Home Sweet Home

So, in my last blog I said I would write one more time before I left India....unfortunately, that just did not happen. I am now home. I got in yesterday evening (saturday) at 5:30 pm. It was a long three days...I got sick right before the flight home and ended up having a fever for most of the trip home. When you are done traveling and just want to see your own people and surroundings being sick does not help the matter. Amanda, my roomate/housemate, was there to greet me and it was so sweet to see her. I truly missed her and all my other people but I haven't really gotten to see anyone else except my other roommate Jackie and Amanda's friend Elizabeth who was spending the night. Tomorrow (the 4th) most of my family is coming to visit and I am very excited.

Enough about the travels and expected plans, in the final day in Delhi we had a team debrief where we went over all of our things we learned, enjoyed, and overcome...it was really a good time to hear what everyone thought. Our team was a great team, we really did not have any conflict and meshed really well. I will miss most my Cyprus friends and flat mates...they were so encouraging and fun. I loved hearing the heart of everyone and how much they care. A girl named Kat has been amazing to watch as she intentionally decided to pour herself into others...she always had encouraging words and spoke her heart...sometimes that required saying the things that she saw wrong but she always walked away still engaging in life with a smile. I was blessed by just watching her. I will miss the couple that came to volunteer on their honeymoon. What an amazing thing to do. And it was so neat to watch how much they cared about those around them...they loved to hike and enjoy nature..I wish I had the energy they have. I liked Tanver (totally not how you spell that) at first she was so nervous and had the nervous bounce to here knee but in the end I realized that she has an honesty and innocence to life that is so appealing. In the end, I will miss the people on my team much more than the people of India. They don't have the same beliefs as me as they engage in this culture but I enjoyed them so much. I love who they are and how the connect and participate with life. I truly love people...they bless me so much.

I wish I could write what I learned most and what impacted me the most but at this moment I don't think I have processed everything yet...I will probably have to have a final blog in a few days. I want to thank all of those who have prayed for me during this trip...it truly helped as I struggled with so much. In the end, I would not trade this and I do like India. I would suggest this sort of thing for everyone...get out of your comfort zone and engage in the world beyond yourself...it does help develop you...at least it did me. I love you all and I appreciate all your comments, prayers, and support. It has been a blessing.

Monsoons and Spiders

The Monsoons have started here...it isn't quite as amazing as people have told me but it is quite power ful. Outside of our flat is a stairwell that leads to the top of the hill. When it starts to rain it is like a mud slide or mud river rushing down those steps...I will say that is amazing. I really try not to climb those steps during that time. Last night the rain was so bad it sounded like the Niagra Falls and the shutters and doors were banging everywhere. I woke up around 1 to lock down the windows and doors so that they wouldn't keep me awake. An advantage to the rain is that is cools everything down about 10 degrees. If I was here much longer I would have to buy a little coat...I brought a sweat shirt but I don't want to get that too dirty before the three day trip home...where they freeze you out on the bus and plane. It rains in the afternoon seems to stop for the evening hours and then rains all night...at least that is starting to be the pattern the past two days. Unfortunately, that brings out more mosquitos....DEET Please!!!

I haven't blogged much about this but the spiders here are gigiantic...and I am not joking. One of the first days here I found a spider the size of my hand on the wall...it took a little more guts than I had to kill it so I called a guy in to kill it for me but by the time I came back it was gone....not very cool when you have to sleep in the flat with a spider the size of your hand. Since then we have had quite a few spiders half that size, which is a rather large US spider but probably a regular size one here in India. I can work up the guts to kill a half hand size spider...but today, at the day care there was a spider larger than my hand with a white pouch attached to it....It was so large even the Indian ladies were jumping and they usually laugh at us when we freak out about the India creatures. Yet, they just jumped out of the way and let it go into the school building next to all the food...they did't try to kill it. I think they told me that the large spiders are water spiders but I didn't entirely get that so it might be a translation thing. Lynn is petrified of spiders so every night she sprays the DEET bug spray around her bed to keep the bugs and probably the spiders away....however, part of me wonders if DEET bug spray actually works on spiders. But what do I know.

I leave tomorrow evening for the three day trip home so I am in Mcloud buying my last little gifts...I had a bunch of necklaces made but of course they weren't ready on time so I am sitting here wasting time until they are ready trying to stay out of the rain. As I sit here, there is Indian music of "Pretty Woman" playing...I laugh everytime I hear that song and they play it alot. The only reason I know it is Pretty Woman is because it only says those words in English and the rest is Hindi...it has the basic tune but more upbeat...I find that I like some of the music but most of it is too high pitched twang (at least the woman's voice) and they play it soo loud.

Ah well, I will probably only blog one more time while in India and then maybe a few times when I get home....I will be sure to upload all of the pictures when I get home. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you. Thanks for your prayers.

Duty vs Heart

This weekend we went to a "palace" about an 1 1/2 hour away. The name is slipping from mind. It was beautiful and exactly what the doctor ordered. If you can imagine what the colonial India would be like you could probably get a close idea of what this place is like. They had beautiful gardens, a pool, TV, a veranda with very comfortable sitting where they served us tea as we read and talked. It was a nice way to get away and collect some thoughts and emotions. Sometimes a few moments away are just what the doctor orders so that we can better engage with the life we are surrounded with. The three of us went with our loft mates Gina and Nichola (which are mother and daughter pair from Vermont). I thoroughly enjoyed soaking in the pool and conversations on the veranda...we talked about what things we would like to improve for this area and what things are just a part of the culture and don't need to be changed...we talked about how Americans and most people are first about their own comfort before we care to give to others....we talked about how businesses and government could help this area...we talked about decorating...we talked about our reactions...we talked about what food we will eat when we get home first:

---McDonald's French Fries
---Olive garden salad
---Hamburgers (hot dogs for everyone else)
---Dairy Queen Mint Oreo Blizzard
---Taco Bell
---Panera Bread
---DR. PEPPER (that is a big one for everyone...I want my Dr. Pepper)

It was a wonderful experience and I realized that it is part of India. I was able to see that India is more than noise and trash and poverty...it is like someone coming to America and only seeing the Inner City...there is more to America than that. Of course that still does not give me a well rounded view but it is more than just one avenue.

As we were driving we went through the tea and rice fields...oh the smell was beautiful...the tea has such a rich smell...and it was fun to look out over the green rice fields and see the beautiful women dressed in red or bright colors...it was picturesque.

Over the weekend I realized that part of me came to India out of a sense of duty...duty to myself and to mankind. A duty to mankind to have an open mind...to understand that people are different and come from different backgrounds and we should respect that...to those less fortunate than me, not to horde my money and privilage without caring for others. A duty to myself b/c I view myself as someone who appreciates culture so I would want to engage in culture...b/c I needed to go do something since I hadn't truly traveled for 2 1/2 years. But duty doesn't hold up under the pressures of hardship...duty is more a form of fear rather than love. I needed a vision or hope of something more otherwise I can not endure the hardships...a vision or love of the people...to see them advance or develop more...to love them...to have a joy/hope for the results otherwise it is empty and way too hard to continue. I want to respond to this culture out of love, care, and compassion not a fear that I will have a closed mind, being accused of a person who did not care for the poor. The thing is that I am helpless to create a true love and care, only God can create that in my heart...the fun thing is that I am slowly enjoying this process and I can feel the love start to stir in my heart as I despirately cry out for God's presense. For instance, I had a blast with the kids today. We played with bubbles and ballons...they are still very dirty but I don't care and I can just enjoy their smiles (at least better than before).

I don't think I would trade this experience difficulties and all.

Four more nights in Dharamsala, four more days in Dharamsala, 11 hour bus ride, 1 day in Delhi, 13 hour flight to Toronto, 12 hour in airport, 1 1/2 hour flight, and I can eat all that food that we were talking about earlier...

A Better Day

Today was one of the first days where the kids actually interacted well. I have been teaching them itsy bitsy spider, heads and shoulders, row row row your boat, and ring around the posey. Of course they do not know what I am saying, but they say a few of the words as I sing and are actually doing some of the hand signs. The ones that normally cry most of the time are starting to get used to me...it makes the day easier.

My father gave me the book Desiring God by John Piper...I know that a lot of people have read it. I find myself captured by what he is saying....I love it. I want my hearts desire to be God and out of that love to flow the compassion, love, mercy, worship....I do not want things to be a duty. Of course I haven't finished reading it, but I find myself wanting what he is talking about but struggling with actually being there...and yet, I know that I can not work to find it. I try to hard...I just need to sit with my God. The fun thing is that He has been meeting me...I am amazed by the people of this group and how encouraging it is to hear their thoughts and struggles. There are a number of people who are just done...they have experienced and are now ready to go home. There are people frustrated with the organization and how things are run and rightly so...they don't come from the same background and they don't have the same beliefs but they are very accepting. It is like we have become a family that is leaning on each other...it amazes me the engrained comrade characteristics of all people...they constantly ask how I am doing and mean it...it isn't a "fine" answer they are looking for...

Tonight I got to talk with a girl and speak some truth into her life...it was quite fun...we discussed perceptions and motives. I love being able to do that. And she is from Cyprus....it is fun to engage in her and her culture as we engage in the struggles of India. I also got to hear a guys heart for helping clean up the environment...he is staying for eight weeks and hopes to really get something accomplished by creating groups and awareness while he is here...I am so impressed with his heart. I realize that I have struggled to see people's heart here...heck, I have struggled to find my own. Probably doesn't help that I can not understand anyone.

As there is only a week left, I find myself wanting to give something to the families of the children I am teaching...something to get a step up...but everyone says that gifts and money is not the best thing. Part of me truly is beginning to wish I would have been able to interact with this culture in an area that is more my passion. Something like teaching people how to manage their money or run a business...skills that will help them survive...and yet I realize that my skills are very specific to the American culture. Part of me things that would have helped my experience...it is hard to be the rich person....it is hard when you don't like how you react to people...it is hard when you want more for people but don't know how to help them...

You know I realize that these people live like this everyday...they can't get away, but it is truly hard when you can see the potential and don't know how to get them there or if it is even possible. Not that you want to change their culture...that isn't it but I want more for them that they can not even see....more physically, emotionally, and spiritually...truth be known I want more for America too.

I think I have rambled enough...enjoy your day :) Thanks for your prayers.

Myself

So, for the past few days I have been by myself at the Day Care...today, even the teacher did not show up. The other girl with me has gotten so sick that they took her to the hospital. It really is hard when they do not understand you...there is one girl who hits constantly and does not get the disiple to stop....and a litttle boy pooped on the floor almost on top of me...

Today was again hard...I went to use the phone but I could not find a working one for 45 minutes and then when I did after 15 minutes the electricity went out and I didn't get to finish the conversation...then I twisted my ankle, got a difficult email...I just feel at the end of myself....I truly wish that I could just sit back and enjoy people. They are always smiling and the children on the road always say "hello...how are you?" even though they have no idea what they are saying or least don't understand the response.....I have been to other cultures before (as I have said) and I can not figure out what is so hard here...I really feel like I have been hit by a bull dozer. I wish I had better more fun stories...stories about how God is working, stories about seeing things develop, challenging stories, funny stories...but I am just telling you as I feel...I may not be proud of my inability to handle things but it is the truth and I can not force myself to be something I am not. Today I wondered since God wants me to respond a certain way why won't He show up like He says he will...won't give me more than I can handle...I know that He is here and is carring me...my head tells me that but my emotions are quite exhausted. I want to delight in Him and find Him every move I make but it is hard...I just trust that He is there and that He will bring the compassion and love. Ahh, emotions...I have never done well with them.

Tonight we are in Mcloud to eat at Nick's...an italian restaurant....I just needed some food that was not lentils...something different.

Dancing and Dirty Kids

Last night, we watched a classic temple dance from Northern India. It was beautiful. An eleven year old girl danced the beautiful poses where each hand gesture is a movement in honor of the god, guru, or audience. The custom was elaborate and accentuated the dance. I was struck by the fact that dance was used to honor the god. In the old testament, they talk about dancing for God in the Jerusalem temple...David often talked about it. It is such a beautiful way of honoring someone....I wish we did that more as an honor than as a club thing....although, I do like club dancing..I wish I had better rythme. We get to learn some steps tonight at 6.

The kids at the day care today were so disguisting...they don't have diapers and aren't potty trained so they just pee on the porch and then the lady just dumps a bucket of water on it to clean it up...and then some cried non stop for their mom (it doesn't change even in India)...I find myself thinking I should have more compassion but mostly I can not understand them, they can't understand me nor listen to me, and it is gross. I wonder when God will enstill the compassion b/c I can not make it come...yet, I still give them hugs and play with them...is that it an obedience to love in spite of really not wanting too. They can't help the situation they are in yet I don't really want to be there...

We are trying to figure out what to do on our weekend off...we are thinking of this nice little resort place with a pool....I would really like a pool but their definition might be entirely different than mine.

The Day Off

So, yesterday was Sunday and we had the day off. They took us to this temple and then to a river and streams for a picnic. It was so beautiful and peaceful. The water was actually clean and very crisp b/c it was the mountain water. The flow was very strong. We stopped at these little streams that seemed to be man made for irrigation....oh I loved it. We ended up having a water fight and everyone, all 38 of us, were tackled or walked down into the water...we were wet head to toe. But it was hot enough that it was relaxing...

Then in the evening we went to McLoad for shopping...that is the adjacent city where the Dal Lamai actually lives...it is much more tourist friendly...basically they have tourist shopping. We went to this place called Nicks which is an Italian restaurant...oh my goodness was it delicious...it helps that all we have really had for two weeks is Indian food.

I thourghly enjoyed the day off and I look forward to the next weekend where I get to have more fun. Or when I get to go shopping again...the 15 minute taxi ride only costs about $2.50...amazing.

Today was back to school...it was a little chaotic. The children were fighting and not listening...which is oh so much fun when they don't understand a word you are saying and the same back....ah, well this afternoon we have a class on classic Indian dance....it should be interesting.

Out the Window

Before I came to India, if you asked why I wanted to come I would have given you two reasons. First was to experience the culture in a more intimate manner b/c CCS allows you to actually engage more with the villiages than as a tourist. Second was because I am intrigiued by the Religion that is able to still their minds. As the verse says, "be still and know that I am God" ...I have been growing in that area but the hardest thing to still is the activity of my mind. So, although I do not agree with the religion it self I am intriguied by the practice they have perfected to still themselves. I wanted to learn something from them....

I can know tell you that both of those expectations or desires are just not a reality. I have been to Africa and Turkey where I got to engage very closely with the people as a non-tourist. Heck, in Turkey I lived with them for a week. My experiences here just don't give me the same engagement or at least don't show me a whole lot different. So that factor just isn't worth it...and getting to experience or learn from the religion is not the point of CCS nor do their seem to be time to do so...and honestly, I have come to not really care as much. So, I quess I am going to learn something different...as always.

I have realized that in Indianapolis I can not drive for five minutes without passing a church, christian book store, or cheesy billboard sign with God talking to you... But I have been here two weeks and the only christian thing I have seen is when we went to Carmel, India to specifically visit a christian community. I do not remember passing a church anywhere or indication of Jesus at all. I heard christians talked of in a lecture about the Indian culture when the professor mentioned that a lot of the untouchable caste was being converted to christianity. But nothing is evident in the world around me. Out side of my room is a shrine to some elephant god, every morning and evening I hear the bells ring and incense burn as they pray to that god. There are buddhist temples on the hill across from us. Although I struggle with my Christianity at times and get down right mad at God, I can not imagine a life without Him. Life seems void and empty. Everything here seems to be a task...the sad thing is that I think we have made much of christian life a task rather than a relationship. Did I go to church this week? Did I read my devotions? Did I serve someone else? Are we that much different? I personally want to sit with my friend, my lover, my God...to know that He loves me despite how many times I screw up or how long it takes me to figure something out...that I don't have to be anyone else other than who I was created to be..to serve out of love not obligation or a task mode. But I also have realized here how much it effects me to be void of a community of people who support me..."the church"...it is hard to not have likemindedness with people. I miss the intimate relationships of those who spur me on towards God and His love...I realize this as I have called home a few times and the sweet encouragement I have gotten over email.

Well, I am done rambling with my thoughts and they may change tomorrow but I have to get back...we are going to go visit a temple and have a water fight.

Thanks

So, I have received a number of encouraging comments from all my dear friends...although I am still trying to figure out who YOB is. I truly appreciate that I have so many good friends who are praying for me and supporting me. Today I spent the entire day in bed or the bathroom...I am feeling a little better but my stomach is still in knots.

A few minor things about India:

- the phone booths are called S.T.D. ... it took me a while to figure that out at first I just thought they had a lot of clinics for S.T.Ds .... don't ask me what it stands for
- this place is full of contridictions: the cows are considered sacred but yet they eat the trash...they have the most modern technology including broadband yet they don't have hot water... they are one of the most educated and brilliant people but they have trash everywhere and unclean facilities... the top 1% of the population is the richest in the world yet 30% go to bed hungry.

small story about the cows...the head lady told us a story of how a girl hated crossing the big streets here due to the crazy driving so what she would do it find a cow and tug its tail to get it to cross the street b/c all the cars would stop for a cow but not necessarily for a person...the value of life sometimes seems strangly distorted here.

Not Feeling Well

Today was a full day at the day care...it is quite interesting trying to teach 123 to 2-5 year olds in another language. They look at you like you are crazy or something. We also started teaching them Itsy Bitsy Spider... I got the song translated today so hopefully they will be able to understand it tomorrow. I also took their picture and they loved that.

I wish I could upload some pictures but I have been having trouble with that functionality. I will let you know when I am successful.

Today, I have been sick. I feel very light headed and my stomach is beginning to turn in knots. It is honestly getting to be too much...I am beginning to wonder if I will make it for two more weeks. I still do not know why this culture is so much harder than most I have visited. Although some reading this may not understand this rationality, I wonder if part of it is spiritual oppression. The smells, the contradictions of life here...I don't know. But I am getting very tired and then getting sick is almost pushing me over the edge. I feel like a wimp but oh well, I will probably make it and it will probably get a lot better.

I hope to have more funny stories soon...

Indian Facts
- India has the largest railway in the world and the rail way employees the most people in the world

First Day at the Day Care

Today was the first day at the day care center. We only observed but the children are sooo cute. They have these big beautiful eyes and are so small. The children are aged 3 to 5 and there are 9 children. The teacher had the small blocks with letters and numbers on them...she taught the children the letters and taught us a few things. Tomorrow we actually get to teach...it should be interesting. I have another girl with me named Kathrine from Las Vegas.

I must say that my legs are very tired. Dear little me is from flat town USA and this is the mountains....my thighs are killing me today. I am sure I will get over it soon but in the mean time it hurts. I am wearing the Indian outfit today and it is so much cooler than my American clothes.

A few Indian items....
- Namaste means hello, goodbye, greetings, etc.
- You don't shake hands...you folder your hands in prayer like fashion in front of you and bow your head
- Cars drive on the left side of the road. It has been hard getting used to crossing the street...in American you look left first then right...I keep forgetting that here I must look right first and then left.

Dharamsala

Well, we have completed our 11 hour bus ride to Dharamsala. It was amazing. We drove through these small mountain roads that twisted and turned up the hills. We finally arrived at 7 am and got out of the bus to 75 degree weather....I was praising God right then. The heat was just getting to be way too much. We are staying in these cute little flats with a view of the mountains behind us and it is breathe taking. I find all my culture shock emotions slowly leave as I settle into this nature and weather. I love it. Something about nature brings me closer to God and I love sitting in it.

We meet with the staff in Dharamsala and then sent us down the hill to the market to find our way around. We had a scavenger hunt of sorts...our team had to figure out how much it cost to take a taxi ride. A entire day taxi trip around town only costs 1000 rupees or $20...amazing. Although, I am overwhelmed by the garbage and the stench of urine (I only smell the urine sometimes). I don't understand why people live this way...I guess it is about educating the people.

Tomorrow I visit the Day Care Center I am helping at...I am actually getting excited and looking forward to a schedule. I will be telling you all about it tomorrow.

My best wishes and deepest prayers to you all.

Wrong Thing at the Wrong Place

Today has been a bit uneventful...so I thought I would back track and tell you a little event from Hyderabad.

Our personal drivers/tour guides who did not speak English were taking us around to see the sights of Hyderabad. We stopped at this garden. On our way in we were asked to take off our shoes. So, off the shoes went and to the burning hot pavement our feet went. We stood there for a few seconds and then all of the sudden it was like flaming ash on our feet. We started hopping around like monkeys on crack...sprinting for the grass. All of the Indians once again were laughing at us. We walked around a little and came to this large beautiful marble stone under this beautiful marble arch. We sat down to rest and began to show our drivers/tour guides pictures in our camera. Well, the next thing we knew was that we had a large 30 some audience. Next they wanted us to take a picture of them...I said sure get close together so I can take a picture. Unfortunately, I couldn't get them all in the picture so brilliant me quickly stood up on the marble stone to get them all in....next thing I knew we were getting yelled at in Hindi and all 30 of us were forced to leave the area of the marble monument. Later I found out that it was a large monument over someones grave...I quess I should have know something sacred was in the garden if we were required to take off our shoes. So, to take a picture I stepped on someones grave...great Brook...why don't you just disrespect a culture. Oh well, I guess that sort of thing is unavoidable. I still got their picture...and I now have a story.

This afternoon we are going to take a cab tour of Delhi...hopefully, they will speak English and I will not get in as much trouble. Tomorrow we will actually take the 11 hour bus ride...can you tell I am looking forward to the trip.

The Heat of Delhi

Well, we have made it to Delhi. I have meet most of the group that will be working with us...they are a beautiful group of people. Very friendly. Although, there currently is only one guy and nine girls. However, 17 more people are still coming tonight.

They sat down with us and discussed what we will be volunteering with. I will be working in a Day Care Center. It sounds fun although, they are hoping that I will be able to give the teachers good ideas for future use in teaching the children. My thoughts are..."all I know how to do is play with kids...I am not a teacher". It sort of feels overwhelming and exciting all at the same time. It is 3:15 pm here (4:45 am in Indiana) and we are going to go shopping for Indian clothes at 4pm. I am very glad to be able to get some clothes...they are so beautiful and colorful. I am dying to have my own.

Tomorrow is mostly a free day...however, we will be leaving at 8 pm for an 11 hour bus ride to Dharamsala. My only hope is that it is air conditioned, but I doubt it. I have no idea how hot it is but I feel like it is 120 degrees...thank goodness it is not humid.

Well, I love you all and already miss seeing everyone. You are all in my prayers and I look forward to seeing you.

Hyderabad Adventures

I must say that the driving in Hyderabad has been an adventure in and of itself. As my friend Megan put it,

"I will never get used to this...pull out into uncoming traffic, hong your horn, and accelerate"

But somehow it works.

Yesterday, we visited a christian organization called Carmel. We laughed b/c we were in Carmel, India and were from close to Carmel, Indiana...the only difference being an "a". The organization was amazing. The people were so beautiful and friendly. Basically, the organization teaches men and women the bible (seminary level) and teaches them how to make a living using agriculture, cloth making, candy making, and other things. It was extremely interesting to walk around the campus and learn about how they make a living by small easy tasks. One of them was to collect cow dung, house it with some sort of plant, and let it settle for a few days (months). This could then be packaged as high quality manure. These people then go to the villages and create groups where they teach the bible and the skills they have learned to others. I was so impressed by the large vision the people had and the ability to trust God to make it happen. Their faith was impressive. They have created many other organiztions in India to help the street kids and impoverished people...it is quite beautiful.

In the evening, we visited a fort and watched a light show that explained the history of the fort. It was rather fun. Although, I am tremendously out of shape. By the time I had climbed the 400 some steps in that heat I was exhausted.

Today, we visited the sights of Hyderabad. We went to the muslem mosques and large beautiful buildings. We visited monuments and gardens. It was very fun. All this was toured using two drivers who spoke little english. They were great...it is hard to communicate and also to make sure we don't do the wrong thing. We always had an gathering as we walked the streets. Some people wanted money, others to buy things, some even wanted us to take their picture, and some wanted to practice their english. We had this adorable little girl come ask us our name and talk to us. It was so cute...her parents were beaming and proud, they kept wanting her to ask more. We took a picture with her...when I get a chance I will upload the pictures.

All this excitement and I must say that culture shock is beginning to set in. I feel a little overwhelmed and tired. Tomorrow we go to Delhi to start the actual program with CCS. But right now, I am slightly tired. I pray that I have enough energy.

Well, thanks for listening or reading my fun stories...stay tuned for the next exciting thing.

Finally Made it to Hyderabad

Well, after 5 days of traveling we have finally made it to Hyderabad. Lynn has a friend in Hyderabad who made everything work beautifully for us. We got into Delhi at 9:30 pm, got to our hotel by 11:00 pm, at 11:15 pm we found out that we had a flight out at 4:00 am, so that left us with very little sleep. And the Delhi hotel was a very normal India hotel...no A/C and it was hot..and a normal bathroom with the shower over the toilet. The flight to Hyderabad was uneventful...we meet Rudy (Lynn's friend) at the airport. He has nicely worked everything out for us in Hyderabad. The hotel here is amazing and he has a driver who drives us wherever we need to go. It is a nice change to not have to worry about all of the details. Although all of this sounds stressful, for the most part we are having fun. We have been able to see areas of India that we would not otherwise have been able to see. There are a number of children who come up and ask us for money. The streets seem to be made for two lanes but turns into 4 to 6 lanes...the driving is amazing here. But we are truly having a blast...God has kept us safe. Although, I need a little personal down time b/c we have been cramped with tons of people for a long time. Hopefully, I will get some of that in the next few days.

In Hyderabad we are going to visit some non-profit organizations that teach men and women how to maintain a business and bring income. The organizations also teach men and women bible and seminary lessons. I am excited to see these organizations. It feels like we have been here two weeks but it has only been 2 days. Sometimes I miss the luxuries of home (already) but for the most part I really enjoy engaging in a different culture.

Flight Delays

The trip here has been interesting. The flight to Toronto went smoothly but the trip to Dehli has definitely been an adventure. After 13 1/2 hours of flight, there was a storm over Delhi. We tried to land twice and had such horrible turbulance (I honestly thought we might die as we watched the plane bend), so they decided to reroute to get more fuel. The flight turned into 16 hours. We waited as A????abad for 4 hours for fuel...none came. The flight crew legally could not fly anymore without a break so we were sent to hotels. In the process they kept our passports because we have not been able to go through immigration yet. We didn't get checked in until 2:30 am. The flight to Dehil from A????abad doesn't leave until 7:30 pm so we will miss our flight to Hyderabad. Such an interesting few days. The joys of traveling in India where things never move as smoothly as you want. Oh well, we are definitely still having fun. We have been kidding about all the Murphy Law things we are encountering...Lynn will post them in her blog later. The view from our hotel window is amazing. Keep us in your prayers.

The Beginning

So, I left Indianapolis at 6 o'clock tonight and we are now in Toronto. It was a fun flight. I got to sit next to this engaging lady who used to be an accountant, now has a business, and lives in a boat in Vancouver. We talked about the challenges of starting a new business...both fun and bad. We discussed different ideas about business. The conversation was very fascinating...we also talked about different religions and the fundamental beauty of most them.

Tomorrow we are going to tour a little of Toronto and then off to Delhi. The next flight is 13 1/2 hours and the time difference is 10 1/2 hours....so we leave at 8:50 on Sunday and get there at 8:30 on Monday....amazing.

The adventure has truly begun.

10 Days Left

There are only 10 days left tell we leave. I am getting excited and nervous all at the same time. I am excited to engage in a new culture, not have to work for an entire month, see the Himalayans, go shopping in the local markets, have fun with Lynn and Megan, visit the local temples and learn more about the beliefs and practices, and to see where God moves. I am nervous to be bombarded with the rickshaw drivers and negotiating prices for transportation, be away from my bed and comforts of friends and family, that I might not do well at the assignment I receive, traveling for three days straight, and more but I can't put my finger on it yet. I know this will be an adventure of a life time and I am glad that I am going nervousness and all.

Today we booked tickets to fly from Delhi to Hyderabad for the week before the program starts. We are going to Hyderabad because Lynn visited the city about 4 years ago and has friends in the town. She wanted to go back and see them. One of the ladies is involved in a ministry to help woman. I am not exactly sure what it does but I am interested to learn more about it. Hyderabad is the computer capital of India. There are tons of computer companies and other such businesses in this city. It is located slightly south of the center of India.

I still have a bit of items to buy in preparation. However, I plan on buying the local clothing when I get there and wear that most of the time. CCS recommended it and I wanted to do it before they even recommended it. So, that means that I don't have to bring a lot of my own clothing. My suitcase traveling to India will be fairly light but coming back will be full of gifts.

I still have not be contacted on where I am going to be placed when I arrive to Dharamsala. I will let you know as soon as I find out. Please continue to pray.

Preparations

23 days...the count down is starting. And I am starting to more seriously prepare...I am realizing that being gone for a month means that a number of preparations need to be more carefully addressed....getting finances in line (big huge one...are all the bills going to be paid in my absense), finding good walking shoes, getting travel supplies, and most importantly preparing my mind. I need to take a little more time to research the culture and customs so that I am not another insulting American tourist. I plan on purchasing the Indian outfits to wear considering the heat and b/c they say that one gets more respect for honoring the Indian culture. I am not sure how true that is but I definitely want comfortable clothing for the heat and I currently do not have a vast enough wardrobe.

I find myself more and more excited and I know that this will be an experience of a life time. I am assuming that they will place me in a volunteer company sometime soon...I will give you an update as I receive it.

Letters

The letters are finally out....

I just realized that I never mentioned in this blog that three of us are going to India with CCS....Lynn, Megan, and myself. I mentioned earlier that Lynn told me about CCS but I never told everyone that we told Megan about this opportunity and she was so excited about it that she is joining us. We decided that since part of the mission of CCS is to develop a cross cultural world view we would share with people before, during, and after our trip. This sharing is allowing people to join in on the trip by supporting us emotionally, spiritually, and/or financially. Hopefully developing more of a cross cultural awareness as they join in the trip with us through our stories and struggles. So, we wrote a letter to tell our dear friends and family about this trip...hopefully, it allowed people to see our hearts with the entire trip.

My heart is more focused on the development of women in that culture. This may mean teaching them business skills so that they can create a successful weaving business, advocating their political rights, caring for children as the mothers receive an education, researching possibly solutions to better the life and health of woman, or other possible volunteer avenues. As I mentioned in the first blog, CCS does not place me until closer to the date of our arrival and will place me in a volunteer position that is close to my skills and interests to help both the Indian organization and myself have a better experience.

So, the letters explaining the organization and my heart (along with Lynn and Megan's heart) have been mailed (at least most of them)...along with a complimentary Indian tea bag so people can experience a little tiny bit of the culture.

Purchasing Tickets

We are off....we just finished purchasing the plane tickets. The only way out now is to lose a lot of money. I am not sure if this makes it feel any more real. I am looking online for good hotel prices for New Delhi. We will be spending a week in New Delhi before we go to Dharamsala for the volunteer placement in CCS. I may have mentioned going to Hyderbad before but it looks like those plans may change...actually, we are kind of waiting for the adventure and going to see if we end up in Hyderbad or New Delhi. But I think it will be New Delhi. Looking for the hotel is sort of exciting because I get to research a little about the area and it builds my anticipation.

I was just given a book by Ed Sena entitled "Revolution in World Missions". It talks a lot about Gospel for Asia and redefining our American view on missions. Rather than sending people to Asia to support the native missionaries that are already there. It also has challenged me to be more of a steward about my resources and to care more about the spiritual aspects of people than just their physical needs. I am not exactly sure where it will lead me but it has begun to challenge a lot of what I am thinking. I really would like to meet with some Gospel for Asia missionaries while in India but I don't know if that will be possible. In the meantime, I am exploring the possibility.

Initial Interests

Ever since I was a child I had a desire to visit or move to other cultures. The most dominating culture was Africa. So, when I graduated from college and was actually able to afford to the travel to other coutries I began by embarking on a Grace Brethern International Missions trip to Central African Republic to teach natives and missionaries basic computer skills. The trip was quite an adventure. I did not really know any of my team mates, I spoke absolutely nothing in the local language (there were a million different tribal languages so it wouldn't have mattered anyway), we taught computer to remote areas with little electrical power, I was a blonde white girl whom all the children followed after chanting "boongu" (I have no idea if that is the right spelling) which means "white person", I slept in basic areas with mosquito neets (which actually I really loved), and we traveled over the largest pot holes I have ever seen. And I loved every minute...my teammates were great and the people were absolutely beautiful.

After Africa, I went to Italy with two college friends on a tour of the entire northern Italy. We visited Rome, Venice, Como, etc. Again, I loved it. I had the best time saying "chow" and trying to communicate with the locals. I am sure they got annoyed with me but the trip was very nice. I didn't have to worry about my travel or lodging. I was dropped off in a town and told to meet everyone again at a certain time and then we were off to the next location. It was a great time to enjoy the country and my dear friend.s

Then I traveled to Turkey on a missions trip with Grace Community Church. We stayed with Turkish citizens for a week in Ankara and then visited Cappodocia the land of rock cities and rock churches. It was a stuning mixture of modern and traditional turkish cultures. The land was beautiful and I developed a thirst to explore more of this early church land. It was like a rich desert, with deep tradition, and many stories.

After Africa, Italy, and Turkey, I did not travel to another country for two years and I was beginning to develop an itch for the adventure of different cultures and people. I began exploring different places like Thailand, Isreal, Japan...basically the east and middle east. Then my friend Lynn found a website for Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS). It provided the opportunity to volunteer with local communities while visiting the culture. The focus was on developing more of a world wide cross cultural view. I loved the idea. It was not affiliated with any church or religious organization but was focused on allowing people to help develop various different. I was excited to see how others engaged in various different cultures without my religious background. CCS allows me to tell the my skills and interests and place me in a volunteer program that will benefit both me and the organization I am volunteering in. I decided that I would do this program. If Lynn wanted to go with me then I was going to India and if not I was going to Thailand. Well, Lynn decided to come so we are off to India. The trip is planned for June 2005 in Dharmasala, India which is in the Northwest corner of India nestled in the Himalayan Mountains.