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Published: July 16th 2010
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New Scooter
Thanks to everyone who raised money to buy the new scooter Hello again everyone,
It’s hard to believe that it is the end of week 2 of the School of Ministry course and it’s almost 3 weeks from we arrived. So far everything is going really well and the students in the class all seem to be enjoying it. We are building good relationships with them and there doesn’t seem to be any cultural clashes as yet. We were able to purchase a new scooter (see photo) for the ministry we are working with and we know it will be a big blessing to them. Thanks so, so much to everyone who participated in the Belfast Marathon (Stephen Furphy) and the Lisburn run back in June (either the 10k or the 3k, Chris, Colleen, Emer, Mark, Alwin, Norwin and Matthew) and to everyone who donated, the money you raised enabled us to buy this scooter. Because of the money that was raised we will be able to bless others in the coming weeks so I will let you know how your fundraising is being used as time goes on but again thank you all VERY much indeed.
India continues to baffle us every time we come. Our awareness of the
The Dean of the Bible College
Mrs McIntyre sitting at her desk in the office pretending to work but more than likely is on Facebook! culture continues to grow the longer we liver here but we still continue to try and reason out the logic behind various aspects of everyday life here. Eg - A simple trip to the cinema (Toy Story 3)…first of all after standing for 5 minutes to collect our pre-paid online tickets we then had to go through a security check just like the airport with metal detectors etc.
When we eventually got in we went up to the counter to buy some drinks…..only I was at the counter where you get served, not the counter where you pay! So I had to go to a counter right beside the one I was at, pay for whatever I wanted, get a receipt then go back to the original counter, hand over the receipt and get my drinks….oh Lord give me strength!
After that we headed off to our screen where we then had to give a £2.50 deposit for our 3D glasses. So I’m standing with drinks in my hand when I then have to get out my wallet, pay the deposit, lift the glasses and a token for the glasses so I can get my deposit back then
Coming home from school.
As we were driving along the road we say school children being brought home in the 'cycle bus'. head into the cinema screen.
Then half way through the film it stops for an interval!!! At this point we just had to laugh…..only in India! But despite all of that the film was fantastic and the cinema was just like being at home. Never been to the cinema here before so it was a great wee treat for us and it was only £1.70/person….class!
The roads out here are just an absolute nightmare, the worst I have ever experienced by far! We have been driving everyday back and forwards to school and it does wonders for your prayer life. The horns are tooting constantly, you could never go for 5 seconds without hearing a horn. Buses, cars, motorbikes, scooters, bicycles, rickshaws, wooden carts pulled by bullocks and people walking. The streets are just packed with people. Along the sides of the road as you head out of the city, people have set up stalls selling flowers, buckets, coconuts, sweets and snacks….anything really. There are thousands of people everyday trying to earn a living and get through the day. At the same time the economy is really growing and the amount of BMW’s and Mercedes cars on the
A very common sight.
Cows are a daily sight on the streets around the city. Stopping for a bite of lunch in amongst the rubbish. roads are more than ever.
Litter is also a big problem, its lying everywhere in every street. This morning as I drove up to the entrance of the school there was a man plundering through a bin for a few bits and pieces that he could sell. He then moved on up the street (past a dead rat that was lying in the middle of the road where 5 crows were fighting over it) to the next bin and that isn’t an uncommon sight (mind you I have also seen the same thing happen in London). The man was at the bin’s that are in the photo with the cows, another everyday sight…cows walking up and down the roads eating litter and minding their own business with all the traffic dodging them.
However, despite the cultural differences we are pleased to be back and God is working in our lives and we know, like last year, that doors of opportunity will open for us. We hold tight to the fact that we are here for a reason and a purpose and without that the whole trip would be pointless.
Thanks to all who are leaving comments on the blog, we really do appreciate it and we look forward to logging in and seeing them all. Please do keep in touch and we hope everyone at home is enjoying their holidays.
God Bless.
Stephen & Bronagh.
P.S. Mrs. McIntyre wants to say hello to any of her P4’s who are reading along. Hope you are enjoying your summer holidays!!
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Stephen Cross
non-member comment
Hi
Hi just read your blog and it all looks fantastic. Enjoy the weather and your cultural experiences as you will remember them for the rest of your life. I did tell Jamie to make sure he went to the club. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your next blog. Steve x