Greetings from Mumbai

Greetings from Mumbai! We have made it to India! Saturday morning, we went for another jog, this time through Kowloon Park and then across to a pier. The pier was quite long, possibly 200 yards in length, and made for a great running track. Great views of the skyline, a pretty dolphin sculpture, and the company of others out for their morning activities. Another trip to Starbucks for cool down, refreshments, and fellowship completed our early morning ritual. Check out was scheduled for 11:30 and the rest of the morning was spent packing and resting. Our group of 7 has about 25 pieces of luggage between us and we are quite the spectacle trying to get on elevators, busses, and trains. The guys have been great and are quite efficient at loading everything in a quick manner. Even though our flight was not until 8:45pm, we went straight to the airport. Hong Kong International is a huge facility and has a seemingly endless variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. This would allow each of us to rest, shop, read, prepare - whatever we felt was needed. After getting a quick bite, we toured the shopping areas. A group of young adults (maybe early 20's if that) approached Bryan, Mickie, and myself and asked if we would help them with a project for work. They were part of a scavenger hunt and had to complete several tasks within the airport. They needed just one passenger to join their group and I said I would do it. They took us to a hall around the corner and met up with several other young adults. They explained that I had to join their circle and perform a clapping routine with them. There were two other groups already in the process of "performing" their routine. It was fun to be a part of their game and engage with them.



In the afternoon, we met as a group to have some devotional time and to discuss some of the things we would be doing our first few days in India. We also each had a chance to state what we were looking forward to and what we were apprehensive about. This was an opportunity to get some of these concerns out in the open and to remind us that Jesus will provide for us and that He can help us through the difficult times. The flight was uneventful and seemed to pass rather quickly - of course, 6 hours is going to seem quick when compared to the previous flight of 14 hours.



We passed through customs, exited the terminal, and were met by Shirish, Moses, Abishe, Rajish, and Pastor Moses' son, Joshua. It was a grand reunion with lots of excited and happy hellos, handshakes, and hugs. Flowers were also given to us during this warm welcome. It may have been 1:30am on a dark morning, but India was already filled with the brightness of brotherly love.



After a few hours rest, we have eaten a simple, but delicious, buffet breakfast and are waiting to head out for church services. Bryan is speaking at Shirish's English-service church, Katherine is speaking at Salve Nagar, and Eric is speaking at the Mother Church in Andheri. The rest of the group is splitting up attendance between Salve Nagar and Andheri.