Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

September 27, 2004

We were to fly to Vancouver BC in an 1 ½ hour flight. Due to fog in Seattle, the plane didn’t show and the flight was cancelled. We were redirected to VYE via Seattle and on to VYE on the prop jets. We arrived ok, but of course, we would be learning things for our future flights that we would have to strictly adhere to... such as ONE carry on and TWO checked 70 lb suitcases. Both conditions we failed miserably. But, I really wasn’t surprised, even after packing and re-packing four times.

By grace we got eight bags to Hong Kong and through customs. We found the place where we were to get the train tickets to the Kowloon Station and the shuttle bus would pick us up there. Because we had no voucher, the train tickets were under $20. The arrangements that our travel agent, Holly, made for the hotel were "old" conditions. We would get a welcome fruit tray rather than a welcome fruit basket. What we received were two oranges on an oval glass dish with a fork, knife, and cloth napkin on a plate. We couldn’t wait to get some sleep.

The next morning, Wednesday, we ventured out after breakfast within walking distance of the hotel to scope out a little view of the culture. We found a tailor that would make and send a Chinese style dress for Georgene home when it was completed. We ate at a Japanese fast food spot and walked back to the hotel to hit the hay early. Two nights is definitely not enough time to see the sights, especially if you are tired getting there.

Because we had not gone on to India as transit passengers, we ran into a significant issue of excess baggage. For an extra bag at 10 kg (22 lbs) we had to pay an additional $100. Bill was only allowed one carry on and both of them were technically too big. So the airline clerk checking us in weighed both and told Bill to make one the lightest. The lightest we could was 10 kg. (Oh, the cost of learning... that if we were in transit, it might not have been a charge, only taken at the plane door and put below with the baby strollers and carseats.)

We arrived safely to Mumbai presenting our paperwork filled out on the plane. Being directed to return to the end of the line for the correct paperwork, we obediently filled out the new forms. (Nobody told the airlines.) In about 15 minutes we were back on track for our baggage collection. Only to find out that we had to put it through the x-ray machine after we arrived...

It was good to see Paul and Raju again. We went to Raju and Rima’s house but we were told that because Rima has not been well, we would be shifted on Saturday to Padmini’s home, which is closer to the church. Our mat was waiting for us only this time it was across the room from the last time. After a bucket bath and with a full stomach of homemade Marati goodies, we fell asleep.

Friday was spent reorganizing the suitcases to where we would need what for each two month stay. This way we wouldn’t need to keep opening all the suitcases. In the evening we went to the pastors’ meeting and both of us had opportunity to share.

We ‘shifted’ to Padmini’s house where lunch was waiting. Bill went with Pastor Paul to Bhandup for the Leadership Training meeting where Bill’s word of encouragement was received warmly and meetings are to be set up for him to speak in their churches.

Florie, their sons, Graceson and Gladson, went with to help find some additional clothing for me to wear. We had a good time and of course, like all women, we found some sales. I was so tired when I got back to the house, I bathed and headed for bed, but Padmini insisted that I don’t sleep on an empty stomach. I had rice and curds with salt and crunchy pupadum. I can’t tell you when I went to bed. It was before Bill got home.

We were welcomed by the children singing a welcome song along with some action songs. Bill was presented a telephone for us to use while we are in the Bombay area and we are supposed to be able to send emails from it via the internet. So it will be great if we can figure it all out (I am definitely not a guru in the computer-electronics sense.) It was a total surprise to us. One of the members works for the telephone system and she donated it for us. God gives such fun blessings.

Our phone number to you is [available if you e-mail the President]. Call us sometime, but remember we are 13.5 hours AHEAD of you. Morning is best time to reach us, before 9 am here (Before 7:30pm for you in USA)

I got to preach and give testimonies today in the morning service. It felt good in my soul, like I found what I had been missing for six months. The little babies still cry when they see me because I look different. But after a time, they let me tickle and kiss them.

After service we are all served tea (chai). As I was sitting in my own thoughts, I realized that we have been here three days, we have spoken twice each and we do not even have one photo!!! Lord have mercy on us! We will definitely pray for a photographer to come with us next year... desperately pray for someone.

I will begin the teacher’s training in English on Monday evening. For safety reasons, we will begin this way and proceed from this point. It is not exactly as we had envisioned, but the scope is actually larger than we anticipated. Guess we will just see what the Lord wants to show us in this. Both the teachers and I are excited to get started. We will have some children in the class too. I know it will be fun because it is unlike what they are accustomed to also.

Pastor Paul wants us to begin training his leaders with the Kingdom Living textbook that was translated into Hindi for consistency and getting everyone on the same page. We may be having this class Sunday afternoon or evening. People here love to spend time at church.