India, so far...

Max and I are high up in the mountains staying in the town of Ooty. Today is Sunday, and we'll be leaving in a few hours for Coimbatore, Jaipur and finally Bombay. We're half way through our journey and wanted to share some highlights with you all:

Starting in the city of Bangalore
We were graciously received by our hosts, Thomas and Markutty Samuel, who allowed us to stay in their home. Their son Paul took us to various Hindu temples where we prayer walked through them, witnessing people throwing themselves (literally) on the ground in front of stone carvings. This picture is of a bull god which is worshiped in the Bull Temple. Max couldn't believe that someone would worship a bull statue.

After Bangalore we drove to the jungles in Tamil Nadu
Leaving a city of 7 million people was a good feeling. Bangalore seemed like complete chaos where ever we went. We started our 6 hour van ride to Quiet Corner, a ministry camp in the jungle. On the way we stopped and refreshed ourselves with coconut juice. The landscape of India's countryside is absolutely beautiful. Max and Trevor really liked their coconuts. That evening we had the privilege of visiting a project where the church is feeding extremely impoverished tribal children that are known as the 'untouchables'. Max and I were able to serve the kids, to see their smiles as they ate their one meal for the day. This was a definite highlight. That night we went on a safari where we got real close and personal with elephants, wild boar, and deer. The next morning we had a great time of prayer at the jungle camp. Shortly after breakfast we headed up the blue mountains to the mountain town of Ooty.

Impacted in Ooty
We've been challenged and inspired here in Ooty. We visited the home where the young girls who were rescued from infanticide are being raised (girls who were going to be murdered by their parents). As the girls danced, sang and recited scriptures, I was overwhelmed by the thought that each of these girls would not be alive if it weren't for the church. I hope to share some video of these girls in the future. We then spent time with about 30 lepers and their children. The lepers live in colonies far away from every one else. They have nothing but themselves. Most of their children do not have leprosy. The children have no chance, many with one parent, or no parents. The church is going to take these at risk children and raise them, feed them, and educate them. This experience was almost too much for me. My daughter Veronica had sown a little owl doll that I was able to give to one of the children.

Heading for the slums
The second half of our trip will end in the slums of Bombay. Pray for us as we journey to three more cities, enduring long car rides and two in-country commuter flights.

Thanks from Max and me for all the prayer and support.
Michael