We recently took a few overnight trains for travel within India. Despite the generally chaotic nature of Indian culture, the system works surprisingly well. We even managed to get a few hours sleep.

Decades ago, before I ever set foot in India, I felt inexplicably drawn to the hot nights of India's cities. Why hot, why night, why cities, why India? Maybe it's a destiny thing. Recently we were strolling in this night market in India's capital city, and I felt that same surge of euphoria and adrenalin I used to experience 30 years ago as I pored over photographs of India in National Geographic magazines.

This is an example of a small urban Indian church which leans toward a westernized format. The songs and activities are all in Hindi, but the church service more or less follows the structure common to most American non-denominational churches. David preached at this church, sharing the story of his journey out of Hinduism and Buddhism and into faith in the God of the Bible.

We recently traveled to a different state in north India. For a few days we were able to take off our ministry cap and enjoy being tourists. Our limited Hindi skills allowed David to have the following conversation.

MEN: Hey, come here, sit down.
DAVID: Hello, good day sir.
MEN: Where are you from?
DAVID: I am from America.
MEN: Why are you here in this city?
DAVID: I am visiting India. I will travel to many places in India (names some states and cities).
MEN: Where are you staying?
DAVID: At my friend's house.
MEN: Will you have some tea?
DAVID: Thank you, no. I am walking. I like to walk in the morning.
MEN: What do you do in America?
DAVID: I do social development work.
MEN: What is your salary in America?
DAVID: I have a middle salary. Not big, not small.
MEN: Do you receive salary while you are in India?
DAVID: No, no salary. I am on holiday for six months or one year.
MEN: Please, will you have tea?
DAVID: No, thank you, no tea.
MEN: Will you have a smoke (offering cigarette).
DAVID: No, thank you.
MEN: Is that your camera?
DAVID: Yes, this is my camera. My friends and family in America will ask me, "How was India?" I will say, "Look at these photos."
MEN: How do you like India?
DAVID: I like India very much. India is beautiful and the people are very nice.
MEN: Please take our photo.
DAVID: Okay, fine.
(Takes photo, and shows them their photo on the camera screen).
MEN: (smiling) Ah, very nice photo.
DAVID: Okay, I will go. I am walking.
MEN: Good bye.
DAVID: Thank you very much. Good bye.

We were excited to attend this special roof-top gathering. For four years a weekly prayer meeting has been held at this home. The group has grown to the point where the leaders are starting a church. We were invited to be the main speakers at the kick-off event. When Indian families celebrate an important event (wedding, big birthday, etc), they often rent a colorful tent, carpets, and a sound system. These will be taken down after a few days and the church will meet on Sunday afternoons inside the house.  

We cheered when we saw this billboard. There is a growing public awareness in India regarding the rights of girls and women. Abortion of girl babies is widespread. In many rural households girls receive less food than boys, are routinely abused, and are denied the social and educational opportunities their brothers may enjoy. After marriage a woman's role is often not much better than a domestic slave. Thankfully these attitudes are changing among the urban educated classes, and even rural families are more inclined to allow their girls to complete a few years of school.

For all you dudes who love big trucks, check out this sweet ride.

Yesterday I celebrated my 50th birthday. So happy to be in India! We had a wonderful evening of food and laughter.

My birthday prayer is that each of my remaining days on earth would be spent wisely and joyfully in the service of the God of Israel, and that his intention for my life would be fulfilled.

Psalm 27:4
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.

The transition from winter to spring brought some volatile weather and spectacular displays. The view from our upper floor apartment gives us a partial view of mountains to the north and open sky to the south.

We've now been invited twice to speak at an evening chapel service at the Bible school in our neighborhood. These 50 students have come from all over India to receive basic ministry training. Many will return home to perform grass-roots ministry in hard-to-reach areas.