we are all safe in chennai now. we arrived at 4:45 in the morning, june 5th. it took us a bit to get out of the airport, but by the grace of God we made it with few confusions. we are at the blue diamond hotel in chennai waiting for our train at 8pm tonight to take us to madurai, where someone will pick us up and take us to the school.

observations:

1)no one pays attention to traffic laws. everyone drives where they please, when they please (hmm, was that a white line i saw?):)

2) there are no white people here. its a bit shaking to realize that WE are the different ones now. but thank God for the opportunity to see things through a foreigners eyes in america.

3) there is no toilet paper.

4) it is so very difficult to understand the people when they speak, as im sure it is hard for them to understand us when we speak.

5) everything is so very beautiful, and yet so very dirty at the same time.

6) as we were driving by in our taxi, i saw a teenager with one leg in the side of the road. then i realized that many of the people on the side of the road had injuries/were begging.

7) it reminds me a lot of mexico (siler family)

When we arrived at the hotel, there were i think 5 "bus boys" waiting to help us. somehow they all managed to escort us to our room, where i then had to figure out whether to tip all of them, some, or one.

these people are so poor and needy, both spiritually and physically. Yet this is how we were int he sight of God when He so readily took us.

pray for: the train ride, exchanging money (we were cheated at the airport. fortunately it was very small sum). we've figured out that when they have this little smirk on their face, they are/will cheat you. :) Gods glory to be shown as we try and communicate His Love without words. homesickness. i think it has finally hit all three of us that we will are actually here.

Praying for you all as it comes to mind.

"Don;t judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes." -English Proverb

His grace is sufficient for us.