As you can see, things here can often be very similar to things back in the UK!! 
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Not so different here!
As you can see, things here can often be very similar to things back in the UK!!
Monday, November 21, 2005
Conversation stopper!
This is Rani, who helped with Hindi conversation in the afternoons. Hopefully our Hindi wasn't too much of a conversation stopper!!
White Knuckle Ride!
rickshaw is a great inexpensive way to travel. Alistair loves it, and says "Hi....Bye" to everyone as we pass!
Saturday, November 05, 2005
WWJD?
Last night Jo and I spent about 3 pounds on our first meal out since arriving in India (please pray for our insides!!). Beside us as we ate, Alistair played with 3 other small children in the street. They had a board as a cricket bat, and HALF a tennis ball which was very dirty and worn. I wondered how long he had been playing with this ball as his prized possession. I bought him a new tennis ball, which cost just 50p, 1/6th the price of our meal. He was amazed. His face just lit up, and I was filled with joy.
Hopefully just this small thing will bring that boy much joy, and that ball will become very worn before it too falls apart.
It really makes you think how something so small and insignificant can make such a big difference.
There was a lady here who contracted AIDS from her husband, and will probably soon die. She has 2 small Children. Her husband, who gave her the disease, is already dead. Her children will soon be orphans. There is no doctor in this area who will treat a woman with AIDS. Even Christians. The man who we are staying with has taken her to a Christian Ashram in Delhi who will care for her, and school the children when she dies. I paid for the Taxi, which was about 30 pounds.
In contrast, I'm stressing at the moment because our computer has packed in. We will not be able to fix it here in Mussoorie, but I expect it will not be beyond repair in Thane. The main issue is that we now are unable to listen to our language learning CD's.
These stories illustrate one thing to me. There are 2 worlds, but they both co-habitate. The issue is trying to bridge the gap, and knowing how to react in every situation we find ourselves in.
The wristbands WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) have always amused me. In the West it seems fairly simple; Don't commit adultery/Murder etc. (I realise I am over-simplifying things here). Here in India things are much more difficult. You can't help everyone all the time. We also have limited resources of time and money. You have to care for your family. You have to remain sane. (even Jesus withdrew to a quiet place to rest). You need a lot more wisdom to be able to answer the question "what would Jesus do".
Hopefully just this small thing will bring that boy much joy, and that ball will become very worn before it too falls apart.
It really makes you think how something so small and insignificant can make such a big difference.
There was a lady here who contracted AIDS from her husband, and will probably soon die. She has 2 small Children. Her husband, who gave her the disease, is already dead. Her children will soon be orphans. There is no doctor in this area who will treat a woman with AIDS. Even Christians. The man who we are staying with has taken her to a Christian Ashram in Delhi who will care for her, and school the children when she dies. I paid for the Taxi, which was about 30 pounds.
In contrast, I'm stressing at the moment because our computer has packed in. We will not be able to fix it here in Mussoorie, but I expect it will not be beyond repair in Thane. The main issue is that we now are unable to listen to our language learning CD's.
These stories illustrate one thing to me. There are 2 worlds, but they both co-habitate. The issue is trying to bridge the gap, and knowing how to react in every situation we find ourselves in.
The wristbands WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) have always amused me. In the West it seems fairly simple; Don't commit adultery/Murder etc. (I realise I am over-simplifying things here). Here in India things are much more difficult. You can't help everyone all the time. We also have limited resources of time and money. You have to care for your family. You have to remain sane. (even Jesus withdrew to a quiet place to rest). You need a lot more wisdom to be able to answer the question "what would Jesus do".
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