first impression

My first week in India has been amazing. I've experienced so much in the last few days. The school is incredible, the people are inspiring, the food is pretty good and our Lord is being blessed in a tremendous way. We've been playing games with the children and having Bible study with some of the staff. Everything was going as planned until we visited the slums. The living conditions there are unimaginable. But you wouldn't know it from the passion with which they worship. Singing songs and casting prayers and requests to our Lord with unchecked zeal and assurance. We are settling in to our apartment with the help of Laura Marie and Will Ditto. LM left Friday and Will is flying out on Tuesday, leaving only Daniel and me. We've been running daily and adjusting to the food and culture, trying to learn a few words and phrases. We've been discussing with the school a schedule and classes to teach. We will have the 10th graders, who thankfully speak english.

During our flight over, I told myself to forget about my wants and desires and to concentrate on others, to place their needs before my own. However, upon landing, I was caught off guard by the Indians treatment of Daniel and me. The student's and faculty's excitement andtreatment of Daniel and me is uncomfortable at times. They are so insistent upon ensuring our comfort. Onemember of the staff, Ashish repeats the phrase,with a smile on his face, "I am at your service". Their actions have demonstrated a new definition of how to serve others. With love I thank you for your prayers and support.Pictured on top is Daniel and me following the Bible study from rooftop of Madanpur Khatar slum, above are students at the school; Below are Ananthi, Daniel and Laura Marie; then me Daniel and Will at Tughluqabad Fort