We're Family!

Last night, after the marriage talk, one woman stayed behind and talked with Jim and I as Raj interpreted. She said that once she married and moved to this village her parents would have nothing to do with her, so she has had no one in her life to talk to her about marriage or children. She said that she feels like we are like parents to her and the team is her extended family. She said that the night before we come she can't sleep because she is so excited that we'll be there in the morning. She is the same woman who talked to Jim about not being able to read and so thankful that someone is talking to them about these things.

We have been spending a lot of time with the children doing educational things and also doing family and health information. They are so eager to learn and attentive and always ready to do the next thing. I'll try and get a picture of one of the littlest boys who stood and shouted out his numbers from 1-20 like all the older boys and then proceeded to carefully write all his numbers on a piece of paper. He had to be three at the oldest and was so intense and joyful to be learning.

Initially, you feel like you're in another country and culture and then at some point it moves to being in someone's home and meeting their family and helping with chores around the house.

All is well. Barbara

"We cannot read"

After the marriage seminar last evening, a woman stayed behind, and thanked us for teaching them. She says that they cannot read, and so unless someone comes to teach them, they have no way to learn about these things. Brings to mind Romans 10.

Jim Blechl

New Year - Authentic Faith

How do you know that what you see is the real deal? For me I know faith is authentic when it is passed on to the next generation. If something smells ritualistic or fake, the next generation will surely know it and quickly abandon it.

The people of the Irula Colony are not just grateful for support from GCC, they are a community growing in authentic faith. How can I say this?

* Raj's family - I've had the wonderful opportunity to prepare a meal with them and have conversations with them about the lives they are living and the direction God is leading them. Bruce and Corrinda own their relationship with God.

* The children - Unplanned, they danced and sang as loud as they could to songs that expressed what God has done for them in there language and modern Eastern music.

* Marriage Seminar - The kids witnessed their parents learning and growing in their relationship with each other and God.

An example of authentic faith given by Raj's family and GCC people has transformed lives in the colony that are being seen and followed by the children of the colony. This is how I know their faith is real. True faith is the same in any culture and it is happening here before my very eyes. I am blessed to be a witness.

Posted by Bob VonGunten (aka - Mr. Kelly, Bobol, and Josh- I will have to explain some other time)

The other side of the world seemed far away........

But I have realized that India has become closer to my heart than I ever imagined. A country that I had only ready about in text books or watched programs about on television is reality. The dirt touches my toes and the people are holding my hands, each and every time melting my heart in every way. Reaching out to the community back home seems easier now after seeing how these incredible people spend their days.
We arrived yesterday to many open arms and smiles on their faces. I couldnt help but feel at their mercy, wanting to do whatever I could to help them for the entire length of our stay. Their needs here are many, but with every team that travels here, I have faith that those needs will slowly diminish.
The children have touched my life in such a special way. They long to be touched and laugh constantly when we are with them. I was able to draw pictures with them last evening, asking them to show me what their families look like to them. Their responses were heartwarming and each one of them walked away with a bracelet that we made together. I feel their fingers run through my hair or a faint touch of one of their hands on my back and I know that GOD is there with us, breaking down barriers and showing his love for them through me.
I was able to go shopping town with Raj and Rachele and what an experience!!! Rachele and I were shaking hands with the people in town and they were amazed that there were Americans interacting with them. One man has probably 10 pictures of us on his phone. Raj took great care of us and we saved his life from an enormous bug that I swear was going to take off his foot. But things are OK :)
So, what am I learning my second day in the village??? GOD is great and these are his people. AFter living life back home, going to work then school and then trying to find time for God within this hectic daily schedule, I am learning that GOD has given me 10 days to be with him 24-7 and live through me every second of the way. I dont have to ask for the childrens time, they are here always, just like GOD is. When I return home, GOD will not be someone that is on my schedule...he will become my schedule, and everything else will fall into place around him.
Something that I never thought would be possible because of time or money has become a part of my life, and without GOD this never would have been possible. He has been working on me for a few years now, to put others first and show love and grace any way I can. With GOD, culture barriers can be broken, the sick can be healed and unbelievers can believe if there are people willing to take a risk and go wherever they are called. India has become my place of calling.
Thank you for all of your prayers, I love you's to my family and Brent...be safe and God Bless :)

Posted by: Lena

Kalavai - no pressure

Yesterday was so exciting. I met the wonderful people of Kalavai for the first time , and immediately fell in love with them all. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. The children are especially charming. I'd love to take them all home with me. After lunch, (a delicious lunch prepared by Prima and Miss Lilly and other helpers), we had some free time to play with the children. I loved playing catch with the boys. They're just like boys everywhere - very athletic. The girls love to put flowers in our hair and everyone smiles all the time. They taught us some Tamil words, and we taught them some English words. Most of the kids can now count in English, since they have started going to school. Later in the afternoon, we (the health team) took some blood sugar counts and blood pressures of the adults in the village. They were all very trusting and willing to participate. I am so impressed by these people. They are all so considerate, kind and generous. It's going to be hard to leave here. I can see why people love India.

posted by: Diane King

Grocery Shopping in Kalavai

Raj took Lena and I grocery shopping for breakfast this morning in Kalavai. As Raj bought the bananas a random person began taking our picture with the camera only a foot away, then two ladies came running over to shake our hands and talk to us. We had no idea what they said, but they seemed so pleased and had big smiles. We moved on to the next stop and everyone stared. Raj said we are super stars :) It's so strange to think many of these people have never seen a pale skinned person. When we go shopping at a store at home and we see someone of a different nationality we often accidently catch ourselves staring. It's very interesting to be on the flip side of that. It's a pretty awesome experience!!


Posted By: Rachele Whitlow

Home Depot, Kalavai

Ted led a highly interactive session with the community, and explained how small interventions, such as whitewashing walls and repairing cracks in walls, can prevent major problems. He also introduced gardening, which has the potential to improve the nutrition of the community, with no money required, and a reasonably small amount of effort. There was a lot of discussion, and the crowd was captivated by the practical advice.
Jim Blechl

Children

Our efforts at community development have focused on several areas: housing, health, economic, educational, etc. All have had some impact on the whole community, but we are realizing that we can have the biggest impact through the children, and so a lot of our work focuses on them. As is true everywhere, children learn the fastest, and are more open to change than adults, and will carry those changes into the future with them. We are working on their English, but also trying to teach them new health habits, related to hygiene, footwear, etc.

- Posted by Dr. Jim Blechl

Day one in the village - such love abounds!

We arose early, ate breakfast and were heading to the train station by 6:40 this morning. . . a great day was in store for us!

The train was clearly outfitted for much hotter weather with a ton of fans hanging from the ceiling. We continued to be blessed with safe travels under cool temperatures (80s).

With the recent abundance of rain here, there was a ton of work going on in rice fields.

Arriving at the village we were welcomed with a huge billboard of . . . . ourselves (taken from our weekend simulation in Chicago in November). We were presented with more leis made with Jasmin (which we learned attracts snakes - so we will not be bringing those close to our tents!). In addition, they were very excited to fire up a line of fireworks that was only "slightly" dangerous :).

We were soon busy putting up our Tent City close to KC3, we feel pretty blessed that they put a little sand down to soften the ground. . . . at least that was the intent, and we are thankful.

We enjoyed some fresh coconut with lunch and then soon started our separate missions. The homes began construction, and the medical team started learning some cooking techniques as well as diabetes and blood pressure screenings. . . . we are off and running.

We finished the night with giving a presentation about home repairs that they can do to help save money, keep safe, and stay healthy - real critical information to the people. This is part of our way of helping them understand the concept of "doing small things to prevent big problems", which when you are used to living for just surviving the next day. . . such future thinking does not come naturally - it was a great night!

I want to leave you with this image as a continual reminder of the teams that have come before us as we all stand on the foundations of those missions. Among many other things, by the end of the week GCC/Life Mission with finish its 18th home in this village. . . . . refusing to pursue any lesser purpose than bringing Up There, Down Here!

Peace be with you all - keep praying please. . . it makes such a difference!!!

Mount Saint Thomas - first full day in the books

Hello again from the other side of the world. The first day here in India was a complete success. After our morning naps and hot showers (yes!), we enjoyed a great buffet lunch of all kinds of Indian food. One of my favorite comments that I heard was "stay away from the green leaves - they are HOT!" - good advice :). Fueled up, we were ready to head to a series of locations marking the last days of the Apostle Thomas' life.

We first went to the Big Mount - which is the actual location of where Thomas was killed. From the heights of this small mountain (~300ft), we were also able to see breath-taking views of the city as well as the Bay of Bengal. Walking into the 16th century chapel that houses an original painting by Saint Luke, murals of the deaths of all 12 apostles, and the stone on which Thomas fell after the spear struck him down. . . left us all humbled and inspired.

From there we went to a cave (Little Mount) that served as a hiding spot for Thomas during many of his days of persecution. It was amazing to be in that spot and see the small hole by which he escaped his pursuers just days before his eventual death. There is also a miraculous well nearby (only 2 feet deep) that is said to have appeared after Thomas had prayed for water to quench the thirst of those listening to him preach one day. Though drought has repeatedly hit the region in the past 2000 years, and though the location is elevated on a small mountain side, it is said that this well has never gone dry.

Finally, we went to the Santhome Cathedral, which houses the tomb of St. Thomas himself. We were able to see bones from St. Thomas as well as the spear head that killed St. Thomas. . . just crazy to be viewing these things nearly 2000 years later, and humbling. You see, many scholars believe that Thomas at first resisted the call to go to India, but that he eventually did so because he knew it is what God truly wanted him to do. Twenty years, 7 built churches, and thousands of believers later he was killed for his faith. His initial wants and desires did not cloud God's higher call to purpose and meaning for his life. . . May the same be said of us - be it at work, at home, or at "play".

We ended our night with a treat of Pizza Hut at a shopping center here in Chennai - lots of laughter and smiles tonight, we are blessed and feel on mission - tomorrow will be a great day!

Chennai - safe and sound!

Well we made it safely Chennai, and the second flight was not bad at all - just about 4 hours worth. The meal entree choices were lamb and some sort of red sauce, curry chicken with some sort of green sauce, and then a vegatarian option. . . . along with some sort of rice pudding, and vegatables in a lemon sauce. . . . ahhh, we are in India - it's time for my mouth to awaken once again to all of the spices that will be coming into it from food that I've never heard of.

It is our custom to take a picture in front of this sign after landing in Chennai. I am not sure if you can make it out or not but the sign says "seek to perform your duty, but lay not claim to its fruits" . . . that pretty much sums up a lot of what we are going to be doing here. We want to make a tremendous impact as the hands and feet of the body of Christ, without distracting away any of God's glory.

We once again recieved these huge leis of roses and other flowers intricately woven together, and weighing around 10 pounds!!! We feel so humbled to recieve such an immense amount of hospitality.

Oh, you might be wondering who the two young ladies are in the front (without leis). They are from Germany, and we sat next to them on the plane and got to know them a bit. . . so they got in on the picture too!

So, we're having fun (doing things like taking pictures of people taking pictures!) - tired, but now it is nap time a bit before a trip to St. Thomas mount this afternoon. We will literally walk in footsteps of the Apostle Thomas' last few days, and see where he hid, and eventually was martyred - even see the stone on which he fell after being peirced by a spear. We will end by going to his actual grave, which has been preserved for nearly 2000 years. WOW, what an honor and a privilege to walk in such footsteps.

Good night to you in the states . . . as the sun rises here :)

Made it to Abu Dhabi - things are going well

The flight was a bit cramped and the plane was older, but the flight crew and service were excellent. A bit of turbalence over Greenland. . . but after around 3 movies and some sleep (that was average, but some team members -Mary- hardly slept at all, and put away around 5 movies!!) - we arrived safely here at Abu Dhabi. From a personal standpoint, it is so refreshing to see people of almost every race and creed on the plane and here at the airport. I love seeing it because I know in that diversity I get to see a little glimpse of heaven. As Beeson talked about this past weekend. . . we will all be surprised by who we see in heaven :) - Praise God for his unending grace!

Here is a recap of Chicago - the start of the trip:

We made it safely to O'hare in plenty of time. Many of us welcomed some of the last comforts of home (i.e. McDonalds) before going through the security without a hitch. Here is a photo of us waiting out the 3 hours until our flight took off :) - Take note of how awake and alert we look right now. . . . that WILL change - ha! Also note the wonderful compression socks - just beautiful!!

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So, now we are off to board the plane for Chennai - here we go :D

Oh, and if you wonder who I am - I'm Ted Bryant, professor at Bethel College, Father of 5, and husband of one unbelievable bride, and I have the privilege of helping to lead this amazing team of Jesus followers. . . bringing up there, down here! Thanks for journeying with us, and please keep up your prayers!!

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