Hometown

I made it home! And what a journey this has been.

I Praise the Lord.

Telegramme del Milan, Italy

1. Internet service in airport eats up Euros.

2. Arrived in Milan, Italy 3 days ago.

3. Seat available to New York JFK same day without promise to Pittsburg.

4. No problem.

5. Policy says ticket can't be changed.

6. Not pleased.

7. Because of lost ATM card, account closed.

8. How to eat, come and go without Euros?

9. 2 days, 2 nights INside airport are better than OUTside airport.

10. Sister had baby boy in Ohio.

11. Other family member to the rescue of 'stranded in Italy'.

12. Hello Western Union.

13. Kissed my Euros!

14. On the fast track with one day remaining.

15. Long train ride to Rome.

16. Walked Vatican square.

17. Laid eyes on Coliseum.

18. Train back to Milan.

19. Italians don't know English and are proud of it.

20. It's Friday now . . . FEBRUARY 8! RED LETTER DAY!

21. Hallelujah! The trip I have been waiting for!

22. TODAY I fly to USA!

23. This day I hope to see Mum and Pop, fellow progeny, and hometown sweet ones.

Tzchow!

Nations

The experience here in Harayana is quite an interesting one.

There are only 11 or 12 people here in the training center. Two from Iran. A husband and wife from Afghanistan, several trainer families from Taiwan and the rest are from India.

The one Iranian has a bullet mark on the top of his one hand. The Afghan fellow has scars from a bullet that passed from below his belly through his side. He converted from I----, hence the personal terror. Wow.

On Sunday after the morning worship they had a love feast. Essentially a carry-in where the attending families brought a dish or several dishes. There was a big pot with rice in Afghanistan-style. Some cabbage/corn mixture in Chinese style. Chinese tofu, a food made by coagulating (whatever that is) soy milk, as I understand, was on the table. Plus other dishes of which I don't know their compositions. I called it Feast of the Nations.

Last night I was invited to go to a McDonald's (of all places) by the one Taiwanese trainer. I didn't want to go but there seemed no other good choice but to consent, without disappointing the trainer.

I had an Indian dish with French fries and a Coke. After being here for this length of time and having gone light on meat, eating big chunks of meat don't appeal to me. Many people in India eat vegetarian food and generally speaking the Indian diet is light on meat.

I am planning to leave this place tonight and head for the west.

My ticket is from Delhi through Milan/Rome, Italy with a departure of 2:50 AM on Tuesday, Feb 5 via Alitalia. My e-ticket itinerary actually has me staying in Rome for three days of which I had previously requested.

However, I am going to try to get a direct shot from Rome to JFK without the Rome stay.

It's a Wonder

In my five visits to India I finally visited the grand Taj Mahal yesterday.

It is truly incredible. I usually don't go see places for the sakes of the places . . . I prefer going with someone else and making it an experience. Yesterday was an exception. That place, even though it is a tomb, is absolutely incredible architecture.

The two things most outstanding to me are the massiveness of the structure and grounds and the exquisite quality of material and artistry.

There were hundreds and hundreds of people there. It costs a mere 20 ruppees (about 52 cents USD) for Indians to get in and 750 ruppees (about $19.50 USD) for foreigners.

According to one source, the Taj Mahal attracts 2 to 3 million visitors every year with more than 200,000 from overseas, making it the most popular tourist attraction in India.

It is impressive how the local Indians have a lifestyle of hospitality. I was invited by an Indian fellow who along with his wife, brother, sister-in-law and neice were traveling to a Hindu shrine to worship . . . I was invited to sit with them in their berth on the train.

I had been standing at the end of the car because I didn't have a confirmed reservation. Then in the process of the train ride that lasted around four hours, another fellow from the general Delhi area who was on the train arranged an autorickshaw for me from Delhi to Harayana. By then it was after 11:30 at night.

Up until the time I got off the train at about 11:30 the Indians who were sharing their train berth with me were waiting until I get off before they fixed their cots for the night. Only the neice was sleeping. I offered to move. They wouldn't let me.

Straight from here in Harayana to Agra it's about 5 hours. I traveled via trains and buses and finally a night autorickshaw to arrive back at the training center where I am staying after 1 am.

Can the western world learn a few things about hospitality? Granted . . . the world and lifestyle is different in India. Communication is not always the greatest. Which means sometimes people will just drop in without prior notice.

Nonetheless, the best way I know to describe the Indian culture is that it is a culture of hospitality. Life revolves around it. They know how to give it. They know how to give.

Of Logos and Registered Trademarks

There is an industry out there that makes a good revenue on trademarking clothing. Then there is quite obviously an industry that makes a good revenue on trademarking clothing completely in violation of trademark.

I have been in graphics and printing long enough that I notice small things, especially graphically-related.

I was spurred to post this because of a real clincher I saw yesterday evening.

In the last few days I have seen a lot of 'Nike' simply sewn onto stocking hats. Pretty obvious it is not under the registration of Nike. Others have been misspellings (that makes it an easy giveaway) of 'Reebok' spelled 'Reedok'. In Nepal on a 'Pepsi' jacket I saw 'Peesi' on the pocket trim. On a previous trip I saw 'Adidas' spelled several ways.

The topper was last night on a jacket of one of the fellows at the training center who is from a hot country in the Middle East. Actually, he would be killed if he went back because of his change of faith. Anyway, he had on a jacket with a logo imprint and below the logo insignia was 'DeskJet'. I knew that Hewlett-Packard has a DeskJet printer. The logo in the circle was 'ph' instead of 'hp'.

Do you think that was copied . . . and actually miscopied?

Someone is making money . . . until caught and stopped.

False Security

Yesterday, just before I left New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal to board the train for Delhi I went into an ATM booth to get some cash. When I opened my money clip there was NO ATM CARD.

Grant me the serenity to change the things I can change. And the grace to know which things can't be changed.

Best I know is that I left it in an ATM machine two days earlier.

Via ATM is practically the only way I pay my way through this country. Now it's gone. I have $50 US that I can change, and Nepali rupees I can change and a Visa credit card.

Worst things have happened. We will get through somehow.

I guess worst case would be that I would need to pay to send money from my own account to myself through Western Union.

We will make it. I'm sure.

I can know whatever security I thought my one ATM card was . . . it was a false security.

**

MY train this morning arrived in Delhi only
9 hours and 20 minutes late due to fog. I was supposed to arrive yesterday at 6:05 PM. Instead arrived 3:25 AM. Hmm. That makes it interesting.

Sometimes the best thing to do is sit still. Due to the lost ATM and susequent shortage of Indian rupees and the early hour I just waited until a reasonable time to travel. Made it to Guragaon, Harayana, about one hour from Delhi, without a problem.

Now I am with two brothers, who I met in Kerala, South India, who are in training here in a small group setting where they study using Watchman Nee and Witness Lee materials.

Nepali Wedding . . . Briefly

Yesterday was Brother Surendra's wedding in Karkarvita, in southeast Nepal.

The wedding caravan from the groom's house went about 50 km to the bride's house for the wedding. The caravan was a small van, almost matchbox-size and a large bus to carry other guests. The van carried the groom and other family members. Brother Ananta and I were in the van also.

Before we reached the main road our little van ran out of gas. The bus towed us with a rope about 1/2" in thickness and not made for towing. The towrope tore three times before we wereclose enough to go for gas.

Anyway, we made it.

Here's the clincher . . . the groom married to a young lady whose name is Kalpana. They married and even after the ceremony I spoke to Surendra. They still had not even spoken one word to each other. Fathom that with a Western mind. Yes, they were together in an engagement event and the bride had spoken to Surendra's mother but they had not spoken to each other. Wow!

I can give more details later.

I am in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal now and plan to leave via train to Delhi.

I was trying to use the internet yesterday but there is a system here that requires load setting of their electricity this time of the year. That means around noon the power goes off and then 7 pm it comes again. So it didn't work out last night.

I WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS and EMAILS. Thanks much.

Nepal Hello

After three nights of wearing the same clothes I was able to experience a 'scoop and pour' bath this morning that was mostly hot and enjoyable.

Last night after dark we crossed into Nepal. Here at last.

RECALL . . .

I boarded the train in Andra Pradesh after midnight on Wednesday (which makes it Thursday) and had sleeper on the train. We headed north from Andra through Orissa State. In the morning about 8:30 Brother Ananta joined me from Orissa's capital city of Bhubaneswar.

I had his ticket and we rode the train together to the Howrah/Calcutta station. From there we needed to confirm reservation sfor the next train. It worked out-- no extra cost and each of us got a sleeper. Our next destination-- New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. We made it there by 7:30 AM. No problem.

After all this rushing from place to place. Night train. Pushing and shoving. I felt free and untied and was ready to take it cool.

We had a breakfast of masala dosa with sambar at the station. I needed to do some computer work for Kerala's Convention so we tapped the electricity at the station and took some 'easy time' to unwind.

From internet we confirmed departure train tickets for next week and then boarded a bus from Siliguri to Panitanki. Then commissioned a pedal rickshaw through departure immigration on the India side. We crossed the long bridge that links India and Nepal at Kakarbhita. It was after dark now and not much light in the Nepali immigration building. With a vertical tube flashlight with only half the tubes working I filled out the simple forms, paid the 1,500 Indian rupees and was legally inside.

Next was a ride to Damak in Eastern Nepal. By hired taxi for a high price we were transported the 50 km to Damak where I preferred to be despite not having night arrangements.

Brother Surendra, who we were going to see, had been planning to go to Damak according to our phone conversation earlier but then the mobile number he gave didn't work.

We arrived in a place and time when line electricity current was undergoing load setting and I had no more flashlight.

I knew a family back the one alley close to the bus stand, but there was no light at their house. Till all was said and done that needed to be, we were given entrance. The woman of the house prepared us large bowls of tasty Nepali noodles. Plus, tea with black pepper. And a firm bed.

PTL.

Resurrection 23 Years Ago

At the end of my visit to Andra Pradesh I visited Brother Sunil's parents.

I saw his mother who is quite lean and weakly.

Twenty-three years ago at the birth of Sunil, his mother died after he was delivered. Sunil's father is a tremendous man of prayer and had himself been an orphan. He speaks to God and hears from God. There was fire in his eyes. For many years he taught Physical Education.

After his wife died at the time of Sunil's birth the people wanted the woman's body to be taken and removed. She was dead. Her body was moved to the mortuary.

According to story and my understanding, Sunil's father prayed at his mother's bedside in the rain for three hours. God heard his prayer and she lives today.

Culturally Intense

Experiencing so many culturally intense moments as compared to the Western world . . . how can I relate them all?

1. I saw a man sitting at the roadside with one eye okay and for the other there was only a red pit. No eyeball.

2. A woman was sitting low at the roadside squishing green cow poo that she will dry and use for cooking kindling.

3. I entered one house and asked my guide what the floor is made of. Earth and cow dung.

4. I joined Brother Sunil to three different places of worship on Sunday. At the third place many of the young people are sold as slaves. Often the agreement is made by the parents. Sometimes by the slave himself. A term is three years. Some soldify the deal with a punch in the ear. Some with thumb prints (I expect they are dipped in ink and then printed on paper). These villagers are low caste and they work for people of high caste. These precious young people are not going to school. They are too busy in the fields working. What about their future? The Pastor is planning to began classes to teach reading this year.

5. A man was wading femur-deep trying to catch fish with his bare hands (according to Sunil, I couldn't see his hands) in water running through an area that we could safely consider filthy.

6. At the one church I visited in another area, I prayed for a man. At the end of the prayer I saw he was missing many of his toes. I asked the brother who was with me about it. One kind of disease, is how he described it. Hmm.

7. In case you have a pressing need to belch when you sit at meat with someone. Have no fears in India. Belching is a natural occurence and even women are allowed to do it without explanation.

8. In the one state I visited it was not uncommon to see bare-bottomed people along the road or within view of the road making the earth a natural latrine.


Don't allow what I have just now shared with you in any way disrespect the culture or the Indian people. I still believe Indians are some of the most loving and hospitable people in the world.

Hospitality Incredible and a Story to Tell

In five visits in four years to India I experienced the finest Indian hospitality yet when we visited the family of Brother Satya in Tamil Nadu.

Indians have so much to teach me in hospitality. Hospitality is a lifestyle. It is incredible. Wow.

Satya's father is a well-known singer in South India and goes to Kerala State quite often for singing programs. He actually canceled one program because of our coming. How's that for one down already? What can I do to change that? Nice try. No need to try to change. There are times when saying NO to Indians doesn't make much difference.

I had met Satya's father before in Kerala. He is also a pastor. He is very tender and sincere and a great singer. I think the most important part of the hospitality experience is the spirit of the home. There was a sweetness in that home that was wonderful. Especially from Satya's father. Satya enjoyed the whole experience so much, he said he is so happy his mind is not working.

Satya's father's life was threatened last year by H----s (religious group). He is very respected in his community. However, when people are coming to Christ and leaving idols, it can cause some tension.

The threat came via phone late at night. He responded that if they kill him they need to kill his family also, then they can all be together. He told of the call to a local doctor who came to talk to the caller. No problem came since.

January 2007, nearly the exact day, one year before our visit (I am limiting details), Satya was staying in the small bamboo structure with a coconut leaf roof at the site of the new church house. About 11:30 PM some fanatics came and poured kerosene on the roof and set fire to the building. Satya was still inside. After the flames were burning and destroying the roof above him he awoke. He quickly arose and fled to safety. The building was completely destroyed and a new building stands in its place.

Satya's GRANDfather was a sorcerer. As a result Satya's father, T--- W----, faced a tremendous struggle with a crippling disease at the age of 19. His right arm and right leg muscles began to tighten and curl. It threw the young man into despair.

He had been admitted to a hospital and was in the bathroom preparing to end it all with a rope around his neck.

A knock was heard on the bathroom door. The same pastor who had shared the gospel with him before but he had rejected it.

The pastor took him to his house and prayed for him. T--- W---- received Jesus Christ into his heart. The pastor prophesied that he would be healed completely in 90 days. On the 90th day he experienced exruciating pain for about 5 minutes and he began to sweat. Miraculously the tightened muscles that the doctors weren't able to explain released completely. He stood up and jumped and ran aroudn the room and shouted, 'Jesus is the real God.'

This was in a city in the north. People came to see. Neighbors came. Many of the people in the area came. Around 100 people. T--- W--- was so excited he didn't sleep that night. Local H----s became Christians.

After this when he walked through the village people would follow him and he had an opportunity to proclaim the gospel and share his testimony. Many came to the church.

He away from his parents in another state at the time and his parents thought he had died. His grandmother and other villagers were very surprised and excited to see him.

In 1982 he married and has two sons and one daughter.

Today, he ministers in colleges, prisons, and villages and pastors 200-300 people who attned Sunday services with many children coming for Sunday class.

He is gifted in singing. And because of his wonderful and miraculous healing he dances while he sings. If the church doesn't allow him to dance he will go to the road, town, marketplace or police station. He dances in celebration of this marvelous work of healing in his life.

During our stay there he offered to give money for what business we needed to do in the town. I wanted to use internet. He wanted to give money. We visited a place where the December 2004 tsunami came and around 2,000 people were killed. He paid for our lunch.

For the bus we took to our next destination he forked out the money. What to do? I have never experienced the like in India before.

The last night before we left they fed us crab. They are not considered a wealthy (monetarily) family. But let me tell you, they are rich and blessed far beyond money. They showed a brand of hospitality that I had never experienced before in this land known for their hospitality.

Among the Lowest

Before I left Kerala I had the privilege of riding the famous backwaters with friends from Ohio who came to visit during the Kerala Convention as well as new friends from Washington State.

Ed Kline, Mike Kline and Lamar Hershberger hailing from Ohio and Pastor Dr. John Leffler and Leonard and Lindarae Hovde from Washington State made communication easier speaking real American English plus an added benefit of Dialectal German with the Ohio crew.

I was planning to head back halfway through the boat ride to catch a train to continue my travels north. Our group leader thought I could get back from the place we stopped for lunch. That was mostly optimism. The name of the place we stopped is R-Block, one of the lowest sea levels in the world according to our boat conductor. He tells us that it is 6 to 10 feet below sea level and is one of only two places in the world at this level. The other place is Holland.

After stopping we discover there is no bus . . . we are at the edge of an island . . . how do you expect a bus to come here? Hiring a speedboat is much too costly.

Hmm. It may be true that if 'I am not living on the edge I am taking up too much space.'

We needed to go about one hour on the boat and from there we got a bus. Praise God we got a bus and a train.

Wow

This trip must come up to be the most incredible mix of bitter and sweet I have ever had. Last year's trip I considered the 'best' trip I ever had to India. This trip has been the most 'bittersweet'. Pockets of tremendous bitter and tremendous sweet.

I have more to write but I am in a situation right now that it is hard to know when I have time and when I don't. It kinda boils down to the planning system here. Best way I know to explain it is that 'He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be'.

I believe the good work He has begun in me, He will fulfill until the day of Jesus Christ. That's His Word.

I have a ticket to leave this area of the state of Andra Pradesh about midnight tonight then I may be on the train for a good 1-1/2 days. Tomorrow morning a graduate in the neighboring state of Orissa should be joining me when my train passes through that state's capital city station enroute to West Bengal and then Nepal. In West Bengal I expect to see one of the sisters from the school in Kerala and then continue to Nepal for a graduate's wedding on January 28.

My First Time in Andra Pradesh

Last night our bus left after 10:30 from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Soon after our departure our coach scraped its side back end against a lorry truck. Here things like this are handled on the street . . . 'street justice'. I didn't know what would happen. Our coach kept right on going at a good speed. But the truck was going the same direction and came up along side of us and stopped. Right there most of the traffic behind us stopped also. There was enough space for a motorcycle to pass but there was business to be hashed out right now.

Our coach driver refused to alight from the bus. Finally our conductor got down. Then he got into the lorry truck and little ways down the road was the meeting. They reached a final settlement without much of a fight. RS 700 was paid. However, our passengers requested that our conductor drive our coach instead of the driver who has proven himself incompetent.

We made it to Vijayawada, Andra Pradesh before 8 am.

Then another train for a few hours. Then a local train after that. The local train was overloaded to say the least.

Tonight Sunil and I went 20 km on motorcycle to see one of his friends. We just came from seeing a large Gandhi monument. Gandhi is in a sitting position and may be 20 feet tall.

On the Move

Even though I have not reported to the blog the last few weeks there has not been a scarcity of experiences.

1. In this time, four nights of singing and preaching in the crusade in the south are history.

2. I have seen home of one of the lowest sea levels in the world and had tasty tiger prawns and black fish.

3. Traveled on an evening train, a night train and a night bus.

4. Seen the site of the tomb of the Apostle Thomas in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

5. Visited a beach in Tamil Nadu where over 2,000 people were killed by the tsunami in December 2004.

Plus, we're planning to ride another night bus tonight to Andra Pradesh, the next state to the north.

We arrived this morning in Chennai, Tamil Nadu by night bus leaving Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu last night about 8:45. In the beginning of our trip in the back seat it was a little like sitting on the non-control end of a vicious seesaw. We nearly hit the ceiling one time.

About 7 this morning, Brother Sunil and I arrived at the flat of Steve and Mary Pence from the US, who are here in Chennai on assignment in IT-related work. We had an American-tasting breakfast of quiche with a local tropical touch of passionfruit and papaya. The American taste was a new experience for my accompanying Indian Brother Sunil to have American taste here in India.

Also, staying with the Pences is Alain Sollberger from Switzerland assisting on the IT project.

I have more to elaborate on the past few weeks, but let me tell briefly as of today.

Today, Sunil and I went to see sites in the Chennai area by taxi. This is quite rare for me because I am not a very good tourist. I am not good for sightseeing. We visited Marina Beach and the tomb of the Apostle Thomas, among other sites.

I was reminded why I am not attracted to sites. Lots of orthodoxy. Worshippers of images. Even the one place we took some photos and there had been signs posted that we missed, asking us to get permission to take photos. The fellow wanted 10 rupees for each photo. We didn't understand what the deal was and he wasn't real respectful about it and I just deleted the photos. 'Go down', he said.

Plus, I get to a place and . . . then what? Let's leave again. It just doesn't satisfy me. I get to a place and then . . . it's like I can't do anything about it. For me, I prefer visiting a village and connecting with some 'flesh and blood' and feeling the heartbeat of some local. There is absolutely value in preserving and maintaining history, (no question about that) but frankly a day like this of places, imagery, idols and orthodoxy . . . a day that I really haven't been able to connect much with local people ends with a certain void.

I asked our taxi driver what religion he is. He said Hindu. Actually, his family seems to respect all gods. When he was younger when he was afraid he would go to the Muslims. They would tie a string around the arm and neck as a supposed protection from evil. Then, Christian is good at Christmas time. And Hindu is good at New Year's. Hmm. All the blessings possible. ? Hmm.

Anyway . . . about an hour from now we have a night bus. My sleep level is not the strongest. I hope to arrive in Andra Pradesh by tomorrow and then stop there for a time. Maybe I need to spend an extra half day or maybe even full day sleeping. Night trains and night buses are a bit hard on getting a solid night of sleep.

The Best from All Sides . . . ?

For what it's worth:

There is a preacher here in Kerala State who told of one interpretation of success or of having the best. See below.

Possessing the following:

1. An ENGLISH house.

2. A JAPANESE car.

3. CHINESE food.

4. The AMERICAN dollar.

5. And an INDIAN wife.

Don't get any ideas. But thought it may be of interest.

Killing and Destruction

In Orissa State, 3 states to the north, horrific events have taken place there over the past 7 days affecting families and communities represented here at the College.

Report coming soon.

Hello 2008

WE made it . . . we made it.

The sun is shining on the morning of a new day and a new 2008.

We've had our watch night services separately by language: English and Malayalam (the language of the people of Kerala State). Sharing, worship, singing. With additional activities we dismissed soon after 1 am.

My hometown friends in Ohio are still in 2007. What are you waiting on? The sun . . . ah? India is 9 1/2 hours ahead of Ohio.

The mission president's wife, two daughters, son-in-law and 3 grandboys arrived a few days ago. Len, the son-in-law, is a high school band teacher at a private Chrisitian school in southern California. He played a few songs on his trumpet.

The community here really likes backyard fireworks. Sparklers and the like. The explosives are sold right on the street. Explosives are used as a part of some of the area religions. To randomly hear loud booms that muffled the sound of the person speaking in the service last night . . . that's just part of life here.

Best wishes and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Incredible Indian Love Story

Johnson P. Varghese, a fellow who I met a few years ago here in India, brother of the Administrator at the organization I am staying with, got married in July.

I only heard about it after arriving here. Here goes . . .

On July 1, the Administrator Varghese P. George’s wife Sherly, saw an ad in the main Kerala State newspaper, Malayalam Manorama, in the Matrimonials section.

There are two main conservative (not Orthodox) groups here in South India: Brethren and Pentecostals. Johnson’s family is Brethren.

The ad offered a Brethren girl who is working in Saudi Arabia as a nurse who is coming to Kerala on July 18 and is available for marriage to a Brethren boy. A contact phone number was provided.

Sherly called Johnson’s father and told about the ad. Johnson’s father and mother live in the US but were in India at the time. Johnson’s father and Reni’s eldest brother-in-law spoke on the phone. Her father has passed away, so the eldest brother-in-law served as family patriarch

Johnson was working in the US.

After the two spoke they agreed for the families to meet. Six days later, on July 7, Johnson’s father, mother, and brother Varghese and his wife and son, a cousin and an uncle represented Johnson in a meeting of the families. The families met with both Johnson and Reni in absentee.

In the morning of July 7 Reni’s family, enroute to the meeting with Johnson’s family, met with another prospective groom’s family. At 3:00 pm they came to Johnson’s house.

Reni’s mother, three sisters and their husbands and children, and one uncle comprised Reni’s family. The first meeting was at Johnson’s family’s home. They showed photos of each and discussed each others family background and the educational qualifications of the prospective subjects. The meeting lasted about an hour.

Reni’s family liked Johnson’s photo and what they heard about him. Food was prepared—cake, and several snack and bakery items—for the visiting family. However, since no final affirmative decision has been reached, the family only took the juice and tea that was provided. The proposition was moving ahead favorably but no final affirmative. Hence, they did not eat the food provided. Only drink.

The families sang a song, prayed and parted.

That evening Varghese called Johnson and the next day, he sent the prospective bride’s photo via email. He received the email and looked at the photo. Johnson was impressed.

Reni’s family reported to her in Saudi Arabia. There was no internet connection that she could use at the hospital to receive an emailed photo. At the hospital where she is employed as a nurse she wasn’t allowed to go out from the hospital alone since she is a girl and single. She is only allowed to go out from the hospital once a week to do her shopping and then only with a responsible person from the hospital. (It didn’t seem to be too important to her to see Johnson’s photo).

Varghese gave Reni’s phone number to Johnson and he called her from the US to Saudi Arabia. He acknowledged her photo and said he liked what he saw. He asked for her opinion about his. Then she told him she doesn’t have the facility to see his photo. After this first meeting via phone he said he would check if he can get leave to come for the wedding.

His supervisor in Texas thought it laughable that Johnson would go to India for his wedding not having seen or met his bride. They gave him ten days leave.

A week later the families met again. This time it was at Reni’s house.

Reni had asked her sisters whether they think Johnson is good. The sisters gave their affirmative consent. They had only seen a photo and they are giving an affirmative to the one who may live with this fellow the rest of her life!!

At this second meeting, Reni’s family said they like Johnson. Johnson’s family said they like Reni. They met to finalize the wedding arrangement.

Johnson had agreed in Texas, USA. Reni had agreed from Saudi Arabia. The engagement and wedding dates were set and finalized for solemnization of the marriage in South India.

Right there both parties agreed with a final agreement for this young lady and young man to be married and neither of the families had seen the other in person and neither the bride or groom had even seen each other! Absolutely incredible! Incredible indeed!

This is nearly enough to make a traditional Western mind go into overdrive trying to comprehend this.

The engagement reception (a separate event) was set for July 23 and the wedding July 25!
After this affirmative agreement had been reached by each of the respective families and after all the dates had been set they sat down for a full course meal of a pancake-type food made of rice flour (pal appam), chicken curry, cake, and other food items.

Following the meeting, the bride and groom were notified of the finalized arrangements for the wedding to be held in South India.

Reni arrived on July 18 from Saudi Arabia. Johnson arrived on July 21. Johnson landed in Cochin, Kerala. After getting freshened up at a hotel (restaurant) they went straight to the bride’s home.

It is incredible, my dear friends, Reni agreed to be a bride of a groom she had spoken to on the phone but never even as much as seen a photo of. They entered the girl’s home and introduced Johnson to the girl. He looked. Smiled. And shook his head affirmatively , the way South Indians do—bobbing back and forth. He didn’t say a word.

For the meal after the couple had met, Varghese invited Reni to sit next to Johnson. She declined.

After the wedding on the 25th of July they spent a few days together staying at a fancy local hotel and at each of the couple’s homes.

All this happened within one months time.

On July 31, Johnson returned to the US. Reni stayed for a few more weeks before returning to Saudi Arabia. After her return to Saudi she submitted her resignation. After her resignation she will need to work another two years before actually leaving her hospital position.

After another year of working she can get another 30 days leave. They plan to be together in a year from now. Ultimately, they plan to move to the US. But that won’t be until 2009.

How’s that for culture?

Hauling Water Buffaloes

Street site.

Feeling hungry?

One thing . . . for what it's worth.

I was on the back of a scooter today into town and there was road work going on so traffic was diverted. If you have never experienced third world congestion, I'm not sure you have experienced congestion.

Christmas and Culture

Sunday, December 23, Muslims killed an RSS fellow about 15 km from here. RSS is a fundamental and sometimes radical Hindu faction. Two years ago RSS killed a Muslim while he was praying in a mosque. This was the revenge.

Because of this happening on Sunday, there was a strike on Monday and the buses were not supposed to run and the shops were supposed to be closed -- the day before Christmas. Of course this was not great for the shops but what to do? The strike was until 6:00 pm.

Six months ago, Communists (a political party very alive and well here) killed an RSS.

In some villages in India where some of the students come from in the northern parts there is a great celebration on Christmas Eve with singing and dancing and sharing.

Here on campus most of the students who were still here and had not gone for a short leave to be with their families met from about 9:30 or 10 until midnight. There was sharing of parts of the Christmas story and other points of interest.

Christmas is celebrated here. It's just different than the States. The most popular decorations are paper stars with a light inside hung in front of the house. (See the photo below showing a shop that sells the stars.) I was out shopping in the town on Christmas Day. There was no snow like I heard there was in Ohio on Christmas Day. Nice, warm and humid here.

Some people come home to be with their families for the holiday but it is not near the holiday like in the US.

Orthodox youth go around and sing carols at area homes. A few years ago, when I was here a group stopped by here and after their short program, complete with musical instruments and Santa Claus, they expected a contribution. They even gave a receipt right on the spot. (Might be an idea for a youth fundraiser, Dustin.)

In the evening Reji K. Thomas, the Director here on campus, treated the graduating students to a special buffet dinner at a new classy hotel near here. A quite rare opportunity for most of the students. The graduating class represents six states of India.

Initiation India

I practically hit the road running . . .

One of the Bible college students and the mission president's brother Simon from California and his daughter Anu came to the airport to fetch me. About an hour later I was sitting at my first authentic South Indian meal. Yummy.

I arrived at the mission campus on Friday night. About a 3-hour trip.

Saturday was the final session of a Leadership Training Institute seminar that was held at the mission campus and had stretched over nearly three weeks with nearly 100 attendants. Highly respected and educated teachers from around the State came to teach for a day or part of a day during the term of the seminar.

Especially with the seminar's final session, 'clicking' (Indian description for shooting photos) went into overdrive. Few of the locals did the 'clicking'.

I have had a good taste of Indian food already and I am glad to see my friends here.

It is quite humid and the mosquitos are aplenty. Usually at night the ceiling fan serves a dual purpose: vending off 'skeeters' and providing a cooled sleep possibility.

In the room I am occupying, the fan is on the wall and oscillates but is not as powerful as a large ceiling fan.

Little after 2 am I had enough of the mosquitos and came to the computer office and have been here ever since. Now it is well past 7:00. With the time zone change from the US, daylight and nighttime are nearly swapped. Getting up in the middle of the night was actually not that difficult.

Air Traveling Encounters

The flying from Los Angeles to my final destination in Kerala State of South India was quite a long one.

The first leg via Air India from LAX to Frankfurt, Germany lasted about 10 hours, 40 minutes. I had a young Indian fellow on my left and an Indian gram on my right on the quite-used 747-400.

This was my first trip with Air India. Their fares are less and their attendants seem to be fewer but they got me to the planned destination. I think Singapore Airlines still tops all the carriers I have experienced. Of course, you pay for more value with Singapore.

The young fellow is a software engineer with Time Warner, single, vegetarian and worships the cow.

Has he ever questioned 'worshiping the cow'? Never.

Does it give him peace? Yes, he gets peace by attending the festivals and all the rituals.

What to say?

Jesus is not a package of peace and joy to add to the toolbox. God is a God of holiness and judgment. How else can he be holy? Yes, merciful. But holy. Best thing I knew was to share my belief and leave it lay.

'Whatever you are raised in, you follow. . .' Hmm.

He enjoyed talking and I enjoyed asking him questions. We traveled together for about 18 hours.

There seems to be a vagueness about the reason/meaning of the red dot many Indians wear above and between their eyes. According to this young fellow it somehow connects with life and energy. The dot should to be applied by the right ring finger. There is supposedly scientific evidence that there is a flow from the right finger to the spot above and between the eyes. He wasn't able to fully explain.

Customs was a breeze. Thank God! No bags were being opened. Gave my little slip. Walked right through. Praise God.

From Delhi International Airport where I arrived I needed to get my bags and get to the Domestic terminal for my next flight inside India. The prepaid tax counter offered to give me a ride, along with my bags, for RS150. (Just under $4) Another fellow I asked wanted RS1250. That's just over $32. Hmmm. 'Get all you can if the opportunity presents itself.' White skin = throw it high and hope to catch a sucker.

On a previous trip I had walked between the terminals but I had too much to carry this time. I was a little concerned when it took so long to get there by taxi but decided the road distance is a lot more than walking through the alleys.

First time I got a boarding pass without even showing any ID. She didn't ask. I didn't offer. OK. No problem. Might be easier to use another person's ticket than we thought. :)

Our departure from LAX was delayed and then arrival in Delhi was delayed also. About as soon as I got through security we were off.

Met some interesting people on the flight.

Across the aisle was an elderly wrinkled man in a bespeckled red turban.

He was trying to raise his aisle-side armrest and was unable to figure it out. I moved the little lever underneath and he was impressed. Later he said he owes me a drink for that.

He is one of the few Sikhs who wears a two-tone turban. His wife seems to demand it of him. It makes him easier to distinguish in a group.

What's the meaning of the turban? Basically, his answer was that it separates them. That's not really a meaning but OK. Daily the turban is refixed and normally he doesn't go into public without it.

He is from the Indian State of Chandigarh in the north and a 'retired old man' by his own description. He was an electrical engineer with the Indian Army. "Enjoyed life," he said.

He left me his email and invited me to visit him in Chandigarh. He works with poor children in skill-building. He said he would pay the 3-hour train ride for me from Delhi to his place.

Texas to California

Wow! The adventure has begun.

Met some real quality people in Abilene, Texas.

I joined the worshippers of Kingdom Life Fellowship in their Sunday morning service. No message and a shortened service of praise and worship because there was a drama scheduled after services in the school building they were using.

The church leadership/staff met in a private section of Enriques (Mexican cuisine) as an end-of-year thank-you luncheon. The restaurant was busy and while we waited for our food, Pastor Bryan Cauthen and his wife, Becky opened it for the group to share testimonies from the past year.

1. Hope restored to the father of a child who had actually died and came back and then suffered brain damage. The child had had eye surgery and was respondng to movement.

2. Brother of another was healed of cancer and also became saved.

3. One became the town mayor of Clyde, Texas.

4. Blessings of births in the church without complications.

5. One couple's $10,000 mortgage was paid off by a donor.

6. Another's arm was driven over by a piece of heavy equipment. He had it checked by a doctor. No problem.

Before I left to head for the airport they prayed for me.

Just before I left, the lady who leads the church's intercessory prayer group spoke to me believing I would have divinely-ordered encounters at the airport and train station. I told her I receive and believe.

Glory to God. The faith became reality . . .

My first flight was from Dallas/Fort Worth to Phoenix.

On the flight I finally had a good quality time to read the Word and write out what I believed the Holy Spirit was speaking through the Word.

I was busy writing away.

I was riding in a Boeing 757 with three seats on each side of a center aisle. I sat at the window and only one gent was in the aisle seat with the seat between us empty. Across the aisle were three African American ladies.

At one point, the gent on my side got my attention. The lady three seats and an aisle away wanted to ask me a question.

"What's the topic of your sermon?", she asked. I was a little caught by surprise. Later, I found out Surprise, AZ is the city she is from. :)

I was in the wisdom section in the book of James. I told her, "wisdom." And briefly explained to the inquiring lady. The man beside me asked whether I was really preparing for a sermon. The lady wanted my name to pray for me.

Wow-wee! Sounds like a divine encounter to me.

I waited on the ladies before getting off the plane. "Let the Lord use you all the time," the older lady suggested.

Kristy Wilford and her daughters Destineea and Glenda were on their return from a funeral service in Dallas where Kristy had preached the eulogy of a nephew who was shot and killed by a bullet intended for someone else. Daughter Destineea is a praise and worship dancer and recited poetry at the service

We had sweet and wonderful fellowship in Jesus' Name.
'Church right in the airport walkway'!

I had about an hour to my connecting gate and ended up running after I discovered a gate change. All well. All aboard.

Wow. That was quite special.

The connecting flight to Long Beach, California was not quite as exciting. The fellow next to me seemed busily studying heroes. Highlighting away.

A pretty straight and strong flight on US Air Express, 86-seat regional CRJ900. A chilly 54 degrees on the ground.

Around 20 degrees back home in Ohio. Best wishes and a happy winter, my fellow Ohioans.

Lone Star

Texas firsthand.

Attended the wedding of Brother Ira Akers & Kristina Reedy.

Texas, I found out, is the place where, if a woman drives a truck and chews tobacco it's considered pretty normal. I saw the trucks but not the chew.

Abilene, Texas has more churches per capita than anywhere else in the world.

It Won't be Long

To all my dear friends,

My departure is at hand.

Friday, December 14 I am planning to leave Ohio and head for Texas to begin my itin.

On Saturday, I expect to attend the college graduation and wedding of a dear friend of mine in Abilene, Texas. Yes, He is actually planning to graduate from college and get married the same day. Graduation at 10 am. Wedding at 7 pm.

I met 23-year-old Ira Akers a few years ago when he came to Ohio to speak to a Men's Retreat that I was attending. We connected from the start and God has knit our hearts together over the last several years.

In May 2006, I visited him in Abilene. At the time he and a few others were boarding at the same rented house. One interesting character I remember was Art, a fellow who owned no home and lived on the street, whom Ira was providing for at their rented house. This gives a little glimpse of what kind of fellow Ira is. He's in love with Jesus and cares about others.

On December 16, I have a ticket for Long Beach, California. I am planning to visit my 'Indian Gramps', as I call them, before heading to Kerala, South India on December 19.

My plans for India include a photo shooting tenure, shooting the photos of 50-some Bible College students, and then preparing a yearbook/address directory before the Crusade/Graduation, January 10-13.

After the Crusade/Graduation I hope to see villages of some of my friends in other parts of India and Nepal who have graduated from the Bible College in South India.

My ticket is one way, so I am not real sure of the date of my return to the USA but expect to be home by early February 2008.