I write from our bedroom, as a lie on my belly with the fan on full blast above me, and the windows open with a slight breeze coming in. We have a little down time, so I wanted to write a little while it is still fresh on my mind. We returned from our four day trip to Nellore. After a four hour long and windy car ride we arrived to a chicken curry lunch and then headed to a hotel. Hotels in villages of India are not like hotels in America. There isn't any pastel pictures framed hanging above your large comfy beds, things are just a bit dirtier and for lack of a better word simpler. We got towels brought up to us, with two tiny rolls of toilet paper. Let me clarify that this was a nice hotel, and a blessing. No bugs, hot water from 7am-10am, AC in each room, foam mattress' and western toilets!
We had a little time to get comfy and get ready for our evening meeting. Then off to a small village church for some India worship - think any indian music you have then take the high female voice add drums, piano and put that volume as high as it can go! I will have to post a video sometime so you can hear it for yourself. Worship was followed by a little preaching - we have some guests from the State here as well, and they shared. Followed by prayer for blessings, healings, and family. After praying for so many, I think I usually feel more blessed then they do. When all is done we eat. If it is 9pm we eat, if it is 11pm we eat, if it is 1am we eat. No matter we eat and it is chicken curry, with rice and usually (not always) a vegetable delight. Then back to the hotel for sleep.
The next couple of nights were about the same. Getting home late and then waking up for breakfast in the morning. The first morning we got a little coffee delivered to the room (water, goats milk, sugar plus instant coffee), it was good. Our afternoons were filled with visiting churches around the city (anywhere from thirty minutes - a couple of hours away), praying, saying a word and fellowship-ing. It is so refreshing to see what God is doing in such a tangible way. One of the churches we visited lies on the shores of the Bay of Bangel. We got to walk to the shore, found some pretty shells, dipped our toes in the water and saw and talked with the fishermen.
Our last morning before heading home, to Guntur, we went to the pastor's house for breakfast. We had a delicious breakfast of chicken curry, curry gravy, mashed potatoes and a fried egg. Three meals of chicken curry is a lot for this American girl but it was their blessing to us, so we eat happily. Then into the jeeps we pile for our ride home. As B and I walked up the stairs to our "apartment" I turned and said "it is good to be home". Oh, the irony in this statement... that only a few days makes this place already home. This is where our stuff hides, where we don't have to live out of a piece of luggage.
Being here causes my heart to be full of so much thankfulness. For our home in America, for the over abundance of blessings that God has given us.
- Carissa
- Carissa
