The temperature has dropped by 11 degrees, from 32 degrees yesterday, after the monsoon rains which seem to have come a month or two early. The city is flooded tonight!
As today is Good Friday we had the day 'off''. It was nice to get a bit of a breather - I think the tiredness from the travelling and the busy first days has hit us all today.
We went to the church on the OM campus this morning for their Good Friday Service. It lasted 3 1/2 hours, with a 10 minute tea break out under the trees in the middle, and then lunch for all afterwards. All the kids present sat perfectly still the whole time!! Among the children there were 24 orphans from North India who have all been adopted by one of the families here. Beautiful kids.
The service this morning was probably the most meaningful Easter service ever for me, for several reasons, and I felt privileged to be there. The OM team all attend this church too and so it was nice for me to connect with my OM roots. All my years on OM I would hear OM India leaders speak about the work here, never imagining that I would come here myself one day.
We also visited the new Vineyard church plant in the city this evening and were invited to the American pastor and his wife afterwards, along with some of their Indian friends . That was a good time, with good food and many laughs and some tears as we and they shared our stories.
I am so enjoying the food!! Every meal, no matter how simple, is amazing. Not to mention the numerous cups of tea which are offered everywhere you go... a sweet, milky life-giving liquid which is served in small cups and revives you even on the hottest of days.
It's been good today to reflect on the significance of Good Friday. To realise that Christ took all suffering on himself in his death. It can be overwhelming to think of the suffering of even one individual as you hear stories of abuse and exploitation. But the reality is that Christ is present in the midst of that. In fact I do believe that these places of poverty and suffering is where he is more present than anywhere else. And so there is hope.
As today is Good Friday we had the day 'off''. It was nice to get a bit of a breather - I think the tiredness from the travelling and the busy first days has hit us all today.
We went to the church on the OM campus this morning for their Good Friday Service. It lasted 3 1/2 hours, with a 10 minute tea break out under the trees in the middle, and then lunch for all afterwards. All the kids present sat perfectly still the whole time!! Among the children there were 24 orphans from North India who have all been adopted by one of the families here. Beautiful kids.
The service this morning was probably the most meaningful Easter service ever for me, for several reasons, and I felt privileged to be there. The OM team all attend this church too and so it was nice for me to connect with my OM roots. All my years on OM I would hear OM India leaders speak about the work here, never imagining that I would come here myself one day.
We also visited the new Vineyard church plant in the city this evening and were invited to the American pastor and his wife afterwards, along with some of their Indian friends . That was a good time, with good food and many laughs and some tears as we and they shared our stories.
I am so enjoying the food!! Every meal, no matter how simple, is amazing. Not to mention the numerous cups of tea which are offered everywhere you go... a sweet, milky life-giving liquid which is served in small cups and revives you even on the hottest of days.
It's been good today to reflect on the significance of Good Friday. To realise that Christ took all suffering on himself in his death. It can be overwhelming to think of the suffering of even one individual as you hear stories of abuse and exploitation. But the reality is that Christ is present in the midst of that. In fact I do believe that these places of poverty and suffering is where he is more present than anywhere else. And so there is hope.
Brilliant Nina. Just getting caught up on all the blogs tonight. Loving getting to read all that's happening. Amazing to see the hope in the midst of pain. Praying for you loads. Dave xo
ReplyDeleteP.S. Kids sat still for 3 1/2 hours? couldn't imagine our kingdom kidz doing that. haha.