joseph, MO and a student at the University of Minnesota is spending nine weeks working at Good Shepherd Mission. Erin traveled with nine others in January 2007 to Good Shepherd as part of a medical mission team from Wyatt Park Christian Church. Erin felt the call of God to return this summer to South India to work at the mission with the mission founder and director Henry Bhaskar. She will be joined by a medical mission team of 14 others from St. Joseph the first week of July. Here is Erin learning the finer points of eating a mango (sucking the day lights out of the pit).

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. Titus 3:14 (NIV)