Home Again, Home Again

Just a quick post to let you know the team landed in Charlotte this morning safe and sound. All the travels went very well, but it was a lot of traveling. Thank you all so much for all your prayers and support while we were traveling. It was a wonderful trip with a wonderful team. We miss the people we were with terribly, but are also thankful for some of the comforts of home.

Unreal Reality

Yesterday (Tuesday) we found out that one of the boys was killed the night before. He was high and got his foot stuck in the tracks where they come together with another set of tracks. What makes this even more surreal is the fact that one of the other boys had to pick up the pieces and dispose of them after it was over. The boy was 16 years old.

We have no idea what it's like to live in this world nor can we believe that there are children who do. The youngest boy in the group right now is 4 years old. The boys can't deal with the pain this type of life gives them so they hide in drug use. They can't be vulnerable because then they would be destroyed.

Thankfully, more came back today, which is unusual after this type of accident. Please lift them and us up. Thanks.

Ice Cream?

Sharon: Can I get some chocolate ice cream?"
Waiter: "No...no good...we no have"

Four times this has happened now.

Also, our interpreting the language is interesting as well with some people. This is what we hear:
Word miss miss miss Word miss miss miss
It proves to be interesting as we navigate the language. But everyone has been very nice and patient with us.

Keith is feeling ill today. Please remember him.
We have all reached our breaking point in the trip where we are exhausted in every possible way. We have 4 days left and the children are precious. So sweet and hungry for attention. Keep lifting us up. Thanks!

Power Surge

I was going to update last night, but because of Diwali (Festival of Lights) and an inadequate electric system, I was afraid the power would surge in the midst of the update. But it's mid-day now and since most of the lights are out, things are a bit more stable.

We're doing really well and have been given some time to rest before another round of moving and shaking. Agra was an experience that I don't think can be put into words, but that's true of the whole Indian experience. Without hearing and smelling India, you really don't understand what's going on here. But back to Agra...we visited the Taj Mahal and Fort Agra. We had plenty of time left over since the train back to Delhi didn't leave till 8 p.m. and we had been there since 9 a.m. We tried to take our time as much as possible, enjoying some excellent chai tea, but finally around 5 we gave up and headed back to the train station. Upon arrival we discovered the train had been delayed 2 hours (and it's a 3 hour train ride...as long as there are no problems). We were unwilling to wait it out knowing that at this point it would be well after midnight before we got back to the hostel. So we hired a taxi and made our way back the 200 kilometers to the city. It only took 5 hours to get back, which is some of us had stronger bladders and smoother roads, would not have been too bad. Three of us were smooshed into the 3rd row of the car, which also made for an interesting journey. Words cannot express the bedlam that they call normal driving. There were (and continue to be) more than a few moments where contact with another car, bike, person, cow, etc. seemed inevitable, but we had (and have) capable drivers. In the end, we all slept REALLY well that night.

We had an uneventful trip to the Sunrise City and have been able to rest and tour for the last couple of days. We had a boat ride and tours of some temples which were very enlightening. We went to the Care Center this morning and enjoyed time with the kids. Tomorrow we'll see the other group of kids at the Tuition Center and then Monday start our "normal schedule" with both groups.

We are enjoying our time together and getting to know each other more. Please p that we continue to have good health. A few of us have had minor issues, but for the most part functioning and adapting well. We are missing Robert as well. We thank you for all of your support and so do those we are with here.

Tuesday

The girls had a great day of shopping. We spent time with G. and enjoyed "Indian Subway" and the real thing. Betsy was able to spend the day with family friends. The guys are on their way back from their meeting in Chennai. We're looking forward to another long day traveling to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Robert is having to head back to the U.S. due to the somewhat unexpected death of his brother. Thanks for the prayers.

We've Arrived

We've arrived safe and sound - with all of our luggage! It is sweltering, though. Will post more soon. Thanks for your prayers!

Less than a week.

Be praying...we leave Sunday out of Charlotte around 5 p.m. We did get our visas back this past Friday without a hitch so everything's a go. We've just got to finish packing everything and get luggage numbered and accounted for. We should land in Delhi 8:30 p.m. on the 12th (Delhi time). I'll try to post again to let you know we're safe. Thanks for praying.