Coming Home

Well, we are on our way home now (I’m writing this from the free wifi at Abu Dahbi airport!), but not without a few lasting moments.

I, on behalf of greenLockers (www.greenlockers.org), had an amazing privilege to deliver school supplies to the local school where some of the village children now attend (Life Mission sponsors around 11 kids to be able to go to school there). All I had to do was to mention that I knew Miss Jess and Miss Kelly . . . and they went NUTS!!! I think the conversational English teams are making an impact!

We were also able to witness Raj give away some of our donated clothes and toiletry items to the villagers in need. They especially enjoyed the hand-sanitizer since we had spent so much of the week talking to them about health and hygiene and germs *smille*.

As we were leaving the village, a very important transition was made that I feel is the next step for Kalavai. As you see in the below picture, Raj is making an important announcement to all the villagers that Pastor Sam is going to have a new “assistant” in the village. His name is Sutieeraj and he has been through Life mission training, and he is ready to be the pastor in the village. That’s right. . . . he will be living IN the village – able to lead bible studies, help with our initiatives, and provide a critical link to the needs of the community. To say I am excited about this is a gross understatement!!!

Finally, we left for Chennai and had 5 hours at Spencer’s plaza. We once again ate at Pizza Hut, where we noticed some other Americans sitting close by. We naturally asked them where they were from. . . . ELKHART they said – NO WAY!!!?? There were actually several pastors and people from a handful of different churches in Elkhart area that were coming over to work in several orphanages. This was actually their 15th year of doing this! – Praise God. It was so crazy to meet them and hear what God is doing through them.

We then shopped a long time – most likely for many of you reading this blog J. It was a great time . . . . I always enjoy bartering!!! We then went to bed for around 4 hours because we needed to be ready to the leave the hotel at 1:30am. Needless to say, we made it with a great Rickshaw ride to the airport. . . what a great way to go!! I have mentioned this earlier, but we cannot say it enough. . . . Raj is a true man of God- and GCC is so blessed to have such a phenomenal leader on the ground over here in India. I want to leave you with this image because if you have never met him. . . he likes to laugh –lol!

We know that this "mission trip" is not over, but only moving to a different location. See you soon!
--Posted by Ted Bryant