Day Eleven: 31 March 2008

I went to Raipur School with Margaret and Ravi for more result presentations this morning.  It went really well, the kids and the teachers were much more organised than at Jakan.  And there were more parents there too, which is always a good thing.  We then moved on to looking for a t'shirt for Keren but didn't find anything.

Came home and had lunch, a 'light lunch'!  I can't cope with the amount of food they eat, not sure whether it is the amount or my funny stomach, or the fact that I'm not used to it.

The Oliver and I went to Clementown, a Tibetan colony.  We visited the temple (Stupa) and the huge statue of Buddha.  It was very surreal. When we got there it was closed, but we asked and they let us in anyway.  It wasn't really Dehradun, it was quiet with no people around.  Tranquil. In the traveling process, we took the bus and a number of vicrims, I even took one on my own - so that adventure's done - thought I probably won't want to go on one alone again too readily!

We also chatted God stuff (in pizza hut of all places!).

We had some young Indians shouting abuse at us, in Hindi so I didn't understand it - was quite interesting.  Some Indian's are very rude.

We went out for a meal in the evening, Ravi too us to 'Prez'.  I had the 'continental platter veg', it was okay but everything was spicy - all 'Indianised'.  My body us still unsure of itself - all sorts of stomach movements that are not so welcome!  Quite frustrating at times.

Found out today that I am going (probably) to Haryana on Wednesday until Friday - so that's the most the interesting things this week gone.  But another adventure.  Everything changes in India.  Nothing is certain.

Day Ten: 30 March 2008

The bell has just tolled to tell me that it is 11pm.  It rings every hour through the night - I don't notice it too often anymore.

The Immodium I took on Tuesday has worn off - both a relief and discomfort!

Had church today, went well.  I took the 11-15 year olds.  It was odd, in some ways exactly the same as English youth, in some ways totally different.  I'm doing the youth for the next 2 Sunday's so hopefully will build up some relationship with them.  They seemed to prefer the games today!  I'll try and make it more interactive next week.

Came home and had loads of people for lunch, got to know one of the youths a bit better.  They left and then I watched a film - was nice, bit of Western culture again in the form of 'The Fugitive'.

Afterwards I chatted to Margaret for a while and got most of my week sorted, was about to learn how to make roti's but all of a sudden we went out to Cafe Coffee Day to see Titu, a friend of theirs they hadn't seen in a while - it cheered everyone up I think.  

Sorted out seeing Oliver tomorrow (hopefully!) and going to Missourie on Wednesday with Titu - so that should be cool.  He also took us out to a vegetarian restaurant, was very nice.  They expect me to eat loads - I am full almost constantly.  They had do-it-yourself mouth freshener of sugar and aniseed - very nice.

Checked my emails - GCC are sending me some money, very kind of them.  I'll chat to church about the trip.  And Liverpool beat Everton 1-0, Torres with his 28th of the season.  Good stuff.

Day Nine: 29 March 2008

Today was quite an interesting day.  At 11am (ish!) we went to a village to an inauguration ceremony of an orphanage which was only half built, called Hope Home.  Lots of songs and dances, a sketch by the Nijaat boys, Sam gave a message.  I couldn't understand most of the event, nearly all in Hindi.

Met someone who spoke in proper Victorian English - very odd.  At times, Victorian English is as incomprehensible as Hindi - worrying that my heritage is as foreign to me as the Indian culture.  

Got back and had a nap, then prepared for the youth group on Sunday.  The young people's meeting I was going to speak at was cancelled, though Oliver and Rupa came still, not knowing it was cancelled.  

In the evening we watched a Hindi film about a boy who was dyslexic.  Was very good, three hours long, but it wasn't noticeable.  Before this though, I helped Sam clean the church hall for tomorrow's service - he does everything, literally.  If I ever think I'm busy....!  Jane, Travis, Ravi, Bahadur and Saurebh watched the film with us.  And Margaret made an apple crumble...lovely.

Day Eight: 28 March 2008

Quite a day!  Went to school with Margaret, Ravi and Sam, kids did some songs and stuff, it was their results ceremony, attempting to get the kids and their parents (especially) more motivated for education.  Was very interesting.

Then went to take Margaret and Ravi to a fabric shop - reminded me of Tanzania, especially the man on the sowing machine outside the shop!  Whilst they were shopping, Sam and I had a drink in the cafe, getting to know him better now. 

My digestive system is on the road to proper recovery - which is absolutely wonderful!

Had lunch back at home - it seems I eat very little by their standards.  I'm always offered more and it is always mentioned that I eat very little - I guess it's cultural on both sides.

Then I went to Nijaat.  Was interesting, I rode on a motorcycle for the first time.  People there were lovely, I did a talk on forgiveness, then they asked questions... about punishment, revenge, materialism, bitterness, resentment.  Hopefully my answers were God honouring.

In the evening we went out for dinner at the Principal of the Himalayan  Torchbearers, an absolutely incredible house!  More ornate than any I have been in in the West!

I think I'm beginning to understand this place a but more now.

Day Seven: 27 March 2008

Interesting observation - pigeons in India are skinny.

Spent most of the day preparing two talks, harder to prepare than I remember!  One for tomorrow evening, the other for Saturday afternoon.  Forgiveness and the Good Samaritan.  We will see how they go.  Hope they are glorifying to God.

Went to Bible study this evening.  The place was kind of like the other half of the story compared with the house we were at last night.  Tonight's house seemed very poor - a flat of a few small rooms.  Last night's house even had a huge TV.... contrasting indeed, but probably even more so to my Western eyes.

Came back, ate dinner, chatted a bit with Margaret, Ravi and Bahadur - was nice.

Day Six: 26 March 2008

Do I really love England - or do other countries just make me uncomfortable?

I guess if anything I have realised just how big an influence culture has on a persons life. I'm struggling with being here - I think I'm viewing it as something I have to do, not want to do.  But at the same time I know I wanted to come, to put myself through something like this so that I would appreciate more of how much God has blessed me in England.  And so it is serving a good purpose, and I know God will bring it all together. 

Three weeks ago the results of the elections were announced.  In three weeks time our first term as committee will begin - I don't think I've really got my head around that yet.

It has been a day of two days.  Until 3pm I was pretty bored, read a lot and did some preaching prep.  After that (the bell has just tolled telling me it is midnight - every hour the bell tolls...) Jane, Travis, Saurebh came round to eat lunch.   Nice guy, Travis, hope to get to know him. Ravi came round to stay (Australian/Indian woman), she talked a lot.  We all went for coffee at Cafe Coffee Day (CCD), again very nice.  I embarrassed myself by offering to pay for mine; it is always the person who invites you who pays...!  Sam laughed heartily.  

The we went to a Bible study - Sam is a very good Bible teacher.

Keren had her last exam today - but wasn't too happy about it.  Will be praying.  Tomorrow will be a day of preparing various talks.

Father, thank you for my day.

Day Five: 25 March 2008

I am ill.  Vomited three times so dar, it is only 10.20am.  Diarrhea too.  Lovely.

The last time I threw up water - my stomach has gone mad.

This thought just went through my mind: I wish I could drink as the plants drink.  Upon seeing Joseph (who was driving me to the Blind School when I threw up for the second time...in the car.) water the plants in front of me.

For I am currently sipping medicine water, very slowly and carefully - for fear that it may just come back up.  Father God, I pray it doesn't!

It is now 10pm, I think I am better.  I read a lot today, Bauman's 'Liquid Love' - very complex but very good.

I'm now doing the youth group on Sunday morning (12-15 year olds) on my own...Keren was going to help, but is not now.  Also leading / doing the talk at the youth meeting on Saturday.

This is very good training, my preparation will have to be focussed, not take all day like my BG preach did!  

Reena (house maid) will do my washing, which is very nice of her.  I think I'm getting used to it here.

Day Four: 24 March 2008

Today has been good - I worked at the Sharp Memorial Blind School, helping Sumuna with some typing and other admin stuff.  At home it is very quiet though, the people who were going to come around didn't, so it is now 9.15pm and I'm getting ready for bed... yesterday we finished dinner at this time!  But I guess the sleep will be good for me, so long as I can sleep!

Walked some of the way home on my own today too - gave me a bit more confidence in this foreign country.  Dogs bark all night, very odd but I assume I'll get used to it.

Abi (pretty sure that is not the correct spelling) left today, I didn't a chance to say goodbye to him.  An interesting guy, my age, studying to go into the army like his dad.

Emails from home today too, always nice.  Had a good chat with Sam today too, which was good.  The next few days will be busy; at the Blind School again tomorrow, meeting an American called Travis on Wednesday, looking forward to that.  And I'm going to be preaching at a drug rehab centre on the next three Friday's!  Goodness me!  Lord, may they be your words, not mine.

Day Three: 23 March 2008

At the moment I am fighting between really looking forward to being here and really wanting to go home.  I am praying that I will enjoy my time here - I certainly have to be trusting God. Everything is the same but different - and it is the subtleties that are hard to spot - let alone get used to.

Today we had lots of church - two services - five hours worth!  Mostly in Hindi!  I understood some...  I think I will feel better when things settle down a bit and start doing more  and getting to know people.

Lord may it be so.

Day Two: 22 March 2008

Slept until midday today, after not being able to get to sleep until about 3/4am!  Finding the jet lag harder than I thought, just hoping I sleep well tonight!

Today was 'Holi' - a festival where the Hindu's throw different colour paints at each other.  So we stayed inside.  The young people came round and had a Bible study, I gave my testimony.

Sometimes I feel right at home - other times it is very odd.

Day One: 21 March 2008

Settled in of sorts.  The family are lovely.  Went with Sam to see the Sharp Memorial Blind School - the first blind school in India, set up by Annie Sharp, a missionary about 100 or so years ago.

Played with the kids.  Pretty incredible kids.  Attempted not to be too shocked by some of the illnesses and deformities.  We played cricket with them.  A surreal and wonderful moment watching blind children having a load of fun beating me at cricket using their incredible sense of hearing!  Some very special kids.

Will be working there on Monday, helping with computer stuff of all things!  Also tomorrow I am to give my testimony and maybe do a game with the young persons group. 

It has been quite a 48 hours!

The Journey - pt. Two: 21 March 2008

Arrived in Delhi and all was fine - got through security and immigration, changed money over, picked up bag...nice.

A lesson on looking for the person who is picking you up:  Read ALL the signs.

I spent a good half an hour praying/worrying outside Delhi airport, my mind racing to all sorts of absurdities, because I don't see anyone to collect me!

In one last attempt I decide all the names on the signs, even the ones inside the airport (where I was informed he would NOT be).  And there he was, inside looking dead bored waiting! Fervent panic prayers turn to joyful thanks!

Thus commenced the 5 and a half hour journey to DehraDun.  Not as bad as many had made out, I slept (ish) for about two hours.  We stopped off for tea - very hot and sweet.  I also walked in on a young boy going to the loo - good start to getting to know the people in India!

I have just awoken from a few hours sleep having arrived at the Thomas' - Sam and Margaret seem very nice.  I'm living in an 'annex/extension' thing.  

The Indian life is as I expected so far.  The heat, dust, smell, poverty hasn't hit me as it did for many others.  In fact, I feel pretty familiar with it.  I wonder whether Tanzania taught me more than I thought.  The only difference so far is the statues of gods that are dotted around the place, and the increase in the number of Indians (though there were a fair number in Tanzania too!)

The Journey - pt. One: 20/21 March 2008

Currently flying at 37000 feet and 662 mph.

The air is smelling like the stale breath of a couple of hundred people.

We are just over half way there, having just crossed the Black Sea.  In the UK the time is now 4.10pm - in India it is 9.40pm.  We will arrive at 1.24am (on Good Friday) local time.

We have just hit the biggest patch of turbulence yet, which oddly enough doesn't worry me at all - I just feel like I'm on a train.  The sun has set in the past half an hour - from the brightest light to darkest black.  Memories of Tanzania abound.

On the journey so far I have watched Atonement - quite a harrowing portrayal of the nature of atonement, until it ended in quite an awful manner.  Then I watched a Jack Dee comedy, which made me feel like I was back in Worthing.

The current worry is that I have forgotten all the detail for Sam Thomas - address, phone number, email address - so that has the potential to provide some interesting situations.

An India Adventure

A week ago I arrived home safe and sound from India.  Apologies for being unable to put updates up on here - I hope instead to give you a taste of my journey by posting some of my diary of the trip up on here in the next few days/weeks.

Thanks for all you who prayed.  There were times that I really felt the prayer support and knew God was listening.