We've all made it through customs fine and have parted ways as we head to Wichita, Memphis, and Phoenix. The last flight clocked in a bit shy of 14.5 hours so needless to say we're all looking forward to sleeping in our own beds tonight.
In the past two weeks we have sat on ridiculously long flights, eaten new foods, seen a different healthcare system, been immerses in a new language and culture, and most importantly built relationships across all these barriers. We've got a lot o stories to share, some are similar, and many unique.
This will be my last update for the trip, I'm not sure if there will be any further reflections posted but thank you for following us and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers over the last two weeks. I would encourage you to not hesitate in asking one or more of us about the trip, we'd love to share... And stories are much better in person anyhow :)
Well it's been a long Tuesday already and still one flight left so keep us in your prayers. We're looking forward to seeing friends and family!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Arrived in Abu Dhabi!
With the first leg of the trip done and behind us we have arrived and are relaxing for a bit in Abu Dhabi before the longest leg of our trip.
Mixed feelings as we travel home, excited to see friends and family while at the same time sad to leave new friends at Menno-Clinic. Keep us in your prayers as we travel and as we begin to process our experience over the last two weeks.
Mixed feelings as we travel home, excited to see friends and family while at the same time sad to leave new friends at Menno-Clinic. Keep us in your prayers as we travel and as we begin to process our experience over the last two weeks.
Back in Hyderabad
We are back in Hyderabad. We checked into "sleeping and shower" rooms at the airport. VERY small rooms, but a good place to rest and catch a shower before the flight home.
This is the first internet for a few days so you are getting multiple posts in a short period of time.
Sunday morning we had "Sunday school" at the church for neighborhood kids. We told everyone to come at 11. At 10:30 there were about 15 kids there. This was amazing to us since most things we have experienced here have started late instead of early. By 11 there were about 25 by 10 after there were about 50. By the time we were done there were close to 60 kids there. We sang some songs for them. They sang some songs for us. Anna showed pictures from the Sunday school at her home church, Sycamore Grove in Missouri and I showed picutres from Hesston Mennonite. Then the kids there all drew pictures. Some will go to Missouri, some to Hesston and some to Mississippi (where Chelley Wenger is currently located). We passed out a pens and balloons to the kids afterward.
Sunday evening we were invited to a wedding in Vijayawada. We all dressed in the Indian clothes that we had purchased. It was an amazing experience of an elaborrate and long ritual. Some of us joined the wedding feast, while others stayed tuned in to the entire ritual. Before we left we were invited to pose for a special picture with the bride and groom. Another amazing expeience.
Monday morning Nagesh, the hospital administrator, presented certificates to each of the nursing students for their participation in this experience. It was a special idea that Nagesh had to honor them for coming being present in India. They were signed by Nagesh, Dr. Chandrama Rao, and Jean Rodgers. We presented them in simple kind of "graduation" ceremony in the chapel.
We made some last minute visits around the village. This included several going to the Catholic priests pasonage and Logan becoming a celebrity with the kids in the street "blowing bubbles" with them. As I was loading my bag into the van as we were ready to leave, one of the kids came up to me and asked me my name. I told him my name was John, Then he asked me if I know Logan.
We endured the chaotic traffic one last time on our way back to Hyderabad and checked into some REALLY small rooms here at the airport for a brief rest and shower. The rest of the group will check in about 2 am on Tuesday morning for a 4 a.m. flight. They should be back in the states yet Tuesday evening.
I will be departing for Chennai about noon on Tuesday to visit friends at the Gurukul Lutheran Theological Seminary, visit the St. Thomas martyrdom and burial site, and some of the Mar Thoma churches. This is a side trip for me. I am a little disappointed that I don't get to share the trip back with the group. This is an awesome group and we have shared an amazing experience.
John Nathan may update the blog from Abu Dhabi and Chicago on the way home, but I will sign off after adding a few more pictures of the last couple days.
Thanks for following our journey.
This is the first internet for a few days so you are getting multiple posts in a short period of time.
Sunday morning we had "Sunday school" at the church for neighborhood kids. We told everyone to come at 11. At 10:30 there were about 15 kids there. This was amazing to us since most things we have experienced here have started late instead of early. By 11 there were about 25 by 10 after there were about 50. By the time we were done there were close to 60 kids there. We sang some songs for them. They sang some songs for us. Anna showed pictures from the Sunday school at her home church, Sycamore Grove in Missouri and I showed picutres from Hesston Mennonite. Then the kids there all drew pictures. Some will go to Missouri, some to Hesston and some to Mississippi (where Chelley Wenger is currently located). We passed out a pens and balloons to the kids afterward.
Sunday evening we were invited to a wedding in Vijayawada. We all dressed in the Indian clothes that we had purchased. It was an amazing experience of an elaborrate and long ritual. Some of us joined the wedding feast, while others stayed tuned in to the entire ritual. Before we left we were invited to pose for a special picture with the bride and groom. Another amazing expeience.
Monday morning Nagesh, the hospital administrator, presented certificates to each of the nursing students for their participation in this experience. It was a special idea that Nagesh had to honor them for coming being present in India. They were signed by Nagesh, Dr. Chandrama Rao, and Jean Rodgers. We presented them in simple kind of "graduation" ceremony in the chapel.
We made some last minute visits around the village. This included several going to the Catholic priests pasonage and Logan becoming a celebrity with the kids in the street "blowing bubbles" with them. As I was loading my bag into the van as we were ready to leave, one of the kids came up to me and asked me my name. I told him my name was John, Then he asked me if I know Logan.
We endured the chaotic traffic one last time on our way back to Hyderabad and checked into some REALLY small rooms here at the airport for a brief rest and shower. The rest of the group will check in about 2 am on Tuesday morning for a 4 a.m. flight. They should be back in the states yet Tuesday evening.
I will be departing for Chennai about noon on Tuesday to visit friends at the Gurukul Lutheran Theological Seminary, visit the St. Thomas martyrdom and burial site, and some of the Mar Thoma churches. This is a side trip for me. I am a little disappointed that I don't get to share the trip back with the group. This is an awesome group and we have shared an amazing experience.
John Nathan may update the blog from Abu Dhabi and Chicago on the way home, but I will sign off after adding a few more pictures of the last couple days.
Thanks for following our journey.
Experiencing the Culture
Having our clothes washed.
Buying Bangels
Henna... A special skin decoration in preparation for attending the wedding!
Henna... A special skin decoration in preparation for attending the wedding!
Friday and Saturday
The last post was Friday while Jean and the nursing students were touring the Government Hospital. The experience there was very challenging. They observed a hospital that provided free services and medicines for the poor in very difficult conditions. The wards were large and crowded and lacked staff and resources. While a very difficult personal experience it was a good learning experience.
In the evening we went to visit a couple of homes in the village. First, we went to a group of people from the church who live back by the orchard that the clinic owns. Then we went to visit the family who owns the lot next to the clinic, but are temporarily relocated near the city center because they are rebuilding. We didn’t find where they were living. We ended up at the wrong house, but were invited in and served cake and crackers anyway.
Saturday morning included the first round of wedding preparations. First was the application of henna to provide some decorative design for the feet and hands. The afternoon included clothing fitting, especially for those who will be wearing saris to the wedding (Jean, Grace, Chelley, Logan, and Kara).
We also did a number of house visits. We rented an auto rickshaw to take us to the neighboring village of Thummapudi to visit Nagamoni, one of the nurses at the clinic. On that trip we discovered that we could find 9 Americans in an auto rickshaw along with the driver. The auto brought us back to visit pastor Gopal Rao and the other clinic nurse, Renuka. Later we walked to visit some of the other staff, Nirmila, Latha, Chancey, and Swapna. They are such gracious and generous hosts. We just about had more chilled, carbonated beverages than we could handle.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Friday
Ok... Back at an internet site today while students are at the Government General Hospital. Much more comfortable and relaxed situation which allowed me to update Thursday. Make a second attempt at uploading pictures (successful this time I hope). And add a bit for today.
The power just went off here so I have a short time on battery back up. This has been the least dependable electricity experience that I have had in my trips to India. The outages are frequent and random and often for long periods of time.
Today is our last "field trip" to various medical facilities. Tomorrow we will be in Chiluvuru only. Sunday morning we will be with the children from the church and in the evening we will go to a wedding from Subbarao's extended family. Monday we begin the journey home.
It has been a wonderful experience, all are doing well.
John
The power just went off here so I have a short time on battery back up. This has been the least dependable electricity experience that I have had in my trips to India. The outages are frequent and random and often for long periods of time.
Today is our last "field trip" to various medical facilities. Tomorrow we will be in Chiluvuru only. Sunday morning we will be with the children from the church and in the evening we will go to a wedding from Subbarao's extended family. Monday we begin the journey home.
It has been a wonderful experience, all are doing well.
John
Thursday Redo...
Thursday Redo
Ok… here is a new edition of my Thursday blog… this time hopefully the pictures will end up being posted as well. If you need an excuse for a poor attempt at a blog—I was in a sweltering internet café (poorly lit, dingy cubby hole with an old computer). I had walked several blocks by myself while they were all still in the restaurant looking for an place with the internet. While they knew I left to find the internet, they didn’t know where I went to find it. I figured if I was gone too long they would worry I got lost. I was afraid they had finished and were waiting on me. Ok… enough of that.
I should have started my last post with Tuesday… the previous post was on Monday…
Tuesday was a wonderful day at the clinic. We observed in the clinic in the morning and helped to check in the cataract surgery patients. Then in the afternoon we got to observe cataract surgeries. There were six surgeries done on Tuesday afternoon, so we went in pairs and each observed one surgery plus part of another—a very interesting experience.
At lunch we convince one of the persons who has been cooking for us to eat with us instead of waiting to eat until we were done. Several people served her in the way that she had been serving us. She was overwhelmed and happy. She was so happy that as we were washing up after the meal she gave Logan and Andrea a hug and kiss on the cheek. Before the meal she saw herself as one who was hired to serve us. After the meal she saw herself as our friend. The love of Christ breaks all social and language barriers and boundaries.
The description of Wednesday and Thursday were pretty accurate in the last blog. Our encounters in the various hospitals have been wonderful experiences. We have been so graciously received everywhere we have gone.
Thursday Afternoon
A quick update. Others are finishing desert, while I found an internet cafe.
Wednesday was a special day at the Siddartha Medical school, Nursing college and hospital. We were treated like royalty with a special tour of both the nursing school and the hospital. A special "function" (assembly with special speakers and presentations) was being held for International Women's Day. We soon found that we were the guests of honor. Very wonderful experience.
Wednesday evening included visits around the village and a special Biryani meal prepared in the clinic by a local chef. Wonderful!
Today we went to the Nargarjuna Hospital. A different experience from yesterday, but equally wonderful. The nursing students spent most of their following one of the doctors who was very interactive with them. Again a wonderful experince.
Tonight the church at the clinic meets for the mid week service.
Everyone is well.
I will post a few pictures yet.
John
Wednesday was a special day at the Siddartha Medical school, Nursing college and hospital. We were treated like royalty with a special tour of both the nursing school and the hospital. A special "function" (assembly with special speakers and presentations) was being held for International Women's Day. We soon found that we were the guests of honor. Very wonderful experience.
Wednesday evening included visits around the village and a special Biryani meal prepared in the clinic by a local chef. Wonderful!
Today we went to the Nargarjuna Hospital. A different experience from yesterday, but equally wonderful. The nursing students spent most of their following one of the doctors who was very interactive with them. Again a wonderful experince.
Tonight the church at the clinic meets for the mid week service.
Everyone is well.
I will post a few pictures yet.
John
Monday, March 5, 2012
Monday Evening
We are spending the evening shopping in Vijayawada after a wonderful day at the clinic. Most are still shopping. John N., Andrea and I found an "internet cafe" (a nice way to say a really hot room with no air movement and about 15 computers in cramped compartments). So here is a quick update.
Saturday we made the trip from Hyderabad to Chiluvuru. About a 6 to 6 and a half hour drive. They are doing some amazing road improvements, which made for much easier travel part of the way, the regular chaotic travel part of the way, and some additional challenges of construction zones with their constant "diversions" (that is what the sign read when we were direted off the side of the road or over onto to the other side to share the space with oncoming traffic.
We got settled into our spaces divided between the eye clinic (Jean, Kara, Angela, Logan, Chelley, Rachel, Grace and Anna) and the original building (John, Subbarao, our van driver and me). We took a tour of the facilities and got oriented to the layout and the way the various systems (electric, plumbing, locks, etc) all worked (or didn't in some cases).
Sunday morning we walked the village and visited a few homes. Then went to mass at the Roman Catholic church. Andrea was pleased to join in sharing communion with her Catholic sisters and brothers in India. After a brief visit with the priest, we walked to Yacabu's house... one of the very significant people in my life and in the history of the clinic.
In the afternoon we walked through the fields to see the various crops and stopped to see the Muslim cemetery and the Hindu cremation grounds. John played a little cricket with a few of the local boys.
In the evening we went to the church that worship at the clinic. The service included two sermons, one from Subbarao and one from me, lots of energetic singing in Telegu (we just clapped along) and some visiting aftward.
Today we hit the clinic. There were 56 patients this morning in the outpatient clinic and 21 in the eye clinic. Everyone was in a rotation to get a chance to observe and participate in the various aspects of the clinic... in the exam room with the doctors, doing the initial check in and blood pressures, observing in the lab and pharmacy and at the eye clinic as well.
Tomorrow will include more of the same with the added opportunities to observe and assist in cataract surgeries and at the dental clinic.
Everyone is doing well, having fun, learning, growing, laughing... experiencing the image of God in the people around us and seeking show the love of Christ to all we meet.
A few pictures will follow.
John
PS Internet access in the village is not working out. So we will only be able to update this every two or three days.
Saturday we made the trip from Hyderabad to Chiluvuru. About a 6 to 6 and a half hour drive. They are doing some amazing road improvements, which made for much easier travel part of the way, the regular chaotic travel part of the way, and some additional challenges of construction zones with their constant "diversions" (that is what the sign read when we were direted off the side of the road or over onto to the other side to share the space with oncoming traffic.
We got settled into our spaces divided between the eye clinic (Jean, Kara, Angela, Logan, Chelley, Rachel, Grace and Anna) and the original building (John, Subbarao, our van driver and me). We took a tour of the facilities and got oriented to the layout and the way the various systems (electric, plumbing, locks, etc) all worked (or didn't in some cases).
Sunday morning we walked the village and visited a few homes. Then went to mass at the Roman Catholic church. Andrea was pleased to join in sharing communion with her Catholic sisters and brothers in India. After a brief visit with the priest, we walked to Yacabu's house... one of the very significant people in my life and in the history of the clinic.
In the afternoon we walked through the fields to see the various crops and stopped to see the Muslim cemetery and the Hindu cremation grounds. John played a little cricket with a few of the local boys.
In the evening we went to the church that worship at the clinic. The service included two sermons, one from Subbarao and one from me, lots of energetic singing in Telegu (we just clapped along) and some visiting aftward.
Today we hit the clinic. There were 56 patients this morning in the outpatient clinic and 21 in the eye clinic. Everyone was in a rotation to get a chance to observe and participate in the various aspects of the clinic... in the exam room with the doctors, doing the initial check in and blood pressures, observing in the lab and pharmacy and at the eye clinic as well.
Tomorrow will include more of the same with the added opportunities to observe and assist in cataract surgeries and at the dental clinic.
Everyone is doing well, having fun, learning, growing, laughing... experiencing the image of God in the people around us and seeking show the love of Christ to all we meet.
A few pictures will follow.
John
PS Internet access in the village is not working out. So we will only be able to update this every two or three days.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Greetings from Hyderabad
We have been in Hyderabad now for more that 24 hours.
Our flights went well. We were about 30 mintues late arriving in Hyderabad, which means we arrived at 3:30 a.m. local time. All luggage arrived with us! We made it easily through immigration and customs.
Our driver was waiting for us outside holding a sign that said, "R&R Travel" Welcome Mr. John Murray. When we got to the van the same sign is posted on windshield of our van and appears that it will travel with us wherever we go.
The van is large and comfortable. More like a mini bus. Air conditioned which is very nice.
We went to our hotel checked in and got a couple of hours rest. Then ate breakfast and headed out to see Hyderabad. We went to Golconda Fort and the Qutur Tombs. Two sites of ancient historical significance in Hyderabad. Our tours there took longer than we expected so we dropped our plan to visit Charminar and the Birla Temple. Stopped at a restaurant for lunch then exchanged money and did some shopping.
Before heading back to the hotel we went to St. Theresa's Hospital and Tender Loving Care Home, the orphanage where my daughter Meghana spent the first 17 months of her life.
The children at the orphanage were a delight to play with. I hope I can post some pictures of our interactions with the children. Sister Theresa Marie, the director of the orphanage, was hospitalized. It wasn't long until one of the girls at the orphange came up to me, took my hand and said, "Sister is calling" and she led me from the orphanage over to the hospital to visit with sister. Soon another girl had brought John Nathan. It is obvious that these girls love and care about Sister. Very touching.
While John and I visited with Sister, the others were back playing with the children. After John and I returned we gathered for tea and cake that the staff had prepared for us. We suddenly releazied that Andrea was not with us. We soon discovered that one of the girls wanted her to meet Sister and had taken her over to visit after John and I returned. Andrea had a nice visit with Sister Theresa Marie.
After tea and juice and cakes and cookies we got a brief tour of the hospital that is connected with orphanage.
By the end of our visit we were exhausted from a full day and healthy dose of jet lag.
Today after breakfast we leave for Chiluvuru. It will be about 6 hour ride in our van, which means another adventure. So far our attempts to arrange for mobile internet while we are in the village have not been successful. So our internet access may be very limited. We will update you as often as we can.
Our flights went well. We were about 30 mintues late arriving in Hyderabad, which means we arrived at 3:30 a.m. local time. All luggage arrived with us! We made it easily through immigration and customs.
Our driver was waiting for us outside holding a sign that said, "R&R Travel" Welcome Mr. John Murray. When we got to the van the same sign is posted on windshield of our van and appears that it will travel with us wherever we go.
The van is large and comfortable. More like a mini bus. Air conditioned which is very nice.
We went to our hotel checked in and got a couple of hours rest. Then ate breakfast and headed out to see Hyderabad. We went to Golconda Fort and the Qutur Tombs. Two sites of ancient historical significance in Hyderabad. Our tours there took longer than we expected so we dropped our plan to visit Charminar and the Birla Temple. Stopped at a restaurant for lunch then exchanged money and did some shopping.
Before heading back to the hotel we went to St. Theresa's Hospital and Tender Loving Care Home, the orphanage where my daughter Meghana spent the first 17 months of her life.
The children at the orphanage were a delight to play with. I hope I can post some pictures of our interactions with the children. Sister Theresa Marie, the director of the orphanage, was hospitalized. It wasn't long until one of the girls at the orphange came up to me, took my hand and said, "Sister is calling" and she led me from the orphanage over to the hospital to visit with sister. Soon another girl had brought John Nathan. It is obvious that these girls love and care about Sister. Very touching.
While John and I visited with Sister, the others were back playing with the children. After John and I returned we gathered for tea and cake that the staff had prepared for us. We suddenly releazied that Andrea was not with us. We soon discovered that one of the girls wanted her to meet Sister and had taken her over to visit after John and I returned. Andrea had a nice visit with Sister Theresa Marie.
After tea and juice and cakes and cookies we got a brief tour of the hospital that is connected with orphanage.
By the end of our visit we were exhausted from a full day and healthy dose of jet lag.
Today after breakfast we leave for Chiluvuru. It will be about 6 hour ride in our van, which means another adventure. So far our attempts to arrange for mobile internet while we are in the village have not been successful. So our internet access may be very limited. We will update you as often as we can.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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