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