Yesterday was a very long day but full of things we want to share with you. We left early in the morning and drove a very long 2 or so hours into the mountains to worship with another small village. The Bishop had already been on a two day journey with other parishes so he met us there. We traveled with his wife Susan. The journey there was filled with beautiful scenery that we watched unfold with the sunrise. We drove by tea plantations with workers already busy before the heat of the day could start pounding on them. We drove by cows and goats simply wandering about. It was not an easy drive for the roads are very rough and very windy with lots of hairpin turns (thank goodness for the Dramamine). There is barely enough room on the road for two vehicles so there is a great deal of tooting horns to alert on comers that someone is approaching but also a lot of pulling off to the side to allow someone else to pass. I thought we had finally reached our destination when I realized we were simply going to transfer into a jeep for the remainder of the ride was far too steep and rough for the car! At that point (and after a very long and bumpy ride) I was able to communicate the word toilet to Susan and she realized after seeing the panic in my eyes that she best help me locate one quickly! She found one and I’m still not sure if she begged mercy on a family or if this was truly one of those “rest areas”! Either way, it was my first experience and you will all know that I faired just fine. Not the best experience in the world but I have certainly visited worse outhouses in the USA! The remainder of the journey was actually only another 5 minutes or so but upon our arrival we discovered that the pastor’s house actually had a western toilet in it! Imagine that! Out there in the middle of nowhere! When we arrived we realized that the service had already begun and Susan shared that “we were late”. But still, we were invited to first sit down to have a cup of tea and some rice cakes which we politely accepted. We then entered the sanctuary and I cannot begin to tell you the feeling that so overwhelmed us. The people! The church was packed. It was a special service for them as they were also about to welcome in a new confirmation class – old and young people. We also shared communion together. Harold had been asked to preach the sermon which the Bishop translated beautifully for him (at one point I thought the Bishop was going to go off on a tangent when I began to hear a lot of “hallelujah’s” and “praise God”!). (I also have to share that the day before all of this, Harold was preparing his sermon and started to print it out….the Bishop’s printer ran out of ink so I ended up handwriting the remaining pages for him! Karen – what would he do without us??) The service was long – about 3 hours in all! But the people! They were beautiful! They look so happy. We sang familiar hymns – well, I hummed. They were not singing in English! And the children! They are all so curious and just want to be near us, touch us and many just wanted to stroke my hair. They are definitely God’s children. After the service, we were invited to have lunch. Actually everyone was served lunch. We joined together with the other pastors who attended in the pastor’s home. His 3 young children hovered nearby (there is a photo of me with these children while I am eating my lunch). Our lunch was served to us on large banana leaves, not plates. And, of course, no eating utensils so we had to use our hand. Harold has become quite good at this, however, it is still a struggle for me! After lunch we spent some time visiting with the local people and took many photos to remember them all. We journeyed home after our long day and had our first experience on Indian roads at night! Not something I would like to do too often!

We are now spending a couple of quiet days getting ready for the Bishop’s next adventure. We miss you all very much and look forward to sharing our experiences with you in person!
~Donna

a view as we headed home - we were so exhausted that we skipped dinner and went right to bed! 

we were in tea country and will write about the church's ministry with tea workers another time 

evening wash 

this perhaps best captures the Bishop's warm presence 

 

 

 

yes there was a roadside toilet! 

the view on Wednesday's journey 

Delhagen
Second World Reflections

As we live into the second week of our adventure I need to begin by saying this is amazing. India is a place of stark contrasts. There is brilliant color and lots of dust. Even this morning as we wandered about the neighborhood ( see the pictures) we are struck by the variety of smells – good and bad. Curry drifts in the morning air along with diesel exhaust, fragrant flowers and human smells I don’t need to mention. It’s all a part of living in what may soon be the most populous country in the world. The greatest contrast however is the presence of such great poverty and immense joy – this is stunning and has started some pretty deep reflection on life and faith personally and for those I serve in ministry. The faith of believers here is profoundly joy filled and the hospitality is overwhelming. This can be explained by two examples. The first is the hospitality of the Bishop’s wife Susan. She truly reminds me of my mother ( honest mom!). In fact,I think they buy their house dresses from the same shop! She is a small woman with grey hair tied in a bun with a brilliant smile. She pushes food on us every waking hour – even when the Bishop eats with us she does not – there is not even a plate set - she usually stands hovering about us heaping more rice or curry on our plates before we can say “no”. If we don’t take one thing she sends for the cook (a dear older woman named Mary) to bring in something else – she watches for what we seem to like and you can be sure we will get it again. She is also a homeopathic doctor and has brewed us up some medicine for my dysentery ( yes I got the bug – cipro is my new best friend!).

Every parish we visit feeds us. We are not quite accustomed to being treated as honored guests. We are fed first, and often in the parsonage main room with the bishop and the other pastors. When there is any kind of meeting, I am asked to speak. Yesterday, after the 50th anniversary celebration service (which Donna will tell you about) there was a village meeting which the local catholic priest convened. He was such a friendly guy with good English and a kind spirit. It was inspiring to see how he and the local pastor are friends. Donna and I were invited to sit at the head table with the bishop, a couple local political leaders and church officials. The Bishop is an excellent translator.


Some of you were struck by the seeming opulence of the Bishop’s House and wondered how that fits with the poverty all around. The Bishop’s House is the center for diocese work. There are meeting and conference rooms in the front. To the left beyond that is the Bishop’s residence which is nice by India standards but not what may appear from an outside view. The kitchen uses wood for cooking – there is a small two burner LP gas stove for a few things. There is a television and it has been a hoot to watch the Bishop’s wife and servants watching their favorite soap operas while we eat our evening meal. There are no lazy boy recliners in India! They stand or sit on the floor as they watch. The house is basically furnished with resin picnic chairs.

I put the heading on this of “Second World Reflections” because that’s what India seems to be. Kerala is about 90% literate, most people have some shelter available, but most also barely get by. There is no luxury. There is education but employment is scarce and in a labor intensive economy the pay is unbelievably low (I think the average daily wage is about 100 rupees ($2.00). There is electric but it goes out most days. I said there is no luxury but that’s not true – the place of luxury and pleasure is in fellowship and hospitality – and with these India is a wealthy country!

More later.
.
Harold

the ride home with another case of water 

the local sweet shop 

 

the local toddy joint 

a few shots along the walk we take to the village cross roads 

 

The view going home on Sunday looking out on the Western Ghat mountains - lots of hairpin turns. (I am not sure how this will all work but perhaps you will need to click on the little multicolored Picasa icon to see pictures lower down 

No pews! I am blown away by the commitment of these fellow believers. By the way men on one side women on the other. 

This was done by a committee like the one we have with Charlotte and Tammi! 

One of the children peeking in on her mother inside the parsonage of the Evangelist who serves St. Paul's 

St. Paul's 

Bishop Samuel with some of the children of St. Paul's parish on Sunday the other picture below this one was a sign I saw on the way!
Harold 

 

Our neighbors - last evening there was a procession right in front of our house by the members of the local Roman Catholic parish church two doors down from us celebrating the birthday of thier patron saint - bands, fireworks and lots of color. 

Donna and our homeopathic/avyredic doctor - it worked for me too!(spelling sorry)
Harold 

Dr. Abraham and Annie Daniel 

Our bedroom