The first 2 hectic days

Ok, we’ve managed to find an internet connection at last, and a few minutes to bring you up to speed. Where do I start? We’ve been here for nearly 2 full days, and it feels like a week has gone by. The flight here went fine, although of course was a long trek. We arrived at midnight local time and were immediately picked up by Brother Abraham and Sister Lata, the organisers of the trip. We drove to a nice hotel in downtown Hydrabad, and thought that traffic wasn’t all that different to home – but of course, that was at midnight. The next day that all changed. The traffic has to be seen to be believed. It is every man, woman, car, motorbike, rickshaw, bicycle, cat,dog and cow for themselves, all vying for their place, tooting constantly to signal their intentions to butt their way forward in traffic.

The hotel was fine, although very old looking and smelling. It was weird seeing just things that seemed so out of place, and obviously in need of repair just sitting there unseen to for apparently for years. Most things seemed to work ok, apart from the lock on our door, but we were planning to take our valuables with us anyway so that wasn’t an issue.

On Wednesday, our first day here, we had a good sleep in, and then were picked up to visit the Joyland school and orphanage which Brother Abraham and Sister Lata started in 1984. It is a ministry to the children of the area whose parents cannot afford to send them to school, and an orphanage as well. Apparently, many of its graduates grow up to be lawyers, doctor, missionaries and pastors. Several new churches have started from the kids who graduate to be pastors. WE drove in the front gate, and were taken aback by the welcoming committee. I will leave you to view the video of this to see for yourself.

The kids performed for about a good 45 minutes in the hot sun as if the royal family had arrived, and then we spent an hour or so talking to the children and inspecting their dormitories and eating rooms. It is a wonderful ministry. We go back there on Sunday to do an afternoon program for them.

We then went to a restaurant for the first of several delicious Indian meals we have had so far. The food has been delicious and the helpings huge. There we enjoyed the famous Hyderabad “Biryani”, which we promptly translated into Aussie vernacular as “Beer-yarn-ee mate”. (Kuala Lumpur was earlier translated “Koala Lump-a”).

WE then came home to the hotel for an afternoon nap, before heading north for Andre Pradesh, 140 kms northof Hydrabad, and the location of the pastors conference and evangelistic crusade which we will be holding for 3 days.

Love to you Ruth,
Phil

Craig now…
The drive? Um terrifying for some of us – exhilarating for others. I said to Phil it is like a car chase scene from the Bourne Identity but just not coordinated. We spent probably 2 hours of the 4 on the wrong side of the road forcing cars off so we could overtake (illegally?) slow trucks, rickshaws, motorbikes and cows!

We were woken this morning at 5am by the noise of morning prayers at the local mosque. Then we got word that there had been a protest overnight between 2 political parties – not religious – that was causing a ’bundt’ –a public shutdown where everyone is advised to stay home.

We went ahead after some serious prayer and 2 hours late the conf started. Paul and Phil have preached today and Craig will speak in gospel in stadium tonight.

Please thank God for the Pastors who came and ignored the bundt – it took courage. Please pray that God will step up mightily tonight.

Girls are currently 1 hour away visiting schools and kids and will return and meet us at 7pm local before the crusade.

Everyone is well – no sickness.

Hello to all our families – Rose insisted that I say that she loves her parents very much.

And I love you Melody.

Craig