AHHH!!! Internet Access Again!!

Back in contact with the tech world today!! We are in New Delhi and in about 13 hours will begin our trek back to the States. The past couple days we have not had Internet access have been FULL ones. Let me TRY to recap.

We left Damoh on Monday morning and drove south to Jabalpur. It was about a three hour drive, and the roads were better than those we'd traveled earlier, although that is not saying a whole lot! :-)

On the way there, we saw an elephant working carrying things down the road. He was a Hindu elephant, was painted up the way a Hindu would decorate it. Our driver tried to stop so we could get pictures, but the man with the elephant started yelling, "one minute only1" and was charging us to snap pictures. Only thing is, the elephant never stopped, and by the time my camera was on and the window was down, he was almost gone. I did get two snapshots which you will see later. The one that is a closeup was NOT zoomed in. We were that close.

We stopped also to see some waterfaalls and a canyon. Not the same as the Grand Conyon, but it was pretty and had enough scrub bushes it made a good place to stop, if you get my drift....

Once in Jabalpur we checked in at our hotel. It also was a Hindu run place -- there was always incense burning by a little brass idol. Mike thought this hotel was better than the one we'd stayed at in Delhi on our arrival, but he's wrong. The beds were a bit softer, the pillows bigger, but hard, it had hot water, but it wasn't as clean. The guys got a room with two twin beds that I guess was pretty pitiful.

We had tea in the restaurant to tide us over until the lunch we were to have with the Mercy Home girls. About 1:30 we headed over there.

The girls at the home were a delight! Their home is not very wide -- about wide enough to have two rows of tables running lengthwise, and then some extra space at the front. We sat at the front -- that is the accepted place for guests of honor -- kind of makes one feels like they are on display at all times.

The girls put on a short program for us. Singing and dancing. Apparently, they go to churches where there are dance competitions (to Christian music). They have several small trophies and placques for winning. They had one group in costumes of red and black silkly fabric that made me think they might be doing flaminco dancing, but of course it wasn't.

Then we toured the rest of the house. There were three "houses" (dorm rooms) -- the Blue House, the Yellow House, and the Green House. Each house is home to about 10 girls. They do not separate them by age, but have mixed ages in every house, mixing the girls as family. The main room is wall-to-wall beds. Then there was another small room that held their belongings. Each girl had a small metal box. I didn't measure, but I'd guess they were about 18 X 30 and 12" deep (just guessing). In each was all their personal belongings. They had another box where they kept all their girl foo-foo stuff.

We ate lunch there -- chicken curry, fresh veggies, and the requisite rice. It was pretty good. Also dal tortilla type things. Dal is a word that encompasses many types of lentils. These remind me of corn tortillas that are fried, but much thinner. I really like them and hope to find them in the States. I think their real name is Papan.

Then the men of the group left to walk down the block to a room the mission keeps where they can stay while on business in town. I stayed with the girls (men RARELY at allowed in the home, so they needed to make their visit short). The girls and I tried to talk with their limited English and my non-existent Hindi. I was able to show them pictures of Katie and Matt on my iPad. (Thanks Katie for loading those pics of you -- they were the only pics I have on there, and could have used more!) I was able to tell them and show them what "red hair" looks like. They enjoyed seeing the pics and said Katie is beautiful -- Oh, the way to a Mom's heart!!!..... :-) I showed them an old game we used to play in school using pennies. We had a nice visit.

Oh, and one of the best parts -- we decided to use the bulk of our Changing India funds here. The home doesn't have a computer; we decided to give them funds for a computer. Plus, we are funding getting them bunk beds. Their living arrangements are so cramped, that's were we are putting the bulk of our funds. Rob has on video the reaction.

Good visit.

After this we went for supper at David Lall's favorite Chinese Restaurant. It was alright, but I won't put it at the top of my list... Maybe I didn't get the right thing.

Back to the hotel for a toss-and-turn night of rest. Breakfast the next AM in the hotel restaurant, then to visit some of the church buildings in Jabalpur. Remember, this is now Tuesday, so church isn't in session. I guess it's "OK" to do church stuff on a Sunday, but aft4er that, the people come under suspicion and difficulties to meet.

We went to the first church in Jabalpur and met the preacher and his wife and daughter. The church runs about 70 on a Sunday AM and 100-200 for special programs. They showed us their first meeting room which is now the preacher's kitchen. Wow, small and dark. The building is light and well cared for.

Then we changed vehicles into a narrower one to get the the next church. This was to be a very quick in-and-out trip as it was not safe for us to spend a long time there and wouldn't be safe for the preacher to be seen with us. This building was smaller, but also nice (Indian nice, not U.S. nice). Itg turns out this building was dedicated several years back by Dr. David Sholl, a physician from Tulsa who incidentally delivered both Elisabeth and Katie.

The third building we visited was the smallest. This congregation has few baptized believers, but several "seekers". When we arrived there, the building was full. There were three rows from front to back full of men, and one row of women. They presented us with -- you know what -=- marigold garlands (oh yes, one of the other churches did too!). Then they sang using the instruments I've mentioned earlier. Then Rob preached or gave a quick greeting/devotion. Then time to leave.

Our companion (David had left for Damoh), Shereesh (don't know how to spell it) told us it would be 30 minutes back to the hotel. Well, I knew what his 30 minutes is, and needed to use the bathroom, so I used the churches. The Indian bathroom is sometimes know as a Squatty Potty. I got the situation figured out and it was a good thing. Enough said.

Then to get some lunch. We ate at the Traffic Jam Food Stop. This place had a variety of cuisines, so we ate fish-and-chips. Indian food can be SOOOOOOOO spicy we figured we were safe with that.

Then off to shop. I was hoping to go to some quaint native shops where we could get some small things to take back. They took us to what I considered pretty upscale, because I couldn't afford to get what I was looking for. I did find some reasonably priced things, but it took a while. Mike found a pair of sandals at a shoe store -- only paid about $7.

Then, it was time to head back and get ready to board the night train to Agra. We were in Clas AC One on the train. This is a compartment for four with two benches facing each other. Then when time for bed, two overhead berths fold down from the wall and two lower berths fold down into beds. The porter brings a brown sack containing clean sheets and a pillow, plus wool blankets. Thus begins one of the worse nights "sleep" I had..... :-) I think the berth was the hardest place I slept, and the pillow was equally hard. The train was not a non-stop, but started and stopped through the night. I DID sleep, but it was so hard.....

Morning brought us to Agra, the home of the Taj Majal. We went to a hotel (the worst one yet, but it DID have hot water). We had one large room there and we only used it so we could clean up and have a safe place to store our luggage for the day.

Off to the Taj. Words CANNOT do this place justice!! It was incredible and I even had Rob pinch my arm once to prove that I was actually there!! We took gobs and gobs of pictures. Shereesh had gotten us a guide who was thorough in showing us everything. We'll just have to tell you about it. I don't have enought computer time left to tell you all.

Then on the shop some more -- again, shops we couldn't afford!! But we got to see HOW some of the inlay work at the Taj was completed by current craftsmen using the same methods. I saw one box (I collect boxes) there that was about 5" in diameter and cost $6,000!!!!!!

Then they took us to see the Star of India, a type of precious stone native to here. Again, waaaayyyy expensive.

Then off to the train again to bring us to Delhi last night. The heat of the day was so oppresive, we were miserable. The train was late and we didn't get on it until about 6PM. We again had berths in AC cabins, but it wasn't their first class. So, the compartments didn't close and lock -- only curtains -- and we weren't all together. We were in two different compartments -- originally in three, but some moved to be together. I tried to sleep, but was so tired and miserable I couldn't. Remember -- hard berths? Although it was A/C, I still felt icky from all the sweat and overheating of the day -- it was just cold clamminess.

Got to Delhi about 10PM. OHHHHH the masses on humanity and the rush on the train platform............... This was the first place in India I felt STANK. There was just so much humanity and filth. So glad this scene wasn't my first in India. It took a while to get out of there and get our cabs. I WAS SO THANKFUL FOR SHEREESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It would have been terrifying without him. I put the video camera in my ever-expanding bag the kids at Oasis of Love gave me. (That bag makes me feel like Mary Poppins -- it seems there is always room for more!!) Shereesh told Rob to get it out of site! Beggars and pickpockets, you know.

The taxis got there and took us to the YWCA. I was hoping for at least a clean bathroom and be able to really feel clean. THANK YOU GOD!!! The place was clean and immaculate. I got a cool shower -- I couldn't wait long enough for the califont to heat up water. It's amazing how clean hair and a clean, unsweaty body will improve one's spirit.

The beds were again HARD, but a decent pillow. Two Benadryl later and I got the best sleep of the trip! Slept in. Got breakfast compliments of the Y, and now Internet access! We are due to leave in 7 minutes. We will see some of Delhi and try to find some souveniers -- hopefully at a decent-priced place!

Must run. We will head to the airport about 9PM Delhi time. That is about 10:30 AM your time. Then off to America!!

Pray for us! We love you and miss you. Gotta run. Don't have time to proof this, so pardon the typos and grammar!!!

Jacque

Yes? Or No? Did They? Didn't They?

Yes and No

It's Sunday evening. Rob is about ready to call at the end of first service, but our Sunday is almost over. I'll try to share it with you

The day began when I awoke to the sound of the electricity going off -- AGAIN. Mike and I hadn't run the califont  for a couple days, so we got to enjoy cold showers. Also, no electricity means no blow dryer....  :-(

At breakfast we found out Shiney (David and Sheela's marries daughter) had been on IVs all night long and still was in danger of miscarriage. (She did miscarry and had surgery tonight. Her husband does not know as he is currently in the air leading a mission trip here from his church in CA)

Sunday School was at 8am. They were singing when we arrived -- all kids from PreK to college. After the singing they split into groups. As they were leaving for classes we were asked to teach SS. Rob went to teach Jr Hi. mike took the HS and college mike talked about obeying our Creator and used his "block on a rope" illustration. He had a great translator -- a young girl who said she lean red some English at school, but picked it up mostly from talking to Americans. 

After the class everyone returned for a closing. Four little kids I think from the orphanage run by AJ Lall planted themselves on our laps. 

Yes, we received the traditional beaded garland during SS.  No, it wasn't marigolds. I received five of them; the guys only got two.... :-). About 250 kids were in SS.

Then across town the the church building for church at 10am 

Yes, here we received the requisite marigold garlands again. :-). These folks really know how to make guests feel SPECIAL. It's humbling. We can learn and thing or three about it!

There was some singing. They used a keyboard, electronic drums and several vocalists.  Mike gave the communion meditation, and then communion was pretty much like we do it at home, even down to disposable individual cups. The bread, however, appeared to be an Indian brad, chappati, which is similar to a flour tortilla. I never quoits figured out the offering though. To some people they passed an offering bag. Others came forward to put their money inan offering box. Mamma Pushpa offered me some rupees to put in. (I felt like q small child again....). 

Rob preached at church with AJ Lall translating. Sheela was going to translate, but she was at home with Shiney.  Rob preached on husbands and wives, which was what David had asked him to preach on. As Rob preached, AJ got more and more excited and passionate in his delivery. The two guys fed off of each other well. AJ was dynamic in his translating. Rob began with Eph 5:21 and how the command was for EVERYONE to submit to one another. Then he developed how the husband/wife roles flesh out into this submission.  

AJ was ecstatic after -- "How did you know what we needed??!!" 

The afternoon was lazy. We tried to nap, but the electricity was off AGAIN after having come on a bit, and we were just too hot and sweaty...

5pm brought us to a church member's home for a small study. It seemed a VERY poor part of town, but inside the tiny house was immaculate. The front room was a bedroom.  Two people sat on the edge of the bed, then they brought in 8 plastic stacking chairs -- the type we might see on a porch - they use these chairs everywhere. They served us chips and Pepsi. We didn't want to take their food, because it was obvious they were poor, but we couldn't offend, so we shared sodas and nibbled a bit. It didn't do us any good-- they sent us home with the chips...  Such hospitality!

Then to the hospital to pray with Shiney. We didn't stay long. We really weren't hungry, but they had already made arrangements for our supper -- roast (goat?) potatoes, carrots, gravy, fevered eggs.  One of a couple of American meal we've had. 

We leave in the morning for Jabalpur.  One the way we will visit some village churches and there we will visit Mercy Home.  Perhaps we will have time to find some souvenirs.  That hasn't happened yet. We did purchase some things from the Oasis of Love, but would like to get some other Indian things.

We have felt safe in our travels here, although we've found out there has frequently been people armed to ensure our safety too. We followed AJs vehicle into the hospital tonight. Following him was a guy on a motorcycle, obviously armed with a shotgun. In the parking lot I noticed someone else who was armed. AJ is so well known here he must take many safety precautions. Again though, we have felt completely safe. Our hosts have taken every precaution on our behalf. Know however, India is not a particularly safe place for Christians. They are harassed and at times really persecuted!  Pray.

Now waiting for time to call second service.   Over and out until later.  I have no idea if I will have Internet access once we leave here. If not, please keep us in your prayers.  

Love, Jacque and the guys

Feel free

Feel free to comment or ask questions! No guarantee of knowing answers, but we'll try....

Jg

I Was Wrong

The evening didn't begin with marigold garlands. It began with another traditional presentation of a beaded necklace with red pompons. We have quite a collection of those too!

We met with the Mary and Martha Circle. This is a group of widows. Widows are frequently mistreated and have difficulties in India. This group meets every other week to talk and pray and fellowship together. Mamma Pushpa tries to see what needs they have and tries to help them as much as possible.

They started the evening with a game. The Emcee named an occasion they have for singing a special song like birthdays, baptism, illness, etc. The first one to stand and sing the song gets prize. The prizes were small, practical items -- toothpaste and brushes, combs, rulers, erasers.

Then came a devotion. I shared with the group and Pushpa translated. Then came birthday celebration time. They were celebrating all Sept and Oct birthdays. To each of these women I got to present a new shawl. Mike told Pushpa I am an October birthday too. I wasn't going to mention it. They sang Happy Birthday, then cut the cake. This is where it got different. They cut teeny tiny pieces of cake and then all the birthday girls fed the pieces to each other.

Before we left, they gave us gifts. I received a beautiful shawl which I tried only semi-successfully to drape in Indian style. The men received a small flashlight (really bright ) plus a small zipper bag.

Then home to eat and head to bed.

Prayer request: David and Sheela's daughter Shiney is here from the US. She and her 17 mo old son Elijah have been here for just a few days. Shiney is marries to one of the minists at the same church Lito is at. She found out the day before coming here that she is pregnant. Her husband Tommy is still in the States, but scheduled to arrive this coming week with a team from his church. Anyway, Shiney is having trouble with this pregnancy with spotting and has been put to bed with bed rest. She's required IVs and mess. It has to be hard for her to be away from her husband, have a toddler, and then have to worry about a possible miscarriage. It has to be tough on her mom as well, because Sheela has us to deal with too! Davidnhad to leave town last night, so the whole load is on Sheela. Pray for all of them -- Shiney, Tommy (husband), Sheela, and David.

Addendum: Shiney has lost the baby. Surgery this evening. David's flight to meet up with the team with Shineys husband was cancelled and he can't get another. ALL the teams plans have to change. Instead of going North where Shiney and Tommy, her husband, want to work, they will come to Damoh. That will be better for Shiney. She needs Tommy right now. Satan is trying to work. Pray.

I have more to say, but electricity is so iffy, I need to get this posted and get my iPad charged while it's possible. There should be a couple new posts by day end.

Nameste.

Jacque

We Got -- Guess What?????

MARIGOLD GARLANDS!!!!!!! I'm trying to save them all and have Mike take a picture with all of them on. Just know when/if I do that they are NOT all of them I've gotten. Some of them have disappeared along the way. Wow. It's been a full day.

We started off today by heading to another village church. This church was started about 20 years ago. It took almost eight years of working with these people to have the first baptism. Now, almost the whole village is Christian. They built one building and outgrew it, so a second building was built. We first met with the school children. They sang some. They quoted some poems. They showed us some of their school work. It was fun to see them when we first drove up. They were sitting in their rows and when they saw us they were just wiggling with excitement. They looked just a-twitter. Then we went to the smaller building and met with the congregation.

Again, they worshipped in their own non-Western way, and what fun it was. They used the same instruments as the other village church -- harmonium, tambourine and little cymbals mounted in a frame. They looked kind of like tambourine noise makers mounted in what looked similar to an Abacus frame. That's the best way I can describe it. They sang songs of their own creation. Dave said they make up songs that are stories and can go all night (literally) long. David said they may start with the birth of Jesus and sing about how Mary cared for him and bathed him and put him to sleep. From there they keep going and going and going and going. Today, David had to give them the cut-off sign.

From there we went to visit Bethlehem Bible College, another ministry David is in charge of. We spoke with the President, and then proceeded to hold a chapel service. Boy can those guys sing!!!!!! Each of us gave a small greeting. Rob preached, then we met all the faculty and most of the students. A quick trip to their library was for me.

Returning to the compound, we walked across the street to the K-12 school. There we looked at some classes, including their distance learning classes. They were doing trig while we were in there. I didn't get to see their library... :-(

Then we visited the eye hospital. It was clinic day. They do the surguries on the weekends. I even had my eyes checked. Boy was it an old fashioned exam! They put glasses on me and slipped lenses in and out.

Back home again for a picnic with the handicapped children from Oasis of Love. Originally it was to be at the river, but David didn't think it would be safe to spend that much time with the children at the river. So, they held it under tents on the mission grounds. We played games with them -- how many peanuts can you crack and eat in sixty seconds? Mike took second in that. I took third. Another game had the kids putting Bindi dots (you know the dot some Indian women have between their eyes) on us to see how many they could put on in sixty seconds. Rob and I certainly looked attractive, then there was a hot potato type game. If the music stopped while you had the ball, you had to sing or dance or recite a poem. I sang Jesus Loves Me. Rob did the Roses are red poem, but incorporated Mamma Pushpa's name iNto it. Then lunch with the kids. Good lunch until I got a mouth full of green chilis. Thought I was going to die. Mark Myers would have loved it.

Took a rest after that. Showered. Electricity was off so there were no fans or AC running. The shower felt good

Tonight we get to go to the Widows meeting. I will give a short devotion for Mamma Pushpa to translate. How much shall I bet the event will begin with marigolds?!

Oh my, Hindu Temple Worship

Incredible experience tonight. I'm still processing it.  Got to SEE a worship service at one of the BIG Hindu temples. One of two in India people make pilgrimages to. The only reason we were allowed in is we were accompanied by a former high priest who was so well respected that even tho he converted to Christianity. Our Indian driver from the mission said even he wouldn't have been allowed in the service. It was something. Drums, bells, cymbal type things, fire incense and lots of idols. We were given a personal tour from a Hindu man who used to hate Christians. He no longer hates us, but is still Hindi. He tried to explain things but they have so many gods.......  I didn't feel fear. We had the former high priest with us, plus our guide, plus a really big Indian man. I felt incredible sadness for all the deceived pilgrims there to worship.


This temple is about 10 miles from Damoh. It took almost an hour to get there. On the way home we saw a sight -- a motorbike carrying two people AND two goats......  The goats didn't appear to be squirming or anything. I'm not sure if the were on their way to market, or just home from grazing.

Sidenote:  we've been eating a lot of goat.  When people describe eating other meats, frequently one hears "It tastes like chicken.". Goat doesn't. If you didn't know, you'd just think you were eating beef.  That being said, I doubt I'll be looking for a goat for Mike to slaughter once we get home....


Love, Jacque

Oh Yeah, I Forgot

I forgot to tell you all this one.  Within a three day span while we were at the Kids' Home in Kulpahar, not one, but TWO cobras were killed INSIDE of buildings!!!!!! The first one found its way into the school toilet of Sharon Cunningham, the school administrator. The second was killed upstairs in what is called "the Mess" where the older girls stay. YIKES!!!!  The whole prospect of cobras kind of weirded me out. I didn't see any, dead or alive.

Friday

Friday

In AM went to devotions at the main compound. There were attendees from all parts of the mission -- from the media center, the school, the eye hospital, the Oasis of Love etc. Rob gave a devotion. We were given the traditional marigold garlands. I think I had four garlands. It was warm in the room and by the time devotions were over I was pretty hot from them

After devotions we met with a group of ministers who wanted to give us their testimonies. Before they began those Mamma Pushpa asked for prayer for one of the men. He is abused at home His son in law? Is a drunkard and beats him. He has to walk with a walking stick. He sticks around the mission helping put where he can because he is loved here. They feed him something to eat at the mission but he doesn't take it home because he won't get to keep the food. We all laid our hands on him and prayed for him with Mamma P translating briefly after. He left then because it was difficult for him to sit as long as he'd be sitting.

Then each of the ministers gave their testimony. Mamma P had to start telling them to keep it short because we were supposed to go other places. They seemed to have trouble keeping it short. :-)

After this we went to see the Women's Rehabilitation Ministry. This ministry helps women who are widows or in other bad circumstances to learn to sew or knit on a machine to make things to sell and support themselves. It was there we met Mahini in person. We'd shown our VBS kids a video of Mahini. She's never been able to walk, and after her father died her brothers tried to poison her. Mamma Pushpa got her out of that situation. She had been taught to knit. She has been given a hand-pedaled tricycle. She has her own apt. now. I'd seen her story, but didn't stop to think I'd meet her. She has a big beautiful smile. Pushpa told us Mahini LOVES to pray. She asked to pray for US!! Her prayer was beautiful and she also prayed for our families back home who were alone while we are away. So humbling. Her sweaters are quite nice and heavy -- so hot here now it's hard to think about even wearing one! We hope to go back tomorrow, only this time have some rupees with us!! (I.e. SHOP!). Oh, by the way -- we got MORE marigold garlands here...

Then we saw some thing the Oasis of Love kids made. They make items to sell -- things like fans, Jacobs ladder puzzles, purses, jewelry. We met some of the kids who make these things. Then, we had to go around the building to enter Oasis of Love through their "real" entrance because they'd placed a welcome banner there. Again, MARIGOLD garlands. The kids at Oasis are mentally and/or physically challenged. They are normally throw away kids in India, but at Oasis are taught the most they can learn and loved. The kids put on a program for us. Several of them had dressed up as historical or Biblical characters. We "met" Ghandi, Neru, Joseph with the coat of many colors, Mary and Joseph, King Herod, an angel, and many other characters.

On a sad note, we meta worker there, 28 yr old woman whose husband died two weeks ago. He came home from work, got a chicken for his wife to prepare for supper, laid down to rest a bit, and never woke up again. He left his wife and two little children. We also met a woman whose mother had just died. We had prayer with them; everyone shed a few tears.

Then we attended a ceremony put on by the school children who attend the mission school on scholarship. There were songs, poems, prayers, and -- guess what??? -- MARIGOLD garlands. They presented each of us with a gift. I received a bracelet. The men got ties. Then we presented several of the scholarships ourselves before we had to leave.

Lunch.

Afternoon was spent at the media studio talking about mission needs. We also got pictures taken of our group presenting the studio with the professional video camera and tripod we delivered for Good News Productions.

Now we are on a break for about an hour u till supper at Mamma Pushpa's. I know now why everyone calls her that. She is just that -- a loving Mamma. David said some people actually call her the "Mother Teresa of Damoh". The younger children just call her Dadi (grandmother).

Then, if time allows tonight we will go to a service at a Hindu temple, being accompanied by the former assistant to the area or nation's (not sure which) Hindi highest priest. David called him equivalent to the Pope's next in line.

No clue what tomorrow will hold. Keep praying!

Jacque and all

PS. Please pardon any typos or poor grammar in these posts. I'm typing on a little touch pad with two fingers. That, and I'm always in a hurry and haven't taken time to edit. You are getting my memories and impressions as they occur!

Thursday in Damoh

We are back from touring the India Offices of Good News Productions International. I've always been impressed with their monastery but am even more so after spending the afternoon with David over there. They are located across town from the co pound in which David and Sheela live. It doesn't take too long to get there and the drive isn't bad (or perhaps I'm getting more used to Indian traffic?).

The headquarters is technically closed today and tomorrow. They are required to be closed because there is a major Hindu festival going on. Despite that about seven of the workers came in so they could show us what they do.

We first sat in the entry area where the staff presented us with beaded garlands. -- no marigold flowers today -- these were beads and pompons.

.mMmpo&

?,. (David and Sheela's grandson, Elijah, came out on the veranda to help me type....)

Then, David introduced all the staff and told us about each person's responsibilities and how long they'd worked there. Then off for the tour. They are involved in so many different areas, I'm sure I won't remember them all.

They have a website for the ministry maintained by one of the men. It is in Hindi and designed for ministers and people around India though they have heard from people throughout the world in response to their postings. They have Bibles available in 15 languages online. There is an English version, but also Hindi, Urdu and other lesser languages in use in India. They also have complete sermons and sermon outlines to help Indian ministers. They have videos for youth that address current issues. They have helps for ministers to help them with weddings, funerals, dedications -- you name it.

A recent project they are working on is getting videos from Ben Alexander from Exposing Satan's Power (ESP Ministries) dubbed into Hindi and posted on to You Tube. ESP Ministries deals with the occult and demons. This is an issue in India, so their hope is these videos will reach people. The problem with the project, however, is that to say something I Hindi takes 165% more words than it does in English. Therefore they must translate Ben's messages and make them fit into Ben's video. They have done well - even down to incorporating a cough.

We met the fellow who does the special effects and Photoshop effects in their films. When films are done at 24 frames per second, making a minor correction means major work.

Then into the production studio. We saw many projects from old to new. We are bringing back one video to use later this year. I won't spoil things by telling you about it.

They are active in many types of video projects -- for youth, music, preaching and teaching sessions sent to village churches, full length features that are shown on national TV. The scope is enormous

Coming home, Mike and I rode in the world's most inexpensive car, the Tutu. Not sure I spelled it right. It seats four and runs about $2500, getting ~60 miles per gallon. It can reach about 50 mph -- I don't think I've been on any roads yet where one could go that fast! I'm not quite ready to run and get one for my daily commute...

The weather here is HOT. It is not their hottest time of year though. It's around 90 and humid during the day, but does cool down at night. Everywhere has ceiling fans and we have been fortunate to have window AC units where we sleep. Here in Damoh we are staying upstairs in David's mom's house -- incidentally in the house where Donald McGavern was born. That name may mean something to some -- he's famous in Christian Church mission history. The heat is making my hands and feet swell. I'm so thankful for my Velcro sandals -- They adjust for whatever my feet are doing at the time!

Keep praying. I should be able to post at least every day. David has wifi and it works well!

Jacque

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

-Romans 10:15 (NIV84)We had the highlight of the trip (to me) on our trip here to Damoh yesterday. Originally we were in two vehicles -- 4 US team members, plus three Indian ministry people and our mountain of luggage. Partway thru the trip, we transferred all the luggage to one car and six of us piled in Davidson van for a detour.

David told us of an old man he'd been introduced to several years ago. This man was in his 80's. He was nothing extraordinary -- just a typical village man. This man, however, he had given up practicing Hinduism in favor of worshipping the Creator God. But he knew nothing about the Creator God. David was introduced to him and gave him a New Testament. The man read the NT and the next time David saw him exclaimed, "This is the God I have been searching for!!!"

They have been developing a relationship with the whole village by helping them get safe water by drilling a well and tutoring children after school. They have been teaching and developing a body of believers while allowing their own culture to shape the form of worship. I'm not sure I'm explaining this very well.

Anyway, we stopped by to meet this gentleman, the children from the village and the village leaders. In a ceremony they presented us garlands of marigolds. Men presented to men, a young girl presented to me.

The little man I spoke of is teeny tiny wizened little man with big glasses. Dressed in a purple sheet thing drawn up into pants or shorts -- I don't know what they are called. Upon meeting us he drew the men into a huge bear hug. He grabbed my hands together into his and bowing drew them to his forehead. David told us this gentleman would just radiate love, and that he did!

The children were waiting, seated on the ground from youngest in the front to oldest in the back. The village men were seated on the side with the exception of the village leaders who were seated at the front with us.

A group of girls sang a song for us. Then came the treat of a lifetime. A group of men with instruments sang for us. This was an example of how this little congregation has developed without outside cultural influence. The main singer accompanied himself with an ektaara (a one stringed instrument -- no way to have more than one note, but he adds some rhythm by tapping his ring on the gourd-shaped body of the instrument). As he sang, different instruments came in -- drums, tambourine, tiny hand cymbals, some other rhythm pieces, plus a harmonium (a tiny keyboard that is powered by a bellows on the back that you operate with one hand while playing with the other. By the way the guy pumped the bellows, it also added more rhythm).

The music was pure Indian and it was pure JOY'!!!!!!!!! There was hand clapping; there were the times the singer danced. It was all praises to "the Most High God" is how David translated it. The music took all of us to this side of heaven to know the pure joy they were expressing was to the same Lord that we worship. Then, the most humbling and meaningful part of it was when the little man addressed each of us. He looked directly into each of our eyes and spoke directly of love holy feet (it reminded me of, "And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

-Romans 10:15 (NIV84)"). It was incredible, joyous, humbling, incredible.

Gotta run. David is taking us somewhere.

And I thought that last car ride was something!!!!!!

Yesterday we had a bittersweet parting with the people of Kulpahar. We left in early morning being driven 2.5 hours back to Khajaraho. There we met David Lall, met back up with Jerry Stukey from Bella Vista, and met a couple of men from the ministry at Damoh.

The town at Khajaraho is a World Cultural Site because of ancient Hindu temples that were discovered I think back earlier last century. Several of the original 85 temples are still in existence and open for viewing. David got us a guide through the main temple. It was blisteringly hot and miserable. Mike had a hat; neither Rob nor I did.

Rob likened these temples and the culture/religion they represented to the Biblical Caananite culture. The temples were extensively carved with what boils down to ancient pornography. It didn't take too long to be ready to return.

After the temples was time for lunch. David took us to an ITALIAN restaurant! We had pizza for an appetizer, but I'd have never known the meal was Italian. It was a delicious meal of garlic chicken and some sort of potatoes.

THEN began a ride that lasted a lifetime, but in actuality only lasted around four hours. Imagine one of our county asphalt roads. Now cut it in half widthwise to one narrow lane. Now add in monsoon rains that have destroyed the road down to dirt and potholes with some asphalt left. That was the road. And it might actually be a bit of a compliment! NOW make all the traffic move way too fast for conditions with vehicles basically playing chicken with each other and pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, cows, water buffalo, oxen, goats, horses, fighting for the road. Bad enough yet???? Add in dusk and our car being the only ones using lights...... Got enough yet??? Now throw in the fact it's a big Hindu festival going on and everyone is out on the street when there is a village or town we are going through. Oh my.......

We made it safely; thank you for praying. Supper, a good night sleep, my first comfortable shower, a full breakfast???? Life is good.

We had an experience on the way here to Damoh that was just this side of heaven -- and not from almost dying on the road. .... :-). That will be another post!

Hair Raising Ride -- Part Two

Read the following post first -- we had a power outage -- not at ALL unusual here and I almost lost the last post. WHEW!!!
Anyway, the older boys got nail puzzles created by our own Howard Whitley. They were a MAJOR hit! They understand enough English that Mike was able to use these puzzles as an object lesson. Some of the boys figured out how to solve the puzzle easily -- others had trouble even after being shown!
Each day after lunch, there is a rest time -- and boy we need it! Still jet lagged..... After rest time today they took us into the village of Kulpahar. Wow, what an experience. Linda Stanton went with us, but she does not drive into the village; one of the Indian men drive. I can see why. The roads are even more narrow and more clogged than any we'd seen yet. We got out and walked around. The shops are very small and open air. They seemed to specialize in just one type of merchandise. I saw one shop that appeared to sell only flashlights! The vegetable and spice market was the most interesting. I saw some veggies I had never seen before and somer Linda couldn't even describe! We passed open sewers and areas of stagnant water -- just perfect for breeding malaria-infused misquitoes!!!! (Thank you Dr. for the malaria meds....) We kinda of felt like the Pied Pipers of Hamlin. Before we were through with our walk, we'd collected about 20 boys/young men following us from place to place.
During our walk, I tried to be oblivious to the looks people were giving us. Rob paid more attention and described looks ranging from curious to outright hostile.
Another daily ritual here is also tea time at 4PM. Today we had tea at the home of two teachers (married). She had fixed Chai tea (again, delicious) and five kinds of Indian goodies. They were basically fried stuff. Fried potato mixture, fried spinach/green chili/egg batter mixture (I thought my tongue was going to explode at first bite), fried donuts, and two other fried things. Pretty good stuff.
Then, the boys play football (soccer) each evening. They found out Mike used to play and insisted tonight he play with them. He didn't have shorts with him, but did wear his tennis shoes, so played a bit. We will see if he can walk in the morning! You'll have to ask him about his spectacular attack on the ball and subsedquent wipeout. Rob captured it on video. We'll see if Mike pays him off to keep that clip under wraps.
We leave here in the morning about 8 am. It will be three hours back to Khajuharo to meet David Lall. Then what is normally another three hour ride to Damoh will be a six hour drive. Recent rains have wiped out the roads. David drove there today, and it took him six hours. That means Rob will have plenty of time to tape any other hair raising rides.
There is so much more I could say, but I'm going to head back out to the living room to be able to spend one last evening with new friends.
This has been long. Thanks for hanging in there. We still covet your prayers!!!

Love, Jacque

HaIr Raising Ride

After arriving at the airport from Delhi to Khujaharo, they picked us up in a car/van. Designed to hold six passengers in three seats, we packed the rear with luggage. This left four seats. Well, there were three of us. the hired driver, plus the representative from Kulpahar. Are you seeing any problems yet? They stuffed the crack between the seats with a pillow, and this became my perch for the three hour ride to the Home.

It was on this ride that the three of us became convinced that the road game "Chicken" was created in India!! Remember, the "proper" lane to drive in is on the left. Our driver kind of stuck to the left hand lane. One problem that was evident to us (but not to him, apparently) was that the other drivers meeting us were driving in the right-hand lane (the wrong one). Both drivers kept driving straight on towards each other until the very last moment when the other guy would swerve into his correct lane and pass by us -- Rob was convinced only missing us by inches several times. I tried to keep a straight face without yelping or grimacing, but am not sure I succeeded all the time. There was the one time I grabbed Mike's leg and held on.

Our driver was very fond of his horn. Had I known how fond, I would have grabbed a pencil to make tally marks! He laid on the horn multiple times per minute and sometimes extending his honk for many many seconds. Again, the road was packed with cars, trucks, pedestrians, cows, goats -- you name it. The roads varied from their version of a four lane divided highway and gradually got smaller and smaller until it was only one lane asphalted -- and of course there were several lanes of traffic going on.

Tomorrow, we will take the same route back to Khajuharo and Rob plans to take the video camera to document exactly how close some of these traffic situations get.

In the three full days we have had here at the home we've done a variety of things. We never dreamed their "set up" here was as large physically as it is. There are three separate compounds -- the Girls' Hostel and Administration, the one with the Boys' Hostel, the school, and the church, and the third one with the sports fields, hospital and Leah's Dream Home. Besides these three main area fuctions, there are guest housings, staff housing, etc etc etc.

Rob did a great job preaching at church -- especially for his first time with speaking with an interpreter. He did the same message he gave the last time at FCC, but even more succinct. He wrapped up the Fruit of the Spirit series and gave explanations about the Spirit's Fruit.

After church, they gave us a "tea". Their tea is Chai tea, and delicious. Along with some Indian sort of goodie, we sat "on display" at the front of the area while everyone got their treat. After that we were able to mingle and greet the church members. We were warmly greeted, sometimes with a kiss to the hand or the cheek. All the children are soooo friendly, and call each of us Auntie or Uncle, a sign of respect. They enjoy practicing their English -- "Good Morning, Auntie! Good Morning, Uncle." I guess this is their term of respect.

Monday and Tuesday we toured differnet parts of the Home. It really took all that long! We have met so many people; it is really hard to keep everyone straight. Monday evening we gave the hostel girls their gifts -- candy, pin wheels, slap bracelets to the younger girls, and journals and emery boards to the older girls. It was fun to watch the little girls play with their pinwheels.

Today, we presented white boards to a group of third grade students. These white boards will be used during their library time. We practiced with them asking them to write things down like their names, their ages, etc etc. Rob videoed a lot of this.

Then, at lunch time we gave the boys their gifts -- younger boys got hats, cars, and candy; older boys got candy and nail puzzles created by

power outage.... gott get out.

Safely in India!

This may be a long post.  I hope it even makes it up.  I've not been
able to access the blog, and was having trouble even connecting to the
internet.  I'm sending this email to Elisabeth, who, I hope will be
able to get the mail and post it.

We are safely in India!!!!  I guess most of you know that since you
probably got to hear either Mike or Rob talk for a few minutes during
church last Sunday!  Anyway, I had to make that declaration too!

Our flight was LONG, but uneventful.  They kept feeding us -- I
suppose full people are happy people?  They even provided a sack
lunch/snack to eat during the "night" hours when most people tried to
sleep.  We all managed just a couple hours of sleep, but that was
probably for the best.

We arrived in Delhi in the early evening.  By the time we claimed our
bags and cleared customs, we were ready to head straight to our hotel
(the Check-Inn) and crash.

The ride from the airport to the hotel was an adventure!  We
discovered that it didn't make any difference how many marked laned
for traffic there were -- the Indian drivers always created one or two
more.  If there were two marked lanes, there were 3 lanes of cars, plus
motorcycles weaving in and out.  If there were four marked lane -- 5
lanes were driving, plus motorcycles.  They drive on the left side of
the road and use their horns constantly.  It was bumper to bumper
traffic almost all the way to the hotel.

We didn't stop to get supper since we'd just had breakfast on the
plane a couple hours earlier.  By the time we got to the hotel I was
hungry, so attacked the snack mix Elisabeth had thoughtfully made us.
(That snack mix has come in SOOOOO handy...)

Mike and I each slept until about 3AM.  (Rob had his own room, so I
can't really vouch for his sleep...)  I woke up hungry, so ate a
couple crackers and collapsed asleep again.

We were to leave for the airport again at 7:15 for our flight that
would get us close to Kulpahar, so we didn't have time for breakfast.
Ticket mix ups sent us to various places in the airport, but we
eventually got cleared to fly.

A McDonalds in the airport provided our breakfast, but they didn't
have a breakfast menu, so we just got food.  Mike ordered a spicy
paneer wrap; I got a spicy chicken wrap, and Rob a spicy chicken
sandwich.  You notice each had the word "spicy"??  It was!  Mike's
turned out to be a vegetarian dish.  I think it was breaded cheese.
Anyway, full tummies.

We flew on a couple hour flight with one stop and made it to our stop.
But not yet to Kulpahar!!!

Oh dear, it is now "Tea Time" and we are celebrating someone's
birthday.  You will have to wait until later for the tale of our
hair-raising ride to the Kids' Home!!!  Rob was on the side of the car
where he got full benefit of all the near misses!!

Until the next time......

Keep us in your prayers.  We love each and every one of you!

Jacque

The countdown has begun in my own mind.  Less than two days.  41 hours from now we will leave Lamar.  Guess I should get that last minute laundry done and "real" packing started!


Good News Productions just dropped off the battery for the video camera we are taking to David Lall to use in producing Christian video and teaching materials.  We will add it to "the stack".

I just checked the extended weather forecasts for both Kulpahar (the Kids' School) and Damoh (David and Sheela Lall's location).  It looks like it will be clear and humid in the low 90's for a high and low 70's for a low.  I guess with our Missouri summer we should be well-prepared to handle that!

There's a prayer time send-off Thursday at 7:45.  Come by the church to pray for and with us.  There's a light breakfast at 7AM.  Call the church office to RSVP.

Till later --

Jacque

I'm new to blogging, so you will have to bear with me while I learn the ropes quickly!  We have NO IDEA what to expect as far as communication abilities on this trip, but I thought I'd get a blog set up.  That way, if we have access to the internet, I can post fairly quickly what is going .  Then you can participate in the trip more fully by praying specifically for what is going on.

The whole trip is beginning to become more real as we finalize plans to leave this Thursday.  Thank you for gathering 'round us and praying for us this morning.  Thanks, too, for signing up and praying for us during the 24 hours of travel this Thursday and Friday!  If anyone has seen me after being up for more than 24 hours, you will know that both Rob and Mike will need your prayers!  :-)

We (Rob and Tammy -- Mike and me) met tonight for supper to talk and plan for the trip.  We were joined by Jerry Stukey and his wife, Kathy, from the Christian Church in Bella Vista Arkansas.  Jerry is the chairman of the mission ministry there and will be joining us on the trip.  He will spend the whole trip with the David Lall family, while we will split our time between the Lalls and Kulpahar Kids' Home.  It was good to get to meet the two of them. 

We had our living room full of the "stuff" we are taking to the two places.  Mike had put it in two piles, one for Damoh and one for Kulpahar.  We split up the stuff and will be toting it in our suitcases.  Each mission has requested we bring specific things over.  The Lalls have asked we bring a suitcase they had to leave here this summer, plus some technical things.  Kulpahar has asked for dry erase boards for students and some supplies for the school library.  Then, we also are packing several types of American candy to share with the kids, gifts our FCC children made in VBS for the Kulpahar Kids, and other gifts for the students.  Time will tell if we can get everything packed and crammed into our luggage.

We plan to leave Thursday morning.  We will leave from Springfield around 11 AM and fly to Chicago.  From there it will be about a 16 hour flight to Delhi.  From Delhi, David Lall will have someone meet us, and we will go by train to Kulpahar.  He has arranged for us to have a sleeper car as we will travel all night long via train, getting into Kulpahar at 4:30 AM.  Linda, one of the missionaries from there, will meet us at the train station.  We will spend several days there, then go by car to Damoh where we will spend several days with the Lalls and see many aspects of their mission work.  They do so many different things it will be hard to see everything, I'm sure.

Then, back on the train toward Delhi.  Agra is right on the way, so we will take a break and stop there since Agra is the home of the Taj Majal.  After seeing that, we will head back to Delhi.  Tentative plans will give us some time in Delhi to see that town, after which we will board a plane about midnight for a flight back to the USA.  One keyword for us all through this will be the one we learned on the very first mission trip FCC took about 20 years ago --- FLEXIBILITY.  None of our plans are etched in stone, and we must be flexible as to the needs of our hosts and hostesses and be open to what plans God has for us.

Anyway,  if you have any interest in what is going on with the trip, try to stop back in at this site.  I will update it as much as is possible without causing a problem for our hosts.  If nothing gets posted, you'll know we just weren't anywhere with a very good internet connection.

Keep praying.  Pray God will open our hearts and minds and eyes to see what He wants us to see.  Pray for our memories so we can etch it in our minds and be able to share the experiences with you.  Pray we see where God wants us to use the Change-ing India gifts.

Talk to you later!

Jacque