We leave tomorrow from GCC @ 4pm to head for Chicago O'Hare. The plane takes off from O'Hare @ ~10 pm & we fly to London (~8-10 hrs). After a 2 hr layover in London, we fly to Bangalore, India, another ~12 hr flight. Once we get to Bangalore, we will probably take a bus to Salem, a ~6 hr. drive. Tomorrow is a day of packing & making sure I am all ready to go. Looking forward to it!!! Need to finish up my testimony & message tonight. It will be exciting to see where He leads me! Hopefully I will be able to blog from India.
The leaders for our team have safely arrived in Salem ahead of us to prepare the way. Interesting pictures on the team blog: gccindia2009.blogspot.com!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Tom & I finally watched the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" on Friday night. Excellent movie! I can see why it won all those awards. It was interesting to get a little view of the culture.
Am working on finishing all of the "little extras" that need to be completed to be ready for the trip. For clothing I have 3 long skirts, 9 t-shirts, a long scarf/shawl, a pair of closed-toe sandals and a pair of flip/flops, a pair of socks, etc. It is interesting that we need to wear a long scarf/shawl all the time to partially cover the front of our bodies and to be able to pull up over our heads when we say prayers or are in church. One of our extra bedrooms is the storage area for packing everything up on Thursday. Had to unpack everything from last week so the clothes wouldn't be too wrinkled and found out that all liquids and creams have to go in one of the team's checked bags as India won't allow any liquids in carry-on bags on the plane. That is a plus for me--gives me more room in my backpack & less weight! My mother-in-law gave me a journal today to take with me on the trip--very nice!
The team blog is now up & running with some interesting pictures. It will be the main source of information while we are there, as I probably won't have access to a computer (but our leaders will). The website for this is: http://gccindia2009.blogspot.com/.
Am working on finishing all of the "little extras" that need to be completed to be ready for the trip. For clothing I have 3 long skirts, 9 t-shirts, a long scarf/shawl, a pair of closed-toe sandals and a pair of flip/flops, a pair of socks, etc. It is interesting that we need to wear a long scarf/shawl all the time to partially cover the front of our bodies and to be able to pull up over our heads when we say prayers or are in church. One of our extra bedrooms is the storage area for packing everything up on Thursday. Had to unpack everything from last week so the clothes wouldn't be too wrinkled and found out that all liquids and creams have to go in one of the team's checked bags as India won't allow any liquids in carry-on bags on the plane. That is a plus for me--gives me more room in my backpack & less weight! My mother-in-law gave me a journal today to take with me on the trip--very nice!
The team blog is now up & running with some interesting pictures. It will be the main source of information while we are there, as I probably won't have access to a computer (but our leaders will). The website for this is: http://gccindia2009.blogspot.com/.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Only 5 More Days!
Forgot to mention that part of our simulation experience was to sleep on the floor for 2 nights, yes, without a mattress! Since we will probably be staying in places where beds aren't available, like in people's homes, this simulation was to make sure we will be able to tolerate it. It wasn't as bad as what I thought it would be. Slept quite well actually, as least the 2nd night.
The leaders have advised us to not wear any jewelry with gemstones, including wedding rings that include diamonds. If we are married, they do want us to wear a wedding band of some kind. So, Tom & I went wedding band shopping at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair this week and bought a gold wedding band (or should I say, gold-plated) for a mere $10. How romantic! It's got to be better than Dollar General, which was our other choice.
I finally finished my Nutrition and Your Health presentation, and handouts today. Hopefully things will go without a hitch. I just need to trust God that He has put me there for a purpose and that I will fulfill that purpose, whatever that may be. Continue to keep me, our team, and the people we will be visiting in our prayers!
The leaders have advised us to not wear any jewelry with gemstones, including wedding rings that include diamonds. If we are married, they do want us to wear a wedding band of some kind. So, Tom & I went wedding band shopping at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair this week and bought a gold wedding band (or should I say, gold-plated) for a mere $10. How romantic! It's got to be better than Dollar General, which was our other choice.
I finally finished my Nutrition and Your Health presentation, and handouts today. Hopefully things will go without a hitch. I just need to trust God that He has put me there for a purpose and that I will fulfill that purpose, whatever that may be. Continue to keep me, our team, and the people we will be visiting in our prayers!
Monday, July 20, 2009
India Simulation weekend
We traveled as a team to Little India in Chicago this weekend, to assimilate into the culture. Visited the South Asian Friendship Center; listened to Shinita share her testimony about growing up Hindi in India and her conversion to Christianity. We then went to lunch at an Indian restaurant and practiced eating with our fingers. Tom went with us (spouses were invited to "come along for the experience") and even he ate with his fingers! Try eating rice pudding with your fingers--that was a tad challenging. It all was delicious. A scavenger hunt through the stores & neighborhoods was the next item on the agenda. The grocery stores were the most fascinating--lots of fruit and vegetables I have never seen or heard of before.
The next day we assembled at GCC for the 9:30 am service, then off to Feed the Children in Elkhart to pack some boxes for a couple of hours. Had lunch at DaVinci's restaurant and then back to GCC for some hiking with our luggage to see if we are fit enough. I managed to fit all of my stuff in 1 backpack, tho it was quite stuffed, and did survive quite well. Weighed my backpack later & it came in at 19#! Hope you enjoy the pictures!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Ladies Only Meeting 7/12
Shelley Arredondo & Jennifer Price led a "Girl Talk Indian Style" meeting today, for the ladies only who will be traveling to India. They talked about, you know--issues that would be of concern to women only, which I don't need to go into detail here--but also about clothing, shopping, packing hints, and just basic stuff you should know about.
Tips: I have purchased 2 long skirts & a crew-neck shirt @ Goodwill, to go along with my own clothing. Plan to buy a sari there. Need to buy a shawl to use as a head covering; Indian women wear a head covering whenever they pray. Helpful hint is to bring some safety pins along to keep the shawl in place so it won't keep falling down. Have some very comfortable Earth shoes/sandals that I got at JC Penney's on sale to take & also plan on taking some open-toed sandals. We need to take off our shoes each time we enter someone's home. Tip is to pack clothes in large ziploc baggies, as our backpacks may be in wet conditions at times.
Bring a smaller backpack with us to use for small stuff on the plane & to carry small supplies like hand-sanitizing gel, toilet paper, etc.
Take along some pictures of our families, with some extras to give to the families we may be staying with. They really like to see our families.
Be prepared for lots of attention and shows of affection by the women.
Great information and discussion!
Tips: I have purchased 2 long skirts & a crew-neck shirt @ Goodwill, to go along with my own clothing. Plan to buy a sari there. Need to buy a shawl to use as a head covering; Indian women wear a head covering whenever they pray. Helpful hint is to bring some safety pins along to keep the shawl in place so it won't keep falling down. Have some very comfortable Earth shoes/sandals that I got at JC Penney's on sale to take & also plan on taking some open-toed sandals. We need to take off our shoes each time we enter someone's home. Tip is to pack clothes in large ziploc baggies, as our backpacks may be in wet conditions at times.
Bring a smaller backpack with us to use for small stuff on the plane & to carry small supplies like hand-sanitizing gel, toilet paper, etc.
Take along some pictures of our families, with some extras to give to the families we may be staying with. They really like to see our families.
Be prepared for lots of attention and shows of affection by the women.
Great information and discussion!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Team Meeting #3
Our third team meeting focused on micro-business development, plus some general information. Ron Vandergriend, who worked in the Bible League and has been all over the world with this organization, spoke on development. It is amazing that $1.25/day provides the minimum calories for life, and that 1/3 of India is living below this absolute poverty level. He discussed how people develop, and our role in helping the Indian people in the communities we will be in to find their own solutions. For the RD's reading this blog, think "Motivational Interviewing" and you get the picture. Very interesting discussion! Ron has had a very interesting life & travels.
We also discussed more of the plans for the medical team. We will have TWO WHOLE DAYS of classes on nutrition and TWO WHOLE DAYS of medical clinic where I would be used for individual counseling as needed. Dr. Blechl & Dr. Anglund will help with the presentation and we will have a translator too. So I have less than 3 weeks to develop a presentation on general nutrition, diabetes, hypertension, and whatever else I think might be helpful. It sounds like we will do 4-2 hour classes on the nutrition class days, with up to 100 people in attendance in each class. We may be able to do a power-point presentation, which would make it easier to include foods from India and make it a little more individualized to them. So I have my work cut out for me, but this will be so.o.o. interesting! I did ask Dr. Blechl, who then asked Ron, about ayurvedic medicine in India, but it sounds like in the area we will be in, it is mostly neighbors telling each other what they should eat or do for a medical concern. (Sounds kind of like here, doesn't it?)
Started practicing my packing & seeing if I can fit everything in my Goshen Health System backpack. So far, so good! I need to get a few more things, but I think everything will fit & feels like it is something I can carry on my back (plus the backpack has wheels so I can roll it thru the airport).
For all who are supporting me with prayer, THANKS SO MUCH!
We also discussed more of the plans for the medical team. We will have TWO WHOLE DAYS of classes on nutrition and TWO WHOLE DAYS of medical clinic where I would be used for individual counseling as needed. Dr. Blechl & Dr. Anglund will help with the presentation and we will have a translator too. So I have less than 3 weeks to develop a presentation on general nutrition, diabetes, hypertension, and whatever else I think might be helpful. It sounds like we will do 4-2 hour classes on the nutrition class days, with up to 100 people in attendance in each class. We may be able to do a power-point presentation, which would make it easier to include foods from India and make it a little more individualized to them. So I have my work cut out for me, but this will be so.o.o. interesting! I did ask Dr. Blechl, who then asked Ron, about ayurvedic medicine in India, but it sounds like in the area we will be in, it is mostly neighbors telling each other what they should eat or do for a medical concern. (Sounds kind of like here, doesn't it?)
Started practicing my packing & seeing if I can fit everything in my Goshen Health System backpack. So far, so good! I need to get a few more things, but I think everything will fit & feels like it is something I can carry on my back (plus the backpack has wheels so I can roll it thru the airport).
For all who are supporting me with prayer, THANKS SO MUCH!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Good weekend at GCC!
Very good weekend, serving on the usher/greeter team at church. Was able to share about the India mission trip with several people on our usher/greeter team. Am glad to have lots of people praying for me and for the team!
This is one of the nicer pictures I have found of an toilet in India. Another name for it is the "squatty potty", to give you another perspective.
Tom found the following article on CNN.com about toilet paper. Thought it was quite pertinent to the upcoming India trip. Here is the link if you are interested in checking out the history of toilet paper! www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/07/07/mf.toilet.paper.history/index.html.
This is one of the nicer pictures I have found of an toilet in India. Another name for it is the "squatty potty", to give you another perspective.
Tom found the following article on CNN.com about toilet paper. Thought it was quite pertinent to the upcoming India trip. Here is the link if you are interested in checking out the history of toilet paper! www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/07/07/mf.toilet.paper.history/index.html.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Team meeting 2
At our last team meeting, we discussed more about the food & practiced eating sambar (I believe this is how you spell it) and rice with our fingers. Sambar is a kind of sauce/vegetable mixture served over the rice. Very good with just the right amount of spice. We then met with the other team going to Kalavai, India, since we will be traveling together. Discussed the tentative travel plans. They suggested that we wear TED hose during the plane ride---ugh! Have only 4 more weeks to finish preparations to go. It is coming up so fast.
I really like the Brandon Heath song that has the following phrases: "Give me Your eyes so I can see...Give me Your love for humanity...Give me Your heart for those forgotten...Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted...Give me Your eyes so I can see..." I hope that I am so blessed.
I really like the Brandon Heath song that has the following phrases: "Give me Your eyes so I can see...Give me Your love for humanity...Give me Your heart for those forgotten...Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted...Give me Your eyes so I can see..." I hope that I am so blessed.
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