Saturday, March 28, graduation

Sat., 28 March, Graduation. My turn to be sick. 1st time since divorce, >13yrs. On the verge of vomiting to boot. [clarification: If I had vomited, that would have been 1st time since divorce.] If you look at pics for this day, you will see that generally I don’t look too happy to be there. Fortunately, Jim was already scheduled to give main graduation message & he was over his symptoms although still tired. Again on leadership but this time from 2 Tim 2 & again good job. I gave “The Charge to the Graduates” from 2 Tim 3 – 4. Took a cue from Jim: On Fri as soon as he finished his session, he vacated room and lay down. Well, my participation in grad ceremony was not till late. So soon after start, I went to back room and lay down till during Jim’s message. This ceremony more special bec we had been teaching these young men all week. Felt more invested in them of course. Then afterward, they were the ones who served all those attending. They had formed quite an esprit de corps. Many pics all around. Jim & Dean more shopping after while Mike and I slept at Manoj house (checked out of hotel in a.m.). Evening drove to Samastipur—Manoj & Subodh’s parents live and pastor there. Arrived after dark. Dinner at parents’ home then “Hotel Sagar International.” By the time we experienced this hotel, we knew we had truly gotten away from the tourists’ beaten pathway. We were definitely away from where foreigners usually visit.

Not clear why they made me wear the red robe; but it was supposed to indicate the highest honor. :)

Did I mention I was sick?

Graduates stand to receive certificates (diplomas)

We gave each graduate a Hindi translation of "Haley's Bible Handbook." Did this in Jodhpur as well.

Even the overflow room was packed and people were standing in the hallways.

The "official" photo

Graduates served lunch to everyone after the ceremony.

DID I MENTION I WAS SICK?

ttfn

Friday, 27th, composting

While Jim and I were teaching in the leadership conference, Mike and Dean were preparing a different kind of lesson. Mike has a composting business here in Oregon. And we felt this would be a valuable concept to share with our Indian friends. So he and Dean prepared a demonstration that would teach the concept of composting.

While we took a brief break from the leadership conference, we invited everyone to walk to the Bible College building, which was only a few blocks away.

Mike explained the concept of composting.

We felt that, given the agricultural context of these people, the practice of composting would give excellent benefits.

Mike was finally "in his element."

They had a lot of follow up questions, which we took to indicate that they were not just being polite, but that they truly saw value in what he shared.

Mike and Dean had constructed a small fence out of bamboo sticks. They asked the people to gather ingredients in the proper order. These were piled inside the fence.

At first, Dean just listened. But he increasinly added his own contributions.

They worked very well as a team on this project. We just hope that at least 1 or 2 of the people put this into practice. If 1 person tries it, others will see the benefit. Then it will spread naturally.

I enjoy getting close-up shots when the subjects don't know the camera is on them....

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Friday, 27th, cont'd

Always behind the scenes there are workers who deserve more credit than they receive. Often we fail to give them any notice at all. But I took a few shots of the kitchen workers and they seemed to appreciate it very much.

She never stopped smiling after I took this pic!

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Friday, March 27, Leadership Conference

Fri, 27 March, Leaders Conference. Jim very sick; but took first shift & taught principles of leadership based on life of Joshua. Taught on this theme all week and always a good job. I took 2nd shift and continued series on Rev., this time on theme of the Altar. Mike and Dean used our teaching time to set up their demonstration of how to create a compost pile. Then during 3rd shift, they took the helm. Mike led at first; but as time went on Dean gave more input and became more involved. Afternoon rested while Jim and Dean shopped.

Kanchan Kumar, the "warden" of the Bible college students, led singing (see video) as people gathered. Typical of many societies, people gathered gradually through the first hour or so.



Jim was incredibly sick. But what a trooper! He hung in there and taught his session as scheduled. If you watch this video closely, you will see that he says something in English. Then while Subodh translates and writes on the whiteboard, Jim sits down to catch his breath. After he finished, he went to a back room and collapsed.




After a little break, it was my turn to teach/preach. It's hard to put a term on what our presentations were. It was kind of like teaching, because we were presenting information in a structured manner. But it was also like preaching, because we were exhorting and encouraging and challenging these leaders. I developed the theme of the Altar in the Book of Revelation. It is introduced in 6:9-11. Then it reappears a number of times as the book progresses. Consistently, when it appears, God directs some kind of retribution on those who would persecute his people. It really is a very encouraging series of images. On Wednesday I had talked about this same theme with the students. And I primed them with the question: "What is under the Altar?" The answer: "The martyrs!" I prepared them that I would ask the same question on Friday at the Leadership Conference. And when I asked the question, I wanted them to

respond emphatically with the correct answer. In the picture, you can see me drawing on the whiteboard. Probably can't tell what I'm drawing; but it is supposed to be the Altar. Sure enough, when I asked my question, all the students jumped to their feet and shouted, "The Martyrs!"

























Some of the group scenes and some of the individuals in attendance.
























By the time lunch break came, we had people in the overflow room.







On a lighter note, how about a few shots of some of the attendees eating their lunch. It is a real art to eat with one's fingers like this. At first they seemed rather embarrassed that I would come around where they are eating. But when they realized that I was not bothered, they sometimes actually posed for these shots so that I could share them with you. :)

It was a very busy day and there is much more to come from this day!

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Thursday, March 26 village visit

Evening, drove to village about 1 hour out of city, last 5 km were on gravel side road. Met with Pastor Shankar Singh and men from his church. Plus a few women sat in room behind. I preached and Dean gave testimony.

Pastor Shankar Singh with wife, daughter and son.

In true Indian fashion, I had virtually no interaction with wife and none with daughter. But their son could become an able translator as he moved smoothly between Hindi, or their local dialect and English. At the same time, I was impressed with Pastor Singh who clearly has a heart for God and knows how to disciple men from new believers to mature leaders.

Inside Pastor Singh's modest home.

I always feel like an intruder when I ask to take pictures of these homes. But I have sensed the people back home appreciate seeing how these servants of God (and other locals) live. So I force myself beyond my comfort zone--all for my appreciative audience!

In addition to the 2 rooms that comprise the house itself, they have a cooking and work in an open area behind the house. Here an "auntie" referred to simply as a servant poses in front of the area where (apparently) she lives with her husband (seen obliviously walking away).

The men who joined us were identified as lay pastors. So Pastor Singh has discipled them to lead at least some house church meetings.

Front of Pastor Singh's house where we had our gathering.

Women commonly sit separated from the men. Given the structure of the meeting area, these women sat in a room behind the raised porch.

Just for the record, this was NOT a sightseeing trip for me. I preached/taught about 15 times in 9 days.

Another view of the front of the house. The bushels tied and lying on the ground by the bikes are mustard plants that will be processed to produce mustard oil.

And now for some pics of individuals at the meeting. These people seemed to materialize from the vicinity when they saw that Americans were there and something was happening.

One of the lay pastors with his family.

On the way home, we could tell/suspected that we were following a different route. Suddenly we stopped, with no explanation of why. If I had refreshed my review of the week's agenda that Manoj gave me at the start I would have remembered. But I didn't do so. And therefore I left my camera in the vehicle as we walked through a gate and down a lane. We turned a corner. Then after another corner we saw a Buddhist shrine rising in front of us. Then I remembered: We were scheduled to stop at the site of the Buddha's final sermon. This is a peace shrine constructed after WWII.

It was already dark or virtually so by the time we arrived.

On each of the 4 sides of the shrine a different statue represents a different phase in the Buddha's life.

It had been a long and varied day--but very enjoyable. And definitely the visit to Pastor Singh's home and congregation made it worthwhile. What a genuine servant of God he seems to be!

ttfn