My routine is rather drab and I want to share with you a regular day’s schedule. I wake up at 6:30 a.m. local time (we are 10.5 hrs ahead of EST) without an electric alarm. The music and call to prayer by the various temples is heard loudly throughout the city.
Normally I do my personal devotion and then start m computer. I write my blog and download pictures from my camera. Then I edit the pictures putting them into files and deleting the bad ones and looking for a picture that will be representative of what I’m trying to convey in the blog. There are so many pictures it is hard to pick just one!
Breakfast is served from 7:30 till 10:00 a.m. but we have a morning meeting to get to at 9:00 so I shower and get to breakfast by no later than 8:00 a.m. At this hotel we can have either Indian buffet or continental (American style eggs and toast which the locals call bread-toast). I have been alternating each day as to which style I eat. There is a local paper in our door each morning with a ticket for breakfast which is included in our room charge. If I get done in time I try to call home, it would be about 10-11 p.m. there.
Morning group meeting is at 9:00 where we have group devotional and debrief what is happening. We talk about problems or announcements regarding the local sites and meetings. There are testimonials about what God is doing and there are requests for special prayers when people are not doing well (sick, difficulties with equipment, etc). Almost every day I’m having issues with equipment regarding program problems or issues with DVD’s they want us to play. This meeting lasts about an hour.
After that meeting we have a breakout session with our individual teams. This is the group I came with from the Columbia Union. We go around the circle and talk about our highs and lows, praises and concerns for our villages. When we’re done, we break into groups of two and pray for all the issues that are being discussed.
When meetings are done, we are free to do whatever we need to until our cab arrives in the afternoon to take us to our site. My cab comes at 5:00 p.m. Lunch and supper are on our own and many times I only eat one meal later in the afternoon at the restaurant in the hotel, it’s the safest place to eat. The food sold in the street is always cooked with contaminated water and will give us severe stomach problems. During this free time we can shop, site see or in many cases for me, I go over my presentation for the evening so I’m ready to give the sermon.
It is during this free time that I try to get on the internet and download my email and upload the blog. There is only one computer available in the lobby and sometimes it is difficult to find it open. There are internet cafes around the neighborhood but they don’t always have very high speed connections. The Hotel is pretty fast. There is no wireless for me to connect with my own laptop so I take my files in my memory stick and just plug them into their computer.
The translator and the cab arrive near 5:00 p.m. and we head out through the city through some of the most difficult traffic I have ever seen. It can’t be described; you must see it to believe it. No seat belts and every step you’re wishing you had one. I took my video camera and filmed part of the trip to show my wife that I’m not such a bad driver. The trip takes almost an hour to go 17 km or about 7 miles. Once we get out of the city we see some pretty country side but the roads and narrow and there is still congestion on the road.
Once there we stay till about 9:00 p.m. and then start the long journey back getting to the motel around 10:00. I might walk around town or go to my room where I read until I can’t see anymore and then fall asleep.
I haven’t watched TV since I’ve been here and that’s not because there isn’t some American channels. Its because I’m so focused and busy on task that TV isn’t needed or important. I’m hoping and expecting that this trip will change me, it already has. I just hope I can keep up the positive changes when I get home.
My eating habits have changed for the better; I haven’t eaten meat since I got here. I drink 2 liters of water plus each day and don’t drink sodas or coffee. My devotional and prayer habits have improved and my focus on my work is clear and fulfilling. I want my new found habits to continue, I am tired but very at peace. I wish all of you could experience this as I am.
Tomorrow I will try to explain the meetings and what happens there. Or I might talk about the market place as that is where I’m going today to do some shopping. Or I might talk about the temples here in Maduria (the name means temple city) which has the largest Hindu temple in India. I guess we’ll just have to see where the Spirit leads.
God bless and keep us all in your prayers. Our meetings start at 7:00 p.m. local time which is 8:30 a.m. EST; if you remember, pray at that time for the 65 missionaries and the 45 villages where we are spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Kevin
Normally I do my personal devotion and then start m computer. I write my blog and download pictures from my camera. Then I edit the pictures putting them into files and deleting the bad ones and looking for a picture that will be representative of what I’m trying to convey in the blog. There are so many pictures it is hard to pick just one!
Breakfast is served from 7:30 till 10:00 a.m. but we have a morning meeting to get to at 9:00 so I shower and get to breakfast by no later than 8:00 a.m. At this hotel we can have either Indian buffet or continental (American style eggs and toast which the locals call bread-toast). I have been alternating each day as to which style I eat. There is a local paper in our door each morning with a ticket for breakfast which is included in our room charge. If I get done in time I try to call home, it would be about 10-11 p.m. there.
Morning group meeting is at 9:00 where we have group devotional and debrief what is happening. We talk about problems or announcements regarding the local sites and meetings. There are testimonials about what God is doing and there are requests for special prayers when people are not doing well (sick, difficulties with equipment, etc). Almost every day I’m having issues with equipment regarding program problems or issues with DVD’s they want us to play. This meeting lasts about an hour.
After that meeting we have a breakout session with our individual teams. This is the group I came with from the Columbia Union. We go around the circle and talk about our highs and lows, praises and concerns for our villages. When we’re done, we break into groups of two and pray for all the issues that are being discussed.
When meetings are done, we are free to do whatever we need to until our cab arrives in the afternoon to take us to our site. My cab comes at 5:00 p.m. Lunch and supper are on our own and many times I only eat one meal later in the afternoon at the restaurant in the hotel, it’s the safest place to eat. The food sold in the street is always cooked with contaminated water and will give us severe stomach problems. During this free time we can shop, site see or in many cases for me, I go over my presentation for the evening so I’m ready to give the sermon.
It is during this free time that I try to get on the internet and download my email and upload the blog. There is only one computer available in the lobby and sometimes it is difficult to find it open. There are internet cafes around the neighborhood but they don’t always have very high speed connections. The Hotel is pretty fast. There is no wireless for me to connect with my own laptop so I take my files in my memory stick and just plug them into their computer.
The translator and the cab arrive near 5:00 p.m. and we head out through the city through some of the most difficult traffic I have ever seen. It can’t be described; you must see it to believe it. No seat belts and every step you’re wishing you had one. I took my video camera and filmed part of the trip to show my wife that I’m not such a bad driver. The trip takes almost an hour to go 17 km or about 7 miles. Once we get out of the city we see some pretty country side but the roads and narrow and there is still congestion on the road.
Once there we stay till about 9:00 p.m. and then start the long journey back getting to the motel around 10:00. I might walk around town or go to my room where I read until I can’t see anymore and then fall asleep.
I haven’t watched TV since I’ve been here and that’s not because there isn’t some American channels. Its because I’m so focused and busy on task that TV isn’t needed or important. I’m hoping and expecting that this trip will change me, it already has. I just hope I can keep up the positive changes when I get home.
My eating habits have changed for the better; I haven’t eaten meat since I got here. I drink 2 liters of water plus each day and don’t drink sodas or coffee. My devotional and prayer habits have improved and my focus on my work is clear and fulfilling. I want my new found habits to continue, I am tired but very at peace. I wish all of you could experience this as I am.
Tomorrow I will try to explain the meetings and what happens there. Or I might talk about the market place as that is where I’m going today to do some shopping. Or I might talk about the temples here in Maduria (the name means temple city) which has the largest Hindu temple in India. I guess we’ll just have to see where the Spirit leads.
God bless and keep us all in your prayers. Our meetings start at 7:00 p.m. local time which is 8:30 a.m. EST; if you remember, pray at that time for the 65 missionaries and the 45 villages where we are spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Kevin
3 comments:
Way to go Kevin!!! Love the blog!!! Have you taught anyone there to ice skate? Ha ha ha
The room looks pretty civilized. Hope you're not overworking yourself. Love you lots.
I find it very interesting, that In A Pagan religion. There dedication and there Obediance is stronger then ours in this country. Actually it is pretty sad on our end.
When the people convert they will be a great power unto the LORD,
There already Obediant!
So it goes to say, we as Christians can even learn from them! not there beleifs but there Obediance and there lack of Things they are Faithful. To what ever it is they beleive. And it is also impresive there corp worship. They call out to pray, from the temples
If we as Christians, could have the Obediance and dedication as they do. WoW the Gospel of Christ would change the world 3 times faster.
It is almost, like we are cursed and they are blessed because of there struggle compared to our. "Get and need everthing attitude."
GOD is Blessing you Kevin.
your always in our prayers.And your family.
Square that room up Sailor!!!
Post a Comment