Arrival

Emirates Air carried us safely through the skies and we landed in Bangalore at 4 am on the 10th. (we are 12 1/2 hours ahead of California time). We were greeted with beautiful fragrant garlands and by familiar faces. Pastor Ashok whom I spent many days with in Salem on my first trip, Subash who was Marty's travel companion, D-raj who is a guard in Kotagiri, and Shghi who cooks for Esther and also helps lead the Worship services.

There is now a large highway in Banglore now so our road trip to Faith Chapel was smooth and eventless. Aunt Esther had been awake since 3 am in anticipation of our arrival so after hugs and kisses we shared a cup of tea and long awaited conversation.
Esther is feeling well and her only troubles remain difficulty hearing, seeing, and severe scoliosis. But her spirits are high and she is so excited that we are here.

We had planned to catch up on sleep before the 10 am church service but literally the hairs on our head brushed the pillow and the windows began clamoring to the beat of the terribly loud sounds of base and singing from the street below. A celebration had begun by a local Catholic sect that worships Mary...it would be an entire day and night of worshiping her with this strange mix of "church" and Bollywood music. I got out of bed immediately and figured it could be amazing to journey to the streets and observe the scene. On our way downstairs Roni, who helps care for and clean the Faith Chapel, invited us to go to her home. It was her Son-in-law who was running the loud-speaker celebration.

We slipped off our shoes and stepped onto the concrete floor of the dwelling she shares with her daughter, son-in-law, and 2 grandsons. The house was the size of my walk-in-closet. the beds were lofts that lined the ceiling. in spite of the lack of square feet, room had been made for a television and a 5 foot tall statue (dare I say idol) of Mary. Even the Christians and Catholics in India have great difficulty departing from pracitce of idolatry...it is so deeply rooted in custom and tradition. Roni's daughter stood so we could sit. And then she transparently shared that this day was a day of remembrance in their home. 15 years ago her brother died at the age of 12. The sadness was still ripe. Not having a word to offer for the grief I asked if we could pray for her. she said yes. Marty and I placed hands on her and as the LORD to make himself known in their home by bringing His Peace and comfort. She thanked us greatly and we left.
Across the street a man named Dos came out of his house to great us. He has been attending church at the Faith chapel for over 20 years and I had met him in 98. We met his wife, Queenie, and his beautiful daughter named Josephine.
This is what I love. Being in homes. Being with people. Praying for real needs. Knowing the that God Almighty is present and hears us even through the deafening fog of base drums and searing vocals in worship of lifeless gods. This will be just the beginning.