Stephanie's India Journal

2008-03-01T09:52:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

Its been a while I know. Things are moving so fast and so slow all at the same time I just don’t know where the time has gone. No one can really understand the ephemeralness of time unless they have tried to accomplish an objective within a certain timeframe in India. I’m not kidding…it is a good thing Einstein wasn’t Indian or he would never have been able to comprehend Relativity.

In all honesty, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but its funny ‘cause the things that I thought would be difficult are easy and the things I thought would be easy are arduous. My apartment and roommates came along rather effortlessly. Establishing relationships with the homes and the girls has been a real joy. But getting them to make anything is coming along slowly. They seem to really love learning how to make fashion jewelry. They have even been told that there jewelry looks like ready-made (meaning store bought). The problem is they just can’t stay focused long enough to make more than one piece. I am learning so much about the psyche of these girls and the reality of post-traumatic stress disorder now I just need to apply what I’m learning to make the best experience for the girls.

Rescued girls are not the only ladies in my life right now. I have met the most amazing women from the US, UK, and India volunteering or working to fight trafficking in one way or another. For example, my roommate Lillia (one of the coolest ladies I have met in a long time) just graduated from law school, took the BAR and hopped on a plane to India were she has been working for 5 months to give justice to girls by prosecuting their pimps and traffickers. I am so blessed to be among such amazing women like Lillia. I am honored to know them and to be sharing life with them.

Please pray for IJM Mumbai as they are fighting a big case right now. See link to read about the case.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/HC_slams_cops_over_flesh_trade_probe/articleshow/2810689.cms

Making Your Way in the World Today Takes Everything You Got...

2008-02-03T23:24:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Sorry to have delayed in writing you. As you know I have been trying to organize a Spring training session in 4 different aftercare homes in Mumbai and at the same time trying to find myself a place to live. So far 1 out of 2 has worked out; I found a nice apartment in a great area. Actually just 2 days after I signed the lease the apartment had it’s first ever get-to-know your neighbors party which allowed me to get acquainted with everyone in my building. We had such a great time talking, eating, and even playing games. Now when I walk to the market I always see someone to say hello to. Also, I will be having 2 American roommates, one of which is here already, her name is Lilia. And the other, Melissa, arrives this evening around mid-night, hope she is a little bit of an introvert to help balance the crazy that is Stephanie/Lilia.
Finding an apartment in Mumbai is not easy or cheap. The landlord was asking for a deposit of 2 laks (= $5,000). Luckily, he came down to 1 lak but still! Then there are all these fees that no one ever tells you about. The agent fee (the man how helped us find apartments) get a fee equal to 1 months rent, which means for us we have to pay him $640 for a few messily hours of work. The lease registration fee ($50), buying a stove and gas cylinders ($?), buying and installing a water filter ($200), and a dozen other miscellaneous costs.

But starting the training in the different homes has been an even bigger challenge, simply because it is a much slower process. The girls’ skill levels are not at the level I was lead to believe they were so we are starting at the very beginning and cutting some of the projects. I think everything is going to work out, it’s just difficult to get people to try something new. If you think about it, pray that things run smoothly and that the details come together.
Thanks, love you, and will write again soon!

Back in the I-N-D-I-A

2008-01-21T03:57:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
Yep its me and I am back in old Mother India. It wasn’t easy for the flight attendants, bless their souls, having to pull me out of the plane kicking and screaming, “I don’t want to go back, you can’t make me go.” I joke of course. But it is so difficult to look down onto India and see the poverty and to remain confident. I look at the miles and miles of slums and feel so insignificant, how can I make a difference amongst all of this? But there are so many that struggle through that same dilemma on a daily basis. And I am happy to join with them in my own way. I have already met many of the dear people that I worked with previously and they are so welcoming. I have also met a whole bunch of new people mostly Americans interning for a short time with the organization I am partnering with. This should prove to be an added blessing for sure. Keep me in your prayers and I will keep you posted if anything exciting happens.

What a Success!

2007-12-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone that made the First Annual iSanctuary Christmas Boutique a huge success. I owe a TON of thanks to my friends and family that donated some much of their time, effort, and finances just to make this happen. If you missed the event and want to see what ya missed, I will be posting pictures in the next couple of days.

Also, there are some remaining products so if you weren't able to go to the boutique or just remembered a couple more people on your Christmas list contact me and we can arrange for you to do a little shopping.

Lastly, it appears that someone may have purchased a pair of mismatched mojaris (the traditional leather shoe). If that is you or you know the person please contact me so I can give you the correct shoe (it will be just between us- spollaro@isanctuary.org). Unless of course you are trying to resurrect the Punky Brewster fashion trend of wearing mismatched shoes, then all the power to ya!!!

iSanctuary Boutique

2007-11-22T13:00:00.000-08:00

Come by my first International Sanctuary Boutique...
I'd love to see you!

Here are the details. See you then...

Saturday, December 1st
10am – 3pm
Rockharbor Café
345 Fisher Costa Mesa CA 92626

Items included in Boutique:
Shawls –Shoes –Handbags -Fashion Jewelry –Ornaments,
PLUS
One-of-a-kind, Handcrafted Semi-precious Jewelry

All proceeds go towards iSanctuary’s effort to help care for survivors of human trafficking. Come learn more about iSanctuary and the cause we fight for.

For more information contact Stephanie Pollaro at 714.841.7990 or spollaro@isanctuary.org

It's been a while

2007-10-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry that you haven’t heard from me lately. Ever since the UN-GIFT conference I have been going like a crazy person, visiting different homes and organizations all of which take hours upon hours to get to. And by the time I reach home the electricity is off or it is very late and I am exhausted-or all 3.

The conference itself met my expectations of anything the UN tries to do--mass confusion, disorganization, lack of subject knowledge but a whole lot of pomp and circumstance. GIFT stands for Global Initiative to Fight Trafficking and in attendance where some of the most amazing people whom have spent everyday for the last decade and a half fighting against pimps, traffickers, corrupt police officers (corrupt police is a redundant statement in South and Southeast Asia).

I got to meet people I have only read about. In fact, I had the opportunity to meet Anuradha of Maiti Nepal, the woman on whom the article that inspired me 5 years ago was written. I felt honored to be in the presence of so many amazing men and women.

If only the UN had realized who their audience was!

The conference was put together as if the focus was on people unfamiliar with the term human trafficking. They showed (repeatedly) PSAs by Bollywood stars in which they told statistics and encouraging those watching to do something to stop trafficking. It was really shocking. I haven’t spoken to anyone who attended the conference that had one positive thing to say—how sad! And what a waste of money; I heard that they spent $200,000 on this 3 day event. That’s the UN for ya!

In regards to the aftercare homes I have visited, it looks as if I was a little too optimistic about the quality and importability of the products they produce. So I will be spending a lot more time here in India than first expected to see if I can facilitate development in the product base.

If any fashion designers are reading this or if you know fashion designers---we need HELP!!!!

If you create designs for clothing, accessories, jewelry, stationary, or household items (candles, table runners, pillows etc) we need your help. Assistance stateside to develop a catalog of products would be fantastic and if you are able to come to India to apply the design and to help train with the girls that would be amazing.

Right now we really need your vision, direction, and inspiration.

Little FYI: My goal is to have a store in S.Cal within the next couple years. The store would sell the items made in homes for women rescued from sexual exploitation. It is a non-profit business and all profits return to the women, the homes that care for them and to organizations that conduct the raids that bring freedom to so many.
Please pass on the call for volunteers.
Thanks!

Learning the Trains

2007-09-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

For the first time in all my times in Bombay I maneuvered my way through the rats nest (literally and figuratively) that is the Mumbai train system all by myself. It was raining—of course it was raining, every time I am in Bombay it is seems to be monsoon season --and the opportunity came up to meet with a wonderful women in an organization I would love to partner with. So I had to go it alone. Everything went well getting there but getting home was a little more difficult. I stood where I was told to stand and waited for the trains I was told to take, A, BL, KP, or S but they weren’t coming. Train after train came in and left but they weren’t the correct trains. I asked many people around me, “Yes, this is where you are suppose to be, just wait 5 minutes” they replied. But I waited an hour, no trains. I asked the woman at the ticket booth when the next train would come and where. She said 5 minutes platform 1 so I thought finally my train will come but when the train arrived it was not my train. At that point I knew there had to be a better platform so I looked for another person to talk to. I found a group of young girls and thought one of them would have to know the right answer. Sure enough after some discussion they all agreed that platform 5 was where I should be. So I thanked them and was on my way up the stairs to the bridge to platform 5. Just as I was stepping down onto the platform train BL was arriving, I said thank you Jesus. Now all I had to do was fight my way onto it because after an hour and a half of waiting it had become rush hour and the trains were crowded! The women were all rushing and pushing into the women’s compartment but it was just packed too tight so I followed a woman that was going into the next car but she realized that it is first class—all men and she turns back. I saw the space that she was going for and said, screw it, I want on this train. Jumped in, squished myself into the corner by the open door and stood for the 1 ½ hour ride back. At the station, I caught a rickshaw which charged me double (but it was still only 30 cents so I didn’t argue too much, just enough to let him know I knew he was overcharging me) back to my friends house. When I walked in the house I wanted to rip my shirt off and run around the house in my sports bra, like what’s-her-name after she won the women’s soccer world cup. Man, I did it!!!

Here I go again

2007-09-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

So I am currently in route to India. It is 2:30am and I am in Singapore Airport. Just wanted to let you all know that my next adventure had begun. This time in India will be so different. First, I will only be here for 2 months and I will be traveling around different parts of India meeting with different organizations. Also, I will be attending a UN GIFT conference ( I am so excited about this!) Please keep me in your thought and prayers.
I will write more once I have had some sleep and my thoughts come more easily.

Thank you for everything: your encouragement, your support, and believing in me!

I'm Home!

2007-06-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

When faced with 22 hours of flight time it feels at times you will never make it. But I arrived home into LAX at 12:30 Friday afternoon. I was joyfully received by my mom, dad, and best friend Claire. My dad loaded my very heavy bags and immediately drove to IN 'N OUT. I had a Double Double and it was delicious!!!!!

I spent Friday night and all of Saturday eating, talking, and laughing with my family. Saturday morning I woke up to our traditional Christmas breakfast (Christmas tree and all). Then after a nap I came downstairs to find a special birthday dinner for me, including mom's homemade pecan pie (my favorite).
How incredibly thoughtful is my mom!!
Sunday we went to church, had a taco fiesta, and sat by the pool.

Tomorrow everyone has to go to work but my weekend welcome party was sure fun while it lasted!!!!

2007-06-05T05:23:00.000-07:00

So I received a lot of response from the last posting from people that thought I was disgruntled or just over India altogether but I was just trying to help you visualize the conditions. The picture here is of the river outside The Center. And what I chose not to include in the picture were the 3 men squatting on the banks using the “facilities.” So you tell me what you think... was the description accurate or not? Don’t worry about me I am as happy as a clam. The rains should be here any day to wash everything away so when I return it will be my beautiful pristine India again.

Love you!

T-17 days

Mango Mania

2007-05-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

Mangos are everywhere. And they are a little slice of paradise in this truckstop urinal of a country. I am not joking, as temperatures soar above 110, this place, with its complete lack of toilets and drying up riverbeds, is starting to smell worse than a port-a-potty at the county fair.

But I have mangos so that helps deal with it all.

QUICK QUESTION: What would you do? Feed it or let it die?
I have worked really hard at trying to keep my room as bug free and gecko free as possible. Granted those little lizards are adorable and I love to look at them on the walls but on the walls in someone else’s room. For their size, these little guys leave behind the biggest droppings and I just didn’t want that in my room. But the other day I found some droppings and knew somehow one had made it in.
So now my dilemma is do I let in bugs to feed Fido or do I leave him alone and maybe he will get hungry enough to leave. The problem is if he can’t get out and dies in my room than I will be the unacquainted host of an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord.

Anywhooo, let me know what ya think about that.....

And lastly, for those of you wondering if the rumor is true....YES!!! I am coming home...but just for a visit. I will arrive June 22nd and am counting the days till I get to see familiar, clean, structured places (you know, all the things I thought I would be excited to live without) and all your beautiful faces (which don’t count as the things I thought I would like to live without).

Beach Day

2007-05-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

So Suresh and I had this crazy idea that I should take all the girls in “the center” on an outing. So when I presented the idea to the girls they got so excited and all agreed that we should go to Sudialanka (the beach).

We started early in the morning cause the beach is 2.5 hours away and the heat is reaching 111 degrees. I got up early threw on an old punjabi dress, removed all my jewelry and took off out the door to pick up the girls. When I arrived at 6:15am, an hour and 15 minutes late they of course they weren’t ready. But they quickly got ready and that’s when I realized how big a deal this day was to them. They all came out in their best sarees and dresses and with all their gold on. They were really confused why I didn’t have a saree on or any jewelry—just another cultural difference I tried to explain; in California you don’t dress up to go to the beach.

Many of the ladies and all the kids had never seen the ocean and were all stunned at how magnificent it was. But none (except little Ramia) was too overwhelmed not to go in...they all just rushed in and spent hours jumping in the waves (despite not knowing how to swim). I tried to keep a watchful eye on everyone and got everyone home safe and sound.

.......................and exhausted!!!!

What a funny day of firsts....

2007-05-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Today was the first time the Embroidery teacher actually showed up. And someone has finally showed really talent on the sewing machine and it is one of the kids-a boy but not any boy, Big Mama’s son. I really think he has potential and he is crazy about being on a machine but I’m not sure I am ready to open that can of crazy.

And now I just got done watching Spiderman 2 with the boys in the house. You see Christina and the kids and all the girls that live in the house left for Christina’s brother’s house so I am alone with all the guys, which I don’t mind, I’m simply trying to set the scene.

So anyways, you know there is a lot of kissing in that movie between the main girl her fiancé and the main girl and Spiderman. And you may not know but there is NO mouth to mouth kissing in Indian movies. In fact, Richard Gere has an arrest warrant out on him for kissing (on the cheek) an Indian Bollywood star at an HIV/AIDS Awareness event. Funny thing is she isn’t pressing the charges it is some sort of moral police going after him. (See one of the many articles if you don’t believe me http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6600839.stm )

So my point is that you don’t see kissing very often at all –like never. So I must have got accustomed to not seeing because I felt like I was watching a movie with my parents when all the sudden it gets all racy and you think, “Oh shoot, what do I do?” “Are they as uncomfortable as I am?” Ok, it wasn’t that bad but I think I blushed a little but that isn’t my point anyways.

Ok, Stephanie will you get there already then!!!!!!!!!

Ok

So after the movie one of the guys followed me to the stairs and NO he didn’t kiss me, gosh!

He said, “Stephanie, I have one question. In America do friends kiss mouth to mouth or only lovers?” I told him that only lovers kiss mouth to mouth and he replied by saying, “And they get married?” So I had to explain the dating and kissing customs of the Western world to this 24 year old East Asian man who has probably never held a flirting gaze with a girl. That was a first!

2007-05-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo THE KISS xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Kiran is the one in the middle in the blue and orange plaid shirt

Why buy Tiffany when you can have Cartier?!

2007-04-29T02:54:00.000-07:00

(lice comb)

Precious in His Sight

2007-04-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

Our youngest member is 2 ½ years old and serves in the center as comic relief. She is just the sweetest thing. With her mouth constantly open in a big smile Ramia is thrilled to spend the whole day with us looking at design books, trying her best to get hold of scissors, and picking up sewing boxes and putting anywhere except next to the person that needs them.

Ramia LOVES scissors! They are the one thing she goes for the most. In fact she gets hold of them all the time. Each time I catch her (no one else seems to care) I tell her wudu which means NO in Telugu. I have told her wudu so much that now while she is holding scissors she says wudu, wudu, wudu. She also says hey but that is because everyone is always yelling that at her so I guess she has decided to yell it back.

I taught Ramia her first English word: Thank You. Ramia just wants to be apart of the group and so she moves the sewing boxes all the time because it makes her feel like she is doing something. So when she brings the boxes to me I always tell her thank you. The other day Ramia brought a box to me and I told her thank you and she replied by saying thank you. I was floored, it was so cute.

Last cute thing on Ramia and then I will shut up. She wants to embroider sooo bad. She is always trying to see what the girls are doing and get her hands on fabric. A few days ago she picked up a bag that was in the process of being embroidered. She sat down took the needle and poked the clothe and then pulled it out all the way up and just kept going for like ten minutes...well, until one of the girls saw her and slapped her and took it away from her. Cute things don’t last very long around here so I was glad to have captured the moment (see pictures).

2007-04-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

Its a Difficult Road

2007-04-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

John 15:18-19 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Working in a red-light area isn’t easy. I am facing a lot of opposition by the managers (pimps). They really feel threatened by my presence which I guess is understandable. But the problem is even deeper than that; every group of people has a leader. The women have their managers, the managers have “Big Mama,” the kids have Bavani, and the girls have Nagamani. Nagamani somehow weaseled her way into being the embroidery teacher even though she has pretty limited knowledge. And for the last month has done absolutely nothing in regards to embroidery. The other day I told her to let the students use the sewing machine and to help me get the embroidery stuff organized. I asked multiple times until I said very plainly, “Get off the machine!” She didn’t like that at all and left the class for the remainder of the day.

So today after devotion and prayer I talked with the girls about their handbags. Of which many have very nice embroidery but the stitching needs improvement so I brought in 10 bags and asked them to fix them. Immediately after our discussion the girls went to the machines and the bags were left laying on the floor. I asked that they finish the bags before they begin making new bags but they (under the influence of Nagamani) said they would do them later. This went on for about 4 times until I said, “Ok, we are finished for today, let’s close up!” Which got their attention and they began to come and sit but Nagamani insisted they leave with her. So we closed the doors 3 hours early. You would think that is no big deal the girls will learn that I am serious and tomorrow would hopefully be an improvement.
Not in the red-light area!
Big Mama must’ve been out today because it was another manager that came in and started yelling about how they would do it when they wanted. I replied simple by saying, “Sir (which is a big sign of respect here but I just did it cause I don’t know his name) in a learning environment the teachers tell how things are going to be done not the students. I respect these girls and expect them to show me respect also.” He replied by saying that tomorrow, I should not come to the center, that his girls will continue to sew but I should not be there. I told him that we could close our doors and go to Chilikalurapet. They have been begging us to start a center there. And these women are committed to changing their lives and are struggling to find a way out of the darkness.

So why not pick up and go to Chilikalurapet? Sure it is an hour drive there and back everyday but if it means working with women that are asking for help instead of just asking for money than it might be worth it!

What a wake up call to remind me that many of these people are just wolves in sheep’s’ clothing. They say one thing, do another, but no matter what, they are driven by one thing: $$$, at any expense: lives, happiness, health, relationships, anything. Sometimes I forget who I am dealing with; Big Mama is out on bail for killing a man. These people are evil people that “own” human beings and force them to do unspeakable things. Unfortunately some of the young ones get pulled in as protégés (which I think is the case for Nagamani). Others get stepped on into a life of submission. And a very few manage to keep a spark of hope alive. And that is what I see in Poodi. She has such a beautiful spirit. She strives for perfection in everything she does. Her eye for color and her needle work are so good and she takes true joy in it. I love when she completes a bag and she comes to show me. She just wells with pride as I admire it. She will help with anything; one day she spent the whole day ironing. What a humble sweet girl! And when I think about not coming back to this place I cry. I cry because I am afraid of leaving her here to be swallowed up Nallakata (the dark place-what the locals call this area).

Please pray for Poodi and my situation here.

2007-04-11T04:06:00.000-07:00

I am in Nepal! I've been here for about 5 days or so. It wasn't easy getting here either! What an adventure I have had! I first flew to Bombay to pick up my friend Ena and then we fly to Delhi. From there we had planned to fly to Kathmandu but something in my heart was telling me not to fly. But of course I didn't listen...We spent all day trying to get a flight to Kathmandu when by late afternoon we found out we couldn't fly b/c Ena didn't have proper documentation. So we went to the train station to buy tickets to Gorapor (the closest stop to the boarder but still 2 hours away). We couldn't get on that night so we had to wait till the next night. But we made the best of it and saw the sights Delhi had to offer.
The next night as we were boarding the train we realized we had been upgraded to first class and ended up sharing the entire car with only two other people. They were business men on the way to check on their cement factory in Nepal. When the train arrived in Gorapor 14 hours later the 4 of us had breakfast/lunch and shared a car to the boarder. When we reach the boarder I faced some trouble with my visa. Praise God for these men! One stayed with Ena with the car (which they wouldn't allow us to pay for) and the other one helped me talk to the immigration guys. It took over an hour but it all got worked out and we were off again.
We reached their hotel around 5ish and decided to get a room also since we missed all the buses to Kathmandu. Our two friends/guardian angels had to work so we arranged to meet for breakfast in the morning. After breakfast and some quick goodbyes Ena and I were off to Kathmandu. The road was steep, dusty, and rocky, not to mention we had Evil Canival behind the wheel. After 5 hours we had to take a break so we decided to stop at Royal Chitwan National Park. What an amazing place; we took a canoe ride and saw a rhino taking his morning bath, and (don't hate me Claire) I got to sit on an elephant as it took a bath and it sprayed me with her trunk. But that is not all, there was this baby elephant that was rubbing its bum on a post so I thought I would help him out and I started scratching him with my long nails and he wiggled all over like he was ticklish and when I would stop he would wrap his little trunk around my arm as if to ask for more. No one got a picture of it cause we were all in awe of the whole thing.
We finally got to Kathmandu after another 7 hour bus ride and although the bus ride was difficult we were thankful to have gone that way. Nepal is BEAUTIFUL and we would have missed so much if we had flown.
Ena went home yesterday and I am waiting for my visa. To get a visa is a 3 step process. Please pray that is comes quickly!
Love you--Will post pictures when I get back home--to India that is.

Ok, so I am not still in Nepal I just arrived back in Tenali last night. But I had written this posting while in Nepal and couldn't get it uploaded on the sight. So thought I would put it up now, hope you don't mind.

My Little Monsters

2007-03-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

Hold on to your hats and glasses... this is a deep one

2007-03-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

I’ve been observing the children that come by The Center and I was struck with the most amazing revelation, children are the same all around the world. I know so it doesn’t seem like that ground breaking of an idea but I have always wondered about the psycho-developmental feud of nature vs nurture and I think I have solved it in my own mind. Anyways it all began when my little pixy, Gangatree, came up to me crying and said, “Chepanie (that’s what she calls me) he pulled my hair.” Sound familiar? I hugged her, kissed her head, told her I was sorry, told the little boy that wasn’t nice and Ganga’s tears went away. And I thought to myself, man, I am in a COMPLETELY different culture, in a different country, that speaks and different language and yet the same exact sentence and scenario is said by little ones back home.
Maybe it was one of those ‘had to be there moments’ but it really got me thinking about deeper issues like prejudice, racism, and slavery. I was thinking how could anyone look at child running to their mommy when they hurt themselves, or have them ask you over and over to watch them do some silly thing, or watching kids care for even littler ones and not see the beautiful innocence that is in every child. And from that realize that we are all one creation not multiple creations with some more superior than others but the same. My only conclusion was fear, ignorance, and pride are tools of the Enemy to tear us apart and keep us from coming together to glorify God.

Then when I think about fear I think about driving in India. The chaos of bikes, cars, trucks, rickshaws, cow-drawn carts all weaving in and out so quickly passing each other with just centimeters of clearance. But yet it works! Yet in America if I passed by someone that close my passengers would scream and say, “Oh my gosh, you almost killed us!” The driver of the other car would yell profanities at me. Why? I didn’t touch his car, I didn’t hurt the people in my car.
Because of fear.
But I didn’t realize how much we are affected by fear, how much we modify our actions by fear. Now I am not saying that the way they drive in India is right but I just realize how much we as Americans take the fun or spice (pardon the poor Indian humor) out of life in the name of safety (fear). And as a result fail to see how much God protects us on a daily basis. I mean I have a hard time comprehending how I don’t pass dead bodies on the road every ½ kilometer. Then I realize even in our chaos God still holds things together. Look at the world; how bad it is, how many really sick individuals there are. Think about biological or chemical weapons. Think about religious militants. We could very easily kill ourselves off and yet somehow we keep going on. Chaos vs order, dark vs light, good vs evil, a constant battle. Remember that if you are in a place gripped by fear 2Timothy 1:7 tells us that, ‘God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.’ And 1John4:18 tells us, “Perfect love drives out fear.”

...Phew... so I am glad I got that out!!!

A rather abrupt ending I know but that is all I had to say. I feel like C-3PO when he is in mid-sentence and he just shuts down. Oh well, good night!
**I swear I am not some crazy Star Wars nut...that was just a random thought, I swear!**

An Update on Special Boy

2007-03-03T01:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the late update...
Unfortunately it isn't good news. It didn't go so well with "Big Mamma." At the time of the incident we had a team visiting and as you can imagine many were shocked by the sight of Special Boy. So when Suresh asked to take Special Boy it didn't go the way I had hoped. I had advised that we make it sound like we were going to do "Big Mamma" a favor to take the problem child off her hands, instead she saw it as it was; a bunch of people passing judgement on her and trying to take something that she claimed was hers away from her b/c she is a bad person. So she made a huge scene and told us to stay out of her personal business and that she can do whatever she wants to her kids. Needless to say, Special Boy hasn't been around much (I think he has been ordered to stay away). However, he finds away to see me for a quick hug and a prayer.

Please continue to pray for Special Boy and for "Big Mamma," that God would soften her heart and let us take Special Boy.

Special Boy and Me

2007-03-03T01:38:00.000-08:00

2007-03-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

Trotter, from Revolution, was gettin’ on me about needing to update my blog more but can I just tell you that that isn’t as easy as it sounds. For the past few days I have come to the internet café check my mail and than prepare to make a new post but the connection goes out. So I am sitting here at the café waiting until the connection returns (so far 30 minutes) because I WILL post today! Speaking of Internet, I paid $200 to have connection for Suresh and I in the house but that was 4 months ago. Yesterday a couple of guys from the internet company came to assess my room and said they would be back to make the installation at around 2 or 3pm but I knew better! I’ll keep waiting. It’s probably better this way, if I get internet in my room I will have nothing to blame for not posting more regularly.

The girls at the center are doing well. They are really enjoying the new project I gave them, a simple sling handbag with light hand-embroidery. Their sewing skill level is pretty elementary but the project I chose is simple and allows them to display their embroidery which they LOVE doing. I haven’t even told them about the money that they will make; I am afraid to do that because as it is I can’t get them out of the center to take lunch or close for the evening, once they find out how much they get from each bag they will be busting the locks to get in. Please join with me in praying that each girl would know how much the Lord loves them and wants the best for their lives.

Below are pictures of Special Boy’s burns (just so you would know how bad it really was).

Special Boy's Leg

2007-03-01T21:47:00.001-08:00

Special Boy's Hand

2007-03-01T21:46:00.000-08:00

Quick Prayer Request

2007-02-19T05:10:00.000-08:00

(Please forgive the spelling/grammer I wrote this quickly)
At the red-light area there is one boy who I think is real special. I creatively call him "Special Boy." He was the child of a prostitute, the son of a "John." When his mother gave birth she took off and left her son behind. Over the past couple months I noticed that he is treated as the village outcast. Everyone beats on him (sometime he deserves it as you can imagine he acts out a lot but no one deserves the treatment this kid gets). We today I go into the Red-light area and notice that Special Boy is not wearing pants. Ok, not completely unusual for India but when he turns towards me I see his little left leg leg has a terrible 6 inch burn down the inside of his thigh. When I see it of course I must of looked startled. So I started asking who did this and then he showed me his hand; 1/2 of it is covered in a blister from being burn. I guess he runs away a lot (I wonder why) and so as punishment they burned him.
Please pray as tomorrow I am going to speak to "Big Mamma" about taking him out of there and putting him in either the RH Home or Suresh's home. Please pray for the staff members at the RH home that if SB comes to the home that they be prepared to deal with the many issues and difficulties that will arrise as we care for this child.
I will post a picture of him so you have a face with the "name."

2007-02-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

Hindus believe today and the next 2 days are auspicious days for marriages so they cram in as many marriages as possible. But at 2am in the morning when I was awoken by the piercing sounds of a wedding band, I thought to myself how could it get an worse than this. Well, it is now 6pm and time for the Sai Baba temple to broadcast their chantings for 2 hours. So now the temple is chanting over their 1940 staticy megaphone and the wedding band continues to play. It is like some weird battle of the bands. I kind of feel like a prisoner of war and they doing some psychological mind melt on me. Please pray for me!

.....Ok, so that was a couple of days ago ,and you know what, it wasn't that bad. For some reason the weddings only went for 24 hours. I'm thinking maybe they moved local so as not to upset the surrounding houses. Anyways, I am so glad that is over!

Love you all!!!

Here I Am

2007-02-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

I am sorry friends and family for keeping waiting so long for an entry with real substance. I could blame it on being so busy but the truth of the matter is that a wonderful couple gave me the first season of LOST and I am finding out what all the hype is about. No, but really, since the moment I got back from my holiday with Claire (and I mean the night I got back) I have been pulling double duty. Even now I am on a stage at a double wedding and I am writing this journal entry (by hand to be typed later) just to keep myself from dozing off.

... Well, that is all I got written before it was time to go and now I am in my room. It is 9pm and all I want to do is lay down so not to be rude but I think I am going to put a LOST on and call it a night....

Of course I wouldn’t leave you with nothing...

Below is an entry I wrote a couple months ago but never had the chance to post it.

(Quick prayer request: Joyfulness would carry me through my days here. And that I would be an example of God's love to all the people)

11/27/06

Ok so today was a rather interesting day. At the front of the red-light clinic right at the bottom of the stairs is a liter of brand new baby puppies. So cute, but if I learned anything from the day Dr.Kishore made me hold the baby goat it is to avoid scabbies at all cost which means don’t touch baby animals in India. But while I was at the clinic I heard this atrocious squealing sound. So I looked out the window and there was momma dog and another dog chomping into a live baby pig as it struggled to get away. After I squealed, I thought to myself, is this some kind of twisted wild animal show? Evidently it was entertaining to some because a group of young children sat mesmerized watching the whole thing. I swear kids in India seem fearless. Nothing frightens them. It is very common to see toddlers literally toddling along any road as car, trucks, motor bikes race past them with only inches to spare; no flinching from child or driver and I have never seen a child run into the street.

Anyways, that is how my day started. After I left the red-light area I accompanied the doctor to the hospital where one of our girls from the RH home was having her appendix removed. Little did I know that when they said they wanted me to be there for the surgery, they meant they wanted me THERE for the surgery. Bare foot and with my “surgical mask” firmly tied over my mouth and nose I entered the surgical theater (as they call it). Really it was just a room with a big light and some surgical tools that’s it. The procedure started right away; I watched them cut her, open the cut and cut deeper, clamp the skin, etc. etc. etc. I can save you the gory details. Bottom line is please pray my appendix doesn’t need to come out anytime soon because I will gladly die before I go under the knife in rural India!

And all this was before lunch!

What a crazy life I live!

Claire and I at the Taj!

2007-01-15T21:06:00.000-08:00

Doesn't it look like backdrop instead of the real thing?! The whole time I was there I couldn't believe what I was seeing; it seems so unreal.

Escaping India

2007-01-15T05:26:00.000-08:00

I am in Goa right now and let me tell you, it is amazing. I don’t even feel like I am in India. Not to diss India but I really needed a break from the craziness. Claire (with the help of the T-Town Life group, my brother and grandma) has put us up at a VERY nice hotel and has arranged massages for us tomorrow.

The beds are amazing; like sleeping on clouds: the mattress has a huge down pillowtop, plus a down comforter and four down pillows. I keep yelling “I’m a princess” and I feel like it. Claire, in her dry sarcastic tone, says that any bed would feel this good after what I’ve been sleeping on. Well, we are going to leave our luxury the day after tomorrow and go to south Goa where there are bamboo hut on the beach. Not sure about the hut part since I can sleep in a hut any day but we will see.

Oh, we got to see the Taj and that was really cool. As soon as I get home I will post some pics.

Love you!

2007-01-04T03:07:00.000-08:00

As I promised here are pictures of Lalitha taken at bath time... We ain't in Kansas anymore that's for sure!

2007-01-04T03:05:00.000-08:00

After you bath the baby of course you have to place her over a plate of steamy smokey ambers...right? I mean, what else would you do???

2007-01-04T03:03:00.000-08:00

baby bath India style

RH What a Blessing

2007-01-04T02:40:00.000-08:00

I am having a wonderful time with the Rockharbor team. It is so great to have familiar faces and good friends around me.

When the team leaves, Claire is staying on and taking me to relax in Goa. I can’t wait. I will definitely post pictures of our time there. Thanks for all of your encouragement and prayers!!!!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

Galatians 6: 9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we donot give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to to those who belong to the family of believers.

May others experience God's love through you this year.

2006-12-20T09:08:00.000-08:00

Little Lalitha

Delayed Reaction

2006-12-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh, I forgot to tell you... Suresh and Christina had their baby!!!!!!!!!
Little Lalitha Kumar was born December 8th and named after Suresh’s mother who was the founder of Harvest India

She was quite a surprise because, well, she is a girl and S&C were certain it was a boy. She is just the sweetest thing.

Of course at 12 days old she doesn’t do much except sleep and eat. But the most interesting thing to me is bath time.

Lalitha was taken outside and given to Bashama who had her sari pulled up to mid-thigh and was sitting on a very low stool with her legs straight out in front of her and her heels on another stool. Bashama lathered up Lalitha while she was laying on her legs and at the same time another woman poured water on Lalitha. ***It’s hard to explain but it looked really cool. I will try to get a picture of it.

Anyways, just wanted you all to get a good look at Lalitha. Please keep her in your prayers as I believe God has great big things planned for her life.

Only 6 days until Rockharbor & Claire are here! Praise the Lord!!!!!!!

So Much to Lose Here in this Lonely Place

2006-12-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

I was listening to Sarah McLachlan tonight while typing out applications for the vocational center I am setting up in the local red-light area. As I was writing out these women’s ages and what little info I could get out of them like what they want to learn, if they have children, and can they read and write. I realized that most are just teenagers and many were born and raised in the red-light area.

As I am placing their pictures next to their bios, suddenly I hear Sarah’s song, Fear (my favorite) in a whole new light. I really never thought the meaning could get any more heart wrenching than the meaning I first attributed to it but now…well, you tell me what you think.

You really should listen to the song if you can find it. But if you can’t here are the lyrics…

Morning smiles like a face of a new born child, innocent unknowing
Winters end, promises of a long lost friend, speaks to me of comfort

But I fear
I have nothing to give,
I have so much to lose here in this lonely place
Tangled up in our embrace
There is nothing I’d like better than to fall
But I fear
I have nothing to give

Wind in time, rapes the flower trembling on the vine
Nothing yeilds to shelter it
From up high they say temptation will destroy our lives
The never ending hunger

But I fear
I have nothing to give
I have so much to lose here in this lonely place
Tangled up in our embrace
There is nothing I’d like better than to fall
But I fear
I have nothing to give
I have so much to lose
I have nothing to give
I have so much to lose

*****************************************************************************
Please pray for these girls. Pray against the drugs and alcohol used to self-medicate. Pray against HIV and STDs. Please pray for the center; that it would be a place they feel the presence of Jesus, His love & His peace. Pray that through this center we might be able to bring these girls hope for a future and show them the value they have through Christ.
Also, if you could pray for me. I need wisdom beyond my education and experience as many of these woman are struggling with deep psychological issues, emotional instability, and severe illnesses. I really need the Lord to work through me, to touch these girls. Lastly, I will be going into the area at night to run the Night Care Center which is right in the midst of it all. I feel completely safe with the women but I don’t know about the “customers.” I stick out quite a bit and really don’t want to get harassed. So I guess what I am saying is please pray for my safety.

Thank you and I will keep you posted as things progress!!!

2006-11-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

Me and Sudheer (Suresh�s brother) greeting the people at a relief camp

2006-11-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

Crowds of people attend the relief camps

2006-11-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

Water pump submerged

2006-11-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

Here all you can see are the roofs

2006-11-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

This is how they live...

2006-11-27T07:14:00.000-08:00

An apartment in the red-light area

2006-11-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

All the Bombay Teen Challenge girls working for IPP and me

2006-11-27T07:12:00.000-08:00

Shabbana, Reca, Curan, Shubbnum at work making IPP pjs. How beautiful are this restored lives?!!

Back Again (sorry to be gone so long)

2006-11-27T07:07:00.000-08:00

So I know you wondering: where have I been for the last month. And I know some of your minds you’ve been thinking the worst case scenarios: she’s falsely imprisoned in some slimy Indian jail; she’s bedridden with malaria, abducted by aliens. But no; nothing so Hollywood chic as false imprisonment has kept me from writing. The Lord has been blessing me with good health and I am not lucky enough to be one of the chosen few to be abducted by aliens.

So what, you ask, has kept me from writing…I don’t know.

I have plenty to say (no comments) it has just been difficult to find the time. Since my last entry I have been to Bombay twice to help with the IPP sewing center at Bombay Teen Challenge. The district I live in along with a couple other districts were ravished by a cyclone that has left 1000s homeless and many more without work or food and 3 teams from the UK and USA have come to visit Harvest India (they are a refreshing blessing but a whole lot of work and stress).

So I guess I have some stuff to tell you guys.

The Cyclone
For those of you that don’t sit around and watch the worldwide weather channel you may not know that the area I live in, in Andhra Pradesh, was hit by a big cyclone. For 6 days it rained non-stop. We only had power for a few hours everyday and that was usually in the middle of the night. Although now I hate to admit it but it was a nice time; we ate dinner by candle light, played board games, and just stayed around the house (in a strange way it kind of felt like Thanksgiving or some family holiday). But now knowing what I know I wouldn’t have enjoyed myself as much…You see my district and the neighboring district became so flooded that many people lost there home and the laborers have no fields to work in as the vast majority of crops in our area were submerged by the water. This is extremely damaging because without work the people have no money to buy food.

Things are a little better now since the waters have almost fully retreated. We conducted many relief camps thanks to Rockharbor and a couple other sponsors like the UK team that was here with us immediately after the cyclone. In any case it will be a long time until things are back to normal so please keep my surrounding villages in your prayers.

Bombay
My trips to Bombay are always interesting and eye-opening. To start, it takes about 12 hours for me to get there and I am not exaggerating when I say it is literally a myriad of planes, trains and automobiles. The most memorable event of my October trip was my trip to the red-light area. Ena and I took a taxi through the district and were trying to get pictures (per IPPs request) but the residents of that area were not to keen on being photographed as you can imagine. We were struggling to get any good shots because the taxi driver wouldn’t slow down enough. After a picture was snapped it was like a signal went out, the women saw us coming and they didn’t like the view. They started screaming and chasing the car a few even threw rock (big ones) at us; one missed my head by inches and left a big dent in the taxi. After that the taxi driver suddenly decided to take a late lunch and made us get out of the car. He dropped us on the corner and charged us a bunch b/c of the damage. But God is so good!!! The LORD sent an angel in disguise as a taxi driver. He got out of the car and stood with us and let us sit in his car, he was on fire for Jesus and has an amazing testimony. He got us home safely and was a huge encouragement to us.

The highlight from the trip I just got back from was my opportunity to meet with Bombay branch of International Justice Mission. What an honor and pleasure it was to meet with individuals that are like-minded, passionate about justice for women and children enslaved in prostitution.

Its times like this that I feel like I have to pinch myself because 4 years ago I felt called to do something for enslaved women and children and here I am doing exactly that. And although I wish these moments would happen more frequently I am reminded that God’s timing and plans are always perfect.

TEAMS
The teams have been a huge blessing. It has been nice to have some strong and independent women to encourage me. Also, their excitement to see God moving helps to reignite the hearts flames.

The most exciting thing I can say about teams is that Rockharbor is coming in exactly 1 month. Which means, my best friend Claire will be with me in India in just 30 short days.

Oh, I can hardly wait.

I have made a paper chain to help me count down the days.

The Festival of Lights

2006-10-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight is Devali (The Festival of Lights). From what I gather Devali is a time of celebrating good over evil which accord many years ago when god Krishna’s wife killed a demon. There are many different facets to it like most holidays but it appears most religious significance is lost. Now it appears to be what Christmas is in most American households a time to give gift, decorated houses with candles and lights, wear new clothes, oh and one more thing EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE sets off fire crackers. It is rather surreal so much so that I scrapped the entry I was working on (well postponed it) to tell you about this evening.

Everything was normal until 6pm (except for the incessant sound of exploding firecrackers) and then the fireworks started. You know how ephemeral fireworks are; they’re there and gone so quick and the show never lasts long enough. Well, that is not exactly the case here in India for Devali. As I write to you it is 10:25pm and the sounds of fireworks and crackers (or bombas as they are called here) are still thundering all around me. And anyone who has had the misfortune of sitting through a firework show with me can tell you I love fireworks; I get really awed by them. But after an hour of the resounding sounds of explosions and the glow of fireworks coming in every direction I just had to call it quits. But the spirit of Devali wouldn’t let me get away that easy.

At around 7pm the kids started lighting there little bombas and wanted my full attention. Yet that was difficult for me to do as the night seemed so foreboding. The loud cracking of the fireworks seemed to have thrown the bats out of sorts. Yes bats! There were these 3 bats that kept dive bombing at my head and into the trees and walls, it was weird; not to mention the frogs jumping around. I swear I am not making this up!!!! All though I have a fondness for bats and frogs it really set an eerie scene so I prayed that the bombas the kids were lighting were put together with more skill and craftsmanship than the last two pair of shoes I bought which I only wore for a week before completely falling a part. I was terrified that the fireworks might have been made with the same casualness and lack of attention to detail that seems to permeate through the entire textile industry in India. But all is well that ends well, right.

I am going to bed now…thank God for earplugs!

OK, OK, I will post something!!! Gosh….

2006-10-18T23:48:00.000-07:00

But seriously I am so sorry for causing the mass hysteria. I had no idea how much you people loved reading my blog. Honestly, you guys are like addicts, “Stephanie, I need something, just give me a little story, anything you got.”

No but seriously this time, I am really touched by how many people wrote to me to check up on me and my adventures in India. I am sorry for keeping you waiting for soooo long; life has literally been out of my control. But I should have a couple good stories under my belt in the next couple days. So tell your friends to start checking the old blog again and I will try my best to make this wait worthwhile.

I love you all. Thanks for being such a great source of support for me!

2006-09-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Bride and groom�s first words to each other were their vows, yikes!

2006-09-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

Once again we return to our regularly scheduled program... "India the Paradox."

We held a traditional Andhra Pradeshian pre-wedding ceremony. It involves, well no it is, a time when you smear the bride and groom with turmeric, a yellow spice, that's all. No one really knows why they do it but all said it had to be done. I think everyone was more excited about the turmeric fight that would inevitably occur before-during-or after the ceremony than the "ceremony" itself.

So on the day of the turmeric fete, the groom and the bride came over (separately of course). And they sat in separate rooms until their turn, where each one individual came out and was smeared with the yellow paste. It was a weird event we prayed for each one and then people took turns smearing some yellow on them while others ran around trying to smear other people with the turmeric.

And right in the middle of this impending wedding celebration, I heard a soft thud behind me. Moments later a young man came up to me and said, "Stephanie, look." He was holding a baby chipmunk that couldn't have been more than a couple days old as its eyes still hadn't opened. He had fallen out of his nest in the palm tree above and landed on the hood of the jeep. He was still alive and moving around a lot. For the next 15 minutes the young man and I cared for the little guy. I wasn't sure what the young man's motives were but mine were clear...guilt. Most of you may not know (b/c I sure didn't) chipmunks make the most annoying high-pitched chirping sound (hence the voices of Alvin, Simon and Theodore) and I have a palm tree right outside my door; yes, the very palm tree that Jr. fell out of. I didn't do anything directly to the poor little guy but I think a month or so ago I cursed his mother. You see, I was trying to write a blog entry and her chirping was SO loud and SO annoying that I just couldn't concentrate so I went outside and yelled at her. I told her, "If you don't shut up I swear I will get a BB gun and kill you and your offspring," and then I threw a stick at her to chase her away from the tree (and probably the little nest she was building). Seriously, I told her that and now I have her cute little boy dieing on the hood of a car... GUILT with a capital G!!!

So the young man and I brought Jr. milk and tried to feed him by dipping a stick in the milk and bringing it to his mouth (that didn't work so well). We tried to keep him on the jeep right where he fell so his mamma would come get him but then we got called away to the ceremony. So we left him for just a moment to go and celebrate the start of a new life of two young people. We were throwing the yellow around when we heard this loud chirp, as if to say, "Mamma or you two crazy humans...HELP!" We looked up and there was Jr. in the mouth of a crow. I screamed and almost fainted! The young man ran after the bird put it flew away with Jr. squirming and chirping in its mouth.
OHHH! I feel so terrible.
I sat there and wanted to cry but then I started thinking about how this one event seems like the most appropriate metaphor for India. A celebration and and tragedy all happening at the same time. And this was just a little chipmunk and a pre-wedding party.

Everyday a baby is born and abandoned or sold. Faithful wives die because they were infected with HIV from their unfaithful husbands. People die of Malaria even though the antidote is readily available. Children are dieing from dehydration caused by the water they drink.

India is a paradox.

A continuous spectrum of life.

Here nothing is hidden. Death, birth, sickness, celebration it is all out in the open. Sure they try to whitewash some things but all you have to do is pull back one layer of paint and you see the truth. The truth is not hard to find you just have to be willing to look.

Lately, I've been wondering if I should even look for the truth. India is hard enough to handle without really intentionally looking so I wonder and ask myself can I handle the truth? And all I hear in response is Jack telling me, "You can't handle the truth." And I know it is just Satan impersonating the over the hill movie star but I really wonder how did Mother Theresa do it? She was obviously a saint or something, and I'm just some white girl from Orange County, how can I possibly make any change here?

Now I know that this must sound so despondent but really I am ok. I promise! I am just sharing with you what I have been thinking about and which has to be a normal reaction to really experiencing a 3rd world country for the first time. I am not feeling hopeless or even considering giving up, I'm just wrestling with trying to make sense of it all.

Thanks for listening!

2006-09-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

You say scabies, I say scAbies. Scabies, scAbies, let’s call the whole thing off.

2006-09-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, it isn’t pleasant, I know, but I have found it quite amusing. Amusing like one of those “dark comedies” you watch on a Saturday night when there is nothing else to rent and half way through you turn to the person your watching it with and ask, “I thought this was a comedy.”

We aren’t sure how I got it b/c they say a first-timer usually has “infestation” occur 4-6 weeks before the sores show up. And looking back now I can see I was showing signs that I could have been a carrier for up to 7 weeks ago (horribly itchy skin—one of the 1st signs of scabies). But it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I KNOW I came in contact with scabies when the doctor at the clinic had a little boy shake my hand before realizing why he was in the clinic…scabies breakout on his hand J So who really knows or cares how I got scabies, it is all apart of the developing country experience. And actually it has really helped me to empathize with the women enslaved in prostitution.
** The following may sound cheesy but it really has made this tolerable for me**
When my hands itch, I pray a prayer of thanksgiving that it is only my hands that are itching this badly. And then I pray for the women in Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Hyderabad, Delhi who are trapped in a life that is infested with STDs, constant physical pain, and emotional scarring way beyond what I am experiencing. I am humbled by the life I was given and am thankful for the lesson I am learning through this.

So don’t worry about me…pretty much I just had to post this b/c I enjoy people laughing at my expense. And beside they say the itching will only last for 2 more WEEKS.

I also wanted to thank everyone that has posted comments or sent me emails or are just logging on to check in on me and my wacky play-by-play. I really do appreciate all the encouragement and support you are giving me.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2006-09-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

On the stage at J.D. Seelam's father's memorial. Can you find me?

2006-09-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 11:1 faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

The Memorial service for J.D. Seelam was well attended and I am sure it was very nice but I couldn�t understand what the people said during the 5.5 hours we were there. But seriously I was very honored to be invited, Mr. Seelam even requested I say a few words. Also to Mr. Seelam�s request we brought the Harvest India choir which was the highlight of the day.
We were scheduled to leave at 7am so I was dressed in a beautiful (borrowed) blue saree, hair washed and in place, coffee drank at exactly 7am. It was important that we leave ON TIME as stressed several times the day before by Suresh. And so I waited and waited. At a quarter to 8 we left although it was an hour drive and J.D. requested our presence at 8am. We arrived at 9:15 and no one noticed, so my anxiety ridden chest pains the entire way were all for nothing.

When the service finally started at around 10:45 someone decided that the rusty metal polls holding the tent up needed to be painted to look like the Indian flag. So as the choir is singing and dignitaries are coming in a man begins painting them. Only he realizes too late that there is no orange so he paints them red, white and green and they end up looking like the Italian flag. No one else thought it was funny but I got a kick out of it.

Mr. Seelam was so gracious to us. He brought us on stage to sit with all the big politicians and dignitaries and even had Suresh and Sudheer give a short message. You should have seen Suresh. He was like a LA scenester at his first Hollywood party; he kept looking over everyone�s shoulder to find the next VIP to talk with. He had a nice time and it helped to reignite old networks.

But seriously, what a miracle that we not only got to attend but were invited to attend. Mr. Seelam seems to really respect Suresh and even found out about Harvest India�s HIV/AIDS Center building projects and has offered to help as much as he can. Just the fact that he offered was nice but he followed up the next day to set a time to meet. We will be having a meeting with him on September 16 to discuss the building and operation plans for the 2 centers. God is amazing b/c up until now we had started to build (leveling the ground and building the compound wall) but we didn�t know how to proceed but God opened the door. He always does when his people step out in faith.

**********************Caution, Nonsense***************************
I mentioned it was a steamy day, right? Well, due to the steam and the huge amounts of dye they use to color their clothes I had quite the surprise when I came home. When I took off my saree I found that somehow though I was I alive it appeared that I was dead. My legs had turned blue; so blue it looked like death had set in. It was so bad I had to take a picture... Enjoy!

2006-09-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

Seriously, look how blue my legs are!Reminds me of Arrested Development

It Continues Like I Told You It Would

2006-09-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

It happened to tonight… You know what they say…When you least expect it.

Yes that is right, the CREATURE, was avenged last night…da..da..da!

I knew his family of mutated indestructible slimy pests would not be satisfied until the laid their vengeance on me.

And so it was last night…

It was late as I crawled into bed, I pulled back the sheet, and tucked myself in.

Ahh, I forgot to turn off the lights (a strange thing I know—I think they were working some kind of mind warp on me).

I open my eyes and began to pull of my sheet and there right by my chin is a HUGE cockroach! (Not as big as its brother this one was only 2 inches as apposed to 3).

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh! I jumped out of bed grabbed my nearest flipflop and started whacking. I must have hit that thing 10 times but it didn’t want to die. Finally I squished it between two flipflops and threw it outside.

Now to go to sleep….
How do you go to sleep after that?
Most of you couldn’t sleep if you found a daddy longleg on your comforter.
Thank the Lord I have Jesus, is all I have to say. I prayed for the strength to close my eyes and fall asleep. And it worked, Amen!

Oh, you’re probably wondering about the sheet, right?
Did I get a new one?
No way, I did it Indian style; turned it over so I couldn’t see the mess and went to sleep.

Sweet Dreams!

2006-09-01T02:03:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of a 5 day celebration that marks the birthday of the Hindu elephant god, Ganesha. As I am writing to you I can barely hear myself think over the chanting, music played over huge crackling megaphones, fire crackers, honking horns, and the construction going on overhead. But life is good, electricity just came back on after 3 hours of blackout so I thought I would use this opportunity to tell you about the crusade we just did.

On August 23-27 Harvest India held its first of many crusades after the summer/monsoon break. God worked in miraculous ways at this crusade. Though this has been a relatively dry monsoon season the forecast during our crusade called for heavy showers. Praise God, for His control over the weather!. The first night showers broke out the minute we finished the closing prayer. On the last night, the audience numbered in the 10s of thousands and the sky began to open up and winds started to blow but after our prayers went up the wind subsided and the crusade finished without a drop of rain. What a powerful God we serve.!

During the day we would hold medical camps, mercy camps (handout food), and construct and dedicate water wells. I got to dedicate a well that a church from CA supported. These activities were strictly humanitarian as we always face adversity during crusades. Many forces were against us trying to shut us down but by the grace of God we triumphed. Many other crusades have been attempted by other pastors but failed, in fact, after the first night a pastor that had attempted one came and talked with Suresh until 1:30am about how he was able to succeed against all the persecution.

Suresh, his brother Sudheer and their PR guy ,Punna Roa, are amazing at networking and strategizing. You wouldn't believe who we had at the crusade; the PA to Sonia Gandhi.** You probably don't know him (I don't even know his name) but trust me he is HUGE in Indian politics, he came with 8 bodyguards with machine guns. And not only that, but he has requested Sudheer, Suresh, and myself to conduct his father's memorial service in a couple of weeks. Harvest India is finding amazing favor in the midst of a climate that is so intolerant of Christians-God is good!

*********************************************************************************
The following is for no real purpose. Just my thoughts...

For those of you who know me you will find this next statement hard to believe...

Indian food is soooo salty. I think the whole country has to be suffering from high blood pressure.

This has to be what is making me gain weight. Well, it could be the rice they force fed me three times a day in portions a sumo wrestler would have problems getting down.
But I really like to think the weight gain is b/c there is no Diet DrPepper here so I am stuck drinking Pepsi, not even Coke. If you find a Coke it is usually imported form the Middle East, which I found rather interesting considering there is a Coke factory down the street. But when I asked about this I was told that the government closed down the factory b/c it was putting pesticides in the soda. Sounds a little like a "rural legend" to me!

Anyway, I can rejoice in the fact that Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth.

Love you!!!!

**Sonia Gandhi was married to the last Prime Minister after her husband was assassinated she became active in politics as the dual chief of the 113 year old Indian National Congress and its Parliamentary party.

2006-09-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

Well Dedication. The people were so grateful and welcomed us with flower garlands and flower confetti

2006-09-01T01:59:00.000-07:00

Medical Camp: Administering preventative meds for Chicoon Goonya (sp)
He was not happy to see me!

2006-09-01T01:57:00.000-07:00

Mercy Ministry: When was the last time you waited in line for 1.5 hour for an egg, milk, and fruit?

2006-09-01T01:55:00.000-07:00

Sudheer's wife, Sontoosh (happiness) and I in a Red-Light Area...Baby's mother is a prostitute and HIV+

2006-08-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

On August 7thI set out for Mumbai (Bombay). I had to catch a train into Hyderabad to catch a plane to Mumbai. I was taken to the train station by Joseph, Gedion, and Raj. They waited with me until my train arrived and then boarded with me to sit until the train was ready to leave the station. As the train began to pull away I thanked them and said goodbye to each one, �Goodbye Raj, goodbye Joseph, goodbye Gedion.� As they were leaving I had one of those strange moments when your imagination seems to get the best of you and I laughed as I felt I had been transported into the Wizard of Oz�and I�ll miss you most of all, Scarecrow!

If only Bombay could have been paved with yellow bricks... Paved with anything would have been good; instead I sloshed through mud and muck all day. So to say the least it was a trying week. Everything that could go wrong did. But Jesus is so good. He continually sent little angels disguised as a Hindu shop owner, a hotel owner, ex-prostitutes, a helpful saree salesman (a true miracle), and a friendly dog (as my dog, Duke, died while I was in Bombay) to encourage me and my partner and help us along the way.

No, but seriously, I have never had a week like this in my life!!! It got to the point where you would just have to laugh and ask yourself, �How is it possible that one person could be this unlucky?� Just to give you an idea take a look at my trip home and keep in mind this is one day out of 10.
I had had plans to spend my last night in Bombay to be near the airport but being the thrifty person I am I stayed at my partner Ena�s house about 45 minutes outside of Bombay. Despite the fact that we were up at about 4:30am and left in plenty of time we hadn�t planned on the horrible road condition. The Swiss cheese roads, as I like to call them, were a result of the monsoon rains that were beating down on us all week and made for an awful case of car sickness. So our 45minute drive turned into two hours and even though I arrived at the airport 30 minutes before the flight was to take off, it left 40 minutes earlier than scheduled and left without me. The airlines would do nothing for me so I had to buy a ticket on another flight later that day. After checking my bags in at the ticket counter my shoes broke so I had to go barefoot in the airport. Later that evening in Hyderabad I had to wait on a street corner for 2 hours to get on a bus. I finally got on a bus at midnight and was home by 6:30am� just in time for a busy Harvest India day!:)

Though the trip at many times was difficult I am so thankful for the opportunity to have met Ena. She is truly an answer to prayer; now I have a real friend in India. She is a remarkable designer of women�s Indian dress but was called to move out of the city to work for Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC) where she is training girls, rescued from the red-light district, how to sew and design clothing. I would never have been able to complete my work without her! Check out the picture of us at a saree shop.

Also, the girls at BTC�s Ashagram (Hope House) were an amazing blessing to me. When you hear these girls stories and you see their beautiful faces you can hardly believe it: a teenage girl starting her life story, �Even when I was in my mother�s womb, she hated me,� and girls telling of when their parents and grandparents took them to the red-light area to �make money for the family.� But the most remarkable thing was the hope that now exists. These same girls that tried to kill themselves or drink excessively to numb the pain now have goals of owning their own tailoring businesses, going to college or seminary, and getting married. They now look at the future with hope and anticipation for what God is going to do in their lives. Praise the Lord for these beautiful restored lives!

2006-08-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Ena and I with Sunjay, our saree guy. Notice: when you buy sarees you sit on the floor and the salesmen throw the sarees in your lap.

2006-08-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

The back streets of Bombay. I snapped this picture during one of the few moments when the rain took at break.

2006-08-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Some of the sweet girls I had the opportunity to get to know while at Ashagram. The are standing in front of a truck delivering the sewing machines and furniture purchased by Indian Princess Project (IPP).

2006-08-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Ashagram. BTC's House of Hope. 1 1/2 hours out of Bombay, it sits as a retreat from the dark and dirty Red-Light area.

I’m so tired but I can’t sleep…

2006-08-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

Once again I have an entry riddled with extremes. It is as if the Buddhist concept of ying and yang* was derived simply from observing the seemingly contradictory experiences one can have in India. But I guess it wouldn’t be India if it were any other way.

*Funny side note…Ying came up on my spell check—it wanted to replace it with yang. How can you have yang without the ying?!?

Last week I was walking through the neighborhood and came upon some baby chics. I picked one up and cuddled it---it was so cute. 2 minutes later I arrive home and there is Lazarus in the backyard killing a chicken for dinner.

Does irony ever stop being ironic?

Anyways, I was happy to have had the experience; now I truly understand the sacrifice made in order for me to eat. In the US, most of us take for granted that life was lost for us to eat. I told myself before coming to India that if I couldn’t at least watch a chicken be killed and help pluck the feathers than I didn’t deserve to eat chicken or any animal for that matter.
So I observed the killing process and then helped pluck the feathers. Just a couple hours later dinner was served. Did I eat the chicken…you bet! And although we don’t have meat all that often, when we do I am very thankful for it. See pictures below…

At times it feels like everyone in India is numb to suffering and death. It is always around whether it is the animals on the street or the street people. You start to ask yourself am I the only one seeing this? Am I going to stop seeing it someday? How do I deal with it now? And I almost get angry at the people I am with for not being outraged but this is their reality, it is all they have ever known. Should they see through my eyes or should I see through theirs?

Then there is the language barrier. It’s funny as soon as someone actually understands me, I feel misunderstood. I am so frustrated with my inability to talk to the people and to understand what they are saying, the jokes they are telling, and the prayers they are praying.
There is no way I can accomplish all that is expected if no one understands each other.

And on the rare occasion when they do understand, they either: think I am stupid and just repeat (over and over) some inane answer to placate me or they don’t trust me and go to Suresh to get approval.

How does that help facilitate administration?

Is it just ‘cause I am a woman?

Everyday is a new day of frustrations and I am trying to stay positive b/c the frustrations are so minor in the scheme of things but it sure is amazing how quickly they add up here in India.

“It’s funny how I feel so much
but can not say a word.
We are screaming inside… but we can’t be heard.”

2006-08-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

Prakash and I and a couple of adorable baby chicks.

2006-08-06T05:19:00.000-07:00

Oh the irony...

2006-08-06T05:18:00.000-07:00

It was a little difficult at first but by the end I had lost the nauseous feeling and got pretty good at plucking the feathers

2006-08-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

Harvest India lost an amazing man this week. The Chief Overseer for Harvest India, Santhie, passed away on Thursday. He was the right-hand man to Suresh and friend of over 30 years. Suresh and Santhie’s friendship was something extremely special. When they were teenagers their town was in the midst of a feud between 2 different castes. Suresh was from one caste and Santhie was from the other. Despite what the majority said they decided as young men to take a stand and went through town holding hands, they ate at each others houses, and were best friends through it all. The feud didn’t last much longer; was it b/c of Santhie and Suresh, who knows? But friendships like that only come along once in a lifetime!!!

Suresh is doing well. He knows that Santhie ran the race to win the prize and God brought him home where there is no more pain. Thank you LORD that we had the opportunity to know him and his selfless giving nature!

Please pray for comfort and peace for everyone in the ministry, including Santhie’s wife and 5 year old son.

Also, I have several family members and a friend struggling with life threatening diseases please pray for them.

One last prayer request, there is an illness spreading quickly here in India called Chicoon Goonya (that is probably not spelled correctly). It is spread by mosquito and since it is the rainy season there are thousands of mosquitoes. Please pray for me, HI staff, and all the kids in the children’s home that we would be kept from this illness.

"The Family Business"

2006-07-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being so absent lately. It’s not that I have been too busy (although I have been going from 6am to 11pm), it’s not that I ran out of interesting things to say (that would be impossible in India), and it’s not that I am a slacker (ok sometimes I am). No, actually I’ve been a little overwhelmed with my new reality and I was struggling with finding how to put it into words. Although I haven’t felt inspired to write I realized I had to start getting down the events b/c if I wait any longer it will be so overwhelming that you won’t believe it.

Where to begin…. What do you want first; you want the light side or the heavy side of life here in the Kumar house?

Light, good, me too….

For those of you who know Suresh this may be difficult to do, but try to picture Suresh as an Italian Mafia Godfather (except Indian) and Harvest India as one big mafia family. Except of course, instead of corruption and cement shoes Harvest India’s goal is to share the love of Christ through caring for the needy.

As in every good mafia family you have your top dog, the Don (Suresh), the brothers and cousins that are “in the family business,” and five Capos (key guys) who aren’t related but have been around long enough to be considered family. Just as in the movies, they all hangout while they making the cafone juniors do all the really hard work. Then you got like 20 or so cugines (wiseguys) whos job you can’t quite figure out but all you know is that when the godfather calls they all jump up to meet the call like the seagulls in Finding Nemo, “Mine, Mine, Mine.”

The center of all this activity is the house. Family is always there and by family I mean cousins, aunts/uncles, neighbors, friends, friends of friends. There is not a quiet corner in the place; especially with how loud they talk. And no matter how crowded it gets there is plenty to eat and always room for one more.

Suresh runs the whole show from the house. He doesn’t have an office; his office is wherever he is-the kitchen table, a folding chair on the porch or the couch. His cell phone is constantly ringing; actually he has 3. And then there is the all the cash. In India nobody uses credit cards or checks just cash. So the first morning after Suresh arrived in walked one of his “guys” with a big bag filled with money. And Suresh emptied it on the table and started handing it out. A pack of 50s for the vegetable guy, 6 packs 100s for the guy that does the payroll, 3 packs of 100s for the guy that does the relief camps, on and on. He even threw me a pack until I got settled and could make it to the bank. At that moment especially I couldn’t help but laugh at the incredible similarities.

Then there are the visitors. You can always tell who is waiting to visit with the Godfather; they have this look like any second they could stop breathing. They come at all hours of the day starting at 7:30am until the lights are turned off in the evening. Women, men, children they all come. The people that come to the Kumar house to talk to Suresh don’t come to get loan extentions or to beg not to have their legs broken, as they maybe if they were visiting a true mafia godfather. Instead, they come to Suresh, my friend/ my Indian daddy because he is their last hope for survival.

Let me give you an example of what I mean. I witnessed these events first hand; and although I was there I still have a hard time believing that it is real but it is real and everyday something else happens and you start to wonder when is enough enough? I wonder how much more can I take.

After breakfast on Suresh’s second day back, he and I were having a meeting when a couple of his associates came in to tell us there was a huge fire breaking out in one of the villages. We stopped by and it was terrible. People who had practically nothing now had absolutely nothing. And when I mean nothing I mean nothing; many of the women had contracted HIV and so had been out-casted, lived in squaller, and barely survived. We (Harvest India) though the funds are small gave blankets along with rice & lentils. When Suresh and I returned there were several people waiting on the porch to talk with him. After talking with each one we ate lunch and then went out to the porch. By then there was about 8 more people waiting including this beautiful petite woman. She stood patiently waiting to talk to Suresh; finally she walks up to him and speaks quietly and begins to cry. He sent her inside to have a cup of tea and turns to me and says, “ Her husband just died of AIDS and she just found out she now has HIV and she needs a place to live.” Upon hearing this I went in to sit with her. I put my hand on her and said, “ I-yo (I’m sorry)” and she began to cry. Before the girl even finishes her tea Suresh and Christina are in the room talking with us when a woman comes in and breaks down crying. She tells us that her daughter just died of AIDS. I didn’t know what to do but pray. I have never been so close to the impact of AIDS before; it felt unreal. That was one example…

Want another one…how ‘bout a quick rundown of today…
-maybe 20-25 visitors
-a man begged Suresh to take another 25 orphans at the orphanage that is already extremely over-crowded.
-A dad brought his teenage daughter to ask Suresh if he would take her because he can’t provide for her anymore (He said yes, of course)
-A young girl is brought in by a HI pastor. She had been married-off at age 13 to a man who was HIV+ and didn’t tell her parents or her. Four months ago he died. She is now 18 and HIV+ She wept and begged for Suresh to help her. He offered her a cot at the Bible College where she could get food and shelter.
-Visited a church in the heart of a large red-light district. Most of the woman were old and of no “use” to the district anymore, if you know what I mean. But what joy!!! I had never seen so many smiling faces in a crowd of Indian people (they usually all have blank expressions). But these women have come from the darkness to the light and you could see it all over their faces. Death has lost its sting for these women (many of which have HIV and other life threatening STDs). Of course we didn’t leave empty-handed. A women gave us her 10 year-old daughter to get her out of the red-light district before she gets any older.
-At around 10pm we placed 10 year-old Jotti at the HI/RH Childrens’ Home when we learned that a band of gypsys (I am sure that is not PC) stopped by in the late afternoon and left 16 of their children. That makes 300+ children in a home built for 100. Suresh just reminds himself and us constantly that God is faithful. If we trust in him he will provide. He is our stronghold in times of trouble.

Please be praying as the needs are so great and at times overwhelming.

2006-07-18T00:05:00.000-07:00

I think the total weight of the flowers exceeded my own weight which is hard to do these days as my steady diet of white rice with a side rice and potatoes has really been packing on the pounds.

2006-07-18T00:04:00.000-07:00

My Wecome party.
Suresh is reading my letter of appointment�.

2006-07-15T04:05:00.000-07:00

welcome home

I'm Safe!

2006-07-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

As most of you have heard by now there was a terrorist attack on Mumbai.

**Please do not worry about me. I am safe and well cared for. **

The trains in this area are running as usual. Actually Suresh arrives tonight in Hyderabad and will be taking a train from there to Tenali.

It breaks my heart to see the pictures and not now what everyone is saying. Actually since I don’t read the newspaper or watch TV I heard it first from my dad and MSN but by this evening news had made its way out to us and I sat and watched everyone discuss it.

I just wanted to reassure you, as some had expressed concern. I am well, just saddened by the event.

Kung Fuie!!

2006-07-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

Thank God it is the last day of the election and the whole of India is watching the counting of the ballots—because if I had to sit through another terrible Telugu movie I might fall into a self-induced coma. I am not kidding- they really are terrible. Let me rant for a second on why I hate Telugu movies and at the same time give you an understanding of why I feel my brain will liquefy if I watch one more minute.

Ever movie involves one of two plots: lovers who’s parents do not want them together or some woman in distress being rescued by some man and on the rare occasion there might be a combo of the two. But which ever plot the movie goes with one thing is for sure the main character will suddenly have the ability of a superhuman kung fu master. The choreography of these fight scenes are just ridiculous—I literally saw the hero get knocked down (finally) while fighting a gang of men. As he is laying on the ground the gang charges to stomp on him in unison but the hero is able to hold each foot ( about 6 in total) at one time. He struggles as the gang members “push down hard” with their “captured” feet but the hero gains strength and pushes back with such for force that the whole gang goes flying thru the air. Sounds bad, huh!? Well, it gets worse! They use these horribly cheesy 1980’s electronica sound effects with every blow, movement, or effect that occurs. It becomes the most bizarrely deafening noise and I can’t stand another second of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Driving In India--Holy Cow!!!!

2006-07-06T19:38:00.000-07:00

Friday June 29th

This was a fun day—I tried driving in India for the first time! My driving instructor or Master as they call it here is John, Suresh’s personal driver(nothing flashy it’s just Suresh doesn’t know how to drive—not uncommon in India). Gevan also came along to put in his 2 cents. John was so cute , I think he didn’t know I could drive b/c he started by introducing the key, brake, gas, and gears. I just let him go on and boy was he amazed when I started driving not to mention everyone we passed on the road; you would have thought they had seen a ghost driving (you never see women drivers let alone a white one). We started on the back roads so I could work my way into the craziness. Pretty much John’s advice was “see no cars- go” and “no margin” meaning the road is only big enough for one car so watch out for: the oncoming car, ricshaws, cows, bikes and children! “Steady, straight” was good advice which meant don’t freak out about the speeding truck coming right at you; if you keep this path and speed you’ll have a good ½ inch to pass him.
John was so impressed by the way I handled the back roads that after 40 minutes he had me drive on the main road to the orphanage. And just when I thought I had received every bit of sage advice from John he broke out with my two favorite Johnisms. The first was “No tension” which he said all the way to the orphanage and back to the house. I figured it out to mean, “don’t stress you’re doing fine.” I’m just not sure if those words were for my encouragement or his J The last and best piece of Johnism advice repeated over and over on my first time driving in India was “No Crashing.” BRILLIANT!

So….you’re probably all wondering if I made it home safely—by the grace of God I did. In fact, John told everyone that I could be his personal driver. J

July 3rd
I am praying for God to use me in some way during this waiting period. I know that this is good for me to sit and observe life in India, s-l-o-w-l-y learn the language, and get adjusted to a new way of life but I am bored. I am not use to sitting in the house and not doing anything all day but most of India just sits and waits out the day. Everyone tells me when Suresh comes back we’ll be busy but I and don’t want to miss what I am suppose to be doing during this time right now, even if it is to just sit and be comfortable waiting.
Luke 12:35-40
35"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

2006-07-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

Me at Singapore Airport. Yes an orchid garden in an airport...only in Singapore. It was so beautiful I didn't even mind the 8 hour layover there. And hey, not too bad of a picture after 20 hours of flying

2006-07-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

Mosquito bites from the first night... I have been much better since then. Don't worry no signs of malaria yet!!! And if you're wondering, I stopped counting at 100....

2006-07-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

Anu is standing where they do some of the cooking, boil water for bathing you know all the normal things you do in the morning :P

2006-07-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

Basama. She keeps me well fed and taken care of. Sweetest woman ever!

2006-07-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

Kumari (she seems superhuman) and John the driver.

2006-07-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

Mercy and David on the way to school. They are Suresh and Christina's kids.

2006-07-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

Christina and Peter. Peter is the go to guy for everything. He also gets blamed for everything too. I haven't yet figured out if he deserves it

2006-07-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

The gang waking up to the day!

2006-07-04T12:21:00.001-07:00

seriously, it doesn't get more beautiful!

2006-07-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

Christina's neice and nephew. Predum is all boy and lights up my day. He goes around continuously saying "HI-YA" and karate chopping everything

2006-07-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

What a sweet welcome the children's home gave me. I only wish I had the opportunity to get a picture of the sign before the rains hit.

2006-07-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

Neighbors right across the street

2006-07-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

Neighbor 1

2006-07-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

My Room!! So much more than I ever expected!

Ahhh!

2006-07-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

So here I am again at the internet cafe. I was going to update you all on my driving experience but that will have to wait for another day as my driver John has been sweating in the car while I checked and replied to all my emails, used Yahoo Messenger to call my family 5 times (and I know they are sitting infront of the computer but their speakers are off so they can't hear me calling), and I just remembered that I forgot my disk to update my blog. So I really should wait until I can do the experience justice. Give me a couple of days and hopefully I will have internet access and all will be well! But don't hold your breathe!

Love you all & thanks for the encouragement!

I'm In India--Can you believe it??

2006-07-01T01:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken so long to get this post up; getting connected to the internet has proven to be quite the challenge. The challenge, however, is not in the actual connection but getting someone to follow through on in helping me. I am trying to be patient and learn the Indian way but if I wasn’t up and running tonight I would have…. probably just waited longer. J (which I did—3 more days)
-----Actually pictures will come later as I am at an internet cafe-----

I am enclosing some pictures so you can get an idea of my surroundings and faces with names. I am hoping to have a webpage up soon but see shall see about that.

The following are excerpts from the journal I was keeping since I didn’t have access to internet. I am sure this first entry will be too long to keep your attention but I have a lot to catch you up on….

Day One
It is about 95 degrees with 98% humidity… make that 100% as it just started to rain. So far I have been introduced to about 16 people (just over half the household), been stared at by all of them walked in on once, and laid with 3 garlands and am currently watching a Telugu movie with 14 people in a room the size of a bedroom. I love India!

My room is nice but really warm since it is upstairs

Day 2
I woke up today to over 100 mosquito bites all over my body. Well, actually I stopped counting at 100. Please pray that none of those little critters were carrying Malaria.

Electricity went out 4 times today which is about normal. Met two amazing old women today; Lolitha’s (the women who started Harvest India) sister and the other was a pastor. One had “tennis elbow” and the other had big black bruises on her knees both injuries were from extensive daily prayer.

Went to Children’s Home and received quite a reception!!!

As I finish writing and prepare for bed I have killed 5 flying crickets, 10 mosquitoes, 1 cockroach and 2 unknown bugs—eventually I am just going to give up and accept this is India, right??

Day 3 (was a full day)
The LORD has renewed my spirit!!! The day is hot and bright and I feel good! I am not speaking Telugu fluently instead I am struggling to remember words and phrases. Everyone here love when I say something in Telugu so I am encouraged always!

Went shopping for Saris today and had a blast! You remove your shoes as you enter the store and step up to a platform where Christina, her sister Chaana, Bashama (cook and Christina’s “nurse maid”) and I sat as the shopkeepers threw tons of saris at our feet to choose from. I wish I had a picture of it but I was too distracted by all the beautiful saris to remember to take one. All in all I bought 4 saris (3 for me and one for Bashama—she loves me and treats me like a princess), 2 punjabis, 2 nighties (the wear them all day until they have to leave the house then they put on the sari and as soon as they get home they take of the sari and put the nightie back on), and a pair of earrings. Unfortunately I can’t wear the earrings unless I feel like gauging my ears; the posts are easily 3 times the thickness of our earring posts and gauged earlobes aren’t really my thing so I will probably give them to Kumari (the housekeeper/Bashama’s assistant/ nanny/chamber maid/ go to girl for everything --all day everyday you can hear someone calling KUMAAARRRRIIIII!!!)

When we got home from shopping I made a screen for my window MacGyver style using only a sari, scissors, tape and staples. I wanted it to look nice and even so I cut it up into 5 pieces and fit it together. I am rather proud of it. The gang saw it and said, “You are Indian!” I am not sure if that means I am resourceful or were trying to kindly tell me I did a shoddy job.

At 7pm Christina, I and all the kids went to a baby’s 6 month celebration. It was outside in an ally and they lit up the place w/ a florescent tube which acted like a homing beacon for every bug in Tenali. I have never seen so many bugs swarming around a group of people that seemed not to notice. So custom is that everyone feeds the baby a little rice pudding. We were the last to go so Christina fed the baby and then it was my turn. All the cameras and lights and bugs were on me and the baby so I get a little rice pudding on my finger and she opens her mouth wide as if she is laughing so I try to feed her the rice pudding and suddenly projectile vomit shot out of her wide open mouth into my hand. Amazing, she ate until she literally could eat no more…that girl is alright with me!

Day 4
Sunday. I had to preach. I’ve never preached before but I gave it my best shot. I spoke on praising the LORD through any circumstance. Christina said I did great and I felt pretty good about it.

I cried for the first time this evening—everyone noticed (I think things get around fast here). It was just too much—Christina sent me into the dining room to eat all by myself. I just thought about my house and Sunday dinner and how much fun they are and the tears just started streaming and I couldn’t stop them. But solace came from the one I thought least likely, Anu. She pointed to each person in the room and said to me, “Me, Kumari, Peter, and Wilson are your mummy and daddy—we are your family. Jesus is your family—happy in Jesus.” So sweet!!!

Day 5
Mercy and David had to go back to school today after having several days off to spend with their mom, Christina. What a commotion! Mercy cried for a half hour before allowing anyone to bathe her. Then Christina tried to force feed her while Kumari got her dressed. David who is 10 had 3 people dressing him including putting on his socks and shoes. I couldn’t resist commenting. I said, “David you’re 10 years old and don’t know how to put your shoes and socks on?”
Over lunch I learned that Bashama and Lazarus have been married for 30 years and have 3 children. Shockingly she told me that one of her sons was getting married that day. I said why aren’t you there at the wedding? She said she would rather be where Christina and I are. I’m not sure if that is true or if I lost something in translation but I was shocked.

Around 4 I went for a run and ended up running through the same village I spoke in the day before. What an ordeal, dogs and kids chasing me, people staring and waving and giving me “namaste”

Day 6
Today my stomach’s defenses are starting to weaken to the deluge of Indian bacteria and bugs. Although I do not have full blown Delhi Belly (despite in avertedly drinking well water) it still took a lot out of me (pun intended). We visited the Children’s home again and stopped in at Bashama’s house which is on the campus. I met her daughter and grandchildren. Their house is 1 ½ rooms (1/2 being the kitchen) is about the size of a bedroom and is the cleanest house I have been in yet. Bashama, Lazarus, their daughter, her husband, and 2 kids all live there. In contrast, after finishing the refreshments Bashama provided we were off to Guntur to the house/mansion that is Suresh’s friend has given the ministry.

Exciting news!!! I killed The Creature!!!! For the past couple of days the cockroaches I killed had been disappearing. Then yesterday I came face to face with the reason. A 3 inch cockroach perched on the hinge of the toilet seat; unfortunately, I only noticed him after I got up from using the bathroom. I tried to kill him but failed but not tonight!! Perched in the same spot as if to mock me The Creature lunged at me and scurried away. We had a short battle but I am the winner tonight or until his 37,000 brothers and sisters come to take their revenge!!!!!!!

Day 7

If yesterday’s discomfort was a 3-4 today is a 5 ½-6. Everyone knows that if anyone can handle stomach issues it’s me but it is the cramping and quezziness that is causing me the most discomfort. Please pray for me as it appears the worst is yet to come.

Despite knowing my “issues” everyone in the house is insisting that I eat so I have spent most my day in my room close to the toilet and out of sight of the family.

Day 8

WOW, let me tell you how not fun yesterday was! The stomach “issues” got worst and I decided to go downstairs b/c my room was so warm I laid on Christina’s bed and I think that worried her. She and her sister were coming in every 15 minutes trying to get me to eat something- juice of some weird Indian fruit which was more like a smoothie than juice, bananas, rice, and coconut water. I refused everything but they insisted on me drinking the coconut water. Oh lordy it was aweful but they said it is good for stopping motions (translation: movements). I had already taken 3 “motions stopping” pills, a glass of coconut milk but still nothing could stop me so Christina called the “doctor” in. He asked a few questions gave me some pills and insisted on giving me a shot. Despite my refusal I got a shot in the butt. Man that was not fun! The rest of the evening was difficult, the whole family was concerned. They had me sleep downstairs in the living room right outside Christina’s room. Anu and Kumari slept on the floor next to my cot.

This morning I was still sick but was able to keep a banana and idlee (rice meal cakes) down (or should I say up). The doctor stopped by and gave me a new pill and another shot but Praise the LORD I fill so much better! I think John, the driver, is going to take me out to practice in a little bit; I am hoping to get video of the traffic so you will know what I am up against.

Get Ready, Get Set....GO!

2006-06-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I bought my ticket today!!!!
Let the count down begin…..14 days exactly.
But I won’t believe that I am really going until I am on the airplane.

God Never Makes His Servants Wait in Vain!

2006-06-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

As I am getting ready to depart I am thankful for these past several months that Christ has given me to prepare. Had I left, as originally planned, I would have missed so many special moments like my brother's and Erin's graduation, Suresh and Christina's arrival, and my 30th birthday spent with my family and friends.

I can finally say that I have a glimpse into God's wisdom. I am so grateful that God is in control!

India comes to me!

2006-05-16T23:28:00.000-07:00

Suresh and Christina arrived today. How wonderful it is to have them here in the States. I feel a stirring inside; my inner voice saying, "it's almost time to go!" Every detail has finally come together and in exactly one month I will be leaving for India (for real this time)!

Also, on a completely different note... I saw Mandesa (American Idol) at LAX while waiting for Suresh and Christina's plane. I was so excited to see her b/c I had been wanting to tell her how much I respect her and today I got the chance. I told her what an awesome stand she made for Christ when she sang "Shackles" on AI. She hugged me and thanked me and I, in oh so cool fashion,fumbled over my words and then tripped over her luggage ( just kidding on that last part but that would have been funny, huh!).

2006-05-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful to be surrounded by my family and friends for my birthday. What a blessing that God gave me the opportunity to be in the US right now.

Also, as an added bonus, I have a departure date!!! Yeppie!!!

I am leaving for real June 16th. I will be posting more regularly as I prepare for my departure.

Talk to you soon....