A view of the mission from above.
A school class lining up for lunch.
Inside a hut.
This is Prassad. He is deaf/mute & lives at the mission. Great kid.
The hospital lab at Good Shepherd.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pictures 5
A view of the mission from above.Inside a hut.
This is Prassad. He is deaf/mute & lives at the mission. Great kid.
The hospital lab at Good Shepherd.
Pictures 4
Kids playing at the mission.
Filling a moto rickshaw.
Can you pick me out?
Indian driving. Notice the bike on the right.
Family bike.
Pictures 3
This is from the famous oxen parade.
A view of the carts before we got on.
A picture looking back toward the mission. In the back is the mountain we hiked.
A village hut.
Some of the girls at our departure
Pictures 2
Another band that greeted us at a medical camp.
Learning to ride a bike.
Kids at a rural school.
Lunch at the mission.
Kids at a medical camp learning to yell "Go Tigers!"
Pictures 1
A fully loaded scooter.
Typical Indian street
Women working in the rice fields.
This is Brother Henry. He is the founder of Good Shepherd Mission.
Here is another street shot.
Here are some of the girls from the mission wearing their new clothes.
Here is the band that greeted us upon arrival. They led us on a parade to the Good Shepherd hospital.
Some young boys from the mission.
A view looking back from the hospital to the vacant field where the children played. We stayed in the building near the center of the picture with the red roof.
A village picture of where we held our first medical camp.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Friday Morning
It is Friday morning and we just left Good Shepherd. We are in the van headed to Chennai to spend the day. Our flight leaves at 4:00 am Saturday, India time.
Last night, the Americans provided a meal and served it to the mission kids, staff and others. We fed about 300 people. It was nice to return the favor for all that they have done for us.
As you can imagine, leaving here is bittersweet. I miss my family and friends at home. I am ready to leave.
However, I will also miss my new friends. Although I will be physically gone, I doubt that you can truly leave it all behind. Now that I have looked them in the eyes and laughed with them, they are real people to me. Real people with real personalities, real hopes, and real concerns. I have an obligation to help them out in the future.
In a strange twist, these people have very hard lives but are some of the happiest people that I have ever met. No one was clinging to me, begging that I take them back to America. Instead, they just need some help.
Good Shepherd Mission is a miraculous place. The staff works for meager salaries and does great work. They house and feed orphans and the elderly. They provide free health care to those that would go without. Remember that there are no social services in India. If Good Shepherd did not exist, these people might not make it. I have seen some of the people that have to fend for themselves and it is not good.
I know that a lot of you were scratching your heads when I said I was going to India. Trust me, I was too. I'm not the most touchy-feely guy out there. This was a leap of faith that paid off for me. I hope that you find your own India and it pays off for you.
I want to thank my wife Julie for holding down the homestead while I laughed and played. I also want to thank everyone that donated funds to help buy medical supplies. Finally, thank you to everyone that provided kind words and kept me in their prayers.
Thanks for reading. When I get back I will post some photos. Stay tuned.Chad
Last night, the Americans provided a meal and served it to the mission kids, staff and others. We fed about 300 people. It was nice to return the favor for all that they have done for us.
As you can imagine, leaving here is bittersweet. I miss my family and friends at home. I am ready to leave.
However, I will also miss my new friends. Although I will be physically gone, I doubt that you can truly leave it all behind. Now that I have looked them in the eyes and laughed with them, they are real people to me. Real people with real personalities, real hopes, and real concerns. I have an obligation to help them out in the future.
In a strange twist, these people have very hard lives but are some of the happiest people that I have ever met. No one was clinging to me, begging that I take them back to America. Instead, they just need some help.
Good Shepherd Mission is a miraculous place. The staff works for meager salaries and does great work. They house and feed orphans and the elderly. They provide free health care to those that would go without. Remember that there are no social services in India. If Good Shepherd did not exist, these people might not make it. I have seen some of the people that have to fend for themselves and it is not good.
I know that a lot of you were scratching your heads when I said I was going to India. Trust me, I was too. I'm not the most touchy-feely guy out there. This was a leap of faith that paid off for me. I hope that you find your own India and it pays off for you.
I want to thank my wife Julie for holding down the homestead while I laughed and played. I also want to thank everyone that donated funds to help buy medical supplies. Finally, thank you to everyone that provided kind words and kept me in their prayers.
Thanks for reading. When I get back I will post some photos. Stay tuned.Chad
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday
Just to the east of the mission is a small mountain. We hiked it this morning at sunrise. It took about 25 minutes to get to the top. It was just the six guys from the USA. We sat at the top looking out over Puttur.
In true Indian fashion, a mission kid showed up about 5 minutes later. We didn't know that he hiked up behind us, but here is the kicker - he brought everyone tea. That is right, 6 ceramic cups and pot of tea! That is hospitality.
We also had a chance to visit the bone-setting clinic today. As the name implies, they fix broken bones. Not pretty. The 'key' is that they use a secret 'lotion' made of egg whites, oil and a ground powder. Maybe it will catch on in the U.S.
At the risk of sounding like a stereotype, engineering is HUGE over here. The hierarchy is 1) Doctor, 2) Engineering, 3) Everything else. (They could care less about lawyers.) Families are very proud of their engineering students. Police are a big deal too.
For all of their engineering knowledge, they have some work to do on the infrastructure. The power regularly goes out for a few hours at a time. Open sewer canals line the streets. A large percentage of the buildings appear to be poorly maintained. There is no mechanism for disposing waste. Some of it is burned (a constant smell), but most of it is just thrown randomly about. As the dogs, pigs and cows roam the streets they rummage through the trash looking for food.
The irony is that India has some ugly surroundings, but it has beautiful people. The children are perfect. The adults have a spirit of duty, thankfulness and hospitality that is a lesson to take back with me.
In the neighborhood of 72 hours until I get hot water again!
In true Indian fashion, a mission kid showed up about 5 minutes later. We didn't know that he hiked up behind us, but here is the kicker - he brought everyone tea. That is right, 6 ceramic cups and pot of tea! That is hospitality.
We also had a chance to visit the bone-setting clinic today. As the name implies, they fix broken bones. Not pretty. The 'key' is that they use a secret 'lotion' made of egg whites, oil and a ground powder. Maybe it will catch on in the U.S.
At the risk of sounding like a stereotype, engineering is HUGE over here. The hierarchy is 1) Doctor, 2) Engineering, 3) Everything else. (They could care less about lawyers.) Families are very proud of their engineering students. Police are a big deal too.
For all of their engineering knowledge, they have some work to do on the infrastructure. The power regularly goes out for a few hours at a time. Open sewer canals line the streets. A large percentage of the buildings appear to be poorly maintained. There is no mechanism for disposing waste. Some of it is burned (a constant smell), but most of it is just thrown randomly about. As the dogs, pigs and cows roam the streets they rummage through the trash looking for food.
The irony is that India has some ugly surroundings, but it has beautiful people. The children are perfect. The adults have a spirit of duty, thankfulness and hospitality that is a lesson to take back with me.
In the neighborhood of 72 hours until I get hot water again!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tuesday Night
I had a real treat tonight. At 10:30 pm, I sat in a cinder block room with peeling paint and broken windows to watch my country show that it is the greatest nation in the world.
This is not about politics. This is about a transfer of power without bloodshed or riots in the streets. This is about an election where votes are cast without fear and the legitimacy is not seriously questioned. This is about a nation that has taken a great step in remedying a dark stain in our past. This is about a country where you truly have opportunities that are not automatically pre- determined by your situation at birth.
I would imagine that a fair number in America are weary of the inauguration coverage. Maybe I am overly-sensitive because I sat in a room where people didn't have the privilege of calling themselves as U.S. citizen, but tonight was a night that I was proud of my country. God Bless the USA.
This is not about politics. This is about a transfer of power without bloodshed or riots in the streets. This is about an election where votes are cast without fear and the legitimacy is not seriously questioned. This is about a nation that has taken a great step in remedying a dark stain in our past. This is about a country where you truly have opportunities that are not automatically pre- determined by your situation at birth.
I would imagine that a fair number in America are weary of the inauguration coverage. Maybe I am overly-sensitive because I sat in a room where people didn't have the privilege of calling themselves as U.S. citizen, but tonight was a night that I was proud of my country. God Bless the USA.
Tuesday
Today we didn't have a clinic. Instead we worked on building. A facility that will house AIDS patients. Basically I just scooped sand onto a metal screen. The sand filtered through the screen, leaving course sand and fine sand separated. The course sand is used for floors and the fine sand is for stucco.
I talked to the equivalent of a master electrician. He makes about $5 a day.
We went to the Good Shepherd hospital before working today. They let us walk in on a cataract surgery. We were close enough to touch the patient. Don't worry, we all wore surgical masks.
Oh, did I mention that a mouse jumped out of my suitcase when I was getting a shirt this afternoon? Good times. Good times.
I talked to the equivalent of a master electrician. He makes about $5 a day.
We went to the Good Shepherd hospital before working today. They let us walk in on a cataract surgery. We were close enough to touch the patient. Don't worry, we all wore surgical masks.
Oh, did I mention that a mouse jumped out of my suitcase when I was getting a shirt this afternoon? Good times. Good times.
Monday
On Monday we went to Nambakam. It was another small village about 45 minutes away. This was one of the bigger medical camps. It still amazes me that there are several hundred people at these things, and they all walk to get there. Young, old, sick and healthy.
At one point I got to break away and go on a walk with a young man who was about 20. He had pretty good English, so he was able to tell me a lot. We went walking through the fields. They have an intricate system of multi-level fields and small canals for irrigation. It is impressive.
The last two nights we have eaten in the homes of staff from Good Shepherd. They really make a big deal about it. It humbles you.
On Sunday night, we were in one of the homes. The host whipped out these bottles for our pre-meal drink like they were a fine wine. It was delicious. It was Coca-Cola.
At one point I got to break away and go on a walk with a young man who was about 20. He had pretty good English, so he was able to tell me a lot. We went walking through the fields. They have an intricate system of multi-level fields and small canals for irrigation. It is impressive.
The last two nights we have eaten in the homes of staff from Good Shepherd. They really make a big deal about it. It humbles you.
On Sunday night, we were in one of the homes. The host whipped out these bottles for our pre-meal drink like they were a fine wine. It was delicious. It was Coca-Cola.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday
You are going to think that I am making this up. Today we went to Nundra. It was Sunday, so there was no camp. We were going to church. The van stopped and we got out. As you might have guessed, there was a small band to greet us. But here is the kicker: There were two painted oxen tied up to two wooden carts.
The carts had streamers on them, along with plastic red chairs. We were escorted onto the carts and away we went. The band led us down a narrow rocky street. There were two sewer canals on each side of the road. We traveled about three blocks on these rickety carts, with the villagers coming out to stare. A few times the band stopped so they could dance. Now that is what I call a welcome.
After church we returned to Good Shepherd. We played games in a big open field. Cows and pigs weaved their way among us, and no one acted like it was a big deal. Life is good.
None of the kids wear shoes. Ever. Their feet must be as tough as leather because it does not seem to bother them. Did I mention that no one uses silverware? Everyone just scoops the food off of their plate with their hands. I can't wait to teach this to Carson and Ava.
The carts had streamers on them, along with plastic red chairs. We were escorted onto the carts and away we went. The band led us down a narrow rocky street. There were two sewer canals on each side of the road. We traveled about three blocks on these rickety carts, with the villagers coming out to stare. A few times the band stopped so they could dance. Now that is what I call a welcome.
After church we returned to Good Shepherd. We played games in a big open field. Cows and pigs weaved their way among us, and no one acted like it was a big deal. Life is good.
None of the kids wear shoes. Ever. Their feet must be as tough as leather because it does not seem to bother them. Did I mention that no one uses silverware? Everyone just scoops the food off of their plate with their hands. I can't wait to teach this to Carson and Ava.
Saturday
On Saturday, we gave shots in Kumara Bommaraja Puram. It was about 30 minutes away. Don't look for it on Google maps because I doubt it is there.
We gave the shots in a school. It was a public school that had about 200 kids. They teach 3 languages: Hindi, English, and the Telagu. They go to school 6 days a week and the teachers make about $275 per month. The kids were excited to practice their English on us. The rooms were basic, and of course they had outdoor toilets. They also had an outdoor kitchen and classroom.
On Saturday night we had an event with the Good Shepherd kids. We gave them the gifts that we brought. Each child also received a set of clothes from us. (The clothes are not ready-made. Everyone over here buys fabric at the textile shop and then has a tailor make the clothes. I had 2 shirts made for me and I paid the tailor $4 total. I splurged on the fabric because it cost $6 total.) It was bittersweet watching the kids get their stuff. They were excited to get these trinkets. Hair ribbons. Pens. Calculators. Markers. I felt guilty thinking about all of that stuff I have just thrown away at home. We are lucky.
On a final note, I saw something truly amazing on the back of a motorcycle today. Me.
We gave the shots in a school. It was a public school that had about 200 kids. They teach 3 languages: Hindi, English, and the Telagu. They go to school 6 days a week and the teachers make about $275 per month. The kids were excited to practice their English on us. The rooms were basic, and of course they had outdoor toilets. They also had an outdoor kitchen and classroom.
On Saturday night we had an event with the Good Shepherd kids. We gave them the gifts that we brought. Each child also received a set of clothes from us. (The clothes are not ready-made. Everyone over here buys fabric at the textile shop and then has a tailor make the clothes. I had 2 shirts made for me and I paid the tailor $4 total. I splurged on the fabric because it cost $6 total.) It was bittersweet watching the kids get their stuff. They were excited to get these trinkets. Hair ribbons. Pens. Calculators. Markers. I felt guilty thinking about all of that stuff I have just thrown away at home. We are lucky.
On a final note, I saw something truly amazing on the back of a motorcycle today. Me.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday is in the books
Today we traveled to Nadhaluru. It took us 2 hours each way. It has a population of about 50,000, but it was hard to tell.
These folks really like their bands. When we arrived, we stopped to stretch. A band of 6 drummers was there. They led us on a small parade that ended where we gave the shots.
We gave about 60 shots. Several hundred people received medical supplies. There are rumors that the shots are dangerous, so some parents will not allow their child to get them.
Yesterday, we went to a Hindu temple. Legend has it that at that temple if you shave your head and offer the hair to the gods, you will be granted a wish.
Now I have to figure out what to do with my wish. Random notes:
1. We really stick out over here.
2. Today I saw a big wooden T on the back of a motorcycle. Hanging from it were about 20 dead chickens. Another guy had a couch on the back of his motorcycle. I guess it was moving day.
3. Every time I breach an Indian custom I just tell them that I am from KU.
Talk to you later.
These folks really like their bands. When we arrived, we stopped to stretch. A band of 6 drummers was there. They led us on a small parade that ended where we gave the shots.
We gave about 60 shots. Several hundred people received medical supplies. There are rumors that the shots are dangerous, so some parents will not allow their child to get them.
Yesterday, we went to a Hindu temple. Legend has it that at that temple if you shave your head and offer the hair to the gods, you will be granted a wish.
Now I have to figure out what to do with my wish. Random notes:
1. We really stick out over here.
2. Today I saw a big wooden T on the back of a motorcycle. Hanging from it were about 20 dead chickens. Another guy had a couch on the back of his motorcycle. I guess it was moving day.
3. Every time I breach an Indian custom I just tell them that I am from KU.
Talk to you later.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday
It is Wednesday night. Today due to a holiday we did not have a medical camp. Instead, we went to tour a second Good Shepherd orphanage in Kollodam. It was about 70 kilometers away.
I have a new game for all of you to play from home called "Guess what was on the motorcycle!" There are a lot of bikes on the road here. Against all laws of physics, they are not limited to one person. It is common to see multiple people on a bike. Women ride side-saddle. No one, and I mean no one, wears a helmet. They are not big Harley Davidson-type bikes. Instead, they are pretty small.
Today, I saw a family of four on a bike. Dad was driving, the two kids were in the middle, and Mom was side saddle on the back. I also saw this gem: Dad was driving and a young child was in front laying down sleeping on the gas tank. The kicker is that the Dad also had his cell phone out. There have been some chickens on bikes too.
We also see a lot of motorized rickshaws. They have a motorcycle front and two bench seats in back. They are enclosed and a little bigger than a golf cart. Twice I saw them today with about a dozen people packed inside.
The kids at the orphanage danced for us this afternoon. The problem is that they asked us to also dance for them. It was not pretty.
Yesterday there was a cloud that covered the blazing sun briefly. For just a few minutes, I think the temperature dropped to 84. Brrrrrrrrr.
I have a new game for all of you to play from home called "Guess what was on the motorcycle!" There are a lot of bikes on the road here. Against all laws of physics, they are not limited to one person. It is common to see multiple people on a bike. Women ride side-saddle. No one, and I mean no one, wears a helmet. They are not big Harley Davidson-type bikes. Instead, they are pretty small.
Today, I saw a family of four on a bike. Dad was driving, the two kids were in the middle, and Mom was side saddle on the back. I also saw this gem: Dad was driving and a young child was in front laying down sleeping on the gas tank. The kicker is that the Dad also had his cell phone out. There have been some chickens on bikes too.
We also see a lot of motorized rickshaws. They have a motorcycle front and two bench seats in back. They are enclosed and a little bigger than a golf cart. Twice I saw them today with about a dozen people packed inside.
The kids at the orphanage danced for us this afternoon. The problem is that they asked us to also dance for them. It was not pretty.
Yesterday there was a cloud that covered the blazing sun briefly. For just a few minutes, I think the temperature dropped to 84. Brrrrrrrrr.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday
It is now Tuesday night. This morning we went to a village called Kassamita. It was only about a 10 minute drive from Puttur, but it made Puttur look like New York. They guess that the population of Kassamita is around 1,000.
On the medical side, we gave out over 50 shots. The camp itself provided medicine to over 200 people. The people in the village make bricks for a living. Very primitive. For a 12-16 hour day, they make less than one American dollar.
While the camp was going on, I got to tour their village. No electricity. Sewer ditches. Mud and brick single-room structures. Each place had a hole dug in their yard about 3 feet deep. A pipe carrying water came out of the hole about 2 feet down. 3 days a week water came out of the pipe for people to use.
Because they were so poor, there was a great demand for our medicines. Imagine if you only made $1 per day! I am struck by these parents that bring their children in. Despite such poverty, they have great smiles of thanksgiving. Like any other parent, they are so proud of their children. It is interesting to see that they have some of the same basic parenting mannerisms that we do. It is tough to explain, but I probably don't act a lot different when I introduce my own child to someone else.
On the way back, I saw a motorcycle where the driver was carrying 3 Indian rugs. They appeared to be wrapped around cardboard and strapped to his bike. (I take it that they don’t have OSHA here.) Because they were rigid, the rugs probably extended about 4 feet on each side of his bike. He was only on a motorcycle, but he was wider than our van! Anyway, thanks for reading. I am having a blast!
On the medical side, we gave out over 50 shots. The camp itself provided medicine to over 200 people. The people in the village make bricks for a living. Very primitive. For a 12-16 hour day, they make less than one American dollar.
While the camp was going on, I got to tour their village. No electricity. Sewer ditches. Mud and brick single-room structures. Each place had a hole dug in their yard about 3 feet deep. A pipe carrying water came out of the hole about 2 feet down. 3 days a week water came out of the pipe for people to use.
Because they were so poor, there was a great demand for our medicines. Imagine if you only made $1 per day! I am struck by these parents that bring their children in. Despite such poverty, they have great smiles of thanksgiving. Like any other parent, they are so proud of their children. It is interesting to see that they have some of the same basic parenting mannerisms that we do. It is tough to explain, but I probably don't act a lot different when I introduce my own child to someone else.
On the way back, I saw a motorcycle where the driver was carrying 3 Indian rugs. They appeared to be wrapped around cardboard and strapped to his bike. (I take it that they don’t have OSHA here.) Because they were rigid, the rugs probably extended about 4 feet on each side of his bike. He was only on a motorcycle, but he was wider than our van! Anyway, thanks for reading. I am having a blast!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Medical Camp
On Monday we held our first medical camp. Since we just arrived, this camp was held at the actual mission where we are staying. Good Shepherd Mission built a small hospital that is on the grounds. It is only about 6 years old. Needless to say, it is nothing like you would expect at home. There was a room for eye exams, dentistry, ob, and surgery. No private rooms for recovery, just a single large room with about ten beds.
They are very proud of this facility. Although it differs significantly from Western standards, it is very advanced for the village of Puttur. It offers free basic care to many that would otherwise go without. I took some pictures to share on my return.
We took the funds that we raised and gave them to a gentleman named Brother Henry. He founded and currently runs Good Shepherd. Brother Henry used that money to purchase vaccines and other medicines for our camps. The money literally purchased boxes and boxes and boxes of supplies that will be used over the next few weeks. Because it was purchased here, we were able to get a lot more for our money. (Trust me, we got a bang for our buck. Walgreens has nothing on us.)
In any event, we gave over 60 kids a hepatitis vaccine. This only took a few hours. The kids cried and squirmed, but their parents were grateful. We are going to a village tomorrow that is about 8km away to do the same.
As I send this, it is about 5:00 am on Tuesday here. I am awake for two reasons: First of all, jetlag. Secondly, they fired up some loudspeakers in the village about 20 minutes ago. They started out with some fancy music. Now a gentleman is giving what I believe to be a Hindu prayer. (Obviously, I do not know because I don't speak the language .) No joke, this is loud. I am smiling right now because I thought for a short moment it was over. However, we have returned to the fancy music.
Thanks for reading. More later.
They are very proud of this facility. Although it differs significantly from Western standards, it is very advanced for the village of Puttur. It offers free basic care to many that would otherwise go without. I took some pictures to share on my return.
We took the funds that we raised and gave them to a gentleman named Brother Henry. He founded and currently runs Good Shepherd. Brother Henry used that money to purchase vaccines and other medicines for our camps. The money literally purchased boxes and boxes and boxes of supplies that will be used over the next few weeks. Because it was purchased here, we were able to get a lot more for our money. (Trust me, we got a bang for our buck. Walgreens has nothing on us.)
In any event, we gave over 60 kids a hepatitis vaccine. This only took a few hours. The kids cried and squirmed, but their parents were grateful. We are going to a village tomorrow that is about 8km away to do the same.
As I send this, it is about 5:00 am on Tuesday here. I am awake for two reasons: First of all, jetlag. Secondly, they fired up some loudspeakers in the village about 20 minutes ago. They started out with some fancy music. Now a gentleman is giving what I believe to be a Hindu prayer. (Obviously, I do not know because I don't speak the language .) No joke, this is loud. I am smiling right now because I thought for a short moment it was over. However, we have returned to the fancy music.
Thanks for reading. More later.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Arrival at Good Shepherd
Our actual arrival at the mission itself was like something out of a movie. First of all, you have to keep in mind that it is 5:30 in the morning. It is dark. When we pull into the drive, they have the place lit up with Christmas lights. There is about a 7 piece uniformed band that begins to play LOUD. They have us all get out of the vans to see the band up close.
After a few songs, we were ushered around a corner (with the band). There, we met a truly beautiful sight. The boys were all lined up on the right and the girls were all lined up on the left. They each held a candle as we walked down the middle between them. In total, there were about 60 kids from the orphanage that were up that late to greet us!
We followed the band to our room. The kids fell in behind us. It was quite an impressive welcome to Good Shepherd.
P.S. The cell connection is pretty slow, so it makes it tough to send pictures successfully right now.
After a few songs, we were ushered around a corner (with the band). There, we met a truly beautiful sight. The boys were all lined up on the right and the girls were all lined up on the left. They each held a candle as we walked down the middle between them. In total, there were about 60 kids from the orphanage that were up that late to greet us!
We followed the band to our room. The kids fell in behind us. It was quite an impressive welcome to Good Shepherd.
P.S. The cell connection is pretty slow, so it makes it tough to send pictures successfully right now.
Arrival
We arrived safely last night in Chenni last night. The plane landed about 1:30 am local time. It was interesting to note that there were no visitors allowed in the airport. If you want to pick someone up, you have to wait outside.
Workers from Good Shepherd Mission picked us up in 2 large van-type vehicles. They were very gracious, with flowers for us on arrival.
The trip from the airport to the Puttur was about 60-70 miles. It took us a little over 2 hours. Every rumor that you have heard about Indian driving is hereby confirmed. The roads were narrow. The dividing line was merely a suggestion - use either lane at any time. The horn as used regularly to warn others.
There were a lot of obstacles during the drive. The roads have a lot of potholes which require you to slow down all the time. There are a lot of pedestrians that walk right along the side of the road / highway (along with bicyclists). However, the topper has to be the livestock. Cows and pigs just sitting in the road waiting for you to drive around them.More about our arrival later.
Workers from Good Shepherd Mission picked us up in 2 large van-type vehicles. They were very gracious, with flowers for us on arrival.
The trip from the airport to the Puttur was about 60-70 miles. It took us a little over 2 hours. Every rumor that you have heard about Indian driving is hereby confirmed. The roads were narrow. The dividing line was merely a suggestion - use either lane at any time. The horn as used regularly to warn others.
There were a lot of obstacles during the drive. The roads have a lot of potholes which require you to slow down all the time. There are a lot of pedestrians that walk right along the side of the road / highway (along with bicyclists). However, the topper has to be the livestock. Cows and pigs just sitting in the road waiting for you to drive around them.More about our arrival later.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Introduction
Thanks for visiting my blog. Needless to say, I am excited about heading off to India this Saturday. A number of you have been kind enough to ask questions about the mission trip. I thought that this blog could help provide some answers. Additionally, I am told that I will be able to use my iphone upon arrival. If that works (I am skeptical), then I will be able to provide some updates and photos during the trip! Now for the specifics:
Where are you going? If you look at the lower portion of the map above, you will see the city of Chennai. It is located on the east coast, just above Sri Lanka. Chennai is the major city where our plane will land. From there, we are taking a bus to the village of Puttur. It looks to be about 60 miles to the northwest.Puttur will be our home for two weeks. That is where we will be hosting medical camps, sleeping and eating. However, we will also be hosting medical camps in neighboring villages.
Where are you staying? We are staying at a place called Good Shepherd Mission. It is a christian-based orphanage that coordinates a lot of medical, educational, religious needs for the poverty stricken people in that region.
What will you be doing? Primarily, we will be providing immunization shots and medical supplies to those in need. (I know that you are telling yourself, "Chad doesn't know anything about giving shots!" Don't worry, I'll let the others handle that task.) We are taking 12 suitcases full of medical supplies with us. These supplies include everything from eyedrops to bandages to toothpaste. We will be handing these out at the daily clinics. In addition, we raised funds prior to the trip. We will be taking these funds with us to purchase additional medical supplies once we arrive.
Who are you going with? There are 12 of us that are going on this mission trip. Primarily, we are from Wyatt Park Christian Church. There are a few from Grace Evangelical Church. Wyatt Park generally sends two groups a year on this trip to the Good Shepherd Mission in Puttur. (Julie isn't going along. She is doing the real work of keeping up with Carson and Ava at home.)
How long will you be gone? How long does it take to get there? We will be gone for two weeks. The total travel time is about 24 hours each way.
What is the time change? There is an 11.5 hour time difference between Puttur and Missouri. To make it easy, all you really have to do is switch the a.m./p.m. If it is 10:00 a.m. in Missouri, it is 9:30 p.m. in Puttur.
In conclusion, I am really looking forward to this trip. Keep checking back, as I hope to have some updates on a semi-regular basis. (If you don't see any, then you know that the iphone idea didn't pan out.!)
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