I'm almost dreading this post, because by the end of it I'll be finished conveying the day-to-day experiences that I had in India. But since I've almost been home two weeks, it's probably time to do so. Wow, I can't believe I've been home that long. Exactly this time two weeks ago I was boarding a plane somewhere around 2:00 in the morning in India getting ready for a really long commute. Even crazier, it's getting close to a month since I left for India. That doesn't even seem possible.


Anyway, back to our day of departure. On Thursday morning, we had the privilege of leading around 400 kids at a Sunday school retreat. But this wasn't just ordinary Sunday school. These kids were bussed off to a pretty awesome resort, so they were ready for some fun by the time they got there. This is the sign that greeted us on arrival.

When we walked up to the pavilion where the kids were, they were all jamming to some praise and worship music. They were so excited to see us coming, and we were thrilled to be there. Since it was a holiday in India, many of the children's parents were there, too, so it was a big crowd.

When we first arrived, our team kind of sat over to the side to wait our turn. There were announcements and other good things that needed to be taken care of. We laughed when someone said, "Please don't get hurt and spoil everyone's fun." I couldn't imagine hearing that over here, but it didn't seem to raise an eyebrow. There's something so peaceful about a non-litigatory society.


After a word from Pastor Kim Cox, I had the opportunity to lead the kids in a few activities. First, I taught them the words and motions to the song "Great Big God." At this point, they couldn't get my CD to work, so it was just me and the microphone - so not in my comfort zone! But they picked up the motions well and seemed to enjoy it.

After the song, I told the story of Caleb and Joshua coming back from the Promised Land. We talked about being scared when something is in front of you that seems really huge, but how we can have peace knowing that God is in control and He promises to take care of us. We never need to be afraid. We all memorized Isaiah 41:10 together, "God says, 'Do not fear, for I am with you.'"

At this point, I told them I thought we might have some visitors. Ashley stood up and started reading a narrative about Joshua and Caleb, and then Jeremy, Nelson and Roger all came in dressed like spies and did a little scene enactment about listening to God and believing He would do what he promised. They did great, and the kids really seemed to have fun with it.

And then one of my favorite moments of the whole trip sprung out of the blue. I asked the kids if they would sing "Great Big God" with me again. They all seemed happy to do so, and by this point the CD was working. Once they heard the music, it was like the whole thing just clicked and they were loving it! When the song finished, I turned around and some of the youth were pumping their fists going, "One more time!" So we did it again. And then we did it again. On the third time, JD grabbed the mike and told all the parents to stand up and join their children. Actually, he had me say it first, and no one listened to me. But when he said it, they obliged. And it was one of the most beautiful times of family worship I have ever encountered.

We ended up singing the thing four times. And this is not a short song we're talking about. But the looks of utter abandonment on everyone's faces and the sheer bliss of praising the Father made a deep mark on my heart. It was a moment of complete joy, and I will never forget it. Laura actually posted some video on You Tube, so you can see it for yourself here. The last time through we had some of the kids on stage helping us, so those are the backs of the heads you see. I wish you could see the faces of the youth, because they are the ones I remember most clearly. They know how to worship the Lord!

Here's our team with the Sunday School director. I wish you could see the sign behind us. Our names are huge along the bottom. It was hilarious.

As soon as Pastor Samuel arrived and spoke to the families, the kids were dismissed to go to the water park. A few of them chose to play cricket, which blew my mind because it was so hot. But who can explain boys and sports in any culture?

I was amazed to get over to the pool and see that the kids had jumped in fully clothed. They don't do bathing suits. It was such a stark contrast of cultures, and I must say a welcome one. They actually had two different pools where the boys and girls were supposed to be separated, but I don't think it turned out quite that way. But it was hilarious to watch the kids playing around with all their clothes on.

Did I mention that Laura is a sucker for the children? Yes, this is her soaking wet after being coaxed in. Hilarious! :)


After the retreat, we left and headed back towards the hotel. We knew it was time to pack, and we were dreading it. We stopped at restaurant for our last authentic Indian meal. I haven't eaten Indian food since that day, and I'm actually craving it. There's supposedly a few Indian restaurants around here, but I'll have to take Sarah with me so I know what to order. Whatever we ate that day was super spicy, though, and they brought out this really cold yogurt drink to go with it. My stomach disagreed with this meal, but I think it could have been a lot worse.


After a few hours at the hotel, we headed back to the church because we still hadn't had a tour of the orphanage. Last year when Kim and the exploratory team went, the conditions at the orphanage were in desperate need of some help. Thanks to a private donor at BBC, I think $85,000 was sent specifically to help bring up the standards. Each girl now has her own locker, and there was fresh paint on all the walls. Here's a few pics of where these precious 50 girls live.

We discovered while talking with Sarah's mom that it costs about $400 a year per child. Kim began brainstorming about the possibilities of a sort of sponsorship program through our church where we could "adopt" the girls and take care of their finances. I love the idea and hope that we are able to make it happen. Here is Kim with the orphanage director. She is an answer to prayer since this time last year, because Sarah's mom used to run the place herself.

After leaving the church for the last time, it was back to the hotel to finish getting our things together. We were tired, and not looking forward to the journey ahead of us. There was a sense of sadness over leaving, even though we were ready to get home to our friends and family. We just wished there was a way to do it without the 36-hour commute.

Sarah's parents came to the hotel, along with several of the elders that we had spent so much time with. This time they brought us each beautiful shawls. The generosity of these people was overwhelming. They are truly givers, in every sense of the word. I learned so much from them.

Just looking at their faces makes me long to return. I believe in my heart that I will go back. It's just up to the Lord to tell me when. I'll be there.

As we left for the airport around 10:30, we had our very own one-man motorcade. Emmanuel escorted us on his bike all the way. It added a whole new level of terror to the driving to see someone that we knew and loved out there in it on a bike. But he made it just fine, as I'm sure it wasn't the first time he'd braved the roads.

We waited at the airport for several hours before heading out around 2:30 in the morning. There's not really anything to say after that. We eventually got back (well, Nelson a day after us thanks to United's fine planning capabilities.) The rest is history.

I've been so amazed to hear from people who were able to keep up with our trip through the blog. I'm thankful that the tool is out there, and that our trip was able to be much bigger than the nine of us who actually made the journey. I feel that this part of my life is far from over. Now I'm just looking forward to seeing where God takes it from here.

This is Holy Week, and I don't think I've ever been as fully aware of God's saving grace and His amazing love for His children. How else could He have made such a sacrifice for such imperfect people? I adore Him. I hope you do too.