Salaam Balaak city tour - a definite highlight!
http://www.salaambaalaktrust.com/
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
What would you do for 80 cents?
What a let down. We had heard about the craziness of arriving in Delhi - hoards of people, everyone wanting you to go with them, use their taxi, or fall for their scam. We arrived at noon, had a little trouble with the fingerprint scanner at immigration, and then peacefully walked to the very nice, clean, quiet and calm metro express. We were quickly whisked from the lovely airport to the metro station at the main Delhi train station.
We braced ourselves for Delhi as we exited the station. The police were friendly even if somewhat unhelpful in pointing us in the direction of our hotel. The tuktuk drivers (3 wheeled motorized taxi carts) we also helpful, and even they encouraged us to walk, and pointed us in the right direction. Hello! We wanted our kids to experience third world chaos - we were not impressed.
Then we crossed an invisible threshold. Weaving through a sea of taxis, cars and tuktuks in waiting - no signs, no clarity, no clue! Our confidence vanished, and a small island of white faces, uncertain in a sea of India daily life, emerged as a target of uncertainty. "You must go around" "It is too far, you must take a taxi" "You go right through the station" "You cannot go through unless you have a ticket" "It will take a half an hour or more, let me help you" Who to believe? How do we find our hotel? What should we do?
We are learning - use the best information you have, set your course and go with the best confidence you can muster.
Yes, we did have to go through the rail station.
Yes, we did have to go through security.
No, you did not need a rail ticket.
No, it was not too far.
No, we still did not have a clue once we came out the other side.
Yes, we knew the hotel was only a 4 minute walk from our location, but in exactly which direction - That we did not know....
I started asking - I had no choice - I needed more information. Asking draws attention, brings the helpful, the useless, and the opportunist..... and a determined bike-rickshaw driver. But we were going to walk, but we was going to push his way through the crowded street to offer his help every 15 feet. "50 rupees - I take bags and 2 kids" (how was that going to work?" "40 rupees, I take your wife" (she is worth so much more).
Half I block later I realized he wasn't going anywhere, this wasn't easy, and that he couldn't go any faster than I could. Oh, and I realized he actually knew where we were going, and I certainly did not.... So load up the luggage, the wife and Corban - and make sure the rest of us never lose that rickshaw. We were off, and a few minutes later up a road which is hard to describe to Americans, we arrived at the doors of Hotel Kriishna.
He was willing to do it for 40, he started at 50, he was exactly what we needed when we needed it, and didn't give up on getting our business - priceless. 100 rupees later he was happy, and we were in the oasis of a clean hotel in a gritty, crowded, hectic part of a huge foreign city.
Here is my reflection - What would you do for 80 cents? How hard would you work to make it through life? We were saved by a friendly capable man in his 50's who was doing whatever he could to get whatever was possible. Coming from a land where people won't take a job at $9 an hour because... It is humbling to see a grown man working so hard for so little. Yes, America is still the land of opportunity. This man, willing to doggedly pursue my pocket change, will probably never get ahead. He will survive, get by, his kids may have a better life - but if you put the same work and effort into the system at home, most likely he would not end up a rags to riches story, but the possibilities are so much greater. Yes, life can feel hard in the USA, but coming to places like this is such a good reminder of the great opportunities, the amazing social supports, and the many good things of America. It is good to be in India - a wonderful place filled with wonderful hardworking people.
So that was the first few hours in Delhi. Since then we have seen, traveled and learned. The Taj Mahal is truly amazing, the outreach of Salaam Baalak Trust is making a difference, and I've got a few theories brewing of cultural difference. More to come...
We braced ourselves for Delhi as we exited the station. The police were friendly even if somewhat unhelpful in pointing us in the direction of our hotel. The tuktuk drivers (3 wheeled motorized taxi carts) we also helpful, and even they encouraged us to walk, and pointed us in the right direction. Hello! We wanted our kids to experience third world chaos - we were not impressed.
Then we crossed an invisible threshold. Weaving through a sea of taxis, cars and tuktuks in waiting - no signs, no clarity, no clue! Our confidence vanished, and a small island of white faces, uncertain in a sea of India daily life, emerged as a target of uncertainty. "You must go around" "It is too far, you must take a taxi" "You go right through the station" "You cannot go through unless you have a ticket" "It will take a half an hour or more, let me help you" Who to believe? How do we find our hotel? What should we do?
We are learning - use the best information you have, set your course and go with the best confidence you can muster.
Yes, we did have to go through the rail station.
Yes, we did have to go through security.
No, you did not need a rail ticket.
No, it was not too far.
No, we still did not have a clue once we came out the other side.
Yes, we knew the hotel was only a 4 minute walk from our location, but in exactly which direction - That we did not know....
I started asking - I had no choice - I needed more information. Asking draws attention, brings the helpful, the useless, and the opportunist..... and a determined bike-rickshaw driver. But we were going to walk, but we was going to push his way through the crowded street to offer his help every 15 feet. "50 rupees - I take bags and 2 kids" (how was that going to work?" "40 rupees, I take your wife" (she is worth so much more).
Half I block later I realized he wasn't going anywhere, this wasn't easy, and that he couldn't go any faster than I could. Oh, and I realized he actually knew where we were going, and I certainly did not.... So load up the luggage, the wife and Corban - and make sure the rest of us never lose that rickshaw. We were off, and a few minutes later up a road which is hard to describe to Americans, we arrived at the doors of Hotel Kriishna.
He was willing to do it for 40, he started at 50, he was exactly what we needed when we needed it, and didn't give up on getting our business - priceless. 100 rupees later he was happy, and we were in the oasis of a clean hotel in a gritty, crowded, hectic part of a huge foreign city.
Here is my reflection - What would you do for 80 cents? How hard would you work to make it through life? We were saved by a friendly capable man in his 50's who was doing whatever he could to get whatever was possible. Coming from a land where people won't take a job at $9 an hour because... It is humbling to see a grown man working so hard for so little. Yes, America is still the land of opportunity. This man, willing to doggedly pursue my pocket change, will probably never get ahead. He will survive, get by, his kids may have a better life - but if you put the same work and effort into the system at home, most likely he would not end up a rags to riches story, but the possibilities are so much greater. Yes, life can feel hard in the USA, but coming to places like this is such a good reminder of the great opportunities, the amazing social supports, and the many good things of America. It is good to be in India - a wonderful place filled with wonderful hardworking people.
 |
| After two days of travel - roof of Hotel Krishna |
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Center of Attention
Apparently, unannounced in any guide books, one of the top attractions in Delhi is a family of blonde Americans. We had our first full day in Delhi as a day to see some of the major sites and get the lay of the land. Due to jetlag, previous trudging, and availability, we were taken throughout the city by taxi. Seeing sites which had histories from the 12th century, the 17th century, and the 20th - Palaces, Temples and Mosques - we found out just what Indian tourists are looking for - a photo with white strangers (the cuter the better).
Corban was the true star...
Jennifer was definitely a big hit...
But overall it was a family afair...
But sometimes it did get a bit comical...
Corban was the true star...
But overall it was a family afair...
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Lord Willing... (our India itinerary)
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
If it is the Lord's will,
we will be departing on Feb 16 for India.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will eat lunch in London before continuing to Delhi.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will arrive in Delhi on Feb 18 - a Wednesday.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will tour with Salaam Baalak Trust before heading to Agra Friday.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will see the Taj Mahal on Saturday, and then return to Delhi.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will worship with Christian brothers and sisters in Delhi on Sunday.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will fly to Dibrugarh, Assam, India, picked up by Pastor Steward.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will travel the 4 hours overland to his home.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will stay with Steward, his wife Nyapu and their two daughters (ages 8 & 13).
If it is the Lord's will,
from Monday, Feb 23 to March 3 we will learn and teach.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will begin to retrace our journey on Tuesday, March 3 flying to Delhi.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will depart for London on Wednesday after one last night in Delhi.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will have a two day vacation in London.
If it is the Lord's will,
Jashton, Corban and Dirk will depart for Newark on Saturday, March 7.
If it is the Lord's will,
Jennifer and Tobiah will depart for Malaga, Spain on Saturday.
If it is the Lord's will,
they will learn of the mission work of the Walters in Spain.
If it is the Lord's will,
they will return to London on Wednesday, March 11.
If it is the Lord's will,
they will depart for Newark on March 12 so our family is together.
If it is the Lord's will,..
Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
James 4:13-15
If it is the Lord's will,
we will be departing on Feb 16 for India.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will eat lunch in London before continuing to Delhi.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will arrive in Delhi on Feb 18 - a Wednesday.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will tour with Salaam Baalak Trust before heading to Agra Friday.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will see the Taj Mahal on Saturday, and then return to Delhi.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will worship with Christian brothers and sisters in Delhi on Sunday.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will fly to Dibrugarh, Assam, India, picked up by Pastor Steward.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will travel the 4 hours overland to his home.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will stay with Steward, his wife Nyapu and their two daughters (ages 8 & 13).
If it is the Lord's will,
from Monday, Feb 23 to March 3 we will learn and teach.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will begin to retrace our journey on Tuesday, March 3 flying to Delhi.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will depart for London on Wednesday after one last night in Delhi.
If it is the Lord's will,
we will have a two day vacation in London.
If it is the Lord's will,
Jashton, Corban and Dirk will depart for Newark on Saturday, March 7.
If it is the Lord's will,
Jennifer and Tobiah will depart for Malaga, Spain on Saturday.
If it is the Lord's will,
they will learn of the mission work of the Walters in Spain.
If it is the Lord's will,
they will return to London on Wednesday, March 11.
If it is the Lord's will,
they will depart for Newark on March 12 so our family is together.
If it is the Lord's will,..
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Mission Trip or Vacation?
If you go to Disney World, it is a vacation. What about going to India for two weeks?
There is a steady stream of groups heading out from churches in the USA on short term mission trips. We are days away from heading out as a family on a mission trip. So are mission trips really mission, or are they poverty tourism or some form of sanctified Christian vacation. Few will say this out loud, but are mission trips an opportunity for; "all the vacation, none of the guilt"?
No. I have been on many vacations and involved with many short term missions, and they are two different animals. Yes, they are both travel, a change from normal life, but on many levels, they are opposites.
Vacation is a chance to escape "real" life, avoid problems (or e-mail), spend what you have earned on yourself, and hopefully find mental or physical rejuvenation. Vacations are about getting, while a mission trip is about giving. It is taking the focus off ourselves, and putting in on others; becoming aware of their challenges, engaging in their lives, investing in something much bigger than ourselves. A mission trip is a chance to connect with what God is doing in the world.
It can get confusing. By God's grace; when we give, we receive. When we pour ourselves out for others, we often find rejuvenation. When we invest in what truly matters, we receive what we don't deserve. In teaching, helping and serving - we are taught, helped, and grow. It isn't a vacation, but it is a very good thing. A mission trip isn't a vacation, but it can be so good that people looking in from the outside might think it is even better - because sometimes it is.
On this trip we are holding onto our American tendencies a bit - there is vacation involved. Which will leave a larger impression; touring the Taj Mahal or being introduced to the lives of the poor in Delhi? Which will truly revive the soul; sharing with pastors persecuted by Hindu fanatics or spending two days touring London? This is first and foremost a trip to serve God and further what He is doing in the world and in our lives. I have little doubt which will leave a lasting, life changing, impression.
There are a billion people who don't think that India is a vacation, it is their life. We look forward to being used by God in the daily lives of real people whom God loves dearly. As we do so, we know we will be more blessed than any blessing we could possibly give.
There is a steady stream of groups heading out from churches in the USA on short term mission trips. We are days away from heading out as a family on a mission trip. So are mission trips really mission, or are they poverty tourism or some form of sanctified Christian vacation. Few will say this out loud, but are mission trips an opportunity for; "all the vacation, none of the guilt"?
No. I have been on many vacations and involved with many short term missions, and they are two different animals. Yes, they are both travel, a change from normal life, but on many levels, they are opposites.
Avoidance vs. Awareness
Escape vs. Engagement
Spending vs. Investing
Rejuvenation vs. Outpouring
Getting vs. Giving
It can get confusing. By God's grace; when we give, we receive. When we pour ourselves out for others, we often find rejuvenation. When we invest in what truly matters, we receive what we don't deserve. In teaching, helping and serving - we are taught, helped, and grow. It isn't a vacation, but it is a very good thing. A mission trip isn't a vacation, but it can be so good that people looking in from the outside might think it is even better - because sometimes it is.
On this trip we are holding onto our American tendencies a bit - there is vacation involved. Which will leave a larger impression; touring the Taj Mahal or being introduced to the lives of the poor in Delhi? Which will truly revive the soul; sharing with pastors persecuted by Hindu fanatics or spending two days touring London? This is first and foremost a trip to serve God and further what He is doing in the world and in our lives. I have little doubt which will leave a lasting, life changing, impression.There are a billion people who don't think that India is a vacation, it is their life. We look forward to being used by God in the daily lives of real people whom God loves dearly. As we do so, we know we will be more blessed than any blessing we could possibly give.
Friday, January 23, 2015
A Strange Birthday Present....
What do you get for someone for their 60-somethingeth's birthday? Especially if that someone is a man. Yes, buying presents for men can be a real challenge, so if they say, "I would like a...." You jump all over it.
18 months ago my father-in-law put it out there - for my birthday I would like you to drive to JFK Airport, pick up someone you have never met, and take him to New Haven, CT. Not exactly buying a power tool or new socks - but at least we didn't have to guess what he wanted. And really, the airport is less than 150 miles away - if you are a crow. If you are bound to this earth by gravity it is a trip through the Bronx, Queens, bridges, tolls, potholes and the whole reality what makes New York City.
Get in the car kids - to end the summer of 2013 we are heading to an airport (we did visit the awesome Bronx Zoo in the rain on the way by). With 8 hours inside the car, our 12 hour trip came to an end, and once again we gained more than we gave. For now we knew Pastor Steward who had just arrived in the USA for the first time in his life for a nine month sabbatical program hosted in New Haven. We had the privilege to be his welcoming committee.
With our outgoing son Corban by his side as we worked our way through the traffic, we got to know this amazing man whom Jen's dad had met in the farthest northeast corner of India. We heard about what he is doing, about his two girls, the program he was going to be part of, and throughout it all his heart for God shined through. We sat in awe as we heard how much he does with so little - but that is for another time.
Eight months later we were able to host him in our home in Delmar, NY, introduce him to the congregation we had just begun to serve in Castleton, and continue to build our relationship. Shortly after our time together he would be returning to his work in India, reuniting with his family after nine months, and he wondered if we would ever come for a visit....
I knew we would be traveling somewhere as a family - until that moment India had not been on the list. It didn't seem likely, we had so many options (see last post) so I gave a noncommittal "maybe." Over the past nine months that maybe has changed to a yes, and on February 16 we are scheduled to depart for India. I have a little hunch that the 12 hours we traveled while meeting Pastor Steward for the first time will seem like nothing compared to what lies ahead...
Get in the car kids - to end the summer of 2013 we are heading to an airport (we did visit the awesome Bronx Zoo in the rain on the way by). With 8 hours inside the car, our 12 hour trip came to an end, and once again we gained more than we gave. For now we knew Pastor Steward who had just arrived in the USA for the first time in his life for a nine month sabbatical program hosted in New Haven. We had the privilege to be his welcoming committee.
 |
| Steward's first burger ever his questions, don't the have smaller? |
Eight months later we were able to host him in our home in Delmar, NY, introduce him to the congregation we had just begun to serve in Castleton, and continue to build our relationship. Shortly after our time together he would be returning to his work in India, reuniting with his family after nine months, and he wondered if we would ever come for a visit....
I knew we would be traveling somewhere as a family - until that moment India had not been on the list. It didn't seem likely, we had so many options (see last post) so I gave a noncommittal "maybe." Over the past nine months that maybe has changed to a yes, and on February 16 we are scheduled to depart for India. I have a little hunch that the 12 hours we traveled while meeting Pastor Steward for the first time will seem like nothing compared to what lies ahead...
 |
| Our next reunion will be in Dibrugarh |
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Where would you go?
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Right now someplace warm and sunny sounds nice, but putting aside the seasonal realities of living in upstate New York, the world is a big place.
My family was asked this in a very real way one year ago. The opportunity to take a family trip anywhere in the world: Where would we go? There was only one stipulation - it couldn't be all about us. Take a trip anywhere in the world; where you can help, encourage and do good. A trip where the eyes of our children would be opened to what God is doing in the world and see first hand what it means to live in service to God. More than a vacation, a trip with purpose.
Well, that didn't really narrow it down too much. God is active everywhere in the world, and there are endless opportunities to to good. What we could or could not call "a mission trip" provided almost no guidance - we needed something better to guide us.
We started with relationships.
From our time in Bolivia, involvement with churches, and family connections we had a great list to consider.
Mongolia - Helping launch small businesses while reaching out with the news of Jesus with the Sucheys.
Spain - Connecting with the media based outreach to both southern Spain and northern Africa with the Walters.
Ethiopia - It would be great to reconnect with our friends the Fehls who started as missionaries in the bush, and now coordinate great ministries of health and education from the capital.
Cambodia - Rescuing children from sex-slavery, fear and poverty, and giving them hope and life with Judy.
Bolivia - Continuing our relationships with friends and ministries in South America where there is so much need and opportunity.
Kenya - We have sponsored a child in northern Kenya for close to a decade, we could visit him and participate in the work of Food for the Hungry again.
Or Niger, Nicaragua, Japan, Panama, Hungary, or Mexico were we have loose connections with ministries and or missionaries.
Well, in February we leave on our trip to: none of the above.
We are leaving to a corner of the world we were unaware of two years ago, and would not have been even a consideration if God had not introduced us to an amazing man living a faithful life. We are heading to the edge of Assam.
to be continued....
Right now someplace warm and sunny sounds nice, but putting aside the seasonal realities of living in upstate New York, the world is a big place.
My family was asked this in a very real way one year ago. The opportunity to take a family trip anywhere in the world: Where would we go? There was only one stipulation - it couldn't be all about us. Take a trip anywhere in the world; where you can help, encourage and do good. A trip where the eyes of our children would be opened to what God is doing in the world and see first hand what it means to live in service to God. More than a vacation, a trip with purpose.
Well, that didn't really narrow it down too much. God is active everywhere in the world, and there are endless opportunities to to good. What we could or could not call "a mission trip" provided almost no guidance - we needed something better to guide us.
We started with relationships.
From our time in Bolivia, involvement with churches, and family connections we had a great list to consider.
Mongolia - Helping launch small businesses while reaching out with the news of Jesus with the Sucheys.
Spain - Connecting with the media based outreach to both southern Spain and northern Africa with the Walters.
Ethiopia - It would be great to reconnect with our friends the Fehls who started as missionaries in the bush, and now coordinate great ministries of health and education from the capital.
Cambodia - Rescuing children from sex-slavery, fear and poverty, and giving them hope and life with Judy.
Bolivia - Continuing our relationships with friends and ministries in South America where there is so much need and opportunity.
Kenya - We have sponsored a child in northern Kenya for close to a decade, we could visit him and participate in the work of Food for the Hungry again.
Or Niger, Nicaragua, Japan, Panama, Hungary, or Mexico were we have loose connections with ministries and or missionaries.
Well, in February we leave on our trip to: none of the above.
We are leaving to a corner of the world we were unaware of two years ago, and would not have been even a consideration if God had not introduced us to an amazing man living a faithful life. We are heading to the edge of Assam.
to be continued....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)