From blog.cnhindiamission.org

Two-Fer-Tuesday...Home Again...

2009-08-26T10:40:00.001-07:00

We are all home from India!

The four of us left our hotel about 12:30am Tuesday morning. We had no real problems at the airport... just the many different lines (or queueueus... or however they spell "cue", which means "line that moves ever so slowly" in British)... our flight to Dubai left about 1/2 hour late... but three of us (sorry, Glen) got a free upgrade to Business class! As soon as the wheels left the ground, we had our chairs stretched out full length and I know I only woke up to eat breakfast and when the wheels touched down in Dubai.

In Dubai, we had enough time to wander and get a few Dubai-ese trinkets before taking off to SFO, again about 1/2 hour late--no upgrade for this flight, although I did offer to switch with a guy who wanted to turn down his upgrade so he could sit with his family in economy. The flight was long and uneventful.

Here is how to spend 16 hours: watched "The Wrestler", ate breakfast, slept for 4 hours, watched "The Devil Wears Prada," "He's Just Not That Into You," & "Gran Torino", ate lunch, read and stared blankly ahead for 3 more hours... the guy sitting next to me must have a bladder as big as an elephant because he only got up once in 16 hours... not me that's for sure!

Upon arrival at SFO, we passed through Immigration and then waited forever for our bags (forever is relative when needing to make a connection to continue the journey). I gave my one tag to Dan. We had checked two boxes filled with Hindi language Bibles and they were taking forever to arrive. I left the other three waiting for the Bibles and headed through Customs and off to the Delta counter to check in for my next two flights... at this point, I will assume they got the Bibles, got Glen's pick-up started, and made in home to Paso with no further problems...

My flight to Salt Lake was quick and easy. I then had about 2 hours to enjoy a couple Whoppers from Burger King and a cup of Starbucks coffee (it ain't Indian, but...). The flight to Hailey was also uneventful. It sure was good to see Zane and Mallory and Wendy!!

Back in the day, radio stations used to play "Two-fer-Tuesdays"... I think we had a "Two-fer-Tuesday" yesterday because, if my math is near correct, the day about 36 hours in it... talk about a long day... but definitely worth it!

Now it is time to catch up on some game playing with Zane... more posts reflecting on the trip will be forthcoming of the next few days...

Update on Pastor Gary Bell

2009-08-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday night Sherry Bell sent me an email updating me on Gary's status. I shared her message at our church yesterday, but realized that many of you would like to know how he is doing as well. Sherry wrote:
"On Tuesday we went from the airport to kaiser. Of course with the traffic we were not able to get there for his 4:30 appt.so we went straight to the ER which was probably just as well. He was admitted to the hospital that evening and spent until Fri. afternoon there. The MRI done there showed no structural damage to the knee. It is mainly a soft tissue injury with an extreme amount of blood in the knee and upper leg. The doctor stopped the blood thinner for now. So he is home recuperating. The knee and leg are still very painful and walking is very difficult. He has a walker to help him get around when necessary. So he will be kind of out of commisison for awhile. He is very glad to be home."

Imagine that, an MRI machine that works when you need it! Praise God that no surgery is required, but I do suspect Gary's visit to the ER and three nights in the hospital might cost a little more than they did in India. It sounds like he has a long road of physical therapy ahead of him, and we remember him in our prayers.

Sherry's message continued:
"Gary is so glad to have had this opportunity. He came back with some great pictures and we look forward to seeing Josh's pictures. Gary speaks so fondly of the people he met there, Pastor David and the staff at the CMC, people at the seminary, people at the site of one of the wells built by LHM, so many fantastic experiences. One thing he is not missing however is Indian food! He is still reluctant to use tap water!"
I encourage you to drop the Bell's a card or note to let them know we are all thinking of them.

Further Update on Pastor Gary Bell, Wednesday 8/26
I received an email from Sherry today with the following additional information:

I wanted to let you know that Gary has been readmitted to the hospital. He started running a high fever. It seems that the blood that collected in his leg has caused an abscess to form in there so he went to surgery last night to clean that out and also is on IV antibiotics. He will probably have another surgery on Friday for further cleaning out of the area. We don't know how long he will be in the hospital-he will most likely have a lengthy time of healing once he gets home because the wound will be open and will have to heal from the inside out.

He is in good spirits except when he had to be stuck 9 times for an IV yesterday!

We do appreciate everyone's prayers.

This is going to be a long road for our friend Gary, and for Sherry. Please remember to drop them a card or email to let them know they are being thought of.

Getting Ready to Leave India

2009-08-24T03:07:00.000-07:00

In a couple hours, the four of us will go back to the Christian Media Centre for one last get-together/ dedication/ farewell. Then we will finish packing, settle our hotel bills, and get ready to head to the airport at about 1am.

As you know from the first group's trip home last week, the airport in Chennai can be interesting (we do all have itineraries with our name on them, so we should be able to enter the airport, at least!). At least their delay was only 2 hours and the flight did take off... yesterday's flight (Sunday) was delayed 7 hours (with no communication from the airline or airport) before being cancelled.

According to today's paper, there are tighter restrictions causing more planes to be held for "minor technical issues." I think "minor technical issues" are like "minor surgery"... it is minor when it is your plane with the issue... but major when it is my plane with the issue...

PRAY that our plane has none of these "minor technical issues"!
PRAY that we have a completely uneventful trip home!

Hot Idea To Tackle Terror

2009-08-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

Another beaut from the Sunday Times of India--

"For those planing a terror attack or a riot, here's a hot tip: Don't. You could be hit by worse than water cannon--a chilli bomb, which would have the potency of the world' hottest pepper. Naga jolokia or bhut jolokia, meaning "ghostly chilli," gets its name from its deadly bite. It is reportedly 1,000 times hotter than the ordinary kitchen chilli.

"In 2007, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the Naga jolokia as the hottest in the world. It has more than 800,00 Scoville heat units, which indicate the amount of capsaicin it contains. Capsaicin, an active compound in chilli peppers, is an irritant that produces a burning sensation on tissue that comes in contact with it.

"From the kitchen and the record books to fighting riots? The Defence Research and Development Organisation in New Delhi is testing a grenade that will have the pungency of the bhut jolokia. 'It occurred to us that the chilli could be used in hand grenades,' says RB Srivastava, directore of Life Sciences at DRDO...

"The new 'hot' bomb is being tested and the DRDO is reluctant to give details.

"Ordinary tear gas, which is used to disperse rioters, affects the eyes and can be tolerated by holding a wet cloth to the face. But 'the chilli bomb would choke the respiratory system too,' says Srivastava. 'The person can even go into a semi-conscious state.'

"With low-intensity conflict on the rise, this could be a non-lethal way to tackle insurgents and movs. 'One hand chilli grenade would be enough to make an impact in a room. The after-effects would be felt for about 20 minutes,' he said."

So much in this article begs for comment, but I want my passport stamped on the way out of the country and then again back into the US, so...

Rash Drivers Could Attract 10 Years In Jail

2009-08-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

That is what the headline says. Right now anyone caught "causing death by rash and negligent driving" can receive a max penalty of 2 years. The Law Commission has framed this "set of drastic recommendations" partially in response to the report last week that 13 people a minute die in car wrecks in India (see Josh's "Duh Headline" blog).

Says the Law Commission--"Keeping in view the present day practical reality, the punishment should be increased to 10 years' imprisonment." And, the offence should be made non-bailable which means the police would have no power to release the accused on bond.

Say the Times of India in an editorial response--"The Law Commission seems to have fallen into the common error of believing that extreme measures are a sign of acting tough on an issue... If the idea is to minimize reckles driving, much more can be achieved by simply enforcing existing laws more rigorously. That include acting against semingly minor traffic offences like jumping lights or crossing the yellow line."

Sounds like positions to be taken in response to most laws proposed by the US House & Senate...
Reminds me that God got the laws right with only 10 and ever since man has been expanding and confusing them...

What a Trip!

2009-08-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

In about 24 hours, the four members of Group B will begin their journey back home. Monday about noon our time here on the West Coast (1:00 in the morning in Chennai) Dan, Drew, Glen and Steve will be collected from the hotel and taken Chennai International Airport.

As the members of Group A found out last week, much can happen that adds stress and excitement to an already long journey. Please keep the guys in your prayers as they wrap up their final day at the Christian Media Centre, and pack and prepare for their flights home.

The actual flight time from Chennai to San Francisco is about 22 hours. Glen, Dan, & Drew will be met at SFO by a member of Trinity Burlingame with Glen's truck, and the three of them will then drive themselves the 3-1/2 hours back to Paso Robles. Sounds like lots of LOUD prayers will be needed to keep them awake and alert during the drive. Steve proceeds through passport and customs, then boards 2 additional flights to Salt Lake City and on home to Wendy and the kids at Sun Valley airport late Tuesday night.

You will be able to follow their journey through a link on the home page of our team website, www.cnhindiamission.org. Click on the Emirates Flight Tracker icon to be taken to the tracker for their flights home (almost) to SFO. As Josh and I said last week, we get to SFO and we could at least walk home if we had to!

EMERGENCY NEWSFLASH!!!

2009-08-23T04:37:00.001-07:00

JOTHI EATS BEEF!!

Today at lunch, Jothi ate one piece of Beef Tenderloin (and a couple bites of Kashmiri Lamb Rib)!!

Now back to your regularly scheduled blogposts...

Sunday Worship

2009-08-23T04:29:00.000-07:00

Today we wer privileged to worship twice. Our mornig began at the Christian Media Centre worshiping with the Vaan Malar congregation. Instead of their "regular" liturgy, today they used a worship form that utilized traditional Tamil music. This form involved a cantor chanting and the congregation echoing.

Previously, the liturgy was, more or less, a "Tamil-ized" version of The Lutheran Hymnal's old order of Matins. Today's worship seemed more "foreign"... outside the Scripture Readings and Dan's sermon... oh, and the Offering... nothing could be equated to a Western/Lutheran liturgy.

After a cup of Indian coffee and a bit of fellowship, the four of us and the Davids headed about 35km out of Chennai to worship with the St. Luke congregation, a mission plant from Pilgrim Lutheran in Chennai.

Over the past couple years, Trinity Lutheran, in Paso Robles, has sponsored ten mission planters through Mission India. Seven of these mission plants have become Independent congregations and three have become Lutheran congregations.

St. Luke worships in a 20foot by 40foot thatch building. After three or so years, ther are 26 families celebrating their life in Christ. They own the land they are on and are hopeful of building a more permanent building soon (after all, during the monsoon season snakes sometimes join them for worship... though the pastor assured us no one had ever been hurt... Thank You, Lord, for widely scattered thunderstorms today... very widely scattered!)

The pastor's mesage was based on Ephesians 5:1--"Be Imitators of Christ." Seeing the joy of Christ on the faces of the folks at St. Luke as they celebrated Holy Communion and on the faces of the people at Vaan Malar as they sang traditional Tamil music is the highest reward for the "imitations" being made by the people in these two places... and by the people of Pilgrim, Chennai, who are planting congregations... and by the people of Trinity, Paso Robles, who are supporting and sponsoring the mission plants!

May God be praised and His children served as each of us seek ways to "Be Imitators of Christ!"

Random Thoughts From Today's Passing Scenery VIII

2009-08-23T04:23:00.000-07:00

While in Nilgiri's (think Albertson's... just a wee bit smaller) yesterday, the power went out... and absolutely no one said a word... most didn't even break stride in their shopping... two ladies in the "Coffee & Tea" aisle with me whipped out flashlights and kept right on shopping...
Today, we passed the "Real Taste Restaurant"... this could be SAMCO in a few years... now "Taste is Their Concept"... tomorrow, after solving the taste concept... they could be the next "Real Taste Restaurant"... stranger things have happened... (speaking of stranger things, I think Chuck is looking into franchising rights to bring a "Barbecue Nation" to Paso Robles...)
Driving around earlier, we passed an oxcart being pulled by (oddly enough) an ox... but not just any ox... this ox was large... and had blue horns... I think we found Babe... Paul Bunyan's famous blue ox!
All of our trips hither and yon and we finally(?) passed the Tamil Nadu Livestock Development Agency... I am just guessing... I don't think much of their budget is allocated to the development of a beef program...

That's all... just four quick thoughts...

Speed Bumps

2009-08-23T04:19:00.000-07:00

India is filed with many things that appear totally random to American eyes. For example... SPEED BUMPS...

Normally, an American would expect a couple speed bumps in a parking lot. Not in India... because there are virtually no parking lots and there seems to be a better place for speed bumps... like... the middle of the road...

Every so often, with no apparant scheme or plan--just randomness at its most random--speed bumps suddenly appear in the middle of roads--in towns and out of towns... on back alleys and multi-lane roadways... out of nowhere: speed bumps...

One theory for their placement (at least those appearing in shopping areas or in small towns) is that they are constructed in front of the business that made the largest donation to the Downtown Business Association last year...

Even what these cement impediments are called appears random. I have sen them called speed bumps... speed bumpers... speed rollers... and speed checks... all with equal randomness...

Totally a Tangent...

2009-08-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

This is a complete and total tangent to this trip. I just saw this article on espn.com and couldn't help myself. There are consultants who help prepare you for life behind bars? Can this be a sign of the apocalypse?

from espn.com--

NEW YORK -- Plaxico Burress' lawyer says a prison consultant is preparing the former New York Giants star for life behind bars.

Benjamin Brafman tells the New York Post in a story published Saturday that the wide receiver is getting advice on "how to use his period of confinement as productively as possible."

The 32-year-old Burress pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He had accidentally shot himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub in November.

His plea deal calls for a two-year prison term. Burress is to be sentenced Sept. 22.

Consultants are popular among celebrities and other high-profile people facing incarceration.

FWIW, today's The Times of India is ripe with great headlines and articles. Later on today I'll get some of them up for your entertainment and edification...

What An Evening!

2009-08-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

We just returned to our hotel from a wonderful evening spent at the Davids's home. Rev. David and Jothi invited the four of us to their home for dinner. We were joined by their oldest daughter and family and we met their second daughter and her two children.

We relaxed on the roof of their building as we enjoyed a (for Chennai) cool breeze. Then we were treated to a table full of Jothi's home cooking! Forget all the restaurants! We need to eat at "St. Jothi's Grill & Grub" more often! Wow! I want to bring her back in my suitcase!

I would tell you what we had but (1) I can't spell most of it; and (2) I can't do it justice by just giving you the names. Awesome dinner!

Afterward, we relaxed and laughed as we looked at some of their wedding and family photos. It was a very special evening, spent with very special friends!

As I said to David, it was a privilege to be able to share an evening in their home... and that is what it is--we weren't invited over to their house... we were invited into their home... and the difference is in the laughter and memories!

Thanks, David & Jothi, for a memorable evening!

Justice... Indian Style

2009-08-22T05:27:00.000-07:00

If you thought Old West justice died with Judge Roy Bean and the Texas Rangers, think again...

From today's The Times of India--

"In a second such startling ruling in two months, a district court in Krishnagiri has handed over a state corporation bus as compensation to the family members of a bus accident victim, who died nine years ago.

"A semi-deluxe bus headed for Chennai from Bangalore was stopped by the staff of the Krishnagiri district court on Friday and the passengers were asked to get off. Then, the bus was taken to the house of 48-year-old woman... who lost her husband in a bus mishap in October 2000 and is still awaiting compensation from the transport corporation.

"The Tamil Nadu state express transport corporation owes compensation running to several lakhs (1 lakh = 100,000 rupees = about $2300) of rupees for families of scores of bus accident victims. On July 24, the Krishnagiri Additional district judge... ordered the attachment of a state-owned bus for the transport corporation's failure to pay 6.5 lakhs of rupees (about $15,000) compensation for the widow. The judge also said that the widow could keep the bus in her custody till September 4, 2009 pending payment of the due compensation."

Just a couple thoughts...

Can you imagine the arguments between Justice Scalia and Justice Sotomayor when the case came to the US Supreme Court...
I bet the widow has a swinging good time on her bus between now and September 4th!
If you were the bus company, you probably are relieved because that is one less bus that will be running late for the next couple weeks...
What would you be thinking if you were one of the passengers told to get off the bus?

That is justice... Indian Style...

Bet 'Cha Didn't Think You'd Hear That

2009-08-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

"You are just too fast for us."

I'm willing to bet you didn't think you'd hear that said about the four of us over here still working at the CMC! I know I wouldn't have put money on that one

Just a refresher on who is still here--

Drew Rowe--confirmed slacker
Dan Rowe--pastor, by definition gifted with gab
me...revinboots...Steve Barckholtz--ready to skip work and blog at any time
Glen Butler--dedicated worker

Add all that up and being "too fast" as a paint crew doesn't seem possible, yet that was the refrain for most of the week. Here is what we've gotten done...

On Tuesday, the downstairs hallway got painted
Wednesday got the last of the downstairs rooms finished and the upstairs started with a couple small rooms painted
Thursday saw the upstairs continued: 2 small + 1 large room
Friday it was 1 large room + 3 small rooms + about 1/4 of the upstairs hallway

Not bad for a group of workers who should have raised your eyebrows at whether we would get anything done or not!

We are off in a few minutes to see what we can get done this morning...

Update on Gary Bell

2009-08-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here are two messages received from Benicia Lutheran Church concerning Gary:

Wednesday, August 19th

I thought I'd give you an update on Pastor. He arrived back from India yesterday afternoon about 2 pm. By a miraculous set of circumstances he was allowed to upgrade to business class where he could put his leg up for no additional charge! What a blessing. His leg is in very tough shape, very swollen and lots of bleeding into the bottom of the upper leg. The doctors have stopped the blood thinner medication, are doing xrays this evening and we will see what can be done to help him heal. He is in Kaiser Vallejo in room 442 on 4 West. He would welcome visitors. We appreciate your continued prayers for him. He is very worn out by this whole ordeal but also very thankful for the chance to have travelled to India where he had some amazing experiences.

Thanks.

Sherry

Friday, August 21st

Hi Everyone!!

Sherry has just called the Church and said that the hospital will be releasing Pastor Bell today from the hospital and that no surgery is needed. He will be sent home with a walker and will have a Physical Therapist visit him. He is to rest up for the next couple of weeks while he heals.

Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers for Sherry and Pastor Bell.

Sincerely,
Donna Noska
BLC Secretary

Barbecue Nation: The World On A Grill

2009-08-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Rev. David, Pastor Rowe, the Pastor from VaanMalar Lutheran Church and his wife, as well as, your humble correspondent, just returned from Chennai's greatest culinary experience: Barbecue Nation.

The rest of the folks (those now at home) went there one of their first nights in India (the fact that Glen opted out of a second trip should already be telling you something... and Drew decided to go over the Andrew's house for dinner... one word for both of you: Cowards!) and made Rev. David swear to take the rest of us (especially me--the one with the cast-iron stomach and high spice tolerance) there.

I will share the event with you by quoting from their placemat, liberally sprinkling my own comments and interpretation in parentheticals...

So here it is, revinboots' take on "Barbecue Nation: The World On A Grill...

Barbecues Stake Their Claim (I wish that was "Steak", not...)
The day the Turkish nomad discovered the art of grilling, the world changed forever. (Don't try to tell anyone in Texas they didn't invent grilling).
In culinary history, barbecues staked their claim. The charm of open fire cooking trespassed (word choice kind of brings pictures of fire walkers to mind) all racial, linguistic and gatronomic borders to find welcome adoption in every cuisine of the world.
Seasonings (the only one I could find: red chillies... hot red chillies... really hot red chillies...), herbs and marinades (there might have been a guy named Herb at the next table) contributed to seared, chargrilled, tandoored, tossed and sauted variants (almost picturing a Burger King commercial aren't you...)
Barbecue Nation invites you to an epicurean tour de force (I just hope the tour doesn't end sometime around 3am, standing next to an empty Tums bottle).
Drawn from Mediterranean (if you say so...), American (no brisket... no ribs... no tri-tip... where again was the American part... oh, right, the brownies on the dessert tray), Oriental and Asian origins, this earthy (grilled mushrooms were the earthy part) experience of open fire cooking comes with a grill, right on your table (pretty cool set up... I wouldn't mind a table like this at home...).
Skewers settle on red hot embers. Baste them with your favorite marinade (although they all come soaked in red chillie sauce and all other marinades run away in fear).
Finish them to your preference (maybe with some ketchup or something like that to put some of the fire out).
Sense the sizzle, soak in the aroma, tuck in the treat (lose your lips to numbness... fondly bid farewell to your tastebuds...).
Epicurean Abundance. Fixed Charge. We encourage you to indulge in unlimited abundance (this is most certainly true).
From our prix fix fare of five vegetarian and five non vegetarian delicacies (all ten soaked in red chillie sauce before and after roasting... and possibly again while the waiter is walking them to your table).
Followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner (the grill on the table part is only the warm-ups... after searing away your lips and tastebuds you can eat all the "regular" Indian food you want... it also is largely soaked in red chillie sauce... except for a couple dishes that were soaked in green chillie sauce for a variation...).
And desserts (Praise the Lord for the desserts: brownies... gulab jamun [sweet balls in syrup]... ice cream...).
At a fixed charge of 450rupees per head (about $9).
Tariffs, service time and portions do not restrict you. Eat as much as you enjoy. Bon Appetit!
For more information about this epicurean adventure, you can find Barbecue Nation located in Mumbai, Thane, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Chennai, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Pune, Kolkate, Jalandhar, & Amritsar... or you can check them out at: http://www.barbeque-nation.com/. (Perhaps the entrepeneurs in the audience want to contact them about franchising opportunities...)

It really was a wonderful meal, except as Dan pointed out on the comment card--the tables could use candles...

Random Thoughts From the Passing Scenery VII

2009-08-20T09:07:00.001-07:00

A few ponderables from a ride around Chennai on a Thursday evening...

Down by the beach is a place I want to try--"Funk Jazz's Donuts & Hot Dogs"... sounds to me like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air must own it... wait that is "Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles" (which if you are ever in Pasadena CA, near the Fuller Seminary Campus, is a must the chicken and waffles are out of this world!)
We also some a block or so away--"Somethin' Fishy"... absolutely no desire to go there...
Another store--"Jolly Store"... no idea what they sell but it sounds like a happy good time awaiting...
Cute names abound for hair styling... here are just two seen tonight--"Lovely Lady Salon" (begging for a chauvanistic comment, but I will refrain) and "Cut It Out Hair Center" (please, cut it out with the Indian puns!)
Also, a bumper sticker--"Justice is a Birth Right"... I really have to think about this one...
Finally, there must be a chain called, simply enough--"Fitness Center"... somehow, I don't really envision all these skinny people who walk or ride bikes everywhere needing to go to a gym or club to sweat away anything...

That is a Thursday evening in Chennai...

Did You Hear The One About...

2009-08-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Rev. David's "Joke of the Day"--

When God created man it took Him three tries... first He made a man and put the clay form in the oven to bake, but this one He cooked too long. Thus, we have Africans. Then, He made another man, put this clay form in the oven to bake, this one He did not cook long enough. Thus, we have Caucasians (including half-baked Americans). Finally, God made a third clay form that He cooked just right producing...

(scroll down...)

...Indians!!!

Blaze, Spirit, Blaze!

2009-08-20T03:32:00.000-07:00

As we were winding up our work today, the former Director of the CMC, Rev. Dr. Suvi, stopped by. In the course of the conversation, he told a story about the way the Holy Spirit is moving among the Hindus in India...

It seems that out in one village, there was a Hindu man who was illiterate. By the grace of God, he learned about Jesus and came to faith in the Lord. Being illiterate was not going to stop him from learning more about this newfound faith. He bought a Bible and had friends teach him how to read it. As he learned more about the Bible and about the Gospel, he knew he wanted to tell others this Good News.

This man gathered seven children together and began teaching them Bible stories. After a period of time, five of the children and their parents and families left their Hinduism behind and became Christ-followers. With the little band of five families, the once illiterate man began teaching and preaching and worshiping.

Over the course of the past several years, what began with one illiterate man learning about salvation through Jesus Christ has become a worshiping group of 54 families. All the families live in the same village--even the Hindu priest has become a Christ-follower!

Brothers & Sisters, we have pretty much everything at our fingertips and in our bank accounts. What we need to be praying for is the passion of the Holy Spirit to cause us to stop thinking we are small and that we don't know enough! If an illiterate guy in India can be used by the Holy Spirit to change the eternal destiny of 54 Hindu families, then there is no limit what the Holy Spirit can do through you and me!

Breakfast at the Raj Park

2009-08-19T19:38:00.001-07:00

Back in the day, I had a Men's Group that met at a local restaurant on Friday mornings. We always knew business had been slow on Thursday nights when the breakfast special was prime rib hash. Business must have been slow at the Raj Park last night.

This year at breakfast, we have seen no ham or bacon--staples of last year's breakfast. Instead we have been treated(?) to chicken livers, chicken meatballs, chicken wings, chicken winglets (there is a difference, you know), chicken sausage, chicken-in-many-forms.

This morning featured--Beef Lyonnaise! Which near as I can tell is Beef Stroganoff without the sour cream to thicken the gravy. I could get used to this breakfast! Tender (relatively speaking) chunks of beef... onions... au jus... the perfect topping for the hash brown potatoe disks that are an entity to themselves (they really can't be described, so just plan to come on the next trip over here so you can experience them yourself!)

I think I might go back for another breakfast...

Waiting & Painting... Or Is That... Painting & Waiting

2009-08-19T04:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday and today have been spent waiting and painting... followed by painting and waiting...

Tuesday, we got to the CMC and they had no paint for us...finally, after twiddling our thumbs until lunch time... we left for lunch... and paint arrived while were gone... to the amazement of the contractor the entire hallway got painted in just a couple hours... then we ran out of paint again... with only a few feet left in the hallway...

Wednesday, we got to the CMC and they had new paint for us... different than what we needed to paint the hallway... this was oil-based paint to paint several partition walls in a couple rooms... we got right on the job... and promptly ran out of paint with one wall left... again, we left for lunch... and found paint waiting for us on return... we finished the remaining wall... and now had no paint to finish the hallway from yesterday...

Evidently, the contractor has a fear of getting stuck with a lot of leftover paint or something, because he only buys it one can at a time. Seeing as how we have a whole lot of building to do, I don't think he needs to fear leftovers at this time! What he needs to realize is that, in spite of how we look (remember the crew is Drew, Dan, Glen, and me--probably not the most awe-inspiring groups of painters ever assembled), we can cover some walls in pretty short order. We came halfway around the world and are ready to work!

Oh well, hopefully tomorrow will dawn with buckets of paint waiting for us...

Water Shortages

2009-08-19T03:54:00.000-07:00

From today's The Hindu newspaper--

Headline: "Over 3000 rural habitations face drinking water shortage"

"About 3300 rural habitations in [Tamil Nadu] require relief measures for drinking water supply in the wake of the failure of the south-west monsoon...

"The relief works will be taken up in areas where the service level has declined below 10litres per capita per day, or is expected to go down in the coming months. The ultimate purpose will be to ensure a minimum supply of 10litres per capita per day in rural areas...

"Under the normal circumstances, the government norms stipulate that rural habitations have the service level of 40litres per capita per day...

"Digging new borewells/infiltration/open wells, deepening or desilting of existing wells and replacement of pumpsets are amont the measures proposed..."

There is much more detail in this article, mostly about funding and beauracratic oversight, but the main point is this: large parts of rural southern India are living on less that 2.5 gallons of water per person per day.

Here is an exercise for you--try to visualize yourself drinking... cooking... cleaning... bathing... doing everything you do each day... and now visualize yourself doing in on only 2.5 gallons... oh, and don't forget... you have to walk upwards of 3-10kilometres each way just to get the water...

Even more challenging, forget the visualization--tomorrow why not walk to the nearest river, pond, or fountain... fill a bucket... carry it home... and drink... cook... clean... and bathe on that water...

This is the reality of life for millions of people around the world... and for thousands here in southern India...

This is also just a thumbnail sketch for why drilling new borewells is so crucial to improving the quality of life for people in rural India...

Pray about how you can join me in figuring out a way to bring some cool... clear... water... to southern India!

Group A has Made it Home!

2009-08-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

Our Tuesday started at 12:30 am in Chennai (12:00 noon Monday in CA) when Rev David and Jothi arrived at our hotel with two SUVs and an oversized van to haul us and our luggage to the airport. For some, there was no sleep Monday night at all. Following the edifying Thanksgiving service with communion at the Christian Media Centre for our send-off, we didn't arrive back at the hotel until close to 10:00. Packing, settling our hotel accounts, transfer of medical supplies and finances to the four members of Group B (who will return home next Tuesday); it made little sense to try to sleep for just an hour or so.

Luggage and Gary carefully loaded in the vehicles, we left for the airport a few minutes past 1:00 am - plenty early for a 3:15 am flight, or so we thought. The Chennai airport seems to be pandemonium no matter what hour of the day or night. We pulled up as close to the terminal as possible, and sent Rev David into the terminal for a wheelchair for Gary. Security is so tight, the first checkpoint is before you reach the front door. No one is allowed in unless they have tickets or an itinerary - no family or well-wishers, only those flying. Since Rev David didn't qualify, he couldn't get in to get a wheelchair. So when he came back, we sent in Josh.

Five of our six tickets were purchased at the same time, on the same itinerary. And although each team member was given a copy of their own individual itinerary before heading to SFO, in the ensuing 2-1/2 weeks, with train travel down south and 6 different hotel rooms, some no longer had their own and would be entering under the group itinerary. If Josh used that to enter the building, others wouldn't get in later. So then I was sent in on my own itinerary to procure said wheelchair. Simple enough, right? We've all seen flocks of wheelchairs at every airport in the U.S., I'll grab one and an attendant and be back in a flash. Ah, but this is India.

It seems the 2.5 wheelchairs (in various conditions) at the Chennai International Airport were in use by some of the other several thousand people attempting to fly out at this dark hour. It took dealing with 8 different people before finding an employee of the airline who took the task on as a personal mission to help get the Rev Gary Bell out of the parking lot and on to a plane. And get the large, sweaty, irate, and frantic white guy out of their airport.

But first, a problem. We may have arrived at the airport 3 hours prior to departure of our flight, but every one else arrived 3-1/2 hours early. And were all standing in line ahead of us. In a line that was NOT moving. Seems all the Emirates Airlines computers were down, and had been for at least the previous 36 hours. So the staff were processing each person manually; issuing hand-written boarding passes to a packed jumbo jet. Ah, but we had a secret weapon - Gary in a wheelchair! We asked and got permission to have all six of us in a much shorter line designated for Executive Class check-in. Our helpful assistant kept wanting to move Gary and his wheelchair off to the side but we wouldn't let him; we needed the person checking us in to see Gary's condition in hopes of getting him upgraded to executive class seating. Several attempts had been made by phone and on line to do this in the previous 2 days, but due to the computer problems the local Chennai Emirates office couldn't help us. And on-line Emirates wanted up to $7000 for an upgrade.

The staff looked at our pile of medical papers, looked at Gary, and put him in an Executive Class seat with out any extra charge whatsoever! Praise God! This seat allowed Gary to recline and more importantly, elevate his leg during the flight. This upgrade was only for the Chennai to Dubai 4 hour flight; due to the computer outage they could do nothing for us about the 15 hour haul from Dubai to SFO. The rest off us were assigned the very last row on the plane. With our hand written boarding passes in hand, we then went through the next 5 or so security check points to the waiting area by the gates. And wait we did. We could see our plane, but there was no information available as to why or how long the delay might be. It was over two hours before they finally started to board our flight; and again thanks to Gary and his wheelchair we made it to the head of the line. Down the jet way and past the final security check point and intimate body frisking. We were on the plane! The flight took off just over two hours late, and we had exactly a two hour layover scheduled in Dubai. Three possibilities: overnight in Dubai, Emirates reroute us some other way back to SFO, or the next flight would also be delayed. No sense worrying about what we couldn't change; it was all in God's hands.

The flight made up 15 minutes on the flight to Dubai; our next plane was still on the ground. But we had Gary who needed a wheelchair, and as such would be the last off the plane. And with the rest of our party in the back, we weren't much ahead of him. We were whisked away to a special counter for helping passengers from our delayed flight make their connections. Still the next plane remained on the ground. We again asked for and received an upgrade to Executive Class for Gary with out any extra charge whatsoever! Praise God some more! The last to be issued our boarding passes for the SFO bound plane, we made a dash and breezed through security once more. Emirates continued to hold the plane to allow all the delayed passengers to board. Gary actually beat several other folks on the plane due to his handler taking behind the scenes short cuts. Josh was the last person to board, with the cabin door hitting him on the butt on his way in.

There was no time in Dubai to get Josh's laptop connected and make a blog post on our status, or even send an email. But our flight status was available on our website, and our families could see what the flights were doing, even though they weren't sure if we were on the plane. Heck, we weren't sure our luggage was on the plane! We lifted off about an hour behind schedule. I got Gary as comfortable as possible; we settled in for our 15 hour flight. Due to favorable tailwinds and the flight crew "puttin' the pedal to the metal", we landed at SFO at 2:05 pm, only 20 minutes behind schedule. Another wheelchair awaited Gary; then off to collect our luggage and a quick trip through passport control and customs. Down the hall and out the door to reunions with our families. Gary was transferred to the backseat of his wife Sherry's car; I went with her through all his medical paperwork, x-rays, and meds; he was then whisked away to a 4:30 appointment at Kaiser Hospital. We ask you to continue to lift Gary and Sherry up in prayer for God's peace and healing.

Our luggage arrived with us, mostly. Only 1 piece of Dana's didn't come down the carousel. We hugged and headed for our homes with our families. Josh and I were met by his wife Dana, and hit the highway for our final leg home. We arrived in Paso Robles about 6:30 pm to a joyful reunion with our weiner dogs. My wife Lynne was away at a meeting for Relay for Life, where as Accounting Chairman she was accepting the final team donations prior to this Saturday's annual 24 hour fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. After showering and unpacking, my reunion with her came about 9:30 when she got home. A simple supper of tacos (funny how bland mexican food tastes to me right now) and off for a long sleep. Well, for me anyhow. Lynne was up early to head off to her first day of fall classes for college, followed by a first aid class this evening. I'll see her again about 10:00 tonight. At least we're in the same hemisphere.

We praise God for the safe travel home for the first 6 team members; and for Pastor Gary's "as comfortable as can be expected" flight. We ask that you continue to lift the 4 remaining team members up in prayer as they labor in fairly challenging physical conditions on the tasks they have yet to do (but I expect we'll be hearing quite a bit from Revinboots this week). Also prayers for the staff at the Christian Media Centre working in the midst of such major construction; and for the mostly Hindu laborers we worked along side with as they complete the project. But most of all, remember to pray for all God's children in India, that they might come to know true peace and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Moving Mountains

2009-08-18T01:57:00.000-07:00

Chinese proverb--"The one who says it can't be done should get out of the way of the one who is doing it."

What do you see when you look at the pain and suffering in the world? Do you se a malnourished child--or a future farmer? A child without schooling--or a potential teacher? Do you see a frightened child huddling in a refugee campt--or do you see a prospective leader? When you look into the faces of the poor, the marginalized, and the downtrodden, do you se hopelssnes--or people made in the very Image of God, with the prospects of a hope-filled future ahead of them? We, as Christ-f0llowers, can look at our broken world, shrug our shoulders, and say, "That's just the way things are." Or we can instead embrace a vision of what could be--if we would each pitch in.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to ther' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20).

I always thought this verse was just an exaggeration that Jesu was making in order to make a point about the power of faith. We can't literally move mountains... can we?

But what if Jesus means for millions of His followers to each put their faith into action by grabbing a shovel--and challenging the mountain one shovelful at a time? Any mountain CAN be moved--even the ones called Poverty, or Hunger, or Injustice--if we have enough people "shoveling".

Robert Kennedy once said, "There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?"

Perhaps, it is all just a matter of perspective.

Random Thoughts From The Passing Scenry VI

2009-08-18T01:50:00.000-07:00

Here are a few signs and such from our wandering around Chennai the last couple days--

"Ethical Hacking... Buy 1 Seat Get 1 Seat Free... Limited Seating Available"--Can there really be such a thing as this?
"Coherent Consulting"--I so much prefer the incoherent kind of consulting... I wonder wher they are located?
"Hotel Runs"--We are all beyond glad that we are not saying at this place! Instead of a mint on your pillow, you get a pack of Immodium...
"It's not what you play, it's what you play with"--this slogan was seen in a music store... perhaps this is the way band directors try to convince musicians to join the marching band?
While in the same mucis store, the owner's phone rang. Wann aknow his ringtone? "Oh, Susanna"--Now the yodeling train porter doesn't sem so outlandish... wait... yes he does...
One hotel advertised: "Smoke Rooms Available"--Is that a light hint of mesquite or maybe applewood that I smell?
There are pieces of wisdom painted all over the road offering driving insights. We saw this one yesterday: "Driving Faster Can Cause Disaster"--slamming on your brakes and short-stopping can also... we know... after almost 4 weeks in this country (last year and this), we got nailed in the right rear by a motorcycle (If I were as good as Josh, I could add the picture of our tail light... but I'm not, so imagine paint scrapes... a little ding... and a cracked tail light...)
And, finally--"Decorate Your Home With Handicrafts Bring Divinity Down From Heaven"--I almost bout a 1.25 million rupee elephant after I read this one...