Hyderabad

We just came back from spending a week at the Mennonite Brethren College near Hyderabad. We didn't know what the week would look like at all, we were ready for anything, sort of. We had the opportunity to be blessed and encouraged. Something that I am so thankful for, God knew I needed it even though I didn't. We spent a lot of time with a training program with GDT leaders. People that will be starting programs like TREK. It was a lot of fun to sit in on sessions, lead sessions, pray and worship together. We even white washed and painted a building on campus for a couple days. Nothing like getting our hands dirty. We were fed to the brim the lovely lady who cooked for us had a way of just putting more food on the the plate despite our pleas of a full stomach.

A highlight for me was on Sunday. Sunday was the day I graduated from Bethany with my BA and so I did what was natural for an intercultural student who has learnt about cultural sensitivity. Ride on the back of a motorcycle, not side saddle (side saddle is common as the other way is considered forward and not practical with a sari). Also it was not just a little jaunt down the road but for an hour in crazy Indian traffic. Why was I forward by sitting the way most women don't? I value my life and asked the driver and he said, "as you like". This phrase is a common phrase which brings us much joy because it can mean so many things. Alas this was my special treat on my grad day, much fun.

One big God moment happened right at the end of our trip. We arrived at the airport to find that our flight had been cancelled. After a phone call to Canada and an attempt by John to try and purchase new tickets for later that night, we still did not have a flight. The ATM didn't like Beth and when all seemed hopeless a fellow from Chicago offered to pay for our tickets. He had been making small talk with some of the team and figured we were trustworthy and that we would pay him back. But the airline didn't want to accept his credit card either but after a little pressure only like this man could do we had success. We had a flight for later that night which allowed for more time to spend at the airport. Which allowed for more conversation with a particular man who chose to bless us by paying for supper.

God's path isn't always straight sometimes it curves around to get us to the goal.