homeward bound folks.

this is it...the final countdown. i've squeezed the final sari blanket into my bags, bursting at the seams, lets just hope they make it in one piece...passport and ticket in place, goodbyes said...and
tomorrow i'll be loading on that big silver bird. just please pray that the flooding in bombay doesn't delay or cancel my flights from there to london to chicago to indy...it seems that the weather out west isn't looking so hot, and indian flooding is not a force to be dealt with. even from an over eager homeward bound traveler...
i'll be back in indianapolis on thursday afternoon. and can't wait to see as many of you as possible.

the dance of expectancy.

just two days folks. until the whirlwind tour of america begins...

tonight sarah kristin and i planned for the next six months, dreaming and working on what we have in mind for ourselves and our friends here...its exciting to dream far beyond into things we'll never see for ourselves.
and its exciting to plan for my team coming in august and envision their time here, plan for their trips, work out their daily process, you know be the proverbial mother hen...
in the next six months so much will happen, certainly most of it we'll not even expect until it is upon us, as things usually move around here. but thats half the fun of it all i suppose. the dance of expectancy and faith.
but with hopes of moving into a new house, where a possible half way home for the ladies of sonagachi will develop, as well as a headquarters for a new sari bari in sonagachi, a new team arriving in august for four months, and trips to nepal and perhaps pakistan/afghanistan on the horizon, as well as training for a marathon i'm running with sarah, in bombay, i feel as though i'm going to the states in perfect timing, but will be ready to jump back in when its time.
although i'm ready for some lovin back home, i still look around and thrill at the realization that i get to live this life, that i get a chance to make my home in kolkata india, among some of the most beautiful women alive, in this crazy pulsing city...in my humble opinion.

also, a side note, my friend and former servant team member, kyle scott has written some amazing songs about his time here in kolkata and i'd like to share his blog for all of your benefits...his prophetic voice offers life to the folks he met here in kolkata. you should check it out.
kyscott@blogspot.com

the great countdown.

i'm not saying its right. or good.

just how it is.

i'm coming home in less than a week, and i have a hard time focusing on anything else.

like the new years count down stretched across six days of torture.

i didn't realize i was so ready for a break until i noticed this seperation beginning to happen in my heart. there's those little irritations the city offers, and the pain of our friends ever calling us to enter in, and i have that not so subtle temptation these days to cover my ears and run full speed away...

but my prayer this morning, and each morning until the moment i get on that big silver bird is this... that God will keep my heart soft. and willing. as i continue to encounter God's Beloved in the streets, the brothels, and within the four walls of my own home.

i guess, all this to try and explain....i'm pretty darn excited to make a little trip to the ol usa.

next wednesday i'll be dining on plane food and making my way to the nearest burger king...or starbucks...or heck, maybe both!

and as a side note. darjeeling was good. and it was beautiful to drive through the mountains and tea fields. landscape for lovely introspection.

sarah and i had some little guys take residence in our stomaches for the duration of our trip, but nothing a little cipro can't kill. and although it rained most of the time, the weather was cold and sleep was heavenly. and really, with that, what more could a gal ask for.

darjeeling, the land of great tea...and all i drank was milk coffee....

anyways, can't wait to see you all in just 6 days...

peace.

mack trucks and mountains.

i feel like a mack truck ran my face over but left the eyes somewhat attached, enough to sense that i'm still alive and really really tired...last night i took my team to the airport and stayed the night there to await their early morning departure time. and now in just 20 minutes i'll be boarding my own travel device as kristin sarah and i head to darjeeling on the over night train for a weekend of rest and retreat in the mountains. much needed for my heart as i face the reality that my team, my friends, four folks i've grown to love and enjoy leave yet more holes in my heart from their absence. it feels surreal. just like the times i've arrived in london repeating to myself that my family and friends still exist somewhere just out of reach and that i've set sail for something new, different and alone. its weird. i love change or i know i wouldn't be here, but i hate it in the same breath as well. it hurts to say bye. but if it didn't hurt i guess that means i wouldn't have cared.and i want to care.so anyways, there's my half eyed shut thoughts this afternoon as i try to remember what to pack for the mountians.
just just 13 days before i board my own silver bird!!!

these old feets.

my feet aren't as soft as they used to be.

i guess it's just another way the city has.

to callous the places i walk.

if i felt everything beneath me-perhaps, my steps would shrink and slow.

and i'd stay closer to home..

or perhaps i'd understand...and begin to share the scars of the Beloved.

i expected in the midst of leading my servant team, to discover all i lacked. all my flaws, my inadiquacies, and selfishness.

and i did discover-but not in the way i'd expected.

because they brought me new eyes. to see the ladies on the street, and the beggars by the metro, the girls in the gach, and myself.

to see again the image of God~a beating heart not a hungry mouth.

they gave me eyes to see this city with compassion and concern. they've challenged me to live my speech.

and soften my heart.

the next great love language.

whether you agree or disagree with the existance of love languages...
when gary chapman wrote that book, he deffinitely forgot one, possibly one of the most important expressions...mini movies.
my team leaves friday.
and yesterday at our final team night, taco fiesta. they surprised me with the greatest mini movie ever.
i mean, i'm talking, so great my side ached from laughing, and tears were welling up.
it was so good i was laying in bed last night and starting laughing out loud about parts of it. and agan this morning on my run, and then again when i was doing the dishes. it was some serious lovin for sure...
it will be quite sad to see them off. they've been the greatest blessing. and an honor to lead and serve. and they even keep their complaining to a minimum when i burn the toast and grilled cheese sandwiches...
this afternoon we head to our debriefing retreat for some time to process and reflect and then just one more day before they're gone.
which means just two more weeks before i visit the states.
more detials to come.

please pray for my team as they face re entry soon. its no walk in the park really. in fact, its really hard to return to america after staying overseas for some time. they will need encouragement and some good listening ears.

well i'm now off to debrief.
peace.

back in the saddle again.

feast your eyes on this treasure trove...

yes, chennai boasts the meanest tiffin stores around...and half the price kolkata will offer. for those of you who've never used a tiffin, basically its a tiered round metal box with luxerious compartments to hold all the necessities of the day, rice, dahl, veggies. well maybe luxerious is a little over the top...but it is the great indian lunchbox.

the chennai half price sale was certainly the cherry on top of the south indian adventure.

south india was great. encouraging for our bengali staff. fun bonding for the whole team. a built in sauna on the train ride home. everything one could hope for in an indian journey in the middle of the hot season.

actually it was incredible to watch the bengalis and see them encouraged by the homes we visited. and listening to their dreams, their calls from God, their visions for their lives and how they want to serve was stiring and beautiful. i love our staff.

next week my team will be setting sail for home. and soon after i'll be on my way as well. with only a few weeks remaining until our wmf staff retreat it's hard to believe i've already had my first team come and go, and my first six months here are coming to a close. i've barely had time to reflect on where God has taken me and our field. but i know He's done alot, i see it reflected in our attitudes in our prayer lives, in our communities.

and i can't wait to see many of you and share as much as i can in the short time i'm home.

i'll admit, i'm ready for some steak action, diet coke refills, and good mexican food...and of course to enjoy the sprawling green corn fields of indiana...

i'll also be enjoying weather that's below the 115 degree mark which will surely enable me a good night's sleep while i'm home. its been a little rough lately with the heat being so oppressive. but it doesn't last forever, or at least lets hope not...

ok, well thats just a quickie for now.

please pray for my team and i as we wrap up their four months next week, and as they head back to the states to consider what will be next...maybe some will be coming back...

here also is a little pic from our team and me shocked and amazed at the tiffin heaven...which steal plate to choose!!!

peace to all.