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Day 1: After arriving to our guest
house at 3.00 a.m., we started the first full day in India in Mumbai.
Here we are at the Gateway to India. 
Tough to see all of the people
sleeping in the streets. Visited the world's largest laundry.
Tough to see all of the people
sleeping in the streets. Visited the world's largest laundry.
The heat is more intense than I imagined.
Day 2: Got to Panvel, our home for the
next week. Headed out to the village where the community center is
being built. Got an introduction to rural life, saw the community
center, moved bricks and concrete in diabolical heat. 
That night, we
went to a pre-wedding celebration where the groom is covered in
Turmeric to ensure a pure and clean body for his wedding day. 
Guests
were invited to join the fun, so we did!
That night, we
went to a pre-wedding celebration where the groom is covered in
Turmeric to ensure a pure and clean body for his wedding day. 
Guests
were invited to join the fun, so we did!
Day 3: Sunday worship with the Panvel
Church. Awesome welcome from the community. Each person was given a
shawl and garland as a sign of welcome. Incredible singing. 
Got
teary when they sang How Great Thy Art in Hindi. I was introduced as
Rev. Mrs. Jodi Doug, the best way I've ever been introduced! Doug
preached. It was a blessed morning.
Got
teary when they sang How Great Thy Art in Hindi. I was introduced as
Rev. Mrs. Jodi Doug, the best way I've ever been introduced! Doug
preached. It was a blessed morning.
That night, we participated in the
wedding celebration of the couple from the church. 
Blistering hot in
the robes and stoles. The reception was great with Bollywood style
dancing from all ages.
Blistering hot in
the robes and stoles. The reception was great with Bollywood style
dancing from all ages.
Day 4: The team prepped in the morning
for our visit to the Panvel slum. 
We put together some gift bags and
prepared some crafts for the children. We could not take photos in
the slum. Conditions unthinkable. People generous and beautiful.
Children awesome...responded to songs and crafts with incredible joy.
Kids are kids no matter where you are, no matter what language you
speak, but seeing the difficult conditions of their daily life was
tough.
We put together some gift bags and
prepared some crafts for the children. We could not take photos in
the slum. Conditions unthinkable. People generous and beautiful.
Children awesome...responded to songs and crafts with incredible joy.
Kids are kids no matter where you are, no matter what language you
speak, but seeing the difficult conditions of their daily life was
tough.
I am loving this experience even though
it has been challenging. Surprised by how tough the heat and
humidity have been for me. I wake up every day to the sound of thick
traffic and horns honking. Our team is awesome. So positive, so
engaging. No complaining. Many have sore throats from going in and
out of heat and air con. Stomach issues minimal. I am so thankful.
Amazing. What a blessing to hear of all you and the team are investing.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Rev. Mrs. Jodi Doug...priceless.