India Missions Journal Dec. 2009
Places we went:
Webb Memorial Girls Hostel (Aayrin Parmar)
Webb Memorial School
Webb Memorial Boys Hostel (and school) (Dr. Emanuel Kant)
Butler Polytechnical School (Dr. Newton Parmar)
Kathlal Boys School and Hostel (Dr. Gohil)
Methodist Hospital, Nadiad
Centenary Methodist Church, Nadiad
Centenary Methodist Church, Baroda (Vadodara)
Hill Memorial High School
Sightseeing that we visited on the trip, the sights we saw:
Vadodara: Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery
The Lukshmi Vilas Palace (built in 1890, still inhabited)
Agra: Taj Mahal (17th century)
Fatehpur Sikri (a royal palace of the Mughal emperor, 17th Century)
Delhi: Red Fort (Mughal emperor, 17th century)
Qutub Minar at the Lal Kot (Red Citadel, 13th century) and the Iron Pillar (4th century)
Rajdhat (Ghandi Memorial)
Lotus Temple (Ba’Hai temple)
India Gate
Karol Bhagh Market
Drive past Parliament, residence of Prime Minister and President
Ahmedabad: Ghandi Ashram
Nov 29, Sunday – Travel Day
To save money, the trip had been set up to depart from the DFW airport. The church bus would take any team member not traveling separately on the 3-hour trip to the airport. Tish had to preach that morning and thus caught a flight from OKC. Elisabeth decided to take a few extra days with her husband, celebrate Thanksgiving in Dallas, and thus met us at the DFW terminal. Each of us traveled with the maximum allowed luggage, one large suitcase of our own personal things, another filled with sweaters, wool caps, wool gloves, toothpaste and toothbrushes for the 175 girls at the Webb hostel. The sweater had been collected from caring church members and the community of Moore. In addition, we all had our carry-ons with necessities in case luggage should get lost. Tish suggested that we tie a bright rainbow ribbon on the suitcase handles, so that we could spot our suitcases easier every time we had to round them up. As soon as I gave my extra suitcase over to the check-in clerk , I realized how useful this idea was since I immediately realized that I already forgot what it looked like.
Everybody made it to the airport as scheduled, ate lunch, did some early shopping and took the opportunity to get to know each other. Tish’s airplane from OKC came in on time and she hooked up with us, everybody excited about the upcoming two weeks.
Nov 30, Monday – Travel Day
7 hrs to London, Heathrow Airport
7 hrs to Mumbai
Dec 1, Tuesday – (Gerald Krows)
Arrive, Settle, Shop, Welcome, Women’s Henna (Hindu wedding)
I suppose that the “day” began somewhere on the 8.5 hour flight between London and Mumbai (Bombay). To my recollection, we finally got off our plane about 1:30 am local time (India). The airport was crowded even at that time. The first long line we went through was to turn in our “I don’t have H1N1” forms that we were given on the plane. Well, at least all of us got one that were not sleeping when the forms were handed out by the flight attendant. While passing through the lines, a machine took our temperature but don’t believe any of us was taken out of the line for an elevated temperature. Our next line was to turn in our customs forms that had been passed out - on the plane along with the H1N1 form to those not sleeping -, and show passports and visas. Somewhere in all of this, I may have forgotten the correct order, we had to collect our checked luggage, including our “sweater baggage.” It proved genius that Tish had suggested to tie the rainbow ribbons on all the bags. This made them easily identifiable, a lifesaver with the 26 large suitcases that we had to round up. We must have been a bit of a spectacle with so many people trying to stay together, pulling luggage carts and not speaking the local language. Unfortunately, all suitcases made it except both of Tish’s and we had to leave them in the care of the airline personnel somewhere in transit. It was our first opportunity to see Harriet hashing out problems with the local authorities, getting us pushed through customs, and helping Tish flag the airline about the lost bags. Once we had every piece but none of Tish’s, we loaded them on carts and formed a train and headed toward another security check, this time to check out. But not really! Once around the corner, we waited to send our bags through the next machine. Eventually, we had our bags rechecked and boarding passes for our flight to Vadodara in hand. We boarded a bus with carry-on luggage on our laps and about 2 miles later were dropped at the Jet Airways terminal. The bus had transported all of us around the Mumbai airport from the International to the National Terminal.
Again through security. The place was large, new, and fairly quiet and empty – compared to the hectic International terminal that we had just come from. Within an hour, it was packed, though. At about 5 am, they began to load flights. Well, not really! We exited the doors behind the “gates” to a mad-house of busses pouring past a milling crowd of travelers trying to get to their designated planes – and hesitated. The challenge was to find the right bus and try to get on it amidst pushing, shoving, and confusion. It was hard to stay together and not loose our team members. Eventually – and with enough time to make our plane – we did it! And in the dark yet. By sunrise, we were aboard a new 737-900 and in line to take off for Vadodara.
About 7 am, we arrived in Vadodara and bussed all of 200 yards from the tarmac to the terminal building – a large red building with white turrets. We were pleasantly surprised to see a Plumeria tree in blossom near the terminal doors as we approached. The area is semi-tropical. We again collected al the luggage and loaded them onto carts. As soon as we left the terminal, at the terminal exit, we were greeted by our hosts with flowers. The principals and superintendents of the schools, together with their wives, and the Parmar family welcomed us with friendly smiles. Most of us were packed into a 13-passenger van that was to become our second home for the next week. The luggage was piled on top of the van and in the personal cars of our welcoming committee. Myself and two others joined the Rev. Dr. Newton Parmar from the Finney Polytechnical School and district director of the Methodist schools and hostels, in his car. He was to be a most congenial and gracious host for us, putting us up his school.
Everybody and everything packed off securely, we were off to the city. It was only a few kilometers to the Webb girls’ hostel. We were in India, complete with water buffalo, camel carts, three wheel cabs (rickshaws), motorbikes, scooters, and wandering cows. There is no way one can begin to describe the traffic. Within 15 minutes, we went from boulevards to streets to what seemed like alleys. The Methodist compound contains a number of institutions: Finney Polytechnical School and boy’s hostel, Hill High School, Webb Boys School and hostel, a church and the Webb Memorial Girls School and Hostel. The Webb complexes must cover 60-65 acres. We were told that the Sharon Methodist Church has 3,000 members.
We all gathered in the living room area of the “bungalow” which serves as administrative building and living quarters for Aayrin Parmar, the Webb Girls Hostel superintendent. After a cup of sweet, milky tea (similar to Chai) and introductions, we walked across the way to the hostel compound. It is pretty large, perhaps 200 x 100 yards. The original medical block is so old and dilapidated that they hope to take it down to rebuild it with a covered meeting area and later close it in for a possible new medical block or any other additional rooms as needed. There is construction going on to renovate the worship center. We first visited “our” new sanitation block. It is composed of toilet stalls, shower stall, and a wash area for their clothes. But none of these compare with the bathroom facilities that we are used to. Next, we visited the girls in their dormitories. Each room has girls of various ages so that the older girls can help care for the younger ones. The rooms are pretty “Spartan” as the girls seem to have few possessions with them at the hostel. Each has a bunk and a box or footlocker of some type for their personal things.
After our visit, Jean and I were taken by the Rev Dr Parmar to the Finney Polytechnical School on the other end of the property. We were given a three-room apartment as there wasn’t a room for a couple at the hostel. (The next day, we were moved to the hostel after all, room had been created for us. It quickly became apparent that it was too difficult after all for the mission team to be separated.) After we settled in, the Rev Dr Parmar gave us a brief tour of the school. The young men from the school were curious but very friendly. Dr Parmar then showed us the back way through the compound to the girls hostel, a short walk to join the rest of the team for a fine lunch there. Afterward, we loaded up the van and headed downtown to exchange some dollars to rupees and take the ladies shopping for wedding clothes. It was to be traditional Indian clothing – Sarees and Salwar Kameez – for the Hindu wedding we were allowed to attend. For some reason, we had to try 3 banks before we found one to exchange the amounts we wanted. This seems to be a culture with many differences from ours, especially in Baroda, where foreign tourists don’t seem to be so common. We were especially surprised to see women in Sarees digging in a ditch, children helping their work. Harriet took us to a shop called Fashion City, for Baroda a large clothing store with 3 floors and catering to women, men, and children’s traditional fashions. They took us downstairs to the ladies department and the women appeared as if they had passed through the pearly gates into the kingdom of heaven itself. So many bright and beautiful colors fancied up with sparkling beads, ribbons, and sequin. The 4 men participated on varying levels: One not very interested, one jumped and started buying gifts while the other two offered advice and support. The ladies were trying on outfits as fast as the salesmen could pull them out – and the salesmen were very skilled at pulling out and displaying their merchandise. As a matter of fact, two more men showed up to handle the crowd of choosy ladies. It didn’t take Jean long to settle on one outfit but others tried on many others to select more than one. At least one young blond lady was still trying things on when everyone else seemed to be developing waning interest! At last, all the purchases were made; we loaded back in the van to brave the local traffic and headed back to the hostel. Watching the hair-raising driving habits of the locals, we were very thankful that we had a local driver and didn’t have to try to navigate the streets ourselves. The plan was now to clean up and dress for an evening out. The ladies were to attend a pre-wedding henna painting event, part of the wedding that we were invited to attend the next two more evenings. Jean and I dressed in our room at the Polytech and walked up to the girl’s hostel. The men were to go out for the evening with Raman Smart, a member of our team and a native of our host city. After the ladies left for their event, I found that all the other men on the team were fast asleep. I went to our room and went to bed also, exhausted from the long day and even longer flights.
Dec 2, Wednesday – (Ann Thompson)
We’ve begun to settle into a routine already – waking early enough to experience the morning smells of wood smoke, cooking, and something else that’s indescribable but we recognize as India.
Breakfast was followed by a morning of painting a concrete wall at the hostel. We have come to know that there is a fair amount of hurry us and wait here. In this case, it was waiting for the contractor who was stuck in traffic and then for the mixing of the paint by his workers.
Because the younger girls attend class in the morning, the older girls remained at the hostel to do their chores and study before their afternoon classes. We were probably a welcome distraction for them as we painted. We were greeted by “good morning, ma’m” and “good morning, sir” and many giggles as we engaged in conversation. Just trying to repeat their names with the proper inflection could send them into fits of laughter.
Jessica and Elisabeth sat down with beads and elastic string to make bracelets with the girls’ names on them. This was a wildly popular activity. It was a wonderful way to engage them and befriend them.
I interrupted a class of older girls who were studying English. I’m not sure, it was welcomed by the teacher but I’d been working outside the classroom and was already a distraction so I went ahead and asked the teacher if I could come in. The girls sat in rows on the floor with their books in front of them. I asked them to stand and we sang several rounds of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” Once again, our efforts to communicate seem to be the most entertaining thing in the world though sometimes we don’t know why we should be seen as so hilarious.
We visited the Webb Memorial School, which is part of the compound of buildings in which we are staying. We received a tour from the principal and were honored guests at a school assembly. Over 400 girls were seated on the floor in rows and during the program; I did not see one girl speak to her neighbor. Discipline is no problem in this school and we remarked to each other afterward of the contrast we saw with American schools.
After the school visit, we bathed - bucket style in which the girls bring us buckets of hot water, which has been heated over an open fire outside of the superintendent’s bungalow.
I had purchased a saree the day before and as is customary, was fitted by a local seamstress for the accompanying bodice. In order to get to her home, I rode on the back of Ampa’s motorcycle. Ampa is Aayrin’s cousin and a seminarian, who works with the girls as an intern. She is a lovely, brilliant young woman – so talented and helpful as are all the girls we have met Her English is very good and she talked with us easily.
The ride was wildly fun – bumping along the dirt roads and back alleys of the neighborhood until we reached our destination. The seamstress lives in a small house that was so clean and tidy – amazing since she also teaches small children in a home daycare situation in addition to her sewing duties. What an experience to be in her home and once again be treated with such hospitality.
Our evening plans included a stop at the boys’ hostel. The program was similar to the one we experienced earlier in the day at the Webb Memorial School with the boys sitting in rows on the floor, us lined up in front, facing them. After the presentation of flowers, something we are coming to expect at such functions, we were treated to dances and songs. The boys were not so well disciplined as the girls but were charming and friendly and more like what we are used to seeing in schools in America. Even so- they were very well behaved and engaging.
From the boys’ hostel, we headed to music night for the Hindu wedding. This was held at an outdoor venue in Baroda. We sat, watching the musicians for a while and eventually joined other guests in dancing. (The men in our group were content to remain spectators). It was a lovely cultural experience complete with a visit to a squat toilet, should we choose. We had a very full day and I am sure that none of us had any trouble going to sleep that night.
Dec 3, Thursday – (Charles Payne)
Morning arrived and all were up and around by 7:30 am. No painting or work was scheduled for today. At 9:00 am, we left to visit the Boys Hostel at Kathlal and the Methodist Hospital at Nadiad. Our first stop was the Methodist Hospital. We arrived and were greeted by a number of hospital staff and were given a tour of the hospital by Dr. A A John, the current hospital director. We toured all the wards, which included Registration, Emergency Room, Sonography, Lab, Maternity, the General Ward, and the Private Ward. This is the same hospital for which we had tried to raise money for a new sonography machine. There is much work that can be done there and a medical mission would be very beneficial. We concluded with a short presentation by Dr. John and departed the hospital. Next, we went to see Centenary Church. This was Aayrin Parmar’s church when she was a child and it is now undergoing renovations. While the church is being renovated, services are being held outside, in a plaza next to the church.
Following this, we stopped and had a short visit with Aayrin Parmar’s parents in their home and got to see where she grew up. It was a wonderful experience to see what real Indian home life really entails. After we finished with this visit, we traveled to the Boys Hostel at Kathlal. We had a very nice visit and tour, were served a huge layout of snacks and tea and had a nice discussion about the Boys Hostel with its superintendent. After this, the children held a short and cute sing and dance program for us and then we toured the hostel. One thing that I thought wonderful was that we saw “WELCOME” laid out in flower pedals on the ground where we arrived.
The needs are great here and need to be addressed. Next, we went back to Aayrin’s parent’s house and they very graciously served us our lunch. It was fabulous and her family was so gracious and generous to do this for us. (Harriet told us that we originally had lunch at a restaurant planned but at the visit with Aayrin’s mother had asked if it were possible for us to come back for a lunch prepared by them. The mother had happily agreed and, during our absence, had asked neighbors and family members that live close for their help to prepare the food to feed all 14 of us. When we came back after a couple of hours, the table was laid out with the most delicious variety of dishes and the ladies kept filling our plates and trying to make sure that nobody went away hungry. It was a lesson in hospitality.)
Lastly, we returned and cleaned up for the last and most eventful evening of the Hindu wedding. The event was very extravagant and so interesting to take part in. Harriet directed us to be seated to eat at the wedding and served by several caterers. The food was great and I ate some things I liked and some I will definitely not try again. There were over 1000 people attending the wedding and it was both beautiful and intriguing. The encounters with the girls are what make this mission a success to me. Each time we are in the compound, they run to you with smiling faces and just want to be loved.
Dec 4, Friday – (Elisabeth Berry)
After breakfast, the day started with the devotion given by Jean and Gerald. They used a couple of entries from the Upper Room and a scripture from Proverbs. After that, we were to have time with the older girls while David worked with string with the younger ones. We all were to talk a little about ourselves and say something inspirational to the girls while Ampa translated. The girls sat in rows while we sat on chairs in front of them. They may have talked easier if we had sat with them in smaller groups but with this arrangement, most of them were shy and didn’t talk at all when we asked some questions of them. A few courageously did though, and when asked what they wanted to be, some said nurses or teacher, one said engineer. They talk much freer when they meet us in the courtyard. Before we left them, though, they all sang Happy Birthday to Jean Krows, for her birthday today. They sang the English version but added two more verses: “Happy long life to you” and “God’s blessings to you.” We all thought that was cute and decided that we need to teach it to our friends back home.
After that was over, we put our work clothes on and attempted painting the walls of the new dorm. The paint was so gritty and watery, that we thought it was primer and the paint would be added later. It was of a kind that none of us had ever worked with before. With the paint rollers that we brought, it went on the walls in big, uneven splotches. It looked terrible and I felt a bit like making fools of ourselves. We eventually figured out that this stuff had to be put on with brushes - rollers would not work at all.
While other people painted, I pulled out the tray of beads and string again for a while and it didn’t take long before I was surrounded by girls. At first, it was like the day before, where the girls tried to make bracelets shyly and disciplined but after a while, I had girls pushing and shoving to get to the beads. I hadn’t noticed that girls were drifting past to go to class at the school next door. So all of a sudden, a whole herd stopped at the beads and pushed ever tighter. While I was trying to get control of the pushing and shoving, a couple of older girls realized what I was trying to do. They spoke to the other girls and got control of them. I was so appreciative of their help. I later asked them their names and they were Nissie and Sonal.
We broke for lunch and at the end of it, Jean was presented with a birthday cake, a very good Black Forrest cake, and we all sang to her again in the 3-verse Indian style. She smiled from ear to ear and we enjoyed the delicious cake.
Back at our painting effort, the walls were looking horrible and we felt terrible. Finally the young men hired to paint only the hard to reach areas stepped in and slopped thick brushes full of paint onto the walls. With just a few strokes, they made the walls look like they are supposed to with a fresh coat of paint. I really felt like they must have been thinking of us like idiots that don’t know how to paint. But while we were “attempting” to paint, the girls kept coming over to watch or talk to us. It was a joy to see Jessica sing songs with them, even Charles tried to chime in. He taught then how to play the hand-slap game. So while we failed at painting, I think that we succeeded at mingling with the students and letting them practice their English on us. And we tried to get them to teach us a little Gujarati. In the days that we have been here, I saw everybody talk and interact with the girls and think that is fantastic.
After we wrapped up the painting, we took our “baths” to get ready for the Christmas Program at the Finney Polytechnical School. The place was nicely decorated with a gate made of straw, adorned with lights and Christmas pictures. A red carpet led from there to the “hall” where the stage was set up. I learned that a Green decorated for a party is called a hall, even though it is outdoors. But before we went in, we were given a quick tour of the school, About 200 boys and girls attend this school, similar to a Vo-tech. It is Methodist funded without government subsidies. It includes a hostel but only boys can stay in it. The school doesn’t look like it is in too bad a shape but we only saw a little of it, we didn’t go inside any dorms or classrooms. Just like at the Webb hostel, broken window panes were all over, though. We were told that the school charges tuition to people that can pay but won’t turn away any poor families or orphans. There, students also depend on sponsorship or the school gets no money for them. It costs $200 to sponsor a student for one school year.
When we were lead into the campus, the boys – I guess the ones that live there – had lined up on either side of the walkway to greet us and say hello. We walked through the middle of them and it felt like walking the gauntlet to me. We were taken to a room where tables had been set up that displayed Christmas cards that the students had made for their sponsors. Then we were told to judge them and pick out - 2 for the girls and 5 for the boys - cards that we thought were the best. Some of them were very elaborate with pop-ups or painted beautifully. The boys performed one tribal dance that seemed like a test in muscles and endurance. It was fascinating. Finally, it was on to the Christmas program.
A bunch of principals and superintendents were there, a couple from Chicago that had donated a large amount of money and the same of a couple from Plano, Texas. The program turned out to be a bit of modern dance talent show except for a few beautiful and skilful tribal dances. In the middle of the show, the mission team and other honored sponsors were all called up to the stage. We were presented one by one and given flowers (again) and a blanket shawl. It was very embarrassing to me, on top of all the other times what we had been made to stand out to “honor” us. The show ended with some fireworks (that didn’t all go off at the right time) and a visit of a skinny Santa Clause jumping and dancing on the stage. Much to the delight of the students, Gerald Krows took the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him his wish list. To end the honoring evening, we were to be taken to dinner by the Superintendent of the school. I was still full from lunch and had my fill of being doted over – that I didn’t feel that I deserved – and bowed out.
Added by Eursey: What high energy dances, I think one was called the Garba dancers. Some boys performed a dance wit gymnastics and human pyramids, all the while in motion, accompanied by tribal drummers. I wonder how his little arms kept going.
Dec 5, Saturday – (Eursey Lenoir)
Saturday morning. Thanking God for a wonderful day. Waking up to the sounds of God’s creation and a faithful prayer of a different religion.
Breakfast, wonderful coffee, tea, and bread. Meditation was given by Charles on prayer, then onto the bus for our day of activities: city tour of museum (Baroda Museum) and palace (Lukshmi Vilas). We use a little more than was scheduled. In the museum, I didn’t care too much for the weapons and nude statues, so I am afraid that I didn’t pay much attention. Of course, the pottery was beautiful, especially when you think how old it actually is. To see some of the clothes that were worn and to think how much precious metal (gold) and jewels were used to build things and the skill to do it without the machinery and tools that we have today, is just amazing.
When we left the museum, we went to another museum but because of the time table, decided to go on to the palace instead. Along the way, we had a problem with the bus and had to switch buses. Some of us left stuff on the old bus, though, never to see it again. We rushed back to the hostel and got ready for the Christmas party at the Girls Hostel.
What a party or program! Some wonderful entertainment, singing and dancing.
Added by Elisabeth: During our sightseeing tour, the whole team was taken out to lunch by the family of Rajesh’s brother (Harriet’s husband, who had also helped to pick us up at the airport on the first day), Jagin Parmar, wife Kiti, and daughter Karol. They took us to the same hotel restaurant as the team had been taken to after the Polytech Christmas part, which featured a fine buffet of local cuisine. Kiti Parmar, with the help of Karol, presented us all with a fine souvenir, a silver colored pencil holder with intricate Indian designs. They also presented FUMC - and Tish as representative – with a beautiful Indian wall hanging. Karol finished it off with a gift of a woven shoulder bag for Jessica. For the Christmas program, the girls, led by Ampa, had worked very hard on their performances, learning songs and dances. We were again called to the stage to be presented with flowers and a trophy/plaque to take home. The show ended again with a skinny Santa bouncing on the stage. After the program was over, everybody was served a meal and then the girls were allowed to just dance on and around the stage. They excitedly pulled us to them and we were handed around to dance with the girls; it was much fun and they were very happy. Jenis introduced her family to some of us.
Dec 6, Sunday – (Jessica Jones)
Sunday morning! Time for church. When I woke up, the women who were wearing sarees that day had to eat breakfast early so they could have enough time to get all wrapped up. It seems like Indian women have to schedule their day around putting on the saree if they choose to wear one. Tish, Harriet and Aayrin were the ones who chose to do so on this day. Tish would be preaching and had a beautiful red and gold saree on. Harriet wore purple and gold and Aayrin wore a colorful orange, pink, and yellow saree. Sarees are so feminine and I sort of wish we wore them in the U.S. The rest of the women wore their Salwar Kameez and the men wore their nice church clothes.
We left the hostel a little late (Indian time, right?) and loaded into the van minus two members – Dan and Ann who were not feeling well. A quick drive, less than ten minutes, in the helter skelter traffic and we were on the grounds of the Hill Memorial School, where the mission service would take place. To my understanding, the service was for the entire Vadodara district of the Methodist Church and about 5,000 people showed up. The service was held under a huge canopy that was decorated with big yellow and red circles. The Americans processed behind the many pastors, superintendents, etc., who were robed in white and red ministerial robes. Tish was the only woman pastor and represented the women, the U.S. and the Oklahoma Conference of the Methodist Church very well and in a positive light.
Most women wore prayer shawls on their heads, other women, including us and the girls from the hostel, wore their neck scarves draped over our heads. Tish wore Ampa’s beautiful preaching shawl, which Ampa had made herself.
Most of the service was in Gujarati and could not be understood by the team. We did recognize a few of the songs that they sang – “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy to the World” which we tried to sing in English. Many of us forgot the words. . . oops! I also recognized one of the doxologies, which was sung after responsive reading: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, it now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen, Amen.”
Tish then brought a wonderful sermon about missions. She challenged us to reach out locally, nationally, and globally. Once the sermon was over, we experienced the largest communion service ever – 5,000 people lined up to receive the cup of blessing and the body of Christ. Communion consisted of a small communion cup of grape juice that tasted much less strong and was lighter in color. What an experience it was to share in the last supper with our brothers and sisters in India.
After service, the team all went to McDonalds (again, minus Dan and Ann – we missed you both!) to get some “American” food. The shopping mall that the restaurant was in reminded me of home – very westernized. The food was very similar to the McDonalds back home with minor differences. The French fries came with a bag and Indian spices to shake on the fries. The difference in the dress and culture was such a drastic change when we stepped into the mall, many teenagers hanging out in very similar clothes to the clothing that teenagers in the U.S. wear.
The juxtaposition of the areas we saw this day was unbelievable; poverty to riches right next door to each other. Later that evening, Aayrin took us to the market area that was not dissimilar to market shopping in Mexico or other Central American countries. One main difference was there was less bargaining. We got the privilege of walking through the side and back streets of Vadodara, seeing another, more authentic side of the city. The streets were dirty in comparison to U.S. standards. The voices of children gleefully rang out, while some curious eyes stopped to look at the Americans parading down the street.
Many wares were presented to those who ventured out with Aayrin, Harriet and Aayrin’s friend in the lead. For dinner, the team went to some of Harriet’s relatives’ house, Urmila and Peter Dabhi (Mamta’s in-laws). What a wonderful meal they had prepared for us. Yet another, strong evidence of how hospitable our Indian brothers and sisters are. The meal concluded with many of our favorite ice cream- mango, with dried mango pieces this time! The brand of ice cream had been Harriet’s favorite while growing up.
Added by Elisabeth: To enter the local mall and the McDonalds there, we had to pass through a security check with two guards carrying weapons.
Dec 7, Monday - (Elisabeth Berry)
Per our schedule, the mission part of our India trip was done and we were off for sightseeing in Agra and Delhi. Aayrin accompanied us for her first ever airplane trip. After a flight of about 90 min, the next few days would take us to the Taj Mahal and Fathipur Sikri in Agra, the Red Fort, Ghandi Shrine, India Gate, and the India Parlament in Delhi. The 180 km from Agra to Delhi took about 6 hours to drive on a tight bus and some scary country roads. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Raman, who patiently explained to me the agriculture and other rural sights that we passed, including the disks of cow dung that had been neatly shaped and carefully stacked for the winter’s fuel. As poor and dirty as this country seems to us at times, it is very efficient, resourceful and organized – on Indian time.
With our hectic sightseeing schedule, we got very tired of hearing our Vadodara guide say “chalia” (let’s go, come on) to us, or the street urgins try to push their wares on us, but we saw incredible sights. Regrettably, Jessica and Dan were too ill to accompany us through Delhi and missed those sights but Harriet was able to get medicine for both at a pharmacy close to the hotel on a 2 am medicine-run with Charles and the porter of the hotel. It appears that pretty much all medication in India can be purchased without a prescription and, with the help of Harriet’s pharmacy and nursing relatives at home, she was able to buy medication with the ingredients that they knew could help.
Finally, on Thursday, we flew back early to Ahmedabad to view Ghandi’s Ashram and then drive back to Vadodara on another rickety bus. Like all other drives, it seemed too long and dreary but we saw lots of Indian countryside, traffic, and rural life. We passed a heard of black, leathery cows and lots of roadside stores that seemed like India’s equivalent to Seven-Eleven. The countryside seemed more like Eastern Oklahoma here, with rolling hills and lots of trees. It didn’t seem as dusty here as the area between Agra and Delhi.
We had a very small window for the drive back to Vadodara to catch our flight back home and so we all tensed, when the bus driver had to pull over because the bus was giving him problems. After a few tense minutes that seemed like an hour and probably some of us sending a silent, personal prayer up to heaven, we all put our hands together and said a prayer together for the Lord to allow us to be safely on our way. Within a few seconds, the driver climbed back on the bus and, aside of a short second pull-over, we made it back to the hostel safe and with plenty of time to spare. Blessed be the Lord! I loved India, but just then, I think we were all ready to go back home for some well deserved rest and recuperating. We made it to the airport and our flights without any further problems but, again, unfortunately, Jean was hit full force by the cold that had plagued first Ann, then Jessica, while we were sitting in airports and on planes. Leaving India, in Mumbai, David Titus was pulled aside by the Indian customs officials and we lost him for a few tense minutes. He had created the scare due to a very recent trip to Pakistan and, after a short interrogation, was released with the warning not to return to India within a 6-months time. In Dallas, we lost Charles at customs for a few minutes, only because he was pulled out of the general line. Being on American soil, though, we knew that by the grace of our mighty God, we all made it back safely, with 2,000 pictures and full of stories to share with any willing listeners. May God be with us to continue our work in mission for the Methodists of Vadodara.
December 10th thru December 31st - (Harriet Parmar):
December 10th – After the team left the Vadodara airport we came back to an empty bungalow, it was very quiet and Aayrin, the girls and I talked about the team and they were conveying me the joy they felt with all the team members and how comfortable they felt around the team. They could not believe that all the preparations they were doing for months for the team’s arrival has already happened; the team came and already left to go back to the US. We went to sleep late.
December 11th – Aayrin and I went to the bank to exchange some money and travelers checks so I can pay all the bills – lodging, food, rental of the van and left over tour’s balance. The girls rearrange the dining hall table back to a single table, as the table we had used was a combination of two tables so the whole team can be together at one table. I was packed and ready to go to be with my sister-in-law that evening. But that evening we had to attend the Christmas program for the Hill Memorial School so Aayrin, others and me went to attend the program and enjoyed a wonderful dinner. After coming back from the program I took a rickshaw to go to my sister-in-law’s home; Jaginbhai accompanied me on his motorbike.
December 12th – Attended the Christmas program of the Webb girl’s school at 10:00 am and enjoyed a very good lunch. Aaditi (my niece) took me everywhere on her scooter. Also distributed the appreciation gift (tip) to all the helpers who took care of the team starting from the ladies who cooked for us, older gentlemen who warmed our bath water, lady who cleaned our bathrooms daily and the wonderful girls who waited on us every minute of the day.
December 13th – 19th – I was traveling to visit friends and family with my dad.
December 20th – Met with Aayrin, Mr. Newton Parmar, Mr. Kant and Ajay (contractor) to discuss the roof replacement for the hostel and get the quotes for the materials in the next few days so the decision can be made before I leave to come back.
December 21st – 26th – I was with Rajesh’s family in Godhra for Christmas. Back to Baroda on the evening of the 26th and attended Hanna for the wedding on 27th and 28th.
December 27th – attended the Centenary Methodist Church service (where I was married) and the team was recognized again with the mission work and their kindness in the church service. That evening I attended another big Hindu wedding with family.
December 28th - attended Hindu reception with dad and Rajesh’s family.
December 30th – Met with Aayrin, Mr. Newton Parmar, and Ajay to finalize the roof project with the quotes brought by Ajay. After the estimates were reviewed for the materials and total cost of the project it was decided that there might be some funds left which can take care of the demolition of the health facility and build the outside security wall for the Webb Girls Hostel. I requested from Mr. Newton Parmar, if the funds run out and need some help to finish the security wall to please come up with the funds (out of the Vadodara Methodist Conference fund) and not to halt the project. He assured me that they would fill the gap if needed.
December 31st – packed and left Vadodara at 7:30pm. Mr. Gohil (Kathlal) was at the airport with fresh flowers and a picture of the last supper for me which I had to work very hard during my travel to keep secure as it is a 3-D picture and I did not have any place to pack it in my luggage. All Rajesh’s family was there and dad’s friend to send us off.
Update on the roof project:
The roof project is almost finished. The pictures Aayrin has been sending are keeping me updated on the progress of the roof completion. Once the roof project gets completed they will start the demolition of the health facility and work on the security wall for the Webb hostel. To sum up, our mission trip has done so much for the Webb Memorial hostel and the girls who live there and I feel more blessed by participating in this mission trip. I plan to keep working on doing whatever I can with a lot of you to help the children of India and all the other countries needing help that we as United Methodists can provide.
