We just left

It's hard to believe that we are starting our trip back home already. Even though we are only 15 minutes away from the village, I miss them already. I wish I could stay longer.
The beginning of the week for me was hard. I loved the kids but I didn't think I was going to feel this way when I left. I want to go back and see their smiling faces again. Maybe I will make an excuse to go back just for a few minutes. The people there are so loving and amazing I can't put into words the love and care I felt while I spent these few short but precious days here. The kids and people of Kalavai have forever changed me for the better. I can't think of a better way to spend a week of my life. The unknowns and worries that I was nervous about at the beginning of the week are gone and seem pointless to have ever worried about in the first place.
Struggle is everywhere in Kalavai but you can't see it when you are looking at their gorgeous smiling faces. They radiate hope and life even though they have been through pain and hurt that I will probably never have to endure. I want the absolute best life for each of the wonderful people of Kalavai. If i could I would bring them all home with me.
One little boy I got the closest to. His name is Renu. He is the funniest, craziest, most loving little ball of cuteness. I had the privilege to have him in my class at the school we taught at this week and everyday after school the two of us would hang out during out village time. Since he is only 5 years old and doesn't really know much English there really isn't anything we talk about, so we just played. I love that little kid like he was my own little brother, and if I could I would bring him home with me there is no doubt.
Throughout the whole week I haven't realized how much the people of Kalavai have effected me but today when I sat down on the bus and looked out at all the people I had the chance to live with for a week, I realized I loved them and didn't want to leave. It brought me to tears, but I know I will be back. Hopefully sooner than later.

Jessica Ekema

Micro-Enterprise Update

This week has been a whirlwind for the Micro-Enterprise team here in the Irula Colony. Because of the reactive nature of how business works, and the need for eyes on the ground to see what works and what doesn't we couldn't plan too much on the front end.

Our main initiatives this week are making improvements to the goat micro-herds, coming up with a business for the tailors that have completed a 15 month training course, and seeking out the potential for a larger scale business to help support the village and our programs in India.

Thank God for Raj, as he has a business knack as well as the ability to translate without any problems. The first two days in the village, it seemed to be moving slow and much of the time was spent casting vision of what is and could be. We surveyed the goat owners, as well as the tailors to see what is working well and what they are challenged with. The information we were given was definitely a lot different than we had thought we would here. Again proving we can't plan too much stateside for what's to come with Micro in India.

The 5 ladies who have completed the tailoring training are going to receive each a sewing machine that was promised them at the beginning of the program. Their skills have multiplied many times, and their thanks for allowing them the opportunity really stood out as we heard a testimonial from one of the tailors. Rajeswari, a 25 year old wife and mother of two, let us know of the importance of her accomplishing this trait. Her mother-in-law, constantly was telling her how worthless she was and how her son could have chosen a much better wife. She would share this with their entire village. When she heard of our training program for tailors, she sought an opportunity to learn this trade. She did this by living in the Irula Colony with her two children, while her husband lived in another village with his mother. She said, "I showed a chudidhar I had sewn to my mother in law and she was very impressed. It pleased me to hear kind words come from her mouth about me."

Not only was Rajeswari happy, but the other tailors are so happy to have learned this trait. They were even more happy when we were connected with some expert tailors that run an export shop in downtown Kalavai that attend Pastor Sam's church. Upon setting up a meeting to talk with the owners, they agreed that they would train the Irula tailors and hire them to do work for them. This works out perfect for their set up as they prefer daily wages and aren't quite yet ready to "own" their own business. So all 5 tailors have jobs and will learn even more expertise with this export business! God is good.

The above picture is the "next generation" of tailors that are wanting to learn the trade. We are planning on having these 6 younger ladies who haven't and can't attend school (because they are too far behind and would have to be in 1st or 2nd grade) get trained under the current Irula tailors as well as the expert tailors. They are excited as they are all good friends and are willing and wanting to learn this much needed trade here in India.
Above is a meeting with a brick kiln owner in which a villager from the Irula Colony stood up against him in order to challenge him on how much debt he owed the owner. The meeting got heated, but was such a site to see as Ravi, a goat owner who admitted he didn't know the difference between 4 months or 4 years, brought out the records of the debt he owed and made the kiln owner swallow his lies! Ravi settled his debt on the spot and the kiln owner can't come after him or touch him again!

The concept of owning your own goats is so foreign to the Irula that they would rather work for daily wages than own their own goats and have to keep track of vaccinations and when to sell the goats. We have set up a program to allow them to fulfill their wishes so we can pay them a daily wage. The Irula Welfare Association actually owns the goats and will take goat profits and set up a system for helping other community members in need.

Though starting out slow, the Micro team has gotten quite a bit accomplished this week and many blessings from God to celebrate. This initiative is on-going and ever changing. Overall, we had an amazing week and have developed great relationships with people from the village.

Micro-Enterprise Team

Glad to be back

I was so glad to be back at the school and in the village. It's a real blessing to work with the kids and spend time with everyone in the Irula Colony. God has been working on me every morning, and it's my prayer that he continues to change me when I get home. I feel so blessed to be on this trip.

Jerry Blanchard

A Wealth of Relationships

Last March Tim Burkey came to India and Kalavai as a part of a worship team. They preformed Christian concerts all around Kalavai. During the day Tim as well as several other members of the worship team built great relationships with the boys in the village.

One boy named Vellu came up to me and asked earlier this week if I knew Tim. I told him yes, Tim is my friend. Vellu asked me to tell Tim hello. I happened to have Raj's phone with me that was set up for twitter. I told Vellu he could tell Tim hi himself. So I would took a picture of Vellu waving and sent it to Tim via twitter. Vellu was so excited and amazed.

A day or so later Tim sent a reply. Vellu was so excited, and so was I.

This is truly an amazing connection that spans more than 5,000 miles and is a testament to Tim and to the ministry of Granger Community Church here in Kalavai.

Joel Wolfgang

The unspoken language

A line from one of my favorite songs reads, “Whether or not your lips move, you speak to me.”

The people of Kalavai are true poets in this regard.

It’s not easy to describe how sitting next to a mother on a dusty, broken concrete slab as she braids her daughter’s hair can be such a comforting moment when you’re thousands of miles away from your own family.

You can’t measure the fullness of your heart when a child you know gets hit more often than hugged falls asleep in your arms.

And there isn’t any proper comparison for the joy that emanates from the eyes of the once hopeless villagers who’ve learned to trust and dream. Except for, maybe, the joy that God has in giving that very hope.

It is our true privilege to brush shoulders with people of such humility and courage every day here. It takes a lot to summon hope from despair and joy from darkness. But it is a movement He started and will be faithful to complete.

Each night, the English team has the chance to educate and edify the village children, many of whom do not attend school nor will ever have the opportunity. Some of them, as young as 8 or 9, have already started to work to help provide for their families. Many of the adults in the village are just as curious and eager to learn as the children, and their confidence in attempting to speak English with GCC teams has grown with each trip. The time consists of conversational English training as well as songs, skits, games and craft time – which always ends up being the highlight of the evening. Teachers, adults and kids huddle together to paint, make bracelets and simply enjoy each other’s company.

The time flies, yet when you stop and soak it all in, you realize those are the moments you wish would never end. You see pipe cleaners and plastic beads transform into pearls and diamonds in the villagers’ eyes. You hear the laughter and chatter of a newfound, lifelong friend sitting next to you. And you wonder if anything else in the world really matters but loving that person, fully and completely, if without words.

- Amanda Harris

Better Than A Hallelujah....

God loves a lullaby
In a mother's tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

God loves the drunkard's cry
The soldier's plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

The tears of shame for what's been done
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing
Better than a choir singing out, singing out

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

This song has resounded in my heart since the moment we set foot in India. Just a day into our time in the village I woke up hearing the temples blare their call of worship....and in that moment... as the music flooded the air, my heart unleashed all the tears pent up. Tears for the injustice that surrounds us, tears for the children that don't yet understand the hard life that awaits them, tears because this is not the way God meant for His people to live. In that very moment, with tears streaming down my face, my heart aching beyond description, I knew without a doubt, that God was hearing the cries of my heart. Not just hearing them, but somehow hearing a melody. And then I knew in a more real way than ever, that God hears the honest cries of breaking hearts, not just my heart, but Monjue's, Punatha's, Chanduru's, Ambica's, Miss Lily's heart. The hearts of people that love Him with a passion that is undeniable, a dependence that is truly indescribable. God listens, He cares, and loves each one of these people more than I can comprehend. Not only does God listen, but He is radically moving in the village. Change is happening in a very real way. A place whose name literally means darkness, now is a place the village people say is a place of light, a place of HOPE. A father who had left his family recently moved back into the village because he said their is hope here now, a light that was never before... Another family moved into the village seeking the hope, joy, and light they heard about... One of the villagers now has a foster child they are taking care of now as their own...the Light, the Hope is spreading. God is alive, real, and hearing the raw cries of His broken people....and sometimes those cries....are better than a Hallelujah.

Jessica Stemm

Making Business Work

I work for a company in Mishawaka that has the tagline "Making Business Work" it's about finding the right solutions for another company's particular needs.

Over the past couple of years GCC has been training 5 women in Kalavai to become tailors. These women have been working very hard to learn ways to sew using machines out of the early part of the last century. Nonetheless they have been working diligently in order to finish their training.

Now that they are close to the finish line its important for us to help these ladies get jobs. We consulted with members of another local church and found a small tailor shop that is willing to train them to do export work. So over the next month they will learn how to sew export quality shorts and t-shirts to fulfill large orders.

On Friday we will be holding a graduation ceremony for them and we will be giving them their own sewing machine. This is God at work! A village with no hope is now producing skilled labor, just like Rob Wagner says, "they want a help up not a hand out."

So our role here is to encourage and facilitate business ventures that truly benefit the people, making business work. Giving these women these particular skills is giving them the ability to work and live on their own. That's why we're here to show them that the love of Christ transforms communities.

Joel Wolfgang

It's India...

It's the phrase India team members often use to explain the inexplicable. More often than not, the sentiment expresses the relinquishing of any perceived control of a situation and letting things (namely, God) happen naturally. Today was no exception to the "It's India" rule.

The English education team got our first glimpse today of the incredible progress the local school has made in just one year. Students who struggled to identify colors and pronounce letters of the English alphabet correctly are now speaking in complete English sentences and using outstanding vocabulary. Progress isn't usually viewed as a setback; however, it did come as a surprise. The English team revamped and adjusted to other changes in schedule and subject matter as if somehow we all understood the simple concept that we're not actually in control.

Sure, it's frustrating when things don't go as planned (when you've been planning for four months). Of course it can be disheartening when you're not sure your efforts were accurately directed (when you were sure you were getting it right). And it can even seem overwhelming when you follow God halfway across the world and all your expectations go unmet (or is it that they have actually been exceeded?).

But by the way the team responded today, including only three veterans and eight newbies, you'd think they were more interested in God accomplishing His work instead of us having incredible stories to share with family and friends about all that we got done while sacrificing time, money and energy (read: showers, pillows, carbohydrates and sleep).

At the end of our first day in the school, I can honestly say the students had a great time singing, laughing and learning with us. I know the teachers and principal are grateful for our presence and efforts in the school. I am positive that the Irula colony appreciates our investment in the community via the young students who have been sponsored by GCC to attend the tuition-based, private school. But what I'm most sure of is that God wrote the story of the people of Kalavai and considered it best and wisest for each member of this English team to intertwine our stories with theirs.

I think I can speak for every member when I say the blessing is ours and that we can sense it with each situation we cannot explain, every problem that is beyond our wisdom to solve and all the faces that we've come to love and that have somehow become a part of us. Sometimes, when everything that's comfortable and familiar is stripped away, you start to see things a little more clearly. That's when a group of people you've never met who speak a language your ears can't comprehend show you love like you've never known and it all makes sense. Suddenly you understand that the best place you could be is not in control.

(posted by Amanda Harris)

Construction Accident: I've Been Hit by a Ton of Bricks...

One would think that having taken this journey three times before that not much could be surprising. I often find our trips to India to "smack me in the face," each in a different way. This trip has given me some realizations that none of the previous trips have... How? In many ways, in fact probably too many to even try to convey.

The Thursday we left GCC for O'Hare, my nerves were non-existent. You would think that travelling 9,000 miles to the opposite side of the earth would get at least a little nerves excited! Truth of the matter is I felt like I was taking a journey with new friends and old to my second home. Previous trips have allowed Jessica and I to solidify relationships (which I never thought could happen) where cultural, spiritual, and lingual barriers all exist. I was excited to see people from the village from old, Life Mission Staff (Raj, Prema, Annand, & Thiyaghu), as well as interpreters that we have had with us in past trips.

Life in India is quite refreshing. To say that when literally almost all of our conveniences and comforts are stripped from us is pretty much an oxymoron. Much of my point has to do with how much it is apparent that most of our conveniences actually distract us from our ultimate goal; To serve the Lord, and at the end of our lives to hear Him speak the words "well done." Money, cars, technology, the latest style of clothes... All of these things aren't bad and in fact we are very fortunate to have them. The question I find that I ask myself is, "are these things causing us to enjoy this world more, or to help prepare us for eternity?" Money and things aren't bad in themselves, however they definitely give us a higher probability to allow them to become who and what we are. Experiencing a place that has none of the afformentioned items humbles me to how much devotion they have to worshiping and praising God for all of his blessings.

Below is a picture of my wife, Jessica, with a little boy Chandru. He reminds us of our little nephew Mason. Like a firecracker he'll run over to you, make a funny face and noise and runaway with the biggest grin on his face. I think of the life he will have and for a moment am saddened. After pondering for a moment, that sadness gets challenged when I realize, though very very hard, how much his life will lack distractions.

Chandru and his family have very little materially, however they do have community like you wouldn't believe. No cell phones to text with at the dinner table, in fact sometimes no dinner to even eat. No disappointment when the car he receives when he turns 16 isn't good enough, because he will probably never have a car. He'll never have to worry about how hard it is to choose the cabinet knobs on his kitchen cabinets for his new house he is building or how hard the builder is to work with, because he may only ever live in a cement house that is no larger than 10x15. Could Chandru break this cycle of generational poverty? Sure he can. In fact, that's part of the reason we are here this week. To help allow he, his family, and others to be self sufficient and escape bonded slave labor. To allow him to learn English and be able to not only attend school, but also have the ability to go to college and have many opportunities fin his life.

Though Chandru's family and many others in the village may never escape generational poverty, which we would never choose to live, they can have the FAITH and HOPE found in Jesus Christ giving them eternal life! This possession is one that trumps any and all "things" we all covet on sometimes a daily basis, and one that needs to be a constant reminder for me as to the why I was put on this earth in the first place.

Needing to take the above advice,

Nate

Singing, Dancing, Playing

Today I was able when we came to the village I was begin building a connection with some of the village kids. We played tons of games - ring around the rosy; duck, duck goose (or juice as the kids called it); we played for hours and the kids just kept on coming. We bonded well and to top off the evening several of us - myself included got to dance in front of the rest of the group with some of the kids. Its such a blessing to be a part of something so good.

Jerry Blanchard

Where does my help come from?

My first trip to India! It is like a punch in the gut from reality. My first impressions were quite overwhelming. Seeing extreme poverty is difficult to describe. I was quickly getting beat up from the constant images of despair, I had trouble wrapping my mind around it. I felt like I was loosing hope, but I was quickly given a jolt today. Seeing the people at the church service was a quick reminder that my hope comes from faith in God.

I lift my eyes upon the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.

Once your meet the people in Kalavai you begin to see hope through Jesus.

Jesus packs a bigger punch.

Following HIS lead

Kyle

Expect the Unexpected

Although the preparation for this journey has been outstanding, thanks to the staff at GCC and my wonderful team leaders Nate & Jessica Stemm, there's no real method out there for completely preparing a person to visit the remote village of Kalavai here in India. In many cases, the best we can do is to learn to expect the unexpected.

One such instance occurred mid-morning on Sunday, as the team attended church together. It was one of the first things we've done here in the village. And man oh man, I have never been greeted before as such royalty. Upon getting to the church, the service completely stopped. All in attendance seemed enamored with our presence, and the clamoring began, each one there just hoping to get to touch one - or better yet all of us, white men and women. It was as if 17 celebrities had arrived, and each was instantaneously surrounded on the red carpet to receive the love of many.

Their overly-hospitable - if such a kind exists - demonstration right away left me puzzled. Should I be embarrassed at the reception we received? Should I have tried to stamp it out, or refuse it? Or should I have expected it on some level?

While a lot of the questions I have still remain unanswered, what I do know is this: it was a magnificent pleasure to be in a house of worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. In God's kingdom, the first shall be last and the least of these shall be the greatest. I know that in God's family, we're all his cherished children, and praising God as a body earlier today was a special moment.

As if not just being there was inspirational enough, the message we received from God's word, through his messenger, who was a traveling evangelist & well versed in English (lucky for us), was equally as uplifting. The preacher emphatically called everyone in the building to stop putting limits on what God can do. He recalled the stories of Lazarus' resurrection, his own personal testimony, and the power present in Jesus' own resurrection to help us remember that when it comes to our Father God, we must always expect the unexpected. Today is the day of our miracle, today is the day of our salvation.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Amen!

Matt LaFleur

Newbie Perspective

It's 3 am here in Chennai, but I'm wide awake. My body is still confused about where I am. But since my mind is racing thinking about everything I've experienced so far I thought I'd share a little with all of you.

This is my first trip to India and as a newbie I think there is so much to take in and experience that it's hard to organize it all and explain it briefly but I'll try. It's only been one day actually in India and all ready I'm struck by the vast contrast to the States. In the US, the oldest things you'll ever see are 200 years old. Here in India the old and the new mix together. You can go to someplace with history dating back to 50 AD and pass a cell phone store on the way. Also space here is different. Chennai is a city of 10 million people so you don't see a lot of places where there is room to spread out. Buildings are built right on top of each other.

There are people everywhere even in the middle of the night. Driving is an adventure because there is definitely no extra space on the road. We've seen mopeds and motorcycles with families of 4 riding on them. Time is different here. In the states we always are in hurry, rushing to get to the next thing or finishing the next project. The pace here is slower. Time is relative and the experience or relationship seems to be more important than the task. That is really refreshing for someone who tends to always be on the go.

It's also been unique to experience being so different that everyone notices you. A large group of Americans isn't easy to hide here. Today as we visited places in Chennai many people were staring at us. Jessica Ekema and I had several people approach us and ask to take pictures with us at St. Thomas Mount. I've noticed when we gather to talk, there are always Indian people who come up and stand close wanting to know what we are doing and what we are talking about. People are so kind to us everywhere we go, offering to help us or greeting us warmly.

In a couple hours, we will get up and catch a train to Kalavai. For the vets, they talk as if they are going home tomorrow and can't wait to see their friends. For the newbies, we are all filled with anticipation knowing that this week is going to be a life changing experience for all of us. Either way, I think I might not be the only one awake with anticipation right now. :)

Shari Wolfgang

St. Thomas

Today was St. Thomas day for the team, and when you really think about it this man had such an impact on this subcontinent and region. One of Jesus' twelve disciples he was best known for doubting the resurrection and needing to touch the nail and spear marks. Therefore the Western world knows only for what the bible tells us, but tradition tells us that he came to India in 52 AD less than 20 years after Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. He was instrumental in setting the stage for Christianity in this region. It also tells us he cared deeply for the poor, that he was a sculptor and that loved Christ wholly.

We visited three sites around Chennai where St. Thomas mark can still be seen. First we went to St. Thomas Mount where tradition tells us that he was martyred while praying.

Second we visited a cave which tradition tells us that Thomas dug to hide in while he was being persecuted.

Third we went to see his tomb. We weren't actually allowed to take pictures of his tomb, but this picture was taken in the church above it.

God make us like St. Thomas leaning into you and your kingdom come here on earth. As we work to help a community break the generational bonds of poverty give us the ability teach and to learn just like St. Thomas. Amen.

Onto Kalavai in the morning for church go to catch a train!

Joel Wolfgang

It Only Took 25.5 Hours But We Made It!

You know as crazy as that title sounds we still aren't to Kalavai yet. What a crazy long day, one 15 hour flight leg followed by a layover in the Middle East then another leg.

Even though we've spent a ton of time preparing for this trip together I think of the best ways of getting to know the rest of you team is to travel with them, because you get a 24/7 view of their personalities. We really got to know each other on this trip and there was a ton of laughing and sharing stories. We had a good time together.

Today we are visiting St. Thomas Mount - the traditional location of the martyrdom of St. Thomas (doubting Thomas one of Jesus' 12 disciples).