sorry everyone, I lost my password and have not been able to post here but I have been posting at www.missyandherb.com. Luckily our IT team flew in from half way around the world and helped me out. Thanks Cliff.
we are healthy, in good spirits and slowly winding our way through India. We have travelled many, many miles through sun parched deserts, through mountains and now into more lush but hot climates in the southeast state of AP.
Yesterday was incredible... we had the fortune of attending Church services at our guide, Emmanuel's Church. We were the guests of honor as the children sang songs, performed dance routines and warmed our hearts with their smiles and laughter. All the hope and joy that they have floats above the tremendous poverty in a way that touches you in a very deep place. They might have "rats running in their stomach" but God is walking in their spirits in a mighty way.
After Church we visited Emmanuel's father's place which was about an hour outside of Vijawada in a very rural community. His orphanage supports 25 children and we played cricket, badmitton and a board game called Carams with them. They treated us so well, serving us coconut water and fanning us anytime we sat down. I love this part of our days... they are such a blessing. It is hard knowing that when we leave, they will share a very small amount of rice and crawl through the entrance of the small thatched huts that they sleep in each night. We are praying for funding to build them a true shelter, someplace safe and strong.
This morning I had the pleasure of rising early and having a quiet devotion with our guide, Emmanuel. During this time we prayed and read and I interviewed him so that I could tell his story to all of you. And what a story it is.... one of despair but more than anything amazing faith that is the wellspring of hope for many people.
In 2005, at a pastor's conference in Kota, Emmanuel was kidnapped by Hindu Extremists. They tried to force him to bow down at a temple and say the names of their idol gods. He refused. They then beat him relentlessly, cracking his skull and injuring his ribs. They held him hostage for 12 hours before the police "rescued" him. The police, also hindu's, did not provide medical assistance and held him for another 12 hours. Finally, fellow pastors picked him up and brought him to a hospital. He was treated and released after 24 hours and returned, with tremendous will, to tell his story at the pastor's conference. I came here looking for perspective, I am leaving with more than I bargained for.
God is blessing our work here and I pray that everyone reading this shares our short notes with as many friends as possible. That is all I ask.... tell others.
Working remotely has its advantages but I really miss out on the relationship aspect of working in our home office. I have really enjoyed getting to know my teammates and I feel I will always have a special bond with not only our Pastor/guides, but also with Mike Clowe and Adam Lapp. Seeing these two with the children warms my heart. Both will make wonderful husbands and fathers one day :)
For those of you that know me, you probably wonder how I am handling being away from Hannah and Missy. My wife is so wonderful to me...I am so blessed. She has sent me many, many emails and pictures of my little girl and I even printed one of them off and kept it with me. It only lasted 20 hours: I was showing a new mother in one of the rural villages my baby and she asked to have the picture of little Hannah. How could I resist that? I hope her little shining face and big smile brings them some measure of joy for many days. We were the first Americans to ever visit that particular village so I imagine Hannah will be popular :)
Jimmy Ellis!! Thank you so much you big lug.... your letter made me cry and laugh at the same time, all while I was trying to read it out loud. I just read it again this morning and it was again, a shot in the arm. Jeanne, thank you very much for your kind words as well, they mean more than you could know. I have a great picture for you as well ;)
We will post again and thank ALL of you for your prayers and support. It is not wasted, I promise and together we can make a difference in the lives of these children.
God Bless You,
Herb
