TravelStream™ news feed for member julie1227 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/julie1227 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:41:12 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234180800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234180800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234180800/tpod.html Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:41:12 -0400 Countdown to Adventures in India

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London, England, United Kingdom

Our first flight to London is 8 hours, overnight. We were very fortunate that this first flight wasn't very full, so after takeoff Pam moved from my row into the middle. We each had three whole seats to ourselves to stretch out and attempt to sleep. We would be arriving in London at 7:00 am UK time on Sunday morning (which is 2:00 am Atlanta time, and 12:30 pm India time...confusing). Since we had a 7-hour layover and had to switch airports from Gatwick to Heathrow anyway, the group decided to do a quick tour of the city and see a few sights on the way.

We landed in London and got our bags too quickly, we were an hour early to meet our tour guide. But Jeff was there anyway with the bus, and loaded us up--no easy task considering there were 7 of us, each carrying at least two checked bags (one personal and one of either medical supplies or books for the school), plus at least one carry on per person. In total, I'd say we had about 25 bags.

It was cold in London, obviously, but at the airport there was no snow on the ground. We had been so worried the week before leaving after hearing about the massive snowstorms that had practically shut London down for a few days. Someone asked tour guide Jeff about the snow, and he replied, "You want snow? Just you wait!" as if here were really saying, "silly American, coming all the way to London and hoping only to see snow, you ain't seen nothing yet!" Sure enough, we drove a little further, and there were some beautiful rolling pastures just blanketed in the cold white stuff. We, like good little tourists, tried to take pictures of everything, but being in a moving vehicle it was hard to get a proper photo that really captured the image of what we were seeing. This would become a theme for most of our trip.

Jeff babbled on about London trivia, explaining how their airports are the busiest in the world (to be debated by us Atlantans), how they drive on the "right" side of the road (which of course is the left--having to do with ye olde days when you had to be ready to draw your sword from the correct side and fight at a moment's notice), and other chatter in his lovely British accent. It reminded me a lot of my first visit to England my sophomore year at LaGrange, studying the history of the English Bible. It had been my first trip out of the country and was neat to return 8 years later and recognize a lot of the facts and landmarks.

I think about all of the places I have seen over the years: England, Canada, Cancun, Fiji, Honduras, Bahamas, and how much joy each trip has brought me and how my understanding of God and the world has expanded with each new experience. I want to see as much of the world as I can and continue to open my horizons. I was talking to my friend Jeb a few years ago as he was preparing to spend a month touring Paris, Cambodia, and China. We agreed on how amazing traveling was and he felt it was ok to go into debt now and then if it meant he got to see the world.

Over the course of about 5 hours we drove around seeing everything--and I mean everything there is to see in London. I kept hoping to catch a glimpse of Fleet St. (which is ironic, since I was watching Sweeney Todd on the plane while writing this), until I remembered that Sweeney was filmed entirely on dressed sets and not actually in London. We did see Notting Hill and a church graveyard that was used in filming The Omen--not sure if Jeff meant the old or new.

We got a chance to hop out and take pictures at Parliament, Big Ben , Westminster Abbey, The London Eye, some protestors on strike for Gaza, etc. I also saw the Methodist Central Hall. Traveling as the solo Methodist on this trip with a bunch of Disciples of Christ made me very proud of my UM knowledge, and soon I would be quoting Wesley to them during devotionals: "the world is my parish!". We also pulled over for photo ops at St. Paul's Cathedral--wishing, since it was Sunday, that we could join them inside for services . We went to Buckingham palace and watched the Beefeaters march around, drove over the London Bridge, saw the "wibbly wobbly" footbridge, and over the Tower Bridge. We saw a griffin monument that was said to have inspired J.K. Rowling's naming of Griffindor House.

As we made our way to the next airport I could barely stay awake on the bus. Everyone else was following my lead with bobbing heads and drowning out Jeff's commentary. We made it through security, grabbed a meal at the Giraffe cafe, and waited for our flight to Delhi.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234173300/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234173300/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234173300/tpod.html Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:51:33 -0400 Countdown to Adventures in India

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Delhi, India

When we arrived in London we went through customs security. It was my turn in line, and a lovely British woman looked at my form and asked me questions. My heart started pounding a little harder as I spit out the words as quickly as I could. The questions were simple enough-- "are you traveling by yourself or in a group?", "how long are you staying in India?". I heard the woman in the booth next to me yelling at her guest and telling her not to get defensive, to answer the questions honestly, and not to be rude. The woman being questioned was Korean and very tense, not wanting to reveal anything in her answers.

My thoughts were wandering to my Board of Ordained Ministry interviews a few years ago, and remembering that the most important thing to do was stay calm and answer their questions fully and honestly. However, every question they posed made you wonder, "is this a trick?".

My British questioner wanted one more answer. "Are you visiting on holiday?" Recalling my disaster with my first visa application, I practically shouted at her "YES!" I wasn't even going to think the "M" word. She wished me a lovely day and sent me on my way. I breathed a sigh of relief and continued on toward the next step toward our flight.

When we went through customs in Delhi, it was a whole different experience. My questioner was a serious looking Indian man who took my passport and form without a word. I was prepared to answer anything this time, calmly and collectively. This was my last obstacle at getting into the country and actually proceeding on with this trip. I looked at the man anticipating what would come from his lips...not a word. He handed back my documents with a new stamp...and I was in! This trip was actually going to happen.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1233655200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1233655200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1233655200/tpod.html Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:42:18 -0500 Countdown to Adventures in India

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Covington, Georgia, United States

With only 4 days to go, I figured it's time to start
thinking about packing. Anyone who knows
me at all realizes that this is exactly 4 days ahead of my typical
procrastinator's timeline (most trips I am cramming stuff in a suitcase the
morning of departure). But with an extra
6 weeks to prepare for this trip, I figure I am right on schedule.

So before our supposed December trip I was given a suitcase
of supplies that I was asked to transport over.
Typically on an international mission trip (spoken like a true veteran
who has done international mission exactly 1 time before) you take 3 bags...your
own suitcase, your carry-on, and an extra bag of supplies. After I agreed to lug this big suitcase
around, which I will appropriately name "The Jolly Green Giant" (it's huge,
packed to the bursting seams, and of course, my favorite color, green); I toted
it home and threw it in the least used room of my house, the dining room. A week or so later I thought it would be good
to know what was in Jolly Green in case any airport official asked if I had
packed the suitcase myself, I wanted to be able to fake an almost honest
"yes". So I opened it up, halfway torn
zipper and all, and hidden cleverly beneath a pile of old swim warm-ups, the
entire contents consisted of dozens of sharp scalpels, needle syringes, and
various other bandages, wraps, etc. So
my first thought is, "how on earth am I supposed to walk into our Atlanta
airport with a bag full of weapons and expect to get through security?" I call a fellow church member who just
happens to work at the airport and ask if I can get away with this...he assures
me as long as I declare what's inside and check the bag; I can take any gun,
knife, sword, weapon, or other sharp object I want. That knowledge is overwhelmingly reassuring
(*sarcasm*). So I suppose I'll take
Jolly Green and all the surgical supplies.
After hearing that some others are now packing a chainsaw, I feel a
little better about my band aides and scalpels.

This morning I started spraying my suitcase, scrubs, sleep
sack and socks (say that 5 times fast) with the permethrin spray from REI. We were told to spray everything down to
protect against bed bugs (yes, they really do exist) and keep the mosquitoes at
bay. So I was out in my driveway this
morning drenching each item. To look at
me you'd think I was heading to the farthest reaches of the deepest jungle...which
may not be too far off-especially during the tiger safari. With all the shots I've had, all the bug away
spray I'm sure the whole group is bringing, we should be protected against just
about anything. At least anything I can
imagine...

The latest news I've heard is that there is snow in London. Tons of snow.
Enough snow and ice to practically shut down the city and the heaviest
storm they have seen in over 18 years.
So that makes it fun, because we are supposed to be going straight
through there to switch airports, and supposedly do a quickie tour bus ride to
see the sights. Maybe it will be
beautiful and winter wonderlandish. I
just hope the traffic doesn't cause us to miss our flight to Delhi. There have been so many obstacles to this
trip already, and we are so close! I
just want to get there!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234002600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234002600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234002600/tpod.html Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:55:54 -0500 Countdown to Adventures in India

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Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Today is the day! Erik and Lindsey just dropped me off at the airport, after my last American meal for awhile (Ruby Tuesday--yumm!). They hugged me goodbye after making sure I had all my stuff, and left me along with anything familiar from my life. I stood around with my new family for the next two weeks...Landa--the trip planner and Disciples pastor, Janice--her mother and retired school teacher, Dale--computer expert, Chris--science expert, Barbara--Disciples assistant to the pastor, and Pam--paralegal and karaoke singer extraordinaire. I'm a little nervous about traveling with a group of people I don't really know. Whenever I have traveled before I have had a good friend along for the adventure. It's nice to have someone familiar to experience things with and share the memories and inside jokes with after you return. But I am determined to experience this adventure to India and gain as much as I can from it. I met my current travel companions at a dinner at Landa's two weeks ago, but didn't really get a chance to learn much about anybody. I guess by the end of two weeks of travel we'll all be much closer.

My emotions have been all over the map these past few days getting ready and preparing mentally for this trip. There is always the last minute stress of getting it all together and leaving it all behind. But now I can finally breathe because--for better or worse--my daily responsibilities are now behind me for two whole weeks.

I have also been overly joyful and relieved to learn of the birth of my baby niece just yesterday--February 6th at 2:55 pm. She shares my friend Sara Beth's birthday. She was born at home and everything went smoothly. At a healthy weight of 9 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 3/4 inches long, she's a big girl. I'm still waiting to hear her name, but already I feel like a proud Aunt.

This morning I got pictures of the little princess, and fell in love with her instantly. It seems so strange that you can have such a strong emotional tie to someone you have never laid eyes on and who only recently came into this world. Already I am anxious to get home and meet her face to face.

At this point in the journey I can hardly believe that I am actually on my way to London, then India. With all the craziness that has preceded this day, I am just so grateful that this adventure is finally happening. Sitting at gate E 14, waiting for our 6:25 pm flight, I finally felt that sense of calm and peace wash over me. Even surrounded by a group of near strangers who are quickly becoming my travel buddies, I can feel nothing but a release--of tension, anxiety, fear and any other troubling thought. All the preparations, disappointments, or stresses leading up to this were all worth it. I am at peace, and although I know with this trip will come exhaustion, frustration, overwhelming conflicting emotions, but I still feel that it will also serve as a spiritual retreat where I can rest from my typical duties and take in a renewed spirit, the presence of God, and the world with a whole new sight.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1235179920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1235179920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1235179920/tpod.html Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:02:01 -0500 Countdown to Adventures in India

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Mungeli, India

My physical presence is back at home but my mind is still in Mungeli. I was not ready to leave on Thursday when we packed our bags and started the (not kidding) 40 hour journey back home, including one 3 hour ambulance ride, 3 different flights (2 1/2 hours, 9 1/2, and 8 1/2), another bus ride in London, etc. My heart is heavy as I think of all that I have left behind, all the experiences I no longer get to see, all the time that we did not get to make a bigger impact--on them and on ourselves. Two weeks was just not enough time. We barely scratched the surface of all we wanted to do and experience. However, I will say that every 15 minutes was a new experience. There was no routine and we were constantly amazed at meeting new people, seeing incredible things, and having our idea of God and love expand and grow and explode all boundaries. I am sure that it will take a couple of days or weeks, or more to fully sink in as I remember conversations, surgeries, patients, students, and the sights, sounds, and smells. But for now, I have not been in a bed in over 3 days, so I am going to head that way now. I promise I will post more back stories soon from what I have been journaling all along. Just wanted you to know I am safe and healthy and back in the states. My heart is still in India, and it may take awhile before for it to come back here with me. I know that a part of it will always stay there with the Henry's, nurses, patients, friends, and more. I hope to return soon, and perhaps take some of you, so you too can hear the call from God and experience what it means to "come and see" God working in and through these people. Thanks for following along with the blogs and for all the prayers.
Peace.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234800180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234800180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1234800180/tpod.html Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:31:46 -0500 Countdown to Adventures in India

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Mungeli, India

I hope this reaches you all. I am working on a computer that needs to be replaced and internet that has been fairly sick since we arrived. But...WOW! This trip has been so incredible words and pictures will not even begin to scratch the surface of what all we have seen and done and felt. I still can't believe it is all real. The Taj Mahal looks exactly like the pictures. We rode a rickshaw in Old Delhi, visited Gandhi's grave and museum. I LOVE the food! Anyone who knows me and knows how picky I am should be amazed at that statement. Our first 10 minutes at the hospital we were in the OT (operating theater, not Old Testament for all my pastor friends). I saw a huge 8 pound tumor removed from an 18 year old girl, a hysterectomy, and that was just day one. We saw a tiger and rode an elephant. This morning I got a video of our second c-section. I tried to teach kindergardener's how to say their name and age, and a few other parts of the body (head, shoulders, knees and toes anyone?) in English. When Anil said to "come and see" he really meant it. We have seen so much. It is difficult to keep up with the good doctor, but well worth it. I will write tons more later, but so far it has been wonderful. My feelings really haven't quite caught up to me yet. I know once I get home and have time to process it all, it will catch up to me. Last night I had a late night philosophizing session with the Denmark doctors Tonya and Habib, Dr Ash, and Kyle. It is truly amazing what you can learn about one another and about each other's beliefs and theologies when you are willing to let your guard down. Oh, I am preaching a homily tomorrow in chapel, and it will be translated in Hindi. Who knows what else is in store? It is really a new experience every 15 minutes. Check out the website www.gadisciples/mungeli.com for updates that Landa is texting from her phone every day. And, this morning I found out my niece's name--Charlotte Lillian Schendel. I can't wait to meet her when I get home! I miss you all and hope things are going well back in GA. I will bore you all to tears with the hours of stories I have left to tell. I am determined to get Covington involved and bring them back soon. I know this blog is scattered and all over the place, but it is representative of how my mind is working right now, and how this trip has been all along. Chris summed it up best the other night at the Hindi wedding reception we attended. We tried an interesting treat that is popular on occaision here, all kinds of spices and God knows what else wrapped up in a leave and sealed with a clove. You pop the whole thing into your mouth and chew, for quite awhile. When asked what it tasted like, he could only respond, "it tastes like our last week in India, all wrapped up into these new flavors, like nothing I've ever tasted before". So I'll tell you what it was called and sum up my entire India experience in one word--paan.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1231897320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1231897320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1231897320/tpod.html Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:34:23 -0500 Countdown to Adventures in India

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Covington, Georgia, United States

So the trip is back on. New dates are February 7th-21st
2009. New faces will be my travel buddies. I'll be meeting
them Saturday night as we have a "reunion" dinner to welcome back the
first Pilgrimage and hear about their adventures, and as the next crew
of Pilgrims prepare for their journey. To explain the confusion
to my congregation, I wrote the following article to explain the new
plan of action and seeking to find God in all of this chaos and plan
changing. Here is goes...

God works in mysterious ways. There are so many things happening around
our world that don't seem to make a lot of sense, and the more we try to figure
them out, the more confused we often become. My first year in seminary, when talking
about the complex and immeasurable nature of God, our professors taught us that
sometimes the only appropriate answer is, "It's a mystery!" I
have been wading through several mysteries over the past few months,
several directly related to India, mission trips, and fear. As
many of you know, there has been a lot of confusion and change of plans
regarding several members of our congregation participating
in a mission trip to Mungeli, India. Originally Courtney and Lindsey were signed up

and ready to go, and then Courtney had a change of plans when she found out she

was expecting her first child. Then I signed up to join Lindsey, and both of us were extremely
disappointed when we were unable to attain a visa in time for the December
trip. Our visa applications had us tagged as "missionaries", which
we quickly learned was not a good thing. After five weeks of not being
approved, we pulled our applications and canceled our flights. Several
people had explanations for why we had to cancel our trip...it wasn't meant to be, God had
a different plan for us, something would happen in GA we would be needed for,
it wasn't safe, etc. The remainder of the first pilgrimage went ahead
without us, had some amazing experiences, and returned home safely. Why Lindsey and I could
not be a part of that, we'll never truly know. It's a mystery.

A few days later, I filled out a new visa application, emphasizing my
interest in entering the country as a "tourist". Two days later,
I was approved for a visa. Simple as that. It's amazing
what one little word can do, and what a significant difference it can
make. So my new plan is to join the second pilgrimage in the same
itinerary during the weeks of February 7th through 20th.
Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, Lindsey cannot join
me. It would have been easy to forget the whole thing after the
difficulties thus far, but something within me kept the desire strong
and the call to "come and see" just as clear. Some people say
"nothing worth doing is ever easy". So I imagine this trip, after
all the emotion, planning, re-planning, and work, will be well worth
it. I cannot truly say what makes the pull so strong to continue
with these plans. After a short time of learning about these
people and the ministry that is taking place in Mungeli, I find myself
already connected, and wanting to experience firsthand the story they
have to tell. I want to go and witness how God is at work in that
place. I cannot explain the draw. It must be a mystery.

Along this journey I have had several people express to me their fears and
concerns about the trip, at every stage of the way. Many feared for my
safety when they first heard I was going. It was very unfortunate timing
that tragedy struck Mumbai only a week after I decided to go on this
trip. It was very unfortunate that tragedy struck Mumbai at any
time. Several expressed relief when they heard my first
trip was canceled. I cannot say how much that care and concern is appreciated. To feel so loved that
so many would worry and fear for me, it speaks volumes. However, I must
say that fear and worry without action do not do any good. God tells us
not to worry, for if God will care for the lilies of the field and the birds of
the air, how much more God will care for us (Matt. 6:25-34). God is with us to keep fire from burning
us, to keep water from overwhelming us (Isaiah 43:1-3). I do not want you
to fear. I do not want you to worry. I do want you to pray. I
personally do not have any fear for my safety while I travel. I expect
there to be exhaustion and frustration, I expect a few minor things to go
wrong. But overall, I do not worry, I do not fear. I cannot say
where this assurance comes from. It must be a mystery. It must be God.

So over the next month or so, as I prepare yet again
for this trip, and as I travel to the other side of the globe to experience
great mysteries and serve where I have been called, join me in allowing the
mystery to wash over us and envelop us in its greatness. Join me in
allowing God to be God, and allowing God to reveal what we need to know, and to
veil what we do not. After all, life is filled with mystery. And life
is filled with God.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1230472380/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1230472380/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1230472380/tpod.html Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:41:47 -0500 Countdown to Adventures in India

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Covington, Georgia, United States

So at this point I should have been flying somewhere over Europe
or so. However, it has been a long and disappointing road that
led me to still be here in the States today. Lindsey and I
applied for our visas over a month ago, hearing that the processing and
shipping time should only take 5 days total. So we fill out our
applications and mail them in, assuming all is well. Two weeks
later, still no word. Then Lindsey hears that her app has been
tagged, since she mentioned the word "mission trip" as her purpose of
visit. They needed more information. A week later, I get a
call. My app has also been tagged. I used that magical
"mission" word as well. We contacted Dr. Anil Henry at the
Mungeli Hospital, and he wrote a letter about her, Tadd, and me (since
we all mailed in our apps together). We assume that letter will
be enough information, making our visit sound as far from an actual
mission trip as possible. We assume we'll hear something any day
after that. A few more weeks go by. The trip is
getting closer and closer. 11 days before we leave, I call the Travisa
place in Texas, where we mailed our passports (that's right, I stuck my
passport in the mail to Texas into some stranger's hands...because that
is what I was told to do), and they said that once you have been tagged
as a missionary, it could take 6 months or more to
get approved, if at all. 6 months. That we did not have.

Lindsey and I start to panic, just a little. We get on the phone with our
state senators and friends who have friends in high places, we check
out other possibilities that will give us any kind of option, but
mostly all we can do is hope, and pray. Silly us for telling the
truth about what we were going to do. Somehow the other 5 in our
group instinctively knew to put "tourist" or "visiting" as their
purpose of trip. How we were left out of the loop, I'll never
know. It also did not help that we also mailed our applications
in the same day all the terrorist tragedy hit the news. Bad
timing. It probably also did not help that my occupation is
listed as pastor. Again, I have this bad habit of telling the
truth. It's not like I planned on wearing any Christian t-shirts
or trying to baptize everyone I met in the Ganges River. Even I
know better than that. But alas, once we were tagged as
missionaries, there was really nothing we could do except wait. And
wait we did.At one point we got hopeful. I was starting to call the Texas representatives
every day to ask them to check on my passport status. The Tuesday before
Christmas they said the Indian Consulate was trying to get as many visas
finished as possible before the holiday, and there was a chance mine could
arrive at 5:30 that night. I got hopeful. A little. Then I realized that 5:30 Texas
time was actually about 7:30 or so my time. So I distracted myself with a good
friend and a funny movie that night (Bolt--hilarious. Love the hamster!) and
checked online around 9:00 that night. No such luck. That left the next day,
Wednesday, Christmas Eve, as our last possible chance at getting
approved in time for it to be mailed back to us before our flight
left. After the 5:00 Christmas Eve service, everyone wished me a safe trip
and lots of luck. I had begun letting some people know that it
might not happen. Just before the 9:00 service, I checked
online. No visa. Our deadline had ended.

Christmas day was a little depressing, as the full reality of this much
anticipated and much hoped for trip had been put to an end. It
was at least a blessing to have a few days off to spend with family and
friends, and not have to face work for a little while, trying to
explain. Friday morning Lindsey and I canceled our flights. We
would both be losing money. Lindsey unfortunately could not get
her ticket refunded. We're still fighting that. Mine was
refundable except for a $300 fine. While it sounds like a lot, I
was grateful it was such a small percentage of the total.

So it is incredibly frustrating and disappointing. There is another
group going in February. There is an option to join that crew and
try to make it all work out. However, after being tagged as a
missionary, there is no teling if I reapply as a tourist, if I would
get approved right away, or if my name has been red flagged as a
missionary forever. It would cost another $95 just to reapply,
with the possibility that I'll just get turned down again. Is it
worth it? It's a gamble. I guess time will tell.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1229965680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1229965680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1229965680/tpod.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:24:04 -0500 Countdown to Adventures in India

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Covington, Georgia, United States

These past few weeks have been quite an emotional roller coaster.
I have been checking things off my list to get done, and also receiving
quite a few surprises along the way. Lindsey and I both got all
of our vaccines. Between the two of us we have had: Hep A &
B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Flu, Polio (adult booster), and a prescription for
Malaria. The polio required a second visit to the health
clinic. On our first trip, we were told that polio was
practically non-existent, it wasn't really necessary for us to be
vaccinated, and within a few years polio would be completely wiped away
from the world. A week or so later, I hear all these horror
stories about how there has been a fresh outbreak of polio within the
past year in...that's right, India. Families are refusing to get
their kids vaccinated because they are being told that they are
overmedicating their children, etc. So, back to the clinic we go,
and one more sharp jab in the arm. But now we're good for
life.

We should be pretty much good to go anywhere without any big bad virus
attacking us. However, I must say that this is the second time
I've been given a Rx for malaria, and I feel a strange twinge of mixed
gratitude and guilt. To think that we can simply get a pill, and
only for about $4, that will keep us from getting malaria, when
thousands of children and families all over the world die every day of
this terrible disease. I'm making it a vow to order a mosquito
bed net to send to a family in Africa every time I get a prescription
for myself. You can join me in fighting off these pesky little
bloodsuckers by donating to Nothing But Nets at
http://www.nothingbutnets.net/. $10 will buy a net, deliver, and
teach the family how to use it. One net will protect a family of
four for up to four years. You can't beat that.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1229543820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1229543820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/julie1227/1/1229543820/tpod.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:22:28 -0500 Countdown to Adventures in India

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entry & travel map

Covington, Georgia, United States

The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church received a
new Bishop in October. Wanting to make a good fresh start, Bishop
Mike Watson is making a point to get around to the entire Conference
(largest UM conference in the world, by the way...with over 970
churches) to get to know everyone and become aware of the needs and
characterisitics of these churches, pastors, parishioners, etc.
The pastors of the ADOX District got a chance to meet him on Dec. 9th
where we had a chance to introduce ourselves and learn more about
him. At the end of the meeting, Rev. Jim Cantrell, our DS, asked
for prayer requests among those present. I asked for prayers for
safe travels for our group going to India. Not thinking much more
of it, we made the journey back to Covington and went on with our
business as usual.

Just one week later I received a most exciting surprise in the
mail. It was a letter from the Bishop's office addressed to
Lindsey Mays and myself. Ripping open the envelope as if it were
a much anticipated Christmas gift, I was please to see the following
letter from the Bishop himself...

"Dear Lindsey and Julie:

I join the congregation of Covington First United Methodist Church and
many others to pray for you and your upcoming trip. You will
experience a culture that is very different and people who are very
needy.

The celebration of the Birth of the Christ Child will be fresh in your
mind. Remember that the people with whom you will minister are
people for whom Christ came to show the way to the Father. Let
the joy of the Lord shine through you, and the love of Christ be seen
in your attitude and your deeds wherever you go -- especially in the
Children's Hospital where you will work."

And he signed it himself. No stamped signature here, folks.
So, that letter has left an impression on me that I will not soon
forget. I found out later that he had a little nudge from a dear
friend to send such a letter, but I was pleased to receive it
nonetheless. So if the Bishop blesses this trip, surely it will
be good.
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