Dear Everyone,

We have not had access to internet in the last couple of days - so we have not been able to communicate any of our news!

Will start with Friday 21st:

A day of ministry at the Good Shepherd School in Velankanni:

Brett gave an awesome devotion to the staff at the school and then whilst our students were doing balloon sculpting with the students, Wendy and I ran a professional development session with the staff which focussed on aspects of Christian education and teaching pedagogy - particularly learning styles. It was a fun session of learning concepts through games - and the staff wanted more!

All of the students have at some stage given some type of small talk in front of the whole school as well as teaching their class. Today Christine and Emma talked about koalas and like how the koalas 'hold on tight' to the branches - we too need to hold on tight to God.

Our final assembly and good byes to the staff included a salvation message - relating it to Aussie Lifesavers/beach/swimming and how when you are in trouble in the surf, you need to put your hand up to be saved. After a fun reenactment of 'being saved by a lifesaver' we read Romans 10:9-13 and gave opportunity for the students to say a salvation prayer, so that they can be be saved and give their lives to Christ.

We presented every student and staff member of the school with a koala, certificates as well as other presents to the staff. We also gave the school one of the guitars we brought over (thanks to the 2 families who donated the guitars). We will give away the other guitar before we leave India.

After a sweaty day at school, we then travelled in a small bus (for 3 and 1/2 hours) to Tanjore, where we ate a quick dinner before jumping (literally) onto a train for a 7 hour trip to Dharmapuri.

Well what an experience on an Indian train. Just trying to get us all on the train in a few minutes was a challenge. We were given a couple of open bays where we could put our seats down and turn them into a bed with the supplied sheet and blanket.

Midst the journey a lady came up to us suffering from hives from the blanket on the train - bed bugs. As I am a walking medical kit, we were able to give her an antihistamine - which greatly helped her.

During the journey poor Wendy was rather ill. Having gastro on an Indian train will be something Wendy will always remember! When our train arrrived at Dharmapuri and we had to make a quick jump off the train with all our luggage, we had to get Wendy off, whilst she was vomitting (she doesn't mind me telling you).

Imagine the scene - 2:30am lugging our bags in the dark crossing a railway and having to jump down and cross the tracks of a train line, climbing back up onto the railway platform midst many sleeping bodies waiting for a train to ?? Most probably that is where some live.

We were then picked up in a school bus and our bags went in the ambulance to the Carmel Guest House, where we collapsed into bed for a few hours of sleep. Electricity mostly not working - so it was very hot an stifling. No showers, but just buckets of water to wash.

Saturday 22nd:

Travel to the Good Shepherd Hospital, where we were shown around the hospital and given a talk about the ministry there, which was mostly to AIDS patients. A couple of the workers (Counsellors) gave their testimonies in how they caught AIDS from their husbands, how their husbands died and then how their families rejected them. The Good Shepherd hospital took them in and ministerd to them physically, emotionally and spiritually and in their love and care, they became Christians.

I gave a message to the staff, we prayed for people and then we presented the Director with money raised by St Andrews Christian College.

A hot afternoon was spent at the Guest House and most of the students interacted with the orphans during the afternoon. On our departure, we presented the leaders with gifts and gave the Orphanage (which is part of the Guest House) money from St Andrews CC for all the orphans. We prefer to give gifts rather than money, but our time was short and giving the money publically helps the leaders to be accountable.

Then - an hour bus trip to catch our bus to Bangalore (another 3 hour trip)

Bus late- Indian time!

Our seats on the bus were taken by another couple. The Indian way is just to stand there and wait - Brett and I were finally seated!

Arrived at Bangalore around 10:30pm to be picked up by people from the OM Base in Bangalore to take us to our abode for the next 4 nights.

Luxury - electricity that operates longer hours and a sort of shower - for most anyway.

Sunday - Today:

After a breakfast of eggs and cornflakes and french toast (first non curry breakfast) we had a team devotion time.

Church on the base here was magnificent.

We sang a couple of songs; Christine and James shared what God was teaching them in India; Paul introduced the team and I shared a message and gave greetings from the St Anfrews CC.

The service had a wonderful message and inspirational sharing time from a couple of pastors who in their faith were being persecuted for their faith. Many of the Christians here in India are constantly being discriminated against because of their faith as well as severe persecution.

It was beautiful as we were able to pray for a couple of people after the service in our mingling.

Just had lunch of chapati, chicken, fried rice, mashed potato (a first here) and some veges (also been a rarity in our meals - mostly butter chicken or some other curry.

Off shopping and looking around the town this afternoon.

Blessings to you all.

Much love to our families and friends. Please keep the prayers going for good health. All well at the moment!

Catriona