Don't this of our trip as a vacation. It's a remarkable privilege and opportunity, but far from a day at the beach. We're working 12-15 hour days, meeting with various leaders and couples to listen and to share perspective and ideas as they request consultation assistance in their relationships and the 'work' challenges.
Saturday is past for us, and Sunday has begun. It is 825am, which means 11pm Saturday for ya'll.
Our Saturday was a swim for Jeff at 8am, breakfast at 9am at Peter's Pan, American omlettes, waffles, coffee and mango juice. Ahhh! We met a leadership couple for breakfast and remained w/ them at the Special Police compound until 1230. No, we weren't arrested. This force is full-time in readiness to put down riots, etc. It's park like except for the barracks, and they have a cricket stadium, soccer fields, etc to keep fit. They allow the public passage to a lake w/ paddle boats; a nice setting where we relaxed in a full morning of conversation. Pics forthcoming on f book when our connection improves.
Then it was time with dear sisters teaching us about culture as they prepare us for Indore on Monday through August 2. In depth conversation about complex personal circumstances they said was a blessing. We were there until 4p.
A twenty minute nap ensued, followed by a humbling, sickening, hopeful and joyful visit to a slum. The mother has HIV, but works full-time educating other infected persons about treatment options. Her 14 year old son knows her condition, but is filled with hope and joy by his faith. He wants to be a psychologist, and we discern that he will be a remarkable blessing to many in many places. He writes and reflects on life in a journal, but needs another notebook. We happen to have a spare, and we've also promised to seek a copy of an inspiring book by a friend of ours, Gary R. Collins that may help to prepare him for his future.
Flies, feces, dogs, goats and dirt was abundant in the slum. Our friends place was a simple one room flat, clean and dignified with encouraging excerpts of inspirational writings ont the walls. When did you last see naked and underfed children with smiles? If we saw one, we saw hundreds. It felt unfair to get in a car and to leave. They can't.
From the slum we were dropped at a flat where two couples awaited an evening. Beginning time was 7p. Dinner was served at 10. In between, and after, we fielded inquiries about good times and bad in our marriage, and the facets of heart, hope and skill that we shared with some of their friends earlier in the week. Dinner was bread, rice, chicken, mutton, dahl (lentils to put over rice; spicy of course), followed by mango ice cream. I regretted that it was so late that I couldn't eat more. It was the tastiest meal to date.
We were in bed by 1130pm, pretty fatigued, but a blessed night of solid sleep followed. Today we are off for breakfast w/ a local counselor, then some errands, including a possible $1 haircut, and some money exchange. Some ladies we met yesterday have insisted to take Jill for a facial, etc. to their spa. No, I'm not going. Probably use that time for a swim. Then lunch w/ a couple, late afternoon w/ a group of couples wanting a private teaching session, and evening w/ yet another couple. Please pray us strength!
Congratulations Cadel Evans in his Tour de France Victory!
blessings, US
Wow. What an incredible day. Thanks for sharing this.
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