Traveling Adventures, 1/9 - 1/17

Rickshaws, Trains, and Automobiles...
Chai, Roasted Nuts, and Samosas...
Playful Monkeys and Rats, Friendly Faces, and Thick Fog...
Foul Air, Incense, and Curry...

These are some of our experiences during our journey in India this week. Our senses have been encountering many different things. We have traveled by crowded auto rickshaw: fourteen people- nine adults and five children, train: Kush and Jess have put in 66 hours, and automobiles: five Americans and one Indian in one car, four Americans in the back seat including luggage, one from the back becoming motion sick and exiting the car very quickly...

On the train we tasted some delicious treats like chai, spicy samosas, chow mein, vegetable and chicken curry, and assam sweets (very sugary). We have also enjoyed the smells of other foods like roasted nuts and spicy snacks. Unfortunately, all smells that meet the nose are not pleasant. On our most recent train ride we met up with some foul air. It was plain putrid. We were all glad when it passed, but it returned a few more times before we arrived at our station. Yuck. At another train station we were greeted by strong burning incense. We were in the presence of that smell for about half and hour. I think incense is better in moderation. And don't we all love the smells of a fresh home cooked meal? Curry is on the menu tonight!

Resident wildlife of the train station, well some of them, include monkeys, cows and rats. The "some of them" refers more to the monkeys and cows. Rats are a given- there is always something for them to eat since trash is brushed straight off the train cars onto the ground at the tracks. However, they do not always stay outside; you might encounter a few in your compartment. Cows enjoy train rides too, well at least coming onto the platforms or taking a walk on the tracks. Of course, the trains will not hit them, they are sacred. The train will simply have to wait for them to move on...

Friendly faces are always waiting for our arrival. It is pleasant to be greeted by these brothers and sisters in the faith. A warm welcome, smiling face and friendly embrace receive us as if we have known each other our entire lives.

Upon are most recent trip we had a washout experience with thick fog. Traveling by a mix of mini bus and large van we were unexpectedly and quickly engulfed by the gravy-like earth clouds. Our driver was driving by faith, and it was by that faith that we arrived safely at our destinations for the night. What an experience!

This week has been a unique time of many travels. Kush and I have gone to Bihar and returned and the entire team has traveled to the Northwestern part of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) to become involved with various field ministries of the Pocket Testament League (PTL).

The trip to Bihar was wonderful. We met with most of my friends there and enjoyed fellowship with them. I had the opportunity to see my friend Lovely and her husband Paulus and their ten and a half month old son Uttam. It was very exciting and encouraging to hear their stories since I last saw them in 2007. Kush and I also had opportunity to travel out to the village of Begumpur to visit with my professor from college, Dr. Thomas, and the pastor of the church there, Joel. It was very good to see everyone and continue building relationships with them. Joel is currently working with a radio ministry in addition to pastoring the village church. Please keep him in your thoughts as he travels many days each month while continuing to pastor the church. Also, please keep Lovely and Paulus in your thoughts as they are one of two families of believers in the village where they are living; may they be a light unto the other families. It was a great trip. I am glad that I had the opportunity to see them once again, hear their stories, encourage them, and share with them about our team ministries. Kush was also glad that he went and made friends in Bihar.

Two days after returning from Bihar, the team set out for Northwestern U.P. We took a six hour train ride in the open air sleeper class cars. It was an enjoyable journey. Upon arriving at the train station we were greeted by Biju who is the principal of the school in Mainiya. He took us to our hosts for the night. The girls stayed in Khutar with the principal of the Khutar school, and the boys went with Biju to Mainiya. They are seven kilometers distance between the two. Natasha and I stayed two nights in Khutar, the day was spent at the school, PTL Christ Academy. We had the opportunity to teach songs to the children and also other subjects like English and computer (even though they have no computers). It was a unique experience. The brothers also had opportunity to teach some classes at the Mainiya school and they helped the administration by creating a database on the computer for student information. Austin, Shane, and Kush will stay in Mainiya for two and a half weeks. Natasha and I traveled to Sampurna Nagar on Saturday, ninety kilometers from Khutar, to work with another PTL Christ Academy. We will stay there for two weeks and then join the brothers for the last days of our time here in Northwestern U.P.

Praises:
That we arrived safely at our destinations in Northwestern U.P.
That we have been welcomed warmly at these places
That relationships are being formed quickly with the people here

Requests:
Natasha is not feeling well, please keep her in your thoughts
For the opportunities that we will have in Northwestern U.P., that we would be guided by the H.Spirit
For the teachers and staff of the schools - not all the teachers are believers
For continued growth in our relationships with our Father
For courage as we share from the Word at gatherings
For various leaders of PTL, all across India, who are fasting for twenty-one days

Upcoming Events/Trips:
Due to some safety precautions we have cancelled our trip to visit PTL fields in the South. In place of that trip we will continue serving at the PTL center in Ghaziabad.

May you be filled with His Joy!
Jessica