I’ve been home for, what, 3 days now. Although I tried my best to sleep during California sleeping hours on the almost 50 hour trip home, I still was pretty tired and slept through most of my first day home. On Thursday I woke up a little before 6 and was able to stay awake most of the day (although whenever I tried to read (homework) I started to daze off, so I didn’t get caught up on much reading that day). Because Thursday went so well, I thought I was past the jet lag. But Friday, I seemed to sleep on and off throughout most of the day (again, no catching up on homework.)

Today I woke up to my alarm at 6 and went to Weight Watchers with Cathy. I thought that as well as I had eaten in India, and with the oil and rice and potatoes I had eaten, I would surely have gained weight. Alas, I lost almost 3 pounds over the two weeks! Cool!! Today, I have also been able to do some textbook reading and hope to finish this book and write my 3 page paper. Then I just have a few chapters to read in other books and some Primary Texts and I’ll be all caught up for class on Tuesday.

I’ve been thinking a bit about how I can transfer my experience in India to here at home in the USA. There are some differences in culture that seem to make reception to the Gospel more open there and more closed here. BUT, as it is the Holy Spirit who is at work in the hearts/minds of people, to understand and believe God’s Word – I’m trying to convince myself that our culture here in southern California shouldn’t be the obstacle I used to think it was.

I think that one of the biggest obstacles to sharing the Gospel here at home has been my assumption that people here don’t want to hear the message. While it is true that we are so affluent we don’t seem to have room for God in our lives, or hearts; I believe that our affluence and the busyness of our lives actually makes us aware, down deep (even if we don’t fully/consciously realize it) that we are missing something profoundly real – and i believe the Gospel is the answer to what we feel is missing in our lives. My goal now is to listen and watch for the prompting of the Holy Spirit when I interact with others. I know, from personal experience now, that it isn’t my fancy presentation or supreme intelligence that convinces someone to believe. Nor is it my responsibility to make them believe. I’m only called to give an answer for my belief, to share God’s God News wherever I go, and to trust in Him to change hearts and give faith to believe the message. I’m only the ambassador…

I HIGHLY recommend this experience to everyone. Go on such a trip, let God work, watch Him do so, let Him change your life as He changes those you minister to. The inconveniences involved in the trip PALE in insignificance when compared to the work God will do, around AND in you!!! Thanks again for sending me and supporting me in prayer!

Our flight leaving Bagdogra was about an hour or so late, which was sort of encouraging as that meant our 9 hour layover in Delhi would be shortened to only eight. Alas, we made up most of that delay during the flight and arrived in Delhi just 15-20 later than scheduled. We meant a young lady from Moody in the Delhi airport who was going home after 8 weeks of ministry amongst the Nepalese south of Darjeeling. Her flight was leaving Delhi after ours so she hung out with us until we boarded. Her name was Emily, and she lived in the same dorm as Jillian Wojtanowicz.

Unfortunately, when I tried to buy WiFi time at the Delhi airport, it took my credit card info but never let me connect. I tired once again later, but with the same results. I’ll need to contact Visa when I get home and make sure I get the charges for 150 (for the 3 hours i never got) and then 50 rupees (for the 60 minutes i also never received) are reversed.

Anyway, I wouldn’t call the 8.5 hours in the Delhi airport enjoyable, but they weren’t as miserable as I had expected – good company, good fellowship. The captain just said we were starting our descent into Paris, I think – my French is a bit weak. If we can find Internet connection there, this will get sent and you’ll know that we’ve made it about halfway home…if my math is correct, in about 2 hours it will have been 24 hours since we left the Appolo – with only 26 more to go.

If we had Bill Petersen with us, we’d head out for a whirlwind tour of Paris, instead we’ll compare the airport (Charles de Gaulle in Paris) to the 2nd best in the world (Indira Ghandi in New Delhi.) once we tally the results, well let you know.

We are in Paris, we board our next flight, to Detroit, in a little more than 6 hours. I’m gonna go borrow the facilities and then try to sleep for most of those 6 hours, see if I can start to get close to California time…

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night. My mind, and my emotions were far too busy, plus I wanted to post on the blog, especially since we hadn’t had connection most of the day. Not only those things, but after having the floor pretty much to ourselves for 8 nights, we got neighbors, the men who I think had had a little too much to drink and the children who had very little discipline (it was very apparent that these were not Adivasi children. I think I finally fell asleep about midnight India time. Then, I woke up a few minutes past 5am. I know this not because I looked at my watch (because I lost it here at the Appolo two mornings ago.) but because the sun was up (well, up behind the clouds) and the room was bright.

Siliguri itself is an ugly, dirty, stinky, loud, huge village. It’s hot and humid, the beds in the Appolo are uncomfortable, the water in the shower is rarely warmer than cold. The Internet is very spotty, even when we have strong WiFi signal we don’t always have connection beyond the hotel. The roads are in sad repair, there is no air conditioning in the bus – the cars we road in a few times have air conditioning, but they don’t turn it on, to save gas. You guys HAVE to come here – it is GREAT. I mean that in ALL sincerity!!! As unpleasant as all those things might sound, I have NEVER had a more enjoyable, fulfilling week in my entire life. If I could get the time off from work, I would come back at every opportunity given to me (even looking “forward” to the 50 hour travel “experience” we will begin in just a few short hours – pray for that please, we have some long layovers – 9 hours in Delhi and 7.5 in Paris). I have been truly blessed by God to just have been a witness to what the Holy Spirit is doing here. Then, when I realize that He used me to do such a very small part of ths work, I am utterly humbled!

A couple of days ago, someone by the screen name of “be” posted a comment. I have not authorized be to post as the tone of the comment was less than uplifting, and once you authorize someone they can continue to post unchecked (well, at least until the next time I have Internet connection to turn them off). I wanted to post a couple of be’s comments and respond. If be will be kind enough to provide his/her real name and would like to have an actual conversation about his/her concerns, I’d be more than happy to oblige.

be said, “… that you and your ilk believe non-Christians are lesser people or evil or sinners” I would like to respond that while it is very true that we do believe that non-Christians are sinners and because of their sin are “evil” in God’s sight. He is holy and requires us to be holy, but He abhors our sin and is very angry at us because of it. It is NOT true, in the slightest, however, that we see them as lesser people. In fact, we see them as incredibly valuable, made in the image of God. We would not endure the things I described above if we thought they were lesser people. It is because we love them that we come here and share God’s good news with them.

be also said, “… they may have their own faith and a strong belief.” I would say that this is very true. Some of them are very strong believers in their own faith. Some of them like our message very much but are unwilling to give up their Hindu, or other, gods. We pray for those, that God would speak to their hearts and reveal Himself to them, giving them the faith to believe in Him alone.

be then said, “Who are you to be so presumptuous and who deemed you the “right ones” with the “one True god????” my answer to this question is that I am an adopted son of the one true God. He has commanded me to come here. He has given me love for the Adavasi. He has given me a burden to see them saved from the peril of their sins. He has put me here in this place at this time and overcome my fear and apprehension. I understand that you may not believe that the God I worship and serve is the one and only true God. I believe He is. I believe that there are no others. I believe that all the other “gods” that men worship are either man-made, or created by the Father of lies, the enemy of our souls, to deceive us and keep us from serving the One and Only, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the Savior of our souls.

be wrapped up his-her comment by saying, “You’d serve any god’s spirit better by going home and practicing acceptance, tolerance, empathy, understanding and appreciation of others and peoples’ differences.” I very much look forward to heading home later today. But I already miss my Adavasi brothers and sisters and hope that God will bring me back in the future. I will pray for than constantly. I totally “accept” them as lost men/women/children who need to hear the good news and as brothers and sisters once they are rescued by the love and grace of God. I don’t know what there might be to “tolerate” about them. They are the most selfless, gracious, respectful people I have ever encountered. God has indeed given me great “empathy” for the Adavasi – it is why I came here. I spend a great deal of time and energy trying to “understand” them. When I visit in their homes, I listen intently to what they have to say and give them every opportunity to express themselves and answer any questions they may have. And there is NO question that I “appreciate” them AND our differences. I have never enjoyed getting to know others more than I’ve experienced this past week. I love the Adavasi. God has given me this love.

be, if you’d like to actually discuss these things, please let me know who you are and I’ll be happy to chat. If you just want to “drive by” snipe and jab, I hope you understand that that is not the purpose or design of this blog and that I’ve not authorized you for commenting here so that we can keep the blog focused on its intended goal.