What does a rabbit have to do with Easter?

As another Easter winds down, I can't help but wonder how the two most important events on the Christian calendar have been watered down to be "kid" holidays. My point ask someone who they think of at Christmas, they answer Santa. Ask someone who do they think of at Easter and quickly they respond Easter Bunny. This is so sad, we should automatically think of the birth and rebirth of Christ. Instead, we only think of gifts , rabbits, and eggs. The saddest part I feel is that as Christians we have stood idly by as the world has commercialized these two sacred days.

All hope is not lost. Remember the early church was started by 11 people and they turned the world upside down with the radical news of Jesus Christ. I think with so many Christians in the world today that even greater things can happen!!

The Home Stretch

Well, we have a few minutes for a packing break and then we will be back to BCH for goodbyes and to see the orphanage. Then we'll shower and leave for the airport around 10pm...then we will wait around for about 4 hours. Hopefully we will all be able to sleep on at least the first flight.

This morning we attended the Sunday School Retreat sponored by BCH. It was quite fun, we again were presented fresh flowers. I have no idea at this point how many times we have been presented flowers.

We lead the kids in a song, "our God is a great big God" , they and their parents loved it. We went through the motions first, then we added the music and vocals. They had us to do it several times. After the song, Nelson, Jeremy, and I went to put on our costumes. The skit/play went over really well too.

When we had finished I was stopped several times to shake hands or accept greetings as I was returning from the restroom. A few days ago we actually signed some autographs. The people here are just too nice :)

As soon as housekeeping gets out of our room maybe we will actually get to spend a few minutes packing LOL

This should be the last post before we head for the airport and it will be quite a few hours before we make it home.

The Countdown Begins (Again)

Well, we just finished dinner and rehearsing for our skit tomorrow, it's 10:26pm and we will be leaving in 24 hours for the airport. I'll miss the roses on the bed and rose pedals on the pillows LOL....I'll explain later ;-)

Seriously, I'll miss this place and the people we have become friends with over the past two weeks. Strange at first the days were long and now they rapidly fly by. Tomorrow we will be working in a Sunday School retreat and after that we will shower and pack.

So many stories to tell and so many things expereinced. It'll truly take some time to process everything, and even then it will be so tough to actually fully explain what is going on here.

Just a note that the driving around here has not improved, in fact we were hit 3 times today. Each time by motorcycles. This place is just so crazy LOL
We've had some really good food and we've had some unique food a few times.
By this point, we just eat whatever we have and hope for the best HAHAHAHA
Seriously, for the most part the food has been very good. It's just a few of the places we ate at didn't exactly feel comfortable, especially the Muslim restaurant on Wednesday.

Well, time to get a few things done before bed.
This might be the last post from India, unless I have time tomorrow morning or afternoon.

Time is Slipping Away

Hard to believe that the trip is winding down now. We have today and all day tomorrow left. We will leave around 10:30pm Thursday night for the airpport for our 2 :20am flight for home. It'll take us 25-30 hrs to get back, not really sure of how long our layovers will be.

I'm definitely going to miss the weather, this is miy type of climate. It's been in the high 90's during the day and 60's-70's at night. It really dusty though, and that makes it tough on the ole throat.

Yesterday we played tourist most of the day and then went back for mor elast night. Today we will do sopme shopping, then go tour some more ministry places and the orphanage at BCH. Tomorrow we have half a day at Baptist Church Hyderabad before going back to the hotel to shower and pack in preparation for our return flights.

The team finally hit the "I'm tired" point yesterday. We've been keeping some long hours, little sleep, long van rides, but still we have been able to coexist. Seems we have had the perfect combination of personalities and talents for this trip.

There will be much more to talk about once I return home and get some rest. Right now we have a very rare morning where we were able to eat and still have some relax time.

More later in the day.

The Journey Continues

Yesterday was another day filled with very long van rides. We were heading to a village to dedicate another church. We sometimes get weary of the travel and the adventure of watching our lives flash before our eyes as we narrowly miss getting hit by yet another van or bus. No words can describe the traffic here, however now we have gotten used to seeing it. The miles we travel are well worth it once we hear the story behind the village we are visiting and after meeting the people.

So many lessons can be learned from the people we interactive with. It's so wonderful to see all the desire , passion, and hunger the people have to hear the word. There faith is so unbelieveable as well. It's amazing how many stories we have heard about how someone has been kicked out of their village or home for accepting Christ. We seem to think we have a difficult time following Jesus and have to sacrifice, well as Americans we have it very easy. These long drives and interaction in the villages make it so clear what it really means to suffer for Christ.

It's been such a great experience to see the real India, not just tourist attractions or the "pretty" places for Americans to visit. We've eaten at roadside dinners, not suyre of how many times we might revisit the same meal ;-) It's been much more eye opening and meaningful to actually go out to the people.

I'll have to share more with you after I return home, some things can't be shared on the net.
Hopefully all the team members can find a way to express what we have lived these past few weeks.

Rock Stars Part II

Oh my gosh, today we had to sit on the stage/platform during the service at Baptist Church Hyderabad. Then we gave a few remarks each about being here in India, next they presented us with gifts. At the dedication earlier in the morning there were cameras and video cameras everytime we turned around. It has been a rather surreal experience to have each of us thrust into the spotlight. It's very humbling also, to have someone appreciate us to this extent.

WOW, what a country :-)
This trip has turned into more than anyone on the team ever expected.
Hopefully the time we spend here will be very productive and add to the building of the Kingdom.

Time to leave again for the evening service at Baptist Church Hyderabad. Nelson will be delivering the message tonight and I want to hear what God leads him to say.

More later........

Reluctant Rock Stars

Yes, that's how we feel , like reluctant rock stars thrust into the spotlight. We have been treated so well by everyone and given all the best seats, etc that we feel like celebrities. Yes, everywhere we go people have turned to look at us and take photos. No one on this team likes to draw the spotlight to them, yet at some points that is eaxactly how it feels.

I'm very grateful for our hosts to have taken care of us the way they have. It's just difficult to accept someone wanting to do everything for you, such as open a car door, carry your backpack, etc. We as Americans could take a few lessons from this hospitality.

The team continues to get along well, we are all doing our part. We have no lsackers, which is a blessing within itsself.

It's off to breakfeast, then we will go to a church dedication, a morning worship service that Kim is delivering a message in, and then lunch, and back for an evening service that Nelson will speak at.

It's going to be a busy day, however I think we will find it most rewarding.