Home Again...Home Again

After 36 hours of travel, Jason and I returned safely to Puyallup and the warm greetings of Grandma Carole and the kids! Planes, trains and automobiles takes on a whole new meaning to us.......

On Sunday morning (Delhi time), we left for our 11 am church service, at Delhi Bible Fellowship. It was an amazing time of worship, praising God with Indian believers and guests of Delhi. After church, we were able to go to the market to shop for souvenirs. During our shopping, we received a HUGE downpour of rain, at which time Uma called our drivers for the week to pick us up at the market. After getting back to the hotel, we dried off, changed and went to a wonderful farewell dinner planned for us. We then returned back to the hotel to change for our long journey home, and left for the airport. We drove to the airport, arriving at 9:30 pm (9 am SATURDAY, on the west coast). We checked our luggage and waited for 2 hours before our flight left. At 12:30 am we began our 15 hour flight to Chicago O'Hare airport. Many of us were quite tired and were able to sleep, while others had a LONG 15 hours, without rest. Needless to say, I was sound asleep before takeoff, and managed to get about 9 hours during our first flight. We landed in Chicago at 4:45 am (Monday) and had to wait until 5am before the plane doors were opened, since customs didn't open until 5 am. Our entire team made it quickly through customs, and we then began our 5+ hour wait for our flight to Portland. Unexpectedly, our flight was delayed an additional 2 hours, not leaving Chicago until 12:45 pm. We then had another 4 hour flight to Portland, where everyone was greeted with signs, smiles, and hugs by family members and the Westport Pastors. It was such a warm welcome...BUT, Jason and I had a train to catch to Tacoma, so we could see our family. We were driven to the Amtrak station, caught our 4:15 train (which was only delayed by 15 minutes). We had our children in our arms and home safely by 8:30 pm (9 am TUESDAY in Delhi) - (Grandma got a little lost trying to find the train station...HA!) It is amazing to be home again!

India was such an amazing time for both Jason and I, that I continue to be reminded of God's unending love for His Children, His grace and mercy, and His perfect timing. Though we may not have completed everything WE wanted to do in India, HE completed everything that was supposed to get done.

On our last day in India, I was able to share a morning devotional during breakfast, and I wanted to share that with everyone....
"I remember in June 2008 when our youngest daughter, Rebecca, asked us to remove her training wheels from her bike...she wanted to ride a "big girl" bike. As a mother, I immediately said "no" that she was too young, and thought of all the horrible things that could happen if she fell. Jason, however, said "okay, let's learn". I remember him running around our cul-de-sac holding onto Rebecca's bike, letting go only for a brief moment, at first, catching her when she lost her balance. After a few days, Rebecca was scared and asked for the training wheels back on. Jason immediately put them on, only to have to remove them (yet again) a week later, when she insisted on "being a big girl". After another week of Jason running behind her on her bike, h0lding on, letting go for longer periods of time, Rebecca was "A BIG GIRL" and could ride a 2-wheeler without help. This reminds me of what God does with us. He is always with us, holding onto us until we're comfortable with our challenge, letting us go for longer periods of time, until we're able to be "big". This brought me comfort to know that as much as we fell in love with the kids of Shah Abad and Muneer, after only a week, that God loves them MUCH MORE than we ever could! HE will be right beside them until they accept Him as their Lord and Savior, holding them, guiding them, letting go for brief periods of time. HE will send those who are called to bring the people of India the Gospel Message, holding us as we train, until He releases us into his mission!"

Thank you for not only following our journey, but also for praying for the team, the children of India, the people of India, and the leadership of India and Westport! We love and thank each one of you....
Delilah