Chennai

We made it to India...yeah...wow. From the moment you step out of the airport you know you are in another world. Although I didn't really believe it before, there really are people everywhere. The roads are ridiculous, fun and scary all at the same time--but I love the auto rickshaws! While you are technically supposed to drive on the left side of the road, common practice is to drive wherever you can without having to stop and wait. Horns, of course, are used non-stop...to the point that even my dad would find it a bit excessive!

I took my vitamin and malaria pills on an empty stomach before I went down to breakfast. Bad idea. I felt terrible! My thought on the way to the bathroom was: "Oh God, I am sick in India, and about to doubt that you are good and that your mercies never fail. Give me faith, Job-like faith that trusts you during suffering--even though my sickness doesn't compare to his. You taught him to say, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!'" It's one thing to be sick in another country but it's a lot more scary to be unbelieving! God answered my prayer. Not only did he calm my heart and strengthen my faith, but he also strengthened my stomach. The symptoms passed and I was able to go down and eat.

We are being taken care of by Clara, Dr. Manohar and his wife, Irene. Dr. Manohar is very educated but started ICSA out of a desire to care for the poor. All of the staff here are very friendly! It's nice to no longer be a tourist but to instead have work to do.

This afternoon after class--today we had an overview of Indian history and politics--I was able to spend some time praying and thinking. It was refreshing to be still and listen. My mind wandered to David Livingston, the "father" of the modern Christian missionary movement. As I remember, he went to India with his family sometime during the 19th century. While there, he buried his entire family, lost 10+ years of bible translation work in a fire, and suffered from multiple health conditions. However, he did not leave India. He said with Paul,

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of nowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Philipians 3:8).

Here are some pictures from Malaysia that Laura and Mariam took. Hope you enjoy them.

I miss all of you and pray for you. Pray for me.