So I just wanted to say hello! Also to give some words about the trip. First I want to go back. I don't know if it could ever happen but I have fallen in forever LOVE with that place. I have not been able to think over much of anything because life has not halted enough for me to have the chance to process the fact that God blessed me with that trip. I miss everyone and I think I am going through withdraws! How does one go from seeing everyone everyday to not seeing them at all. I miss the easy going and steady passe of India. Don't get me wrong, India was always going and never slow, but I was like people took there time. Now that I am home I feel like I am trying to cram a whole summer into a few days!
Every time someone asks about my trip its hard for me to tell them in a short story format, it always ends up going on and on. Which always leaves them with this look on their face. Of course everyone wants to hear about the trip, It's just that I want them to understand the full effect of the trip (maybe to help me understand) Keep talking and talking and it ends up where I am drilling the trip into peoples heads or repeating myself or babbling on and on! and then that look comes, lol.
I can not believe it! sometime I feel like I am going to wake up an people are going to say it was just a dream. I have to keep looking at the pictures to remind my self!
So I g2g love everyone ttyl!
bye Doug!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Best Highlights!
Here it is: An after the fact blog of the first ever trip from Sterling to India. Some highlights for me, Will Best, Team Leader are:1. The SC Team stepped to many challenges again and again. One such time was at our first Sunday morning worship when the ladies got up to sing"Here We are to Worship." Almost immediately, the church drummer began the rhythm to accompany the team. This was a surprise to the singing lassies. They had an instant to decide what to do. After a smile or two, the team found its place with the faster drumming and finished strong!It was a meeting of music, culture and people in worship and praise to God. It was prophetic of the entire trip as this kind of thing happened again and again.
2. A second high point for me came during one of our"on-the-way-back-in-the-bus" debriefings. Normally, each person would share a high and low point of the day or the just completed experience.For the first week or so, heat, stomach issues, and fatigue were frequent low points. Then one evening it happened. Nothing had really changed. It was still hot, people had tender tummies, and we were still tired. But no one had a down moment! We had overcome the challenges and focused on the ministry and positive leaning times!
3. I've got nothing but praise for ICM India and Global Infusion for their leadership and helpfulness in taking care of the details of the half-way-around-the-world trek. Doing this groundwork before and during our stay helped us engage the work, the people, and God more quickly and serve well. I'd do it again!
4. I'd like to thank all who have prayed and I hope still are praying for us and for India Christian Ministries, our contact organization that we served there. I'm convinced even more how important prayer is. It's not just important is vital!
Will Best
2. A second high point for me came during one of our"on-the-way-back-in-the-bus" debriefings. Normally, each person would share a high and low point of the day or the just completed experience.For the first week or so, heat, stomach issues, and fatigue were frequent low points. Then one evening it happened. Nothing had really changed. It was still hot, people had tender tummies, and we were still tired. But no one had a down moment! We had overcome the challenges and focused on the ministry and positive leaning times!
3. I've got nothing but praise for ICM India and Global Infusion for their leadership and helpfulness in taking care of the details of the half-way-around-the-world trek. Doing this groundwork before and during our stay helped us engage the work, the people, and God more quickly and serve well. I'd do it again!
4. I'd like to thank all who have prayed and I hope still are praying for us and for India Christian Ministries, our contact organization that we served there. I'm convinced even more how important prayer is. It's not just important is vital!
Will Best
Monday Wash Day...
Oh Wait... it's not Monday... oh well.
The cool breeze blows in the front door as my mother steps outside. It was beautiful today. A far cry from the humid 46 degrees Celsius we experienced in India. I was hanging out the laundry earlier and contrasting the experience. I did some of the laundry for our team while in India. Washed it by hand in the kitchen sink and hung it over the balcony rail. By the time I got everything washed and hung out, I would feel like I had already done a day's work and needed a shower.
It was interesting to watch the ladies there do laundry. The would take an article of clothing, already wet, and spread it out on a large, flat stone. Then they would rub it with some type of soap. After it was soaped, they would gather it up, fold it in half with a couple of twists in the fabric, then slam it against the stone. Again and again they would hit the stone, occasionally adding water. After they felt it was sufficiently "slammed", they would put it in a seperate pile and go on to the next article of clothing. I didn't see the rest of the process, but I would guess that they would later go back and rinse all the clothing, then hang it to dry. Some of the Sari fabric would be draped over the edge of the roof. Other clothing may be hung on clotheslines on the roof.
Here, I have it easy... I turn on the water to whatever temperature I want it... I don't have to heat the water myself if I want it hot. I add detergent and clothing and this new-fangled machine does the rest. The last part is similar... I take the clothes outside to hang on a line in our front yard. The strong Kansas wind makes the drying time quick. I didn't sweat a single drop today as I did laundry.
-Susan
The cool breeze blows in the front door as my mother steps outside. It was beautiful today. A far cry from the humid 46 degrees Celsius we experienced in India. I was hanging out the laundry earlier and contrasting the experience. I did some of the laundry for our team while in India. Washed it by hand in the kitchen sink and hung it over the balcony rail. By the time I got everything washed and hung out, I would feel like I had already done a day's work and needed a shower.
It was interesting to watch the ladies there do laundry. The would take an article of clothing, already wet, and spread it out on a large, flat stone. Then they would rub it with some type of soap. After it was soaped, they would gather it up, fold it in half with a couple of twists in the fabric, then slam it against the stone. Again and again they would hit the stone, occasionally adding water. After they felt it was sufficiently "slammed", they would put it in a seperate pile and go on to the next article of clothing. I didn't see the rest of the process, but I would guess that they would later go back and rinse all the clothing, then hang it to dry. Some of the Sari fabric would be draped over the edge of the roof. Other clothing may be hung on clotheslines on the roof.
Here, I have it easy... I turn on the water to whatever temperature I want it... I don't have to heat the water myself if I want it hot. I add detergent and clothing and this new-fangled machine does the rest. The last part is similar... I take the clothes outside to hang on a line in our front yard. The strong Kansas wind makes the drying time quick. I didn't sweat a single drop today as I did laundry.
-Susan
Sunday, May 17, 2009
More Pictures
Cara and Ashley with a household pet - a lizard!
Doing the "Noah's Ark" Skit at one of the CCH sites. I love the way they decorate their churches! :)
Liz, our wonderful GI leader, playing Duck-Duck-Goose.
We took bubbles to some of the sites. The kids absolutely loved them! :)
Saturday, May 16, 2009
India Thunderstorm - Kansas Thunderstorm
I'm sitting at home, listening to the storm rage outside. It reminds me of our first HCDC experience. We went out to a village church where about 100 kids were waiting for us. It was windy... Unusual for India. As we were singing songs, telling Bible stories, and having a great time, it started to lightening and thunder. We were told to wrap the program up a little early so everyone could go home. While we were doing the last activity, the electricity went off and the church sign fell off of the building, hitting a guy in the head. The kids must not have been too scared because they all came around wanting to shake our hands and tell us good-bye. The girls all wanted to kiss us on the cheek and be kissed in return. We helped clean the wound of the man who got hit by the church sign and took him to the local hospital/clinic. We drove back to the guest house in the rain, wind, and dark. No electricity when we got there, so we opened up all the windows so the fresh breeze could blow through the house. All us girls laid around for a long time, talking and laughing. The storm itself wasn't all that different from a Kansas thunderstorm. There was lightening, thunder, and some wind. There was the power outage and the fresh breeze afterwards. God's way of cleaning the air. So refreshing... relaxing... time to go to bed.
-Susan
-Susan
Friday, May 15, 2009
Home Sweet Home - Almost
Yesu namam lo meku vandanalu! (Greetings in the Name of Jesus!)
So we left the Guest House at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday India Time... which was about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday Night Kansas Time. (Wednesday Afternoon, we had some relaxing time... more about that later). We flew out of India at 1:45 a.m. Thursday India Time (3:15 p.m. Wednesday Ks. Time). After a layover in Germany, we made it to Newark at about 2:00 p.m. Ks. Time on Thursday. There we met up with a delay due to our plane being made of sugar (and therefore unable to fly because of the weather). Instead of leaving at 3:15 Ks. Time, we left at 7:20 p.m. ks. Time. We landed in KC at about 10:30 p.m. Coach was there to pick up those of us going back to SC. We got to SC about 3:00 a.m. Friday Kansas Time... (it is now about 4:30 a.m. Ks. Time).
Two days and 4 hours later... Three of us at back at SC, and the others are home (or spending the night somewhere and then going home).
The past two weeks have been amazing. There is so much to share. Hopefully some of the other team members will share their thoughts as well.
Thank you so much for all your Prayer!
-Susan
So we left the Guest House at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday India Time... which was about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday Night Kansas Time. (Wednesday Afternoon, we had some relaxing time... more about that later). We flew out of India at 1:45 a.m. Thursday India Time (3:15 p.m. Wednesday Ks. Time). After a layover in Germany, we made it to Newark at about 2:00 p.m. Ks. Time on Thursday. There we met up with a delay due to our plane being made of sugar (and therefore unable to fly because of the weather). Instead of leaving at 3:15 Ks. Time, we left at 7:20 p.m. ks. Time. We landed in KC at about 10:30 p.m. Coach was there to pick up those of us going back to SC. We got to SC about 3:00 a.m. Friday Kansas Time... (it is now about 4:30 a.m. Ks. Time).
Two days and 4 hours later... Three of us at back at SC, and the others are home (or spending the night somewhere and then going home).
The past two weeks have been amazing. There is so much to share. Hopefully some of the other team members will share their thoughts as well.
Thank you so much for all your Prayer!
-Susan
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A Few Photos
View off our Balcony at the ICM Guest House. 
Stephanie Playing Duck-Duck-Goose at CCH - They love that game :) 
After visiting the second SCH, We went to the beach just so we could say we had been there... we have a Beach Day coming up on Monday :)So Much to Do, So Little Time
Quick update...
Since Friday, we have been to a number of Children's homes, mostly CCH and a couple of SCH's. CCH's have anywhere between 4-10 children living with a pastor and his family on the first floor of the church, while the second floor houses the "sanctuary". Not your typical American church. They are very simply a large room with windows (no glass or screens) that allow the breeze to blow through. there are usually a couple ceiling fans (if the electricity is working). SCH's (there are two) are homes for special needs children, children who were priorly in a state institutions where they received very little to no care. They are the sweetest Children. You can't help by fall in love with them. It's hard, because I want to bring them home with me and take care of them.
We have also participated in a couple of village outreaches.
Quick story. We were at a CCH Yesterday morning. Ten girls live with the pastor and his family. They welcomed us warmly, then told us that there were 100 people waiting for us upstairs! Everywhere we go, it seems like the entire village comes to see us. There was a girl there, probably about 4 or 5... it's hard to judge ages because a lot of the kids are so small... who was scooting around, she couldn't walk by herself. Several of us prayed for her. The Pastor of the church, through our translator Pastor K, told us that 6 months ago, the family was a gentile family (not believers) and the little girl couldn't walk at all. Then they started attending church. Now the girl can walk with help. I saw that she was holding onto the rails of the window to help her stand. I went over, and helped her walk half-way across the room to where her mother was. It would be nice to go back to that village later, and see the girl able to walk all by herself.
There is so much more I would love to be able to share with you. I would love to tell you about Serene, about the traffic, about the animals... I can't do it all at once though...
SHOPPING DAY
Wednesday was our shopping day. Pastor K's wife, Doug, Chitti, and Bro. Johnson were brave enough to take a bunch of white girls (yes, Santa Clause is real?) plus Dr. Best and Pastor Ron shopping. It was hectic. First, we went to a Sari/Punjabi shop and bought authentic Indian attire
Then we were to a variety of other shops. One of my favorites was the jewelry store. Mother, you remember how the sisters on the front of the SEND! have their nose pierced?...
Since Friday, we have been to a number of Children's homes, mostly CCH and a couple of SCH's. CCH's have anywhere between 4-10 children living with a pastor and his family on the first floor of the church, while the second floor houses the "sanctuary". Not your typical American church. They are very simply a large room with windows (no glass or screens) that allow the breeze to blow through. there are usually a couple ceiling fans (if the electricity is working). SCH's (there are two) are homes for special needs children, children who were priorly in a state institutions where they received very little to no care. They are the sweetest Children. You can't help by fall in love with them. It's hard, because I want to bring them home with me and take care of them.
We have also participated in a couple of village outreaches.
Quick story. We were at a CCH Yesterday morning. Ten girls live with the pastor and his family. They welcomed us warmly, then told us that there were 100 people waiting for us upstairs! Everywhere we go, it seems like the entire village comes to see us. There was a girl there, probably about 4 or 5... it's hard to judge ages because a lot of the kids are so small... who was scooting around, she couldn't walk by herself. Several of us prayed for her. The Pastor of the church, through our translator Pastor K, told us that 6 months ago, the family was a gentile family (not believers) and the little girl couldn't walk at all. Then they started attending church. Now the girl can walk with help. I saw that she was holding onto the rails of the window to help her stand. I went over, and helped her walk half-way across the room to where her mother was. It would be nice to go back to that village later, and see the girl able to walk all by herself.
There is so much more I would love to be able to share with you. I would love to tell you about Serene, about the traffic, about the animals... I can't do it all at once though...
SHOPPING DAY
Wednesday was our shopping day. Pastor K's wife, Doug, Chitti, and Bro. Johnson were brave enough to take a bunch of white girls (yes, Santa Clause is real?) plus Dr. Best and Pastor Ron shopping. It was hectic. First, we went to a Sari/Punjabi shop and bought authentic Indian attire
Then we were to a variety of other shops. One of my favorites was the jewelry store. Mother, you remember how the sisters on the front of the SEND! have their nose pierced?...
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Wow!
So it hit me Saturday evening as we were walking through a village of 600. I turned to Stephanie and said, "I'm in India, walking through a village, praying with people!" I couldn't believe it. I sometimes still don't believe it.
We arrived left SC first thing on Wednesday Morning and arrived in Chennai, India at about 11:30 Thursday night (local time). We traveled through Newark NJ and Frankfurt Germany. Roughly 20 hours of air-time. As we were headed for the Immigration lines in the Airport, we heard "What's Up! What's Up!" uttered by two Indian guys who were excited to see a team of all white girls... well, a team of almost all white girls. Other than Dr. Best and Ron, There are all girls. Unfortunately, we had to break it to Salima that she wasn't white in the middle of the Frankfurt airport. She was also devastated to find out that there isn't a Santa Clause!
Our Awesome GI team leader and ICM contact met us outside the airport. We were ushered to the vans. Liz (GI team leader) and Doug (ICM contact) quickly became part of our team, as did Chitti (who has accompanied us on almost all of our outings and has proved very useful).
I can't give details about everything simply because of time limitations, but I'll try to give a brief overview. We spend our first night in the YMCA in Chennai. The next day (Friday) was a 5 hour drive to the city of about 300,000 out of which we are based. Us girls are staying in a guest house connected to the ministries offices. It's nice, with air conditioning in two of the rooms. There is also a nice balcony where I like to spend some time in the early mornings. It's fun to just watch everything around me, and I enjoy being entertained by the antics of the guys on the roof across the road. Seems like every time I'm out there, they are jumping rope, lifting weights, doing push-ups... I have the sneaking suspicion that they are simply showing off because I'm a white girl.
Saturday, We spent the morning at a CCH. There were 7 boys, two of which belonged to the Pastor and his wife, who lived on the first floor, with a room for the church taking up the second floor.
Well, we'll have to finish this another time...
Blessings!
-Susan
We arrived left SC first thing on Wednesday Morning and arrived in Chennai, India at about 11:30 Thursday night (local time). We traveled through Newark NJ and Frankfurt Germany. Roughly 20 hours of air-time. As we were headed for the Immigration lines in the Airport, we heard "What's Up! What's Up!" uttered by two Indian guys who were excited to see a team of all white girls... well, a team of almost all white girls. Other than Dr. Best and Ron, There are all girls. Unfortunately, we had to break it to Salima that she wasn't white in the middle of the Frankfurt airport. She was also devastated to find out that there isn't a Santa Clause!
Our Awesome GI team leader and ICM contact met us outside the airport. We were ushered to the vans. Liz (GI team leader) and Doug (ICM contact) quickly became part of our team, as did Chitti (who has accompanied us on almost all of our outings and has proved very useful).
I can't give details about everything simply because of time limitations, but I'll try to give a brief overview. We spend our first night in the YMCA in Chennai. The next day (Friday) was a 5 hour drive to the city of about 300,000 out of which we are based. Us girls are staying in a guest house connected to the ministries offices. It's nice, with air conditioning in two of the rooms. There is also a nice balcony where I like to spend some time in the early mornings. It's fun to just watch everything around me, and I enjoy being entertained by the antics of the guys on the roof across the road. Seems like every time I'm out there, they are jumping rope, lifting weights, doing push-ups... I have the sneaking suspicion that they are simply showing off because I'm a white girl.
Saturday, We spent the morning at a CCH. There were 7 boys, two of which belonged to the Pastor and his wife, who lived on the first floor, with a room for the church taking up the second floor.
Well, we'll have to finish this another time...
Blessings!
-Susan
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Orientation Day Two
We are sitting in the Union waiting for our Supper to arrive. By roughly this time tomorrow, we will be in Newark, NJ., on our way to India.
The activities today were done in our teams rather than the large group. It was quite an experience learning to work as a team, and we learned about ourselves as a team.
We have just gotten out of the commisioning service... 12 hours from now, we will be well on our way to KC for our flight.
-Susan
The activities today were done in our teams rather than the large group. It was quite an experience learning to work as a team, and we learned about ourselves as a team.
We have just gotten out of the commisioning service... 12 hours from now, we will be well on our way to KC for our flight.
-Susan
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Get Ready...
We are preparing to go to India! Wow... in a little over 24 hours, we will be leaving SC headed to KC to fly out.
Today was the first day of Orientation. I know that I am exhausted!
Team Members:
Will B.
Ron S.
Michelle S.
Cara S.
Stephanie W.
Salima W.
Ashley W.
Susan G.
Anna S.
This blog will (hopefully) be updated periodically during our trip to India.
-Susan
Today was the first day of Orientation. I know that I am exhausted!
Team Members:
Will B.
Ron S.
Michelle S.
Cara S.
Stephanie W.
Salima W.
Ashley W.
Susan G.
Anna S.
This blog will (hopefully) be updated periodically during our trip to India.
-Susan
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