This will be the last blog for this trip. Thanks so much for your prayers. Linda and I feel so much more prepared to be advocates for the people in India and Thailand now that we have seen it all firsthand. We got a little glimpse of how God sees these people. So many of them cannot help themselves out of poverty without our resources. They are willing but have no means.
Well, here is one last story. We decided to leave Bangkok early due to the political unrest there and the fact that we couldn't see some of our partnerships anyway. All flights were overbooked until May 7th, so we thought there was a slim chance of changing flights. However, we were able to slide in on a British Airways flight to London for Wednesday night. We were booked for just after midnight and got on the airplane, excited to be leaving town. We started full speed down the runway only to come to a screeching halt halfway down. After sitting on the tarmac for a little while, we were informed that our flight was cancelled for the night. We were deplaned onto a bus and shuttled back into the terminal at 1:30 am. The next part got pretty funny....talk about the blind leading the blind! First of all, Bangkok has a gigantic and beautiful modern airport, but in the middle of the night, there aren't a lot of staff around. So 300+ people get off our plane and start walking through the terminal to get our luggage. We walked all the way to the other end of the airport to find out we weren't in the right place. So we proceeded to walk all the way back to where we started and up a few floors to get our passport stamps cancelled. Then we walked all the way back to the other end again to get our luggage. Imagine 300 people marching back and forth through this huge empty airport in the middle of the night. It was quite a sight!
So, we finally exited the airport 3 hours later at 4:30 am. Then we had to wait for a bus to take us all to a hotel in which British Airways was putting us up until our airplane was fixed. Keep in mind that we were trying to get out of Bangkok because of riots, shootings, and bombings in downtown. So instead of being out of town at the remote location of the airport, the bus drives us right back into the city... ironic! You would think we'd stay somewhere close to the airport, but no, they drove us all in 6 buses for one hour! So, we showed up at the "Miracle Hotel" at 5:30 am. We ate breakfast and went straight to bed. There was one single letter from BA that was being literally "passed around" which said we would be flying out at midnight. But no word on when we would leave the hotel or anything else. We were all laughing as we were herded around like a bunch of lost sheep. We formed quite a community with this group of people.
By the time we woke up at 2pm, they had slid a copy of that one letter under our door, which still didn't tell us when or how we got to the airport. So, we went to the lobby to find that there was a bus sign-up sheet in half-hour intervals starting at 7pm. So we took a couple of really long showers and ate dinner and checked out of the hotel to board Bus #1. I do have to admit the free hotel was very nice and we had a full banquet feast for each meal. I kept waiting for the keynote speaker!
Long story short, we did board the plane around midnight on Thursday for London... and it actually took off this time! A call to American Airlines informed us that we couldn't get on a flight from London to Dallas, except the one we were already on for Sunday morning... but I don't accept "no" very easily. We got off the plane and went straight to the connections desk and got a ticket to Dallas for no charge. We then went back to passport control, checked out of the airport, got our luggage, and then checked back in at the departure desk. When we got boarding passes, we knew we were set! We got home on Friday afternoon... Thank God! Long trip home, but two days earlier than planned which was nice.
Well, we survived the scary food, the limited clean water, the New Zealand humor (Kevin, John, and Roger), the malaria Mosquitos, the sleeping on the floor under mosquito nets, the occasional bucket showers, the brushing teeth with water bottles, the stand-up toilets in the out-houses, the washing our hands with antibacterial gel and our bodies with baby wipes, the ridiculously long flights and car rides, the 105 degree humid heat, and all the smells and sights. It was worth every minute to meet the wonderful people of India and Thailand. God created all of us and in God's economy, those with resources should be helping those without. Whether it is sharing the love and message of Jesus or making a way out of poverty, HOPE exists "to give hope and dignity to those living on less than a dollar a day." Please join us in this endeavor!
If you are interested in helping HOPE World Partnerships, please visit our website for contact information: www.HOPEworldpartnerships.org. This month, we plan to update the "Partnerships" page with detailed descriptions of our unfunded partnerships. We also need help with La Mai Coffee sales and distribution, HOPE website design, video production, and spreading the word about projects. If you have any volunteer time to give, please contact us.
Thanks again for following our adventures and praying for us.
God bless,
Susy & Linda
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Four-Wheel Drive Trip
People pay big bucks for the 4-wheel driving trips we've been on in the last few days. We had our special tour guide, Mike Mann from ITDP, who by the way is a very impressive driver!
First of all, the trip to the Mahojo Village was a five-hour highway drive, a one-hour country road drive, a half-hour on a dirt road, and then an absolutely insane one-hour four-wheeling trip. This is what I would call "The Boonies". The villagers live in wood and thatch huts. They weave their own clothing. They live quite primitively.
On vacation, I have always avoided the Jeep trips on the mountain trails. I don't find being a nervous wreck very fun. However, these villages have only one entrance, so I didn't have a choice this time. The first uncomfortable part is that I sat behind the driver of the pick-up truck with my knees crammed in his back. Secondly, this was no ordinary dirt road. It was more like driving on solid rock that had foot-deep ruts and speed bumps all over it. So the driver had to stay out of the ruts and we bounced all over the backseat. Then occasionally we would get to a bend with a 300 foot drop off to one side where the trail wasn't wide enough for the truck. So some villagers had put some tree limbs across the outside edge of the trail so one set of your tires could ride on that part. As we went across, you could hear the limbs cracking underneath us...fun! Another area had completely washed out and a bridge of logs laying across the chasm acted as a bridge. On this one, you had to get one side of tires on each log and cross very cautiously. Needless to say, our driver had us get out of the car before we crossed that one, so he wouldn't have the burden of killing us if he didn't make it. Even walking across was a little harrowing.
At some point in our adventures, Linda looked at me and said "people pay big bucks for these kind of rides!" From then on, I enjoyed my trip so much better! Mike was an incredible driver which made me feel very safe and we laughed a whole lot.
First of all, the trip to the Mahojo Village was a five-hour highway drive, a one-hour country road drive, a half-hour on a dirt road, and then an absolutely insane one-hour four-wheeling trip. This is what I would call "The Boonies". The villagers live in wood and thatch huts. They weave their own clothing. They live quite primitively.
On vacation, I have always avoided the Jeep trips on the mountain trails. I don't find being a nervous wreck very fun. However, these villages have only one entrance, so I didn't have a choice this time. The first uncomfortable part is that I sat behind the driver of the pick-up truck with my knees crammed in his back. Secondly, this was no ordinary dirt road. It was more like driving on solid rock that had foot-deep ruts and speed bumps all over it. So the driver had to stay out of the ruts and we bounced all over the backseat. Then occasionally we would get to a bend with a 300 foot drop off to one side where the trail wasn't wide enough for the truck. So some villagers had put some tree limbs across the outside edge of the trail so one set of your tires could ride on that part. As we went across, you could hear the limbs cracking underneath us...fun! Another area had completely washed out and a bridge of logs laying across the chasm acted as a bridge. On this one, you had to get one side of tires on each log and cross very cautiously. Needless to say, our driver had us get out of the car before we crossed that one, so he wouldn't have the burden of killing us if he didn't make it. Even walking across was a little harrowing.
At some point in our adventures, Linda looked at me and said "people pay big bucks for these kind of rides!" From then on, I enjoyed my trip so much better! Mike was an incredible driver which made me feel very safe and we laughed a whole lot.
Coffee
In our time near Chiang Mai, we have and will be visiting 4 villages in the bush. In these villages live the Karen, Lahu, and Akha tribes. Led by Mike Mann, the Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP) has brought clean water to 250 villages across Northern Thailand. Many of these villages have also been given household toilets, electricity, schools, medical clinics, churches, and been taught some sort of agriculture to help them become self-sustaining. All of these projects require total buy-in by the villagers. They have to do most of the construction work and sometimes even have to pay back a loan for something that's been given to them, like a couple of water buffaloes.
In the hill villages we visited, coffee is being grown in the woods (shade-grown coffee). It was pretty exciting to touch the actual coffee plants that are being made into La Mai coffee. We learned that one coffee plant will yield only 1 lb of coffee in it's finished form. The organization that Linda and I run in the states, HOPE World Partnerships, stores the coffee beans in Plano, Texas, roasts it at Mark's Brothers coffee in Plano, and sells it as La Mai coffee around the country. I can't take any credit for that part, though, because Linda has done the whole thing all by herself before I ever got involved.
Another cool thing we visited here is Starbucks Thailand. Not just because we got a little taste of home, but because they buy the same beans we do and sell it under their own branding as Muan Jai. It comes from the very same villages. ITDP has led Starbucks into helping the people in the hill villages. Starbucks helped to get one of the medical clinics built. By purchasing the village coffee at fair trade prices, the farmers can better take care of their families. But ITDP doesn't just buy coffee, they help with numerous physical and spiritual needs. It is a very holistic approach.
Finally, on the topic of coffee, we will be visiting the Lanna Cafe, serving ITDP's own brand of coffee. We wanted to see the whole coffee process from plant to cup. So tomorrow we will be seeing the end of the process: roasting and serving. Can't wait to drink a cup!
In the hill villages we visited, coffee is being grown in the woods (shade-grown coffee). It was pretty exciting to touch the actual coffee plants that are being made into La Mai coffee. We learned that one coffee plant will yield only 1 lb of coffee in it's finished form. The organization that Linda and I run in the states, HOPE World Partnerships, stores the coffee beans in Plano, Texas, roasts it at Mark's Brothers coffee in Plano, and sells it as La Mai coffee around the country. I can't take any credit for that part, though, because Linda has done the whole thing all by herself before I ever got involved.
Another cool thing we visited here is Starbucks Thailand. Not just because we got a little taste of home, but because they buy the same beans we do and sell it under their own branding as Muan Jai. It comes from the very same villages. ITDP has led Starbucks into helping the people in the hill villages. Starbucks helped to get one of the medical clinics built. By purchasing the village coffee at fair trade prices, the farmers can better take care of their families. But ITDP doesn't just buy coffee, they help with numerous physical and spiritual needs. It is a very holistic approach.
Finally, on the topic of coffee, we will be visiting the Lanna Cafe, serving ITDP's own brand of coffee. We wanted to see the whole coffee process from plant to cup. So tomorrow we will be seeing the end of the process: roasting and serving. Can't wait to drink a cup!
In Thailand with the Red Shirts
We left Calcutta at 2am Friday to fly to Bangkok. If you've watched the international news, you've noticed that there are protests going on in Bangkok by the Red Shirts who are trying to get their ousted Prime Minister, Thaksin, reinstated. He's currently exiled in Dubai for the time being. We flew north to Chiang Mai within a few hours, but we are scheduled to spend 4 days in Bangkok starting this coming Wednesday. So please pray for us!
I am writing this on Monday, and in the few days we have been in Thailand, the protests have escalated. There have been bombs in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai this morning. The place that we were to visit to see where they rescue the girls sold into prostitution (Rahab Center) is at the very intersection in Bangkok where the riots are. Consequently, the people living and working at Rahab have evacuated and moved out for a while. So Linda and I are quite disappointed that we won't see one of the projects we were looking forward to the most. For those of you who don't know what we do with the Rahab center, you can read our coffee website, www.LaMaiCoffee.org. 100% of the profit from our fair trade coffee sales goes to help the girls involved in the Rahab center.
We may go see some other projects around Bangkok instead, but please pray for our safety from Wednesday to Saturday.
I am writing this on Monday, and in the few days we have been in Thailand, the protests have escalated. There have been bombs in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai this morning. The place that we were to visit to see where they rescue the girls sold into prostitution (Rahab Center) is at the very intersection in Bangkok where the riots are. Consequently, the people living and working at Rahab have evacuated and moved out for a while. So Linda and I are quite disappointed that we won't see one of the projects we were looking forward to the most. For those of you who don't know what we do with the Rahab center, you can read our coffee website, www.LaMaiCoffee.org. 100% of the profit from our fair trade coffee sales goes to help the girls involved in the Rahab center.
We may go see some other projects around Bangkok instead, but please pray for our safety from Wednesday to Saturday.
My Birthday
Well, Thursday was my birthday and I spent the day driving hours to an airport in India, flying to another airport, and then sitting in the nasty Calcutta airport for 8 hrs. We all watched a movie on my iPad propped up on suitcases. We shared headphones and all three had to keep our heads fairly close to the iPad. We were quite a sight.
On the way to the first airport, I had my birthday lunch at a Indian Truck Stop... Nice. Then for dinner at the airport, Linda made me an awesome peanut butter & jelly sandwich from things she packed from the states. The jelly was from packets she picked up from Chick-fil-A. Never enjoyed a PB&J as much as this one after eating questionable Indian food for a week and suffering from Diarrhea a few nights before.
Thank you, everyone, for all the Facebook birthday wishes and texts. I felt very loved!
On the way to the first airport, I had my birthday lunch at a Indian Truck Stop... Nice. Then for dinner at the airport, Linda made me an awesome peanut butter & jelly sandwich from things she packed from the states. The jelly was from packets she picked up from Chick-fil-A. Never enjoyed a PB&J as much as this one after eating questionable Indian food for a week and suffering from Diarrhea a few nights before.
Thank you, everyone, for all the Facebook birthday wishes and texts. I felt very loved!
Caring for Lepers
On Wednesday, we visited two Bright Hope Leper Feeding and Treatment Clinics. It certainly was not for one with a weak stomach. First of all, let me describe the disease of leprosy. I always thought it was a disease that makes one break out in sores all over the body which were painful and itchy. It is not like that at all. I learned that it is actually a bacterial infection of the nervous system which causes areas of your skin to go permanently numb. It usually starts in the hands and feet. If you catch the first bit of numbness, apparently you can be treated and don't have to suffer the consequences of full-blown leprosy. However, once it reaches a certain level in your body, you will not be able to get rid of it for the rest of your life.
So, what does a full-blown leprosy case look like? When the hands and feet have no feeling, and yet you are poor and must do manual labor and tons of walking barefoot or in flip flops, you can imagine how many cuts you would get without even realizing. Then these cuts get infected and things like gangrene and staff infections set in. This causes the loss of fingers and toes and eventually arms and legs. And that is exactly what we saw.
Emmanuel and Jessie and other neighboring pastors seek to comfort and treat these outcasts with a love like Jesus. We visited two leper colonies, where the lepers and their families are exiled to live. The people ranged from elderly to babies. The children showed no signs of leprosy, but most adults had deformed feet and hands from the amputations of digits. Once a week a team of local christians spend a full day at each center. They have named their clinics after our mother organization, Bright Hope World, who made the financial side of the clinics possible by partnering with people like you and me. But the true heroes are the local people who do all the work and sacrificially care for the people.
The clinic consists of cleaning and bandaging wounds, passing out pills for the week ahead, feeding them three large healthy meals, and giving the traveling lepers each enough money for transportation to and from the clinic. At one of the clinics, they have quite a few lepers who come from other villages.
It was quite graphic to watch the wounds get treated. Also, like most Indians, the people eat on large flat stainless steel plates with a slab of rice and some kind of meat or veggie sauce ... and they eat with their hands (even the men in suits). Except watching the lepers eat was heartbreaking. The volunteers go around and put the food on their plates and then the leper would mix the food around with his fingerless hand and shovel it into his mouth. I was glad they were getting a good meal, but it was difficult to watch.
This clinic was truly an act of love. This is where Jesus would be hanging out for sure.
So, what does a full-blown leprosy case look like? When the hands and feet have no feeling, and yet you are poor and must do manual labor and tons of walking barefoot or in flip flops, you can imagine how many cuts you would get without even realizing. Then these cuts get infected and things like gangrene and staff infections set in. This causes the loss of fingers and toes and eventually arms and legs. And that is exactly what we saw.
Emmanuel and Jessie and other neighboring pastors seek to comfort and treat these outcasts with a love like Jesus. We visited two leper colonies, where the lepers and their families are exiled to live. The people ranged from elderly to babies. The children showed no signs of leprosy, but most adults had deformed feet and hands from the amputations of digits. Once a week a team of local christians spend a full day at each center. They have named their clinics after our mother organization, Bright Hope World, who made the financial side of the clinics possible by partnering with people like you and me. But the true heroes are the local people who do all the work and sacrificially care for the people.
The clinic consists of cleaning and bandaging wounds, passing out pills for the week ahead, feeding them three large healthy meals, and giving the traveling lepers each enough money for transportation to and from the clinic. At one of the clinics, they have quite a few lepers who come from other villages.
It was quite graphic to watch the wounds get treated. Also, like most Indians, the people eat on large flat stainless steel plates with a slab of rice and some kind of meat or veggie sauce ... and they eat with their hands (even the men in suits). Except watching the lepers eat was heartbreaking. The volunteers go around and put the food on their plates and then the leper would mix the food around with his fingerless hand and shovel it into his mouth. I was glad they were getting a good meal, but it was difficult to watch.
This clinic was truly an act of love. This is where Jesus would be hanging out for sure.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sewing Centers Give Hope
Friday night, we left Dehradun and took a long train ride back to Delhi, getting in about 2am. It was very sad to see the hundreds of people sleeping in rows on the sidewalk when we got off the train, especially the little children sleeping on the concrete. On Saturday, we visited our second of many sewing centers that HOPE World Partnerships gets to partner with. We also went to our first westernized restaurant for lunch AND dinner - a coffee shop in the Khan Market - which was a nice break from rice.
From Delhi, we took a flight to Hyderabad and Rajamundry, further south in India. There, Emmanuel Kumar came to pick us up in his Mahindra jeep (resembling a Land Cruiser) to take us to his home in Kakinada, greeting us with flowers. The area is very different than up north: tropical and humid with palm trees, sugar cane, bananas, cashews, and water buffalo. A few miles down the road from the airport, in the middle of nowhere, Emmanuel had the driver stop the car and open the back of the jeep. They took out a thermos and proceeded to serve us little cups of coffee on the side of the road. Mind you, it was about 95 degrees outside, but it was a very nice gesture and the coffee was excellent.
About an hour down the road, we reached Emmanuel & Jessie's house. We received a greeting as Linda and I never have before. There were 50 kids lined up with the boys on one side and the girls on the other. They were in their best dress with huge smiles on their faces. When we got out of the car, we were welcomed with huge necklaces of flowers that were about 4 inches in diameter and down to our knees. We felt like princesses! As we walked up to the house between the lines of children, they threw flower petals on our heads. Finally, inside the house was a huge banner with each of our names on it. What a welcome!
Emmanuel and Jessie are amazing people. These are the heroes with whom we are excited to be partnering. They saw that many poor children in the nearby villages had no chance of being successful in life if they remained where they were. The schools were not good, they did not eat well, and many did not even have parents. So the Kumars have taken into their home many of these children, now to the tune of 50 children. There, the kids have the opportunity to have good meals, solid moral teaching, and better schooling in the city. The ones that have a living parent often go home on weekends or during the summer. In addition to that, Emmanuel has a church that he runs. In addition to that, he offers training to men and women wanting to work in a nearby church. In addition to that, Emmanuel & Jessie have helped local churches get sewing programs started (more about that in a minute). In addition to that, they have a feeding and medical program for leperous women in two leper colonies. And if that is not enough, they are starting a little "side job" of breeding water buffalo and using them for milk, to help support his ministry. They are true heroes.
So, today we visited 4 villages with sewing centers. We will visit some more tomorrow and more on Thursday. These FREE sewing classes are held at churches in the villages up to 5 times per week to help with the problem of poverty and desperation. Usually, ten women can take the course for about 9 months and end up with a sewing machine and a seamstress certificate. During that time, they are also exposed to Christianity lived out by people in that church. The church gets involved in their lives and helping with family issues. The women will often ask the pastor to pray for their sick family members, even though they are Hindu.
The ladies told us today that their husbands might make $1 a day doing a seasonal job such as farming, which cannot meet their family needs. Since finishing the program, many of them can make $3 per day, which quadruples their family income! They were all thankful to the church for offering the program.
It was fascinating walking through the villages today. I finally know what it feels like to be Brittany Spears. So many of these people were seeing a white person for the first time. People were coming out of their houses staring, pointing, or waving. I even gave one autograph... seriously, I did.
Yesterday, I hit a wall. Day #5 was when Kevin says it usually hits him, and I got slammed exactly on day five. I had so much jet lag and sleep deprivation that I hardly could stay awake and I even had to hide out in my room for about 30 minutes and have a good cry. I got to talk to Jack on Skype which was nice. I pulled it together until bedtime and then finally got to crash. Consequently, I felt great today. Thank God. I'll report again in a day or two.
From Delhi, we took a flight to Hyderabad and Rajamundry, further south in India. There, Emmanuel Kumar came to pick us up in his Mahindra jeep (resembling a Land Cruiser) to take us to his home in Kakinada, greeting us with flowers. The area is very different than up north: tropical and humid with palm trees, sugar cane, bananas, cashews, and water buffalo. A few miles down the road from the airport, in the middle of nowhere, Emmanuel had the driver stop the car and open the back of the jeep. They took out a thermos and proceeded to serve us little cups of coffee on the side of the road. Mind you, it was about 95 degrees outside, but it was a very nice gesture and the coffee was excellent.
About an hour down the road, we reached Emmanuel & Jessie's house. We received a greeting as Linda and I never have before. There were 50 kids lined up with the boys on one side and the girls on the other. They were in their best dress with huge smiles on their faces. When we got out of the car, we were welcomed with huge necklaces of flowers that were about 4 inches in diameter and down to our knees. We felt like princesses! As we walked up to the house between the lines of children, they threw flower petals on our heads. Finally, inside the house was a huge banner with each of our names on it. What a welcome!
Emmanuel and Jessie are amazing people. These are the heroes with whom we are excited to be partnering. They saw that many poor children in the nearby villages had no chance of being successful in life if they remained where they were. The schools were not good, they did not eat well, and many did not even have parents. So the Kumars have taken into their home many of these children, now to the tune of 50 children. There, the kids have the opportunity to have good meals, solid moral teaching, and better schooling in the city. The ones that have a living parent often go home on weekends or during the summer. In addition to that, Emmanuel has a church that he runs. In addition to that, he offers training to men and women wanting to work in a nearby church. In addition to that, Emmanuel & Jessie have helped local churches get sewing programs started (more about that in a minute). In addition to that, they have a feeding and medical program for leperous women in two leper colonies. And if that is not enough, they are starting a little "side job" of breeding water buffalo and using them for milk, to help support his ministry. They are true heroes.
So, today we visited 4 villages with sewing centers. We will visit some more tomorrow and more on Thursday. These FREE sewing classes are held at churches in the villages up to 5 times per week to help with the problem of poverty and desperation. Usually, ten women can take the course for about 9 months and end up with a sewing machine and a seamstress certificate. During that time, they are also exposed to Christianity lived out by people in that church. The church gets involved in their lives and helping with family issues. The women will often ask the pastor to pray for their sick family members, even though they are Hindu.
The ladies told us today that their husbands might make $1 a day doing a seasonal job such as farming, which cannot meet their family needs. Since finishing the program, many of them can make $3 per day, which quadruples their family income! They were all thankful to the church for offering the program.
It was fascinating walking through the villages today. I finally know what it feels like to be Brittany Spears. So many of these people were seeing a white person for the first time. People were coming out of their houses staring, pointing, or waving. I even gave one autograph... seriously, I did.
Yesterday, I hit a wall. Day #5 was when Kevin says it usually hits him, and I got slammed exactly on day five. I had so much jet lag and sleep deprivation that I hardly could stay awake and I even had to hide out in my room for about 30 minutes and have a good cry. I got to talk to Jack on Skype which was nice. I pulled it together until bedtime and then finally got to crash. Consequently, I felt great today. Thank God. I'll report again in a day or two.
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Wild Ride to the Ganges River
On our vacations, Jack tells me these crazy stories of near-death experiences he's just had, after he hikes up a mountain and almost falls off a cliff, or rides his bike for hours into the woods and meets a mountain lion. Well, hon, I had mine today... about 100 times over!
I have a video to show the insane drive we took up to the Ganges River. No, it wasn't switch-back mountain driving, though there were moments of that, driving into the foothills of the Himalayas and all. No, it was the hundreds of near-misses and head-on collisions with motorcycles, buses, and even cows. The taxi driver was quite good, looking back, but it was a non-stop adrenaline-rush for sure. These people would be really, really good at those driving video games. I still have no earthly idea how we never hit anything or anyone, but we are safe and sound on a train at the moment, so no worries. If you want to pray for something, I think I'm now more worried about crashing than getting sick.
Anyway, the reason we drove to Rishikesh today was to see a pilgrimage that Hindus take every 12 years. They trek for miles to end up at the River Ganges. They believe that the river has special properties and healing powers...flowing from the Hindu gods. Many elderly people make the trip in hopes to die there. I wouldn't doubt if there were a million people along the river today.
Our crazy taxi driver took us as far as cars were permitted and dropped us off. We made the uncomfortable walk down to the river amongst thousands of poor, barefoot, lost people trying to find salvation. It was a bit unnerving to say the least. Abdul led us through the crowds, and Kevin protected us from the back. Linda and I couldn't stand the stench or the unknown germs, so we covered our faces with scarves and tried not to suffocate. On the way back uphill it got quite hot, but I wasn't about to take that scarf away from my face. I thought I might pass out because my breathing was so impeded, but I made it. Never would want to do it again, but fascinated nonetheless.
I have a video to show the insane drive we took up to the Ganges River. No, it wasn't switch-back mountain driving, though there were moments of that, driving into the foothills of the Himalayas and all. No, it was the hundreds of near-misses and head-on collisions with motorcycles, buses, and even cows. The taxi driver was quite good, looking back, but it was a non-stop adrenaline-rush for sure. These people would be really, really good at those driving video games. I still have no earthly idea how we never hit anything or anyone, but we are safe and sound on a train at the moment, so no worries. If you want to pray for something, I think I'm now more worried about crashing than getting sick.
Anyway, the reason we drove to Rishikesh today was to see a pilgrimage that Hindus take every 12 years. They trek for miles to end up at the River Ganges. They believe that the river has special properties and healing powers...flowing from the Hindu gods. Many elderly people make the trip in hopes to die there. I wouldn't doubt if there were a million people along the river today.
Our crazy taxi driver took us as far as cars were permitted and dropped us off. We made the uncomfortable walk down to the river amongst thousands of poor, barefoot, lost people trying to find salvation. It was a bit unnerving to say the least. Abdul led us through the crowds, and Kevin protected us from the back. Linda and I couldn't stand the stench or the unknown germs, so we covered our faces with scarves and tried not to suffocate. On the way back uphill it got quite hot, but I wasn't about to take that scarf away from my face. I thought I might pass out because my breathing was so impeded, but I made it. Never would want to do it again, but fascinated nonetheless.
The "Slumber Party"
We asked the girls participating in their month-long ashram to show us their dormitory. Turns out it was one small room with about 4 beds and 4 cushions on the floor. When we walked in, Jayanti, the only girl who spoke English, said "Welcome, please sit." There was no place to sit but on the beds, so we plopped ourselves there. So here we were, a couple of American white girls sitting around on beds and cushions with 8 beautiful Indian girls in colorful tunics and leggings. But after a while, it just felt like a few girlfriends at a slumber party.
Through Jayanti, the girls asked us questions about where we live, our children, and we showed them numerous pictures on our iPhone and iPad. They told us that they like to sit and talk with girlfriends for fun. Only boys played outside with balls and things, they said. Then Babita asked if we'd pray for her. Then, someone else asked. Finally, I just took out my notebook and started writing all the requests down. We were called to dinner several times, but everyone wanted to tell us their requests. Then others wanted me to add more to theirs. Many wanted prayer for wisdom and understanding, to learn the material, to learn English, to learn to read and write. Many had sick relatives who needed healing.
We obviously were late for dinner. But totally worth it. The "slumber party" moment was my favorite part so far.
Through Jayanti, the girls asked us questions about where we live, our children, and we showed them numerous pictures on our iPhone and iPad. They told us that they like to sit and talk with girlfriends for fun. Only boys played outside with balls and things, they said. Then Babita asked if we'd pray for her. Then, someone else asked. Finally, I just took out my notebook and started writing all the requests down. We were called to dinner several times, but everyone wanted to tell us their requests. Then others wanted me to add more to theirs. Many wanted prayer for wisdom and understanding, to learn the material, to learn English, to learn to read and write. Many had sick relatives who needed healing.
We obviously were late for dinner. But totally worth it. The "slumber party" moment was my favorite part so far.
My First Impressions
Well, I've been in India for 3 days now. I have to admit that the first thing I noticed was the dirt and smog. I had heard this, but you never can understand until you experience it firsthand. The air is unlike any place in the world: thick, hazy, dirty, and very smelly....no, that is not nearly strong enough of a word, the stench is almost unbearable. The air burns your eyes, your sinuses, and your throat. Then there is the filth and trash. Piles of it everywhere and anywhere...on the street, behind your house, in the woods... And on the city streets, there are cows...yes, regular moo-moo cows. Cows are sacred in the Hindu culture, so you don't dare kill them. No beef here. And don't ask me what they eat because it's not like there is grass... I guess they eat the trash. And where do they use the restroom? The same place many of the people do... on the street.
I have met some amazing people, don't get me wrong, I'll get to that in a minute. It's just interesting what you cannot glean from any picture or video presentation. I've never ever encountered anything like it. We went on a six hour train ride to the north of Delhi yesterday and the sea of people never stopped. There are over 1 billion people here. One town just spills over into the next. Building after building, tent after tent, shack after shack. The poverty is evident in every mile traveled.
Now, picture the kind of homes you see on movies about Iraq...that is what I saw as i rode through town after town. White concrete, two-story structures that look like they have been bombed, with pieces missing and added to, rubble and trash on the ground around them, but then, ironically, a vine of beautiful flowers will be growing up the wall for aesthetics. Some houses look like they could have been beautiful at one time, with rooftop balconies and interesting architectural design, but apparently no resources for upkeep. There is the occasional house that looks like someone cared, like the training center we visited, but then it will be next door to a pile of rubble decorated with trash. There is no such thing as a "nice side of town" - even the Prime Minister's estate wasn't impressive.
You know how a modern/contemporary home will have a blank canvas of white walls to highlight the colorful art? Well, that is India. The array of colors showcased by its people is a stark contrast to its backdrop of ruin. I wish I was a photographer. (Lane, you are going to have the time of your life here taking pictures!) The colors are awesome! The women's saris and tunics are a walking art exhibit.
Speaking of the people, they are not only beautiful, but very gentle and friendly. Meet Abdul, the soft spoken young man in charge of Dehradun Bible Ashram ("ashram" is a way of learning through spending time with a guru or master). Every time we got into a taxi, he and the driver would talk non-stop like they were old friends. We'd ask who that was and he'd say, "oh, that is just the taxi driver." Conversation and relationships are important in this culture. The young men and women at the Ashram were kind, humble, and gentle. They love the Lord deeply and want to learn whatever they can, even if they cannot read or write. In that case, a fellow student studies with them to be sure they get their homework completed. They look forward to going back to their home towns and teaching others. It was refreshing to see their passion.
We also met the Hindu girls at the sewing centre. A Christian Indian woman teaches girls from the community to sew so they can make a living. She hopes that some will come to know Christ in their time together as well.
So, my first impressions range from utter disgust to a feeling of warmth. Quite a couple of days.
I have met some amazing people, don't get me wrong, I'll get to that in a minute. It's just interesting what you cannot glean from any picture or video presentation. I've never ever encountered anything like it. We went on a six hour train ride to the north of Delhi yesterday and the sea of people never stopped. There are over 1 billion people here. One town just spills over into the next. Building after building, tent after tent, shack after shack. The poverty is evident in every mile traveled.
Now, picture the kind of homes you see on movies about Iraq...that is what I saw as i rode through town after town. White concrete, two-story structures that look like they have been bombed, with pieces missing and added to, rubble and trash on the ground around them, but then, ironically, a vine of beautiful flowers will be growing up the wall for aesthetics. Some houses look like they could have been beautiful at one time, with rooftop balconies and interesting architectural design, but apparently no resources for upkeep. There is the occasional house that looks like someone cared, like the training center we visited, but then it will be next door to a pile of rubble decorated with trash. There is no such thing as a "nice side of town" - even the Prime Minister's estate wasn't impressive.
You know how a modern/contemporary home will have a blank canvas of white walls to highlight the colorful art? Well, that is India. The array of colors showcased by its people is a stark contrast to its backdrop of ruin. I wish I was a photographer. (Lane, you are going to have the time of your life here taking pictures!) The colors are awesome! The women's saris and tunics are a walking art exhibit.
Speaking of the people, they are not only beautiful, but very gentle and friendly. Meet Abdul, the soft spoken young man in charge of Dehradun Bible Ashram ("ashram" is a way of learning through spending time with a guru or master). Every time we got into a taxi, he and the driver would talk non-stop like they were old friends. We'd ask who that was and he'd say, "oh, that is just the taxi driver." Conversation and relationships are important in this culture. The young men and women at the Ashram were kind, humble, and gentle. They love the Lord deeply and want to learn whatever they can, even if they cannot read or write. In that case, a fellow student studies with them to be sure they get their homework completed. They look forward to going back to their home towns and teaching others. It was refreshing to see their passion.
We also met the Hindu girls at the sewing centre. A Christian Indian woman teaches girls from the community to sew so they can make a living. She hopes that some will come to know Christ in their time together as well.
So, my first impressions range from utter disgust to a feeling of warmth. Quite a couple of days.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Off to India...
I am leaving in a few minutes to head to the airport in Dallas. Linda Maikowski and I are the only ones on this trip. We have a relatively short flight to Chicago, and then ONE LONG FLIGHT non-stop to Delhi, India. I can't even believe an airplane can travel that long without filling up with gas!
We'll get into India on Wednesday Night, meet up with Kevin from New Zealand, and hopefully sleep well for a night. Then a train to Dehradun the next morning. Looking forward to all that God is going to show me and all the cool people I will meet!
My girls did great this morning going to school without any tears! Thank you to Sara Garza for taking care of them a few afternoons per week! They are so looking forward to it, Sara!
Thank you, Jack, for encouraging me to go on this trip. I know you have a lot on your plate these next few weeks. I know you and the girls will build an extra-special bond with each other.
I'll be in India until my birthday and then Thailand for the rest of the time. Be back on May 2nd. Please pray for safety and health.
You may read about our organization at www.HOPEworldpartnerships.org. Linda & I are opening the U.S. Office for New Zealand-based Bright Hope World. This is an exploratory/educational trip to meet some of our partners in Asia. We can't wait to be inspired.
You can follow us on Twitter.com/HOPEwp
Well, off I go!
We'll get into India on Wednesday Night, meet up with Kevin from New Zealand, and hopefully sleep well for a night. Then a train to Dehradun the next morning. Looking forward to all that God is going to show me and all the cool people I will meet!
My girls did great this morning going to school without any tears! Thank you to Sara Garza for taking care of them a few afternoons per week! They are so looking forward to it, Sara!
Thank you, Jack, for encouraging me to go on this trip. I know you have a lot on your plate these next few weeks. I know you and the girls will build an extra-special bond with each other.
I'll be in India until my birthday and then Thailand for the rest of the time. Be back on May 2nd. Please pray for safety and health.
You may read about our organization at www.HOPEworldpartnerships.org. Linda & I are opening the U.S. Office for New Zealand-based Bright Hope World. This is an exploratory/educational trip to meet some of our partners in Asia. We can't wait to be inspired.
You can follow us on Twitter.com/HOPEwp
Well, off I go!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
