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 3)

At 2:30 AM we arrived in Hyderabad.  It took at least another hour to find our luggage; Richard’s checked suit case never arrived.  At 4:00 AM, we laid our heads down on pillows to get a few hours rest.  Now it’s 8:00 AM Hyderabad time and I’m wide awake.  It’s funny how just a few hours of laying down and resting can revive a person.

The city hasn’t changed much in a year.  The same terrible things I saw from last time are still here.  People with deformities are begging in the streets.  Dozens of grown adults lay trying to stay warm under store awnings just wanting a decent nights rest.  It makes me wonder how so many people can be in the same sad situation.  Is it a lack of will that keeps them in the streets?  Have they just grown so accustomed to begging that they just won’t do anything else?

Last night a boy came up to our group begging for money.  His arm was so mangled and gnarley looking.  It wasn’t bad enough that his hand appeared to be drawn up – but his fingers were bent toward a misplaced wrist, the opposite direction of his palm.  His arm formed almost an “S” which should be impossible with a human arm; but there it was.  The boy said nothing, he just kept putting that poor, freakish hand up to his mouth as if to say “eat, eat.”  You could almost get the impression he knew how bad his arm looked and he used it to his greatest advantage.  I felt so bad for this guy.  How in the world can men live this way?

Today’s schedule is some what up in the air.  Sush and Damodar are supposed to pick us up at around 10.  That is all we know for certain at this point.  I’m missing home already.

We’ve arrived at our “hostel” in a different town than last year.  It’s better than the one in Khummum I think.  We all have plenty of room and the room itself seems cool enough.  Though right now it’s pretty warm everywhere.  I’m probably just a little nervous.  We’re getting ready to go out and preach in just one village Sush said; though I’ll not be surprized if it turns out to be two or three.  I hope I can remember how to do this.  Lisa Forehand I believe will be accompanying me.  She’s about to see a side of me she’s never seen before…

Indeed, not just one village, but three.  The evangelism went well.  A couple of dozen people expressed an interest in becoming Christians.  I learned a couple of things myself.  Lisa did good as well.  Tomorrow will be a long day, but right now I am so tired the week looks as though it will never end.  I’ll shower in the morning…

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.