Thursday January 17, 2008
Hello Friends and Family!
We apoligize for not keeping you informed of our travels and experiences. We have been extrememly busy travelling and visiting many homes and day cares. This has been our first opportunity to use a computer.
After visiting St. Thomas mount, we packed up our suitcases and headed by train to the mountain town of Kodai Kanal. Train station life is hustle n bustle - fast paced. We did not wait long enough to find out if the trains waited or not, but my guess is probably not! The highlight of the train ride was meeting all of the interesting riders, one of whom was Phil Collins himself! Not Phil Collins, the singer but Phil Collins the English Baptist minister! He and our team both share a love for biscuits as well as sharing Christ in orphanages throughout India. After our sleepless train ride, we began our hike up the mountain to Kodai Kanal!
Kodai Kanal is placed on the foothills on the sides of gorgeous mountains. People still do not know how to drive but the pace is much slower than Chennai. The houses are bright colored and the people are warm to welcome.
Here is where we met our strong and devoted Brother in Christ Paramadas. He took us to 2 day cares (one of which was formerly a slaughter house), a boys and girls home, but the highlight was the special needs home. Wherever we go, we have the local community's attention. At one particular visit in a small village, about 25 locals gathered to hear our friend Gabe preach and then were invited to be blessed by our team. It is amazing to see how God works. Here we are expecting just to talk with the children at the homes and God steps in and opens up the ears of the entire village!
Our last day in Kodai Kanal, Paramadas showed us his home and we met his family. He has a beautiful wife and two adorable children, but that is not his entire family. He and his wife take care of 6 'differently abled' young men who have exceded the age limit of Bethania homes. Paramadas and his wife work day and night taking care of the day cares as well as his own home. Please pray for his family and his special ministry.
On our last day, the team was fortunate to have a little time to shop but too late in the day to blog. Dave and Mitch led the way in their bartering skills as the rest of the team stood in awe with mouths dropped in amazement. The team bonded through the experience.
Today we said goodbye to our beautiful cottage and cool, pleasant weather and lovely, breath taking mountain views in exchange for the hot n humid 10 hour van ride to Nagercoil - home of LCMS Seminary and the girls home.
Tomorrow we look forward to visiting the seminary and spending more time at the girls home.
Looking back on our past couple of days, we have seen and experienced so much. We look forward to telling you more when we meet face to face. Please continue to pray for us as we think and pray for you.
Pictures from Kodai Kanal