Today was largely a rest day. We arrived in the early hours to an incredibly busy railway station, again filled with poor and many terribly disabled untouchables. We must have been ahead of schedule, because we were in Vijaywada before 6am. It is like central London here - only in the sense that nobody ever seems to sleep! It is ridiculously busy.
We were met at the station by Job Sudarshan - a man of real influence among Christians here in South India. Aside from being lead elder in one of the Bakt Singh Assemblies here, he co-ordinates the work of Samaritan's Purse for the whole subcontinent of India. At present, he is engaged in various translation projects - Matthew Henry into Telegu being his latest task.
After a short journey we were straight to bed in the home of Haman Ratnaker and his wife. They have an Elisha House – a room built on top of the house like the one made for Elisha on the widow's roof in 2 Kings 4: 8 - 10. There is a bedroom and bathroom with shower and toilet. As in every Indian toilet I have seen so far, there is no toilet paper here. Instead there is an interestingly placed tap on the wall for crouching & bottom washing. Bleeaaccch! Praise God for a wife who loves me and plans for everything! I love Sainsbury's nose tissues so much. At least this one is a Western style toilet, rather than simply a hole in the floor that you squat, use and elect not to bother cleaning before you vacate in favour of the next potential occupant.
Slept till 1pm & then went downstairs to be greeted by a huge curry breakfast. Our hosts are wealthier than most Indians, and I have been warned not to get too comfortable this first week, as the remainder of our time will be somewhat more Spartan. Although this is affluent by most Indian standards, it is still very basic. I am increasingly grateful for what I have in the UK. Met Brothers Job Sudarshan, Albert Kalapala (& Jacob who travelled 150km just to meet us for half an hour). They seem very keen to start our itinerary as soon as possible, but tonight will be the soonest we can commence.
Preaching preparation and more rest after lunch, interrupted by nothing but a little brown lizard occasionally scurrying across the cold tiled floor.
Our first preaching meeting will be held at 7pm in a prayer hall just outside Vijaywada in a village mainly inhabited by cement workers. It is a bright building that has colourful Telegu texts on walls - bright, swirly Sanskrit script from the psalms and the gospels. 60 or so believers seated on ground with men on the left and women on the right. Much loud Telegu singing & then Merv preached, followed by me for about an hour each (including interpretation). These folk are so attentive!
Afterwards we returned back home for food (curry, rice and chapatis), some further sermon preparation and bed. I am missing my family about now. :( Couple of texts home (costing a ridiculous 40p each from here... daylight robbery). I love my wife with a depth I can neither measure nor explain. India is a long way away - even when you believe yourself to be in the midst of the Lord's will.
Tomorrow I am to preach 3 times.
Posted by pencils at January 17, 2004 03:25 PM | TrackBack