the beginning of the end

much life and relaxation has happened since my last post. We spent an extra day up on the mountain of Kodai including a morning hike ABOVE the clouds which felt so good since we are not carsick but SICK of cars and any other means of transportation. We left Kodai at 3 a.m. to drive back down the mountain because that was the only way we could catch our morning flight from Madurai to Chennai to Bagalore at 8. A 67 km drive back down the windy roads and my stomach was a little upset with me, I kept convincing myself it was better to sit quietly than chance falling over the mountain by getting out of the car. I guess it worked because I made it.
And now, the past day and half have been spent at the SAIACS conference center in Bangalore, what we might consider a glorified retreat center. We are on the last leg of our journey as part of the national India CBMC retreat. I have started to feel the emotion that I will be ready to come home and I am ok with that. But, I woke up this morning with a conviction and it poured itself out in tears. that was to "finish strong" as we often say. What I mean is that my desire is to allow myself to be as open today to the ministry and relationships God is putting on my path today as I was when we first stepped off our first plane. I felt alot of release in giving that over to Him and today has been a wonderful day of interacting with some others who are here as well as sitting under the teachings of a Indian man who is conducting the young people's break out sessions. Mind you, this man has atleast 5 MA degrees, a PHD and his M. DIV. I feel like I am in INTRO To SEM and I am loving it! This afternoon we took a break and went downtown Bangalore to a very cosmopolitan cafe for lunch. I had a chicken and sundried tomato panini, followed by...a piece of devil food cake ala mode after I made the waiter show me each of the desserts available in the case. Just to make sure I got what I was hoping for!
We have a break before our night sessions and I intend to head out onto the patio to soak up this place. thank you for your continued prayers, I am looking forward to sharing more stories and catching up on your lives soon as well.

monkeys and hills and horses, oh MY!

Too many words to fully express the beautiful women we encountered yesterday at the home for the elderly. There were 6 women between the ages of 40-75 but looking at them you would believe them each to be 80+. They were small and fragile from life on the streets but their joy for their life in Christ radiated from the eyes of even those who are blind. Easily one of my most cherished times thus far on our trip.
From there we had a tour of Madurai hosted by the wife of one of the business men we came to encourage. She took us to the second most famous temple in all of India, check it out!



It was hard to believe that it was real, the intricate design and colors were incredible. We also had a chance to do some bartering and get some really beautiful things! From there a night in the Hotel Germanus and an early morning bus ride to today's destination: Kodaikanal. A hilltop village like nothing I have ever seen although the ride was a little nervewracking. I couldn't decide if it was better to look intently, close my eyes and jam to my ipod or just pray. But as we got up the hill more and more, the small town hub-bub including what looked like a petting zoo every few miles until we had a chance to stop at a lookout and see monkeys up close and personal. 40 kilometers later...seemed longer than a marathon :) we arrived at the Carlton just in time for a breakfast buffet of some our new favorites and even more favorites are things we could recognize.
http://www.hotelstamilnadu.com/kodaikanalhotels/carloton/index.htm

We had such a relaxing and rejuvinating day hanging out on our balcony while the men went to share thier golf ministry with some of the CBMC guys who will be joining us for dinner soon. I also faced of my biggest fears and rode a horse led by a man on a bicycle around the lake here. A big trust lesson for me and I was happy he knew the words "slow" and "scary" Blessings for your Thursday, I hope it as blessed as mine has been!

by train we ride

well, when you think first class overnight train, you might think pillows fluffed and a nice cozy cabin. Add into that equation India and you get some vinyl seats that fold down and some furry friends as companions. We just arrived, via "train" to Madurai where we will be spending one day. I slept all night on the train, took a shower at 6 am when we arrived and blew the fuse trying to blow dry my hair. In a few hours we will go to visit a home for the elderly and then some sightseeing of temples and shopping. It feels like a good and needed break after some rigorous travels. more to come! Wish I could add pics but the computer I am using seems to be charging more for Americans...hm?

good morning from the East

know as I write this after breakfast, you are all ready to call it the end of the weekend and gearing up for the work week. Thank you for your prayers, without a doubt we can feel them. Especially when we are riding in any vehichle and every corner feels like a scene out of the movie "Speed"! I am having a wonderful time and experiencing a renewed place in my soul where I have no set agenda and am just taking the moments as God provides. Our travel went smoothly which is always a great surprise blessing. And now that we are here we have been spending time with the students at the seminary with Idi who are so humbling in their devotion to God and their hospitality towards our group. I cannot put into words their smiles but they are like a ray of light. It has been exciting to see the opportunities we have had to share some of what we have learned about discipleship, planning with a Spirit Led approach and just plain life. The team has a great balance of gifts and unique stories that are allowing us to communicate the truths we have been learning in a dynamic way.
My fingers are flying over the keys and I wish I had more time to type but must get my stuff together for the day! Thanks again for your prayers!
love,
Rebekah

India, the land of contrast

Lindsay and I sit here in our hotel number 2, thankful for the plush accomodations we have had thus far. Travel has been smooth so far and with jet lag setting in, this may be a short post to let you know we are here and feel your prayers. Especially when we are riding in any vehicle. I decided it is just best to look out the side windows than face those adventures head on. We stayed last night in a wonderful hotel in Mumbai to sleep off some of the flights and time change and awoke this morning to take another shorter plane ride to Kochi in Southern India where a 2 hour bus ride delivered us to Kottyam. The best part yet was all of that led us to the seminary where tonight we met some of the students that CapTrust has been supporting and Bruce was able to give a testimony. We will be spending the rest of the weekend there and I am excited to get the chance to interact with those students. They were so humbling as they greeted us with lilac and rose leis, smiles that cannot be grasped with words and their generous hospitality. It is only 9 at night but with it being 11 a.m. at home, I would usually be hitting my 2nd cup of coffee so goodnight and God bless

Jet Setting

Well, the day has come, finally and already both at the same time. I am sitting in my cozy little chair after a breakfast out with my brother and now passing the time by entertaining my dogs. I feel ready to go, acknowledging that I am as ready as one can be. Ryan is going to take me out to the airport and next post you read will be from another side of the world. thanks for your prayers