We Made It

As my GPS loves to say, we have reached our final destination! And it is so good to be here.

Our time in the Delhi airport will certainly not be our fondest memory of the trip, but it could have been worse. The breakfast that was supposed to be out at 4:30 a.m. in the lounge finally arrived close to 5:30, so we scarfed down a few bites before heading to our gate where we were supposed to board at 5:55. As we came down the escalator, we were really surprised to not see what we think of as traditional gates, more like several different sections of winding waiting lines. When we arrived at "Gate" 10, the sign said that it was already boarding. We presented our passes at the front of the line and were ushered out the door to a shuttle bus that was going to take us to the plane, presumably out on the runway.

This might not strike you as funny as it did us after traveling for 30+ hours, but this is the picture Jeff took when we arrived at the plane, literally 20 yards away from where we got on the bus. We were cracking up. I can see the logic in not wanting all these people crossing a pretty busy little area, but it would have been far less busy without all the shuttle busses. It made us think of the Andy Griffith episode where Barney escorts Jim Lindsey via siren and police car two doors down from where they started. We could not stop laughing for a while.

Shortly after we boarded the flight attendants began shutting the overhead compartments and we were really surprised because the plane was less than a third full. It turned out to be right though and we were able to spread out a little bit. It was a nice way to end the journey. This is the view taking off from Delhi.When we arrived, our friends Chuckoo, Joseph and Ramesh were waiting for us. They took one look at us and suggested that we go straight to the hotel to get some rest. We couldn't have agreed more with that one, although I hated to let them go so soon after reuniting. But it gave us some time to get unpacked, grab some breakfast and showers. Jeff and I both crashed for a little over three hours, which I'm hoping will not turn out to have been a mistake. Mistake or not, it couldn't be helped.

The time passed quickly and we were back in the van headed to church. Things have changed a little at Baptist Church Hyderabad in the form of a fresh paint job. As Chuckoo says, it's now easy to see from the road!

The first picture I posted shows a better shot of the banner Chuckoo put together to advertise the youth conference. The graphics are amazing and I am so impressed with all of the details I've seen so far that have gone into putting this together. I am eager to see the final result.

Speaking of banners, here's one Jeff and I made it on to. We're special guests. :) (And it goes to show that pictures you put on Facebook may not stay on Facebook!)

We were so happy to be able to participate in the English service tonight. It always amazes me to realize that 2 1/2 hours have passed by the time we are finished. Great worship, prayer and time in the Word. Our friend Moses preached the sermon tonight and did a fantastic job. I was really impressed with him.

Here's the youth choir singing one of the numbers they've been rehearsing for Saturday. They have been practicing so hard. In fact, they have an all-day rehearsal tomorrow that I'm hoping to get to sit in for part of. If you know me, you know it's hard for me to sit and listen to a choir doing praise and worship without jumping up there with them, but I practiced restraint. We'll see how long that lasts though. ;)
Jeff and I couldn't help but think about the 9:30 service happening at Station Hill right around the time that we were wrapping up evening worship. The choir was making its debut as a regular Sunday worship choir, and I can't wait to hear how that went. We were with you in spirit!

After church we were treated to a lovely dinner by the youth leaders who have been on the committee for the conference this year. Four beautiful girls whose names I badly butchered verbally and won't even attempt to reproduce in written form. They were so gracious, though, and we had a great meal before returning to our hotel.

All right, my Ambien is starting to kick in so I better move over to the bed. Here's to a full night's sleep in prone position. That sounds like heaven.

Love from India...