July 7 – evening

Seven of us, minus Pastor Bob (who went to meet with the local pastors), spent the entire day (almost 12 hours) traveling to Darjeeling. The drive, though long, and winding, was beautiful. Darjeeling itself (the city) has a VERY good press agent – doesn’t look quite as impressive in person. Most of us are glad we went but pretty sure we wouldn’t make the trip again. The village we stopped at on our drive home, Mirik, was well worth the two hour drive and I would go back to it for sure. It was in a valley, surrounded by hills, with a big lake in the center of town. It looked like there was plenty of relaxing/fun stuff to keep us busy for a few hours. I recommend this village to all future teams.

We got back to the Appolo a little before 8pm, and called for Domino’s. The hotel has been gracious to let us eat our “outside”meals in their dining room. We’re usually the only ones here. We usually order drinks, and the best ice cream this side of Nepal, so it’s not a total loss for them (and I tip them a few rupees in thanks. Tonight we offered them our left over pizza.

Everyone was too tired after pizza and got away before recording highlights of the day. Tomorrow is our big believers gathering in one of the tea villages. I think it’s scheduled to start at 10:30 (10 pm, Saturday in California.) I believe the plan is to worship in song for quite awhile, have Bob preach on the marks of a church and then let the Adivasi pastors do their part (whatever that might be) and then simultaneously do a children’s program and lead discipleship groups to go over Bob’s sermon and pray for the Adivasi believers. I don’t think there will be many non-believers in this program, though there might be some from the village that is hosting the event (or possibly the one across the road.)

Thanks for your prayers! They’ve been very effective!! Keep them up – we don’t anticipate any new believers from our ministry tomorrow, but you just never know what the Holy Spirit has planned for the day…