Waking Up

Recently my wife and I have been talking about losing weight.  We both would like to look better, but I personally feel like I lack any real discipline to look the way I would actually like to.  I know that doesn’t sound very positive, and hey I said we’ve been TALKING about it, not that we were committed to anything just yet.  Meditating upon these thoughts and attitudes though, I wonder, when would I ever look or feel my best if not now?  Why not start?  A person only lives once, and it’s not like I’m going to feel like doing this kind of thing when I’m any older.

I think for the past 8 to 9 months my brain has been on auto pilot.  I haven’t thought much about anything besides work, and when I’m home I just veg out.  I am happy to say though, that God is graceful and patient.  He has always been there, nudging me through hard times (and in my mind it seems that’s all there has been in the past year).  There’s been different thoughts forming in my mind though, thoughts once again of India, and missions, discipleship  and writing again!  LIFE!

A good cowboy friend once told me that anything good worth doing is never easy.  Jesus said that difficult and narrow is the path that leads to life.  I think I’m learning all over again that complacency, being comfortable is not the best thing.  Sometimes, we even have to determine in our hearts to sacrifice that we might have a little more of who we should be in the Lord.  I think I’m actually starting to wake up, and right now, life looks pretty good. 

Karen and I just might get creative with this weight thing…ultimately though, there will be discipline, spiritually and physically.

We’ve been learning a lot about the Holy Spirit in Sunday School class lately.  I believe for one of the first times in my life, that I’m sensing His hand here, working well in my family. 

Thank you Lord for your love and patience…

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 10)

Karen has never looked more beautiful than when she did as I turned the corner of that airplane terminal.  I hugged and squeezed her, kissed her, and hugged and squeezed her some more.  All of our families and friends were there at the airport waiting on us.  It’s good to be home.

I’m thankful to God that I’m not sick this time around.  Though I think my stomach is having a harder time digesting food from home than I originally thought it would.  Karen was able to work while I was gone and was making some money.  It seems our washing machine, barely over a year old, shot craps along with our DVD player, also no older than a year.  No big deal though.  Karen bought a new DVD player and we’ll get the washer fixed.  We have folks who will let us do laundry at their house if we need too.

The boys are at mom’s house tonight as it is still their holiday break from school.  We’ll get them on the fifth.  I can’t wait to see them.  All seems well at home and the weather is unseasonably beautiful.

Karen gave me a new journal for Christmas this year.  I’ve been writing in it the entire trip as that’s what she bought it for.  I’m having a difficult time deciding whether or not I will continue to write my own daily thoughts in it while here at home.  Life is a journey, that’s for certain, and some days are not as exciting as others.  Even on a mission trip though, some days are not as exciting as others.  Life is so “daily,” someone once said, and it may do some good to keep a continuous flow of thought through this journal specifically as I’ve already started it through the New Year.

The mission trip is finished; I look forward to going back.  Yet life goes on while still at home.  Today is the first day of the rest of my life, the first day of eternity from here on out.  I’d like to live in a way and seize each moment like this, making things fresh and new when I can.  Praise God for His goodness, grace, and might.  I love you Lord, Amen.

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 9)

This morning started as a typical morning for us.  We woke up early – not because we wanted to, but because we were all awake, again.  We were showered in record time as the water was extremely cold this morning.  Breakfast was at 9, the atmosphere was a bit more relaxed for the team because they knew there was nothing they personally had to preach or teach today.  Though Jana got sick last night and didn’t feel much like eating.  Sush has been getting sick too…

After breakfast we all went to our rooms where we were donned with another fancy Indian outfit. This was much nicer than the ones they bought us last year.  However, they were all too small.  Only I could get the shirt buttoned all the way down, but I was uncomfortable with that.  Steve and Richard were in the same boat.  Sush asked that we instead wear then more like sport coats and that worked out fine.

Pastor Steve baptized about 20 believers and then the fan fare began.  There was a huge procession for the six of us.  It was complete with “stick dancers” and traditional Banjara tribal dancers.  There were so many of them.  We walked through a huge parade of people dancing and singing.  Flowers were being thrown in the air on us and all around us.  They gave us more flowers to place around our necks.  I’ve never seen so many colors and heard so much noise as these humble village people escorted us to the front of a huge tent.  There we heard more music and were entertained by the best of the stick dancers.  They danced and sang to music as each one of them had two wooden sticks in each hand which they clicked and clacked together as they weaved past each other in dance.  Each on wore a red bandana as a headband; signifying the type of entertainer they were.  Most of these dancers were young men, no older than 21, but there were 3 ladies there who were just as skilled as the men.  Banjara dancers were next, three women who danced and balanced big liter sized bottles of water on their heads.  One of these women we’ve been watching all week.  She has this look of absolute confidence on her face when she dances; almost a look of smugness.  She never has this look any other time except when she dances.  It’s pretty amusing.

Pastor Steve gave a message and brought the gospel to a lot of people who have come from the thandas.  Some we preached to in the village, some are church members who came and wanted to say goodbye to us.  Still others were just people who had heard the noise and came to see what the commotion was all about.  Steve gave an invitation, though it was not clear as to whether people heard the gospel and were responding to the Holy Spirit working conviction of their sins, or if everybody simply was coming to receive prayer for healing and blessing.  The Banjara are a very superstitious people, and it would be easy to see how they would think “white people” could pray for them and all would be well.  The whole group prayed for those who came, believing and hoping they were coming for salvation.

After those services we had lunch.  EVERYONE had lunch.  There was a huge amount of food being served to a huge amount of people.  Rice and chicken were on the menu as usual.  Though I learned most of these people don’t get the chicken on a daily basis, all they ever have any abundance of is rice.  I couldn’t imagine it.  Sush called it a “chicken feast,” and that it was.  There were so many Banjara people; I hope our visit did them well and that Christ’s message will not be obscured by the “white folks from America” who came to tell it.

After lunch we finished packing and tried to nap before leaving for the city to do some shopping and then going to the airport.  It wasn’t easy to sleep as we knew we were going home.  We got one more cold shower in hopes that we could stay clean through the biggest part of our journey.

Goodbyes were quick thank goodness.  Many of those I was saying goodbye to I had not personally spoken to all week long, but they were all tearful just the same.  These people love us so much.  Sudakar, Damodar’s brother, who served us meals all week long, was about to break down while we were saying goodbye.  And Damodar’s mother had huge tears in her eyes.  That was hardest for me; seeing this woman who barely knew us weep over such simple servants of the Lord.  We were there to serve her and she served us one thousand times over by just being there, to love us and listen, to dance, to sing or just to smile as many, many others did the same all week long.  We will be missing some very good friends.

Thinking on the trip home about the events of the day and the past week; I can’t help but say that I’ll miss the fellowship more than anything.  We had so many good times with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We did our best to serve one another and I’ve learned that this is a major part in fellowship in the Lord.  These beautiful people treat us as though we are heroes or celebrities.  They make big banners in order to announce our comings and goings and they make sure every need is met according to their best ability so that we soft Americans are as comfortable as we can be.  They see us as leaving homes thousands of miles away as being the biggest, most important events of our lives.  To some, it is.  To me, it is; not because I am any type of hero, but because it takes a huge amount of faith in the Lord to get there and to get through it.  Money, time, lessons, embarrassment at times, sickness at times, fears to conquer, love to risk and even the chance of never seeing your loved ones again, back home and in the mission field; at least not until we all get to Heaven.  All of these must be considered and take faith in the Lord just to get by and step out toward that visit to the Banjara people.  It seems the people of India understand that, though they may never understand the specific details.

Now, going home, which has been a remarkably smooth ride (I slept 6 hours of our first 8 hour flight) I realize I’m heading back to a place where my words will not mean near as much as they do in India.  Among my own people, I am just like they are.  I am equal and not held on a pedestal.  People will categorize the words I speak for the Lord as being with those they respect, like they would a dear pastor or a youth minister, but rarely will those words be taken to heart.  No, at home, in America, there must always be more than words, but there also must be action.  People love to be put up on a pedestal, they love to be made to feel important, as though what their words say mean something to those around them.  They SHOULD mean something.  The very fact that intelligible words are coming from the voice that God gave them should mean that someone is listening, especially when it’s someone from home who can relate to them.  If this trip has taught me anything, it is that when the very least among men is speaking, the very least among believers should be listening.  Open hearts should be among us, so we might seek a way to bring men, women, and children to the saving grace of our Lord and then the sanctifying favor from He who we have found and adore.  I personally realize just how much we are called to serve among believers and unbelievers alike, even when serving just means listening.

As for the fellowship among my brothers in Christ who went on this trip, we have all grown closer.  Richard, whom I didn’t really know very well, will now be a life long friend as we have served together and realize we see much more eye to eye than what we ever believed.  It was regrettable though, to the both of us that we never took time out before to get to know one another.

Sometimes people have preconceived ideas about another person and often times they let those ideas keep them from stepping out in faith to get to know them.  I believe Richard realized that he never knew me.  Well, not to the point he does now.  The same can be said about me with him.  Yet I was apologetic and let him know that I’m shy as it is.  Because of that, there are few we serve in the church with who do know me as well as he does now.

Steve, my pastor, friend and mentor is looking at these mission trips now with comfort and casualness.  He understands the urgency of souls needing to be reached fro Christ, but there is now comfort ability in what he does when he goes to India.  He is not as apprehensive as he once was about teaching and preaching to people he doesn’t know.  Now he sees all of them as just needing Jesus Christ and that’s giving him a drive to come back again and again.  May I also learn to step out of my comfort zone until it becomes comfortable for me as well.

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 8)

Our teaching sessions ended this evening.  I almost hated for them too, the lessons I mean.  I’ve had so much fun teaching the Pastors of Banjara.  They are so attentive to what I have to say.  To what we ALL have had to say.

Steve has taught all his lessons on church planting, and they are not what a person might expect.  I know I was surprized at what he is teaching; though I don’t know why, all he taught we’ve discussed before.  I guess I had just forgotten what I once had learned.  Steve taught starting churches “the Master’s Way.”  Through a “person of peace” and then after that, theach them to observe those things that I was teaching about, disciplines through the wheel. 

“The Master’s Way” of discipleship is what we called my portion of lessons.  These were ALL methods in which Jesus showed his disciples during his time with them on earth.  Taking in the Word, praying, fellowship, and witnessing centered around the person of Jesus Christ.  All of these of course come after we surrender our lives to Him.  I went through a wheel illustration made up by Dawson Trotman, teaching the four very basic disciplines that every follower of Christ should have.

Richard’s been teaching personal evangelism, “witnessing the Master’s Way.”  He showed us how to use the Ten Commandments as a school master to show us our sin and how to use tracts as a witnessing tool.  He was nervous, but he did just great…I was nervous too.  We found that most of our lessons came across really well any time we involved the men in our exercises in a role playing fashion.  They played in skits, they drew pictures, they laughed and at one point I cried.  Once I had 5 of them laying in the floor piled on top of eachother to tell a parable Jesus taught about prayer.  These times were so precious and the Lord provided so much to say.  I can’t express my joy at these new and old friends we have made.  They are so open and honest and lively.  I love their culture.

Tonight was a night for singing and dancing.  Steve got some of it on video.  It was a lot of fun.

We just finished dinner with a Catholic priest who owns the hostel we’ve been staying in.  It was a fine meal but our normal Indian friends were not around.  Tomorrow we get to sleep in, which is a blessing, and then we have one last service to say farewell and then we are heading home.  I’m ready.

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 7)

It’s New Year’s Day and I’ve never spent one like this before, half way around the world teaching and preaching the gospel.  I appreciate the Lord’s grace in being here, though I miss Karen and the boys very much.  I hope she’s not upset that I’ve not called again.  I tried twice now a couple of days but wasn’t able to reach her.  Sush has not brought it up again so I’ve not asked; it’s so expensive to make international phone calls.  It’s fine I’m sure.  Karen would appreciate hearing from me, but has the strength to wait until I’m home.  I hope her New Year’s Eve went alright.  Maybe family was able to call her. 

Last night was a night I’ll never forget.  We had a service from 11 PM to 1 AM.  There was lots of singing and dancing.  A couple of the Banjara women were dressed in their traditional Banjara gypsy garb.  Steve taught a small message and there were gift exchanges and cake and everything wholesome in brotherly and sisterly love.  

Steve started preaching about 10 minutes to midnight and got about 7 minutes into it and the electricity cut off.  Apparantly the government here does this in order to save energy for the country.  It stayed off for about 3 minutes while everyone sang and when the light came on, it was midnight.  It was a great celebration.  The people (rather than kiss) stuff cake in their friend’s mouths.  I had a mouthfull before I could object.  Richard nearly choked…it was pretty funny.  We received cards and key chains and even rearview mirror ornaments.  These are such a loving people.

Richard got his suitcase last night.  It was like Christmas all over again for him since the airport had lost his luggage and he had to do without for a few days.

The girls are doing well too.  There is so much more laughter this trip because of them being here.  I wish my wife was here.

My lessons that I taught went well today.  Steve and Richard’s too.  I taught on ”Jesus the Hub” of the Christian Wheel.  God is so good in providing words to say.  I can’t describe how much he has blessed.  Damodar said I have improved in giving messages since last year.  I appreciated it so much.  He said if I remained in India, I’m going to be named “Bishop.”  I’m proud he said it, I’ll admit it, but still – that’s quite a compliment coming from him.

Tonight is a night for relaxing.  I’ve played some volleyball and visited with Sush and Damodar and Richard.  Dinner will be served soon.  Tonight, here on the roof of this hostel, my thoughts are with my wife.

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 6)

Today is New Year’s Eve.  Sush asked Steve to say a prayer at midnight to bring in the new year.  Besides that they have nothing else they say that they will be doing.  I assume there will be a lot of singing and dancing.

I realized I’ve not commented much on the girl’s lately…

Julie is loving this experience.  She loves to spend time with the children, playing games with them and dancing with the Banjara men and women.  The food may not be settling with her though.  Jana is doing well too.  Always with her light sense of humor she makes us all smile.  She misses home, like we all do.  She’s been hugging a lot more than I remember her doing lately.  It’s strange how a mission trip like this brings a family closer together.  Yesterday she got to put the Banjara’s traditional dress on.  Steve got some pictures of it.  She looked – different, to say the least.  Lisa is doing good too.  She always sings, she does have a pretty voice and uses it to find common ground with these people, half way around the world.  Her and Anand, our translator have been singing together.  Anand loves English praise and worship songs.  He speaks english very well.

Today we went sight seeing with Sush and Sudakar, Damodar’s brother and he’s also the guy that’s been serving us food all week long.  We saw some waterfalls and monkeys.  We also tried some sweet lime juice and some wonderful roasted peanuts, they were GREAT!  Both were a refreshing change from chicken and rice.  I got some good pictures of the monkeys, Dakota and Trevor will like them I hope.

We also taught our first lessons today.  We shared our testimony and gave general overviews of our lessons we’ll be teaching for the next couple of days.  So many were pleased with the lessons and testimonies we all gave.  I am glad they turned out well, but I wish they wouldn’t “gush” so much over what a good job we do.  I tend to get prideful in situations like that.

Tonight there will be a service from 11 PM to 1 AM, I am told to bring in the New Year.  We, thankfully don’t have to teach anything.  But 1 AM is going to make life hard for the first day of the year.  No matter, the Lord is in control now.  Satan has tried to stop the messages we’re going to be teaching but he cannot.  The Lord has delivered us from his hands.

It’s been a relaxing evening so far.  I’ve been able to get to know Richard a little better as the three guys…me, Steve and Richard have been able to just visit with each other tonight.  Julie and Lisa and maybe Jana are downstairs getting painted.  “Hannah” they call it.  Them being here has been good for Sush and the other women.  It is good fellowship they’ve had this week.  I’m enjoying a “natural” toothbrush (according to Sush) right now.  The sticks I’ve seen these guys chewing and brushing their teeth with are not half bad.  Steve pulled one down for me because I’m to short to reach it (says he, well, he’s probably right).  I’ve been gnawing on this thing for the past hour.  A little bitter, but all in all, not a bad pass-time.

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 5)

Today is the last day of preaching in the villages (thandas).  It’s also Sunday, which means worship services will be going on.  Lisa and I stop with our group to preach in a thanda before going to a church service.  An old Banjara friend of ours is pastoring the church we visited.  I met Pastor Baloo Naik in Khammum last time we came to India.  It thrills my heart to know this man is still following the Lord, and his congregation is growing.  I asked our interpreter on the way to the service how many people he was expecting.  He said only a few, there weren’t too many believers out there; but when we turned the corner and saw at least 30 people sitting waiting for us, he said “Oh!  There are many Banjara believers in this area!” 

The church service went great.  Anand, our interpreter who has informed us his name means “Happy” in Hindi, explained to us that “where two or three are gathered together” there the Lord is with them.  So these 30 men and women, began to pray, very loudly, all at the same time.  Some shouted, some whispered, some chanted, but there was no doubt that the Lord would be there.  Later I heard someone from our mission trip say about the experience that it might have been what God hears when he listens to all of us pray.  It was wonderful to see them taking the scripture so literally.  A Banjara woman evangelist gave a long testimony after that, and then I preached to them…I gave my “3rd spoke” lesson a trial run and found that the lesson on fellowship was a pretty clear message.  People understood it and appreciated it.  Not that I was the one who put this together.  The Lord did that.  I sometimes forget that it’s through Him that a message is communicated. 

Pastor Baloo and his wife were so sweet to us.  After the service they provided a bed for us to sit on and rest for a few minutes before they took us inside their home to pray.  Then we went to their church building which seemed so small for the size of the congregation that had gathered today.  The size of that room couldn’t have been any bigger than the bathroom we had back at the hostel.

I tried to call Karen again tonight, again she didn’t answer.  I wondered where she was and looked at my watch to realize I’m 12 hours ahead of her, it’s 9:45 AM back home, she’s in church!  Duh…it’s Sunday for her and the boys right now and they are in Sunday school.  She’s a good wife.  I miss her and the boys very much but also realize my wife is capable of handling just about anything, so I don’t worry.

During our share service tonight I found there were about 6 or 7 people who came to know the Lord in thandas today.  It’s always hard for me to tell.  Nageesh, a huge Indian pastor who I got to know some last year, kept track of names of those who were new believers.  They do this so they can go back and follow-up and feed the new born Christians.  Note for myself next time though – ASK how many are coming to know the Lord and keep track throughout the days we’re preaching.  Write it down even.  Damodar is asking the Americans how many were saved and I’m finding I have no clue who’s accepting the Lord and who’s not.  The very presence of Damodar seems to be one of a gentle nature but also one of respect and authority.  I almost felt ashamed that I didn’t know how many were saved just because I respect the guy so much.  I’ll make sure and know the the next time I come.

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 4)

It’s 6 AM and I’ve been awake off and on for at least 3 hours.  I have a head ache too.  I’m thinking my sinuses are starting to clog up.  I prayed about it and it seems to be a little better.

Something about my attitude this year.  I find I’m missing home more and sooner than I did the last time around.  I know I don’t care for it much – my attitude that is.  So I’m trying to change it.  I’m trying not to complain out loud, in fact, I’ve been pretty quiet just to keep from it.  It might be that we just need to get back into the swing of things.

Pastor Steve has been telling about his dreams lately.  He’s had several; most are comical but last night was a little disturbing he said.  He doesn’t have any premise for dreaming the things he has. 

He spoke about walking down to our open air dining area and being beaten by and Indian man there.  After that he dreamed about a beast, a serpent like demon with a chainsaw who he had no choice but to fight with for exactly one hour.  Otherwise the demon would cut him up with his chainsaw and eat both he and his friends.  The first action Pastor took was to pick up a card table but found that was no good against a demon with a working chainsaw.  So he took a different approach and began singing praise and worship songs.  There were other Banjara pastors and friends who encircled the fight and he encouraged them to sing as well.  Upon hearing the songs, the beast was defeated and he was unable to fight.

Pastor thought that maybe the Lord was trying to warn him about spiritual warfare sometime this week.  I usually don’t put much stock into dreams.  But in this country, I would expect God to do anything.  This entire process this time around – from getting money to being here today, battling this headache - seems like a never ending battle; so I don’t know what to expect this week.

Lisa and I are on the road now.  We just stopped for a drink of water.  Well…they did anyway.  We can’t drink this water.  The villages we went to so far are the most remote I have seen both this year and last year.  The gospel message we’ve preached has been pretty much the same approach as last year, teach creation to the ressurection, giving a simple plan of salvation as “all of sinned” and showing them they are separated from God willfully and belieing in Christ is that bridge to everlasting life because He is the son of God.  Lisa has been giving a short testimony and helping play a few games with the kids.  That is one thing I’ve noticed here, you embrace the people’s children and they embrace you and your words.  Several Banjara men and women have come forward wanting to be believers; that and be prayed for about their health issues and finances.

Lisa fell ill on the way back to the hostel tonight, she was sick to her stomach.  Her neck was sunburned pretty bad, so she may have just got too much sun.  Might have been the car ride.  I don’t blame her, I had to take a motion sickness pill too.

All in all the trip is going well.  There was one instance today that I thought we might have a fight on our hands.  A man did not want us preaching Jesus in HIS village.  The man is apparrantly a big time idol worshiper and he’s the elder who gets all the cash and sacrifices offered to the temple from his village.  One of the pastors in our group has preached there 3 times before and a man there converted to Christ and quit offering money and sacrifices to the idols as he’s taking a stand for Jesus.  The elder of the village was furious because he told the pastor not to come back.  Now, he shows up with white people from America preaching Jesus.  I thought fists were going to fly, but was able to talk them into leaving as Christ told us to ”shake the dust from our feet” and move on.  

The pastor who had been there before said when they go around and sing praises in Christ’s name in the villages, it drives out evil spirits. The demons of idol worship are defeated and powerless when the songs are sung so the Holy Spirit then has room to work and people will quit worshipping idols and quit drinking.  Sounds a lot like Steve’s dream doesn’t it?

I fell asleep after we got back from visiting the thandas.  Sush woke us up to come visit and share our experiences in the villages.  I made it through but my head was pounding.  I don’t know if my head has ever hurt that bad.  I was dizzy and started feeling sick to my stomach because of the pain.  I couldn’t eat anything or even write like I wanted too.  Sush offered for me to call Karen and the boys as everyone else had called their family.  I got the answering machine.  I asked her to pray for me because of the headache that I was dealing with.  I went to bed just sick.  Whatever happened, the headache was better by morning.  Maybe God allows things like that to happen because He wants us to know the love and support of our family through prayers.  I have no doubt Karen was praying the moment she heard the message on the machine.  I will covet her prayers specifically from now on. 

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 2)

I’m not certain I’ve recorded the date correctly in my journal or not.  Based on where we are in the air and all that I’m not real sure what day it is.  All went well in Amsterdam.  We were finally able to stretch our legs for a few moments before boarding our connecting flight to Hyderabad.  There sure are a lot of souvenirs i would have liked to take home to Karen, but it would just be more dead weight to carry while traveling.  Maybe I can get her something a bit lighter than porcelain or wooden shoes, pearls maybe.  There are a few advantages to being a missionary in the world’s capital for pearls.

Sleep came FINALLY!  I took a three hour power nap when we first boarded the plane heading for Hyderabad.  My brain seems to be functioning properly once more.  I was able to write some additional notes down for my lesson on the 3rd spoke of the discipleship wheel.  Thoughts came to me that weren’t necessarily there before.

I keep looking at my watch, I’m not sure why, all it tells me is what time it is in Oklahoma.  Right now it’s 12:09 PM back home.  I imagine the boys are probably playing with their Christmas toys.  Karen is probably doing something to keep herself busy.  Maybe she’s making the kids’ lunch.  The time away from them already seems like forever.

This flight has had some of the nicest flight attendants yet.  They certainly try to make you feel comfortable.  One stewardess is a bit sassy though.  This flight is laid back too.  I’ve never been on a plane where so many people are just standing and walking around and visiting.  It makes it crowded at times, but people are polite to move as best they can when you need to get past them.  I’ve met a nice Indian man who has had a few too many scotch and sodas, he’s friendly and apparantly approves of the way I keep a journal of our journeys.  Almost there I hope…

Banjara For Christ Mission 2007-2008 (Day 1)

Our destination is Hyderabad, India – in the province of Andreh Pradesh.  We plan to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Banjara tribe of India.  Pastor Damodar and his wife Sush are making all necessary arrangements for our arrival and we have done what we can to prepare.  I’ve spent the last few nights working on outlines for the lessons that I will be teaching while there; I still have two more outlines to create.

I was telling Jana, a woman from our church who is going to be working with the Banjara pastor’s wives and children, that this seems like a dream.  Things have been happening so fast and time has passed so quickly.  Though I’ve known about this trip for months, and have been working and praying and asking that provisions will be made for the trip, it is still hard to believe they were and we are now on our way.

There are six of us going on this mission trip:  myself, Janna, who I’ve already mentioned, Pastor Steve, Richard, Julie (Richard’s daughter) and Lisa.  This is Steve’s fourth year to go, this is my second.  The rest of the group, it is their first.  But they are hopeful and happy to be aboard.  I’m happy to have them.  This will be the first time women from our church ahve come along since Steve has been coming to India, we look forward to seeing how they contribute.

The plan is to fly from Tulsa to Memphis, have an hour and a half lay over and then fly another 9 hours to Amsterdam; have another hour and a half and then fly another 9 hours to Hyderabad.  Experience has proven I will be in “la-la land” as far as what the actual time is until I am in India.  I’ll keep my watch set by the time at home until we get to our final destination.  This way I will at least have an idea as to what Karen and the boys are doing while I’m away (sleeping, working, etc.).

We are on our way!  Karen dropped me off and saw I made it throgh security before she left.  I sure am missing her already.  Our flight was delayed.  I personally am not surprized as it is the day after Christmas.  Still…it bodes ill.  We can only handle so much of a delay or we’ll miss our connecting flight and when you only have an hour and a half, each minute seems to be precious since you’ll be on a plane for 9 hours at a time.

Okay…had to check one of my carry ons, not planned but still not surprized, the delay gave us only about 20 minutes to get our checked carry ons and jump on our connecting flight in Memphis.  Problem is, the checked carry ons weren’t right there waiting!  Steve ran on ahead with Julie and Jana.  Me, Richard and Lisa stayed behind for the bags, and man…we barely made it on board!  Pastor Steve thought for sure the plane was going to be leaving without us.  Thank the Lord it didn’t!  The airport in Memphis is BIG!  We were all out of breath once we boarded.

At first it appeared I was going to be sitting in the middle with Richard on the flight to Amsterdam, not that this is a bad thing – but sitting in the middle with ANYONE on a 9 hour flight is no fun.  This type of trip requires leg room and that’s hard to get when you don’t get an aisle seat.  Fortunately, Steve had an extra aisle seat open next to him and offered it to me.  I had more room; Richard had more room, and it worked out great.  As of right now we only have a little over 2 hours left on this flight, maybe we’ll have a chance to stretch our legs this time around.