gear and then some.

we've been so busy. there has barely been time to sit and write a blog, and the internet is only available at a cafe 10 minutes up the mountain, so even the other afternoon when i would have had a chance to blog, i was so exhausted, i knocked out instead!

but as many of you heard, all my gear was stolen from me while getting situated on our train in new delhi. my knee was basically touching the bag and five of us were standing there loading our bags up on the wracks above our seats. as i turned to my other bag to grab, of all things, my luggage lock to lock my camera gear bag to my train seat, it was swiped, i didn't feel a thing, and no one saw it. he was so sly, and must've been watching us since we arrived at the station, as he KNEW which bag to take, because my travel back pack was also sitting ON top of the camera bag, and he moved that to grab the gear. needless to say, this put a huge damper on my demeanor for that day, though i had to just keep telling myself, that even though i can go over and over the scenario and what i "could have done" better, theres just nothing that can be done now. so thats that. everything gone, and its not all mine... which makes the loss that much worse. but the owner is gracious and understands the circumstances, and we will figure out a way to get it all replaced. i'm praying for a miraculous provision!

but that aside, this trip has been amazing. i feel like i've been here forever. which is both a good and bad thing, as today i did feel a bit homesick, but am still looking forward to the next leg of the trip and all we will be doing.

we have been in musoorie the past few days, and have had a great time working with different children in village schools, playing games with them teaching them new songs and skits. they live in such rural areas where there is barely anything, yet they have such joy and have welcomed us with open arms and love to interact and practice their english with us.

its so hard to explain in words the beauty of this place, yet there is such despair in the meager living arrangements they are forced to live. we passed by some road workers in from nepal, and one of our friends who lives here told us they make about 150 rupies a day, which is aprox 3 us dollars. 3... can't imagine.

we have visited some families here and their house churches, and we went to an india engagement ceremony last night. tomorrow we will go to the church that our friends pastor. its been a "spiritual tour" as we learn about the struggles of the christian church here.

tomorrow afternoon we head to deraduhn for the next week before returning to delhi and then back to the US.

i have a few pictures, thanks to steve letting me use his point and shoot, not as much flexibility, but at least i am able to capture a bit of the beauty and interesting things i'm seeing here.



love you all.
matthew