back home again.... naturally

Yeah, so after that whirlwind ride of India, which was amazing, and yet humbling and challenging. We really saw people who were living a servant hearted life, and loved like Jesus. It was such a blessing to be able to work alongside our brothers and sisters, and even though we were in different countries with different cultures, dishes and ways of life, we could all share in the truth and unity of Jesus and God (and I know that sounds a little cheesey, but its hard to put that feeling into words) we felt totally accepted by these people, there were no hang ups between us, they took us how we were, and we did likewise.

The pastor and his family were like a family to us all, and it was very sad leaving them. I miss them so much already. Indians know how to do family over there. Everyone is supportive towards each other, and just so loving and welcoming.

India is a thriving poverty stricken country. That makes sense to me because once you encounter India, it is just a lot of juxtapositions. You have a Reebok store right next to an old dilapidated house with a corrugated iron roof, in the middle of Hyderabad. People are almost sponsored by fizzy drinks out there. There are always random signs for Pepsi, Sprite, 7up, Fanta (funnily enough not many coke signs) So on people's little stores, there are these brand names plastered everywhere.

Where we were staying we were able to catch some TV, and the adverts just do not reflect India. The poverty is papered over with cheesey smiles advertising toothpaste (which a lot of villagers probably don't own) and carpets, and everything that you could ever think of.

Also in the little palm huts sometimes we saw electricity being syphoned off of a nearby telephone pole into a house, where they would have a 28 inch TV screen but no toilet, and hardly enough food to live on. Priorities are very warped here, but the people are so lovely.

Yeah, so about road rules, basically the only rule is that when you overtake you must sound your horn! But you also sound your horn to move people out of the way, and the odd cow or buffalo! more on that a bit later in my second installment cos y friend is patiently waiting for me so that we can get some lunch together!