Arrived in Hyderabad

We arrived in Hyderabad after traveling 27 hours. After a wonderful flight on British Air with no problems with connections we were waiting to receive our luggage in Hyderabad. We waited for 1-1/2 hours. For some reason, the plane baggage door would not open and it took a long while to work through that. Then we had to wait for all our luggage to appear in front of us. Lata and Abraham had been waiting, standing for 4 hours!

We were taken to the home of one of Lata's daughters where they have allowed us to stay while they moved in with Lata. What a wonderful gesture!!! There are us two couples and we each have a bedroom with a bath; a kitchen with microwave. See, it's not all archaic:)

After getting rest, Lata and Abraham came for us to take us out to dinner and shopping. We ate Chinese and it was wonderful since we hadn't eaten for 12 hours! (Sleeping) Then we went shopping for Shirley who needed to get clothing to wear (punjabe). Punjabi's are the pant with the tunic over and come in so many beautiful fabrics, prints or beaded. It was fun for us but the boys suffered just waiting for us to pick the perfect outfits!

Next morning, we were taken to Joyland where the children were waiting with great excitement. They had an assembly with skits, dancing and singing prepared. They honored us with not only garlands, but a gift from the area. They then allowed us to share with the children and the children asked us many questions about our lives and life in America.

Lata's daughter had a wonderful lunch prepared for us to eat there at Joyland while the children ate their lunches in typical Indian style...seated on the floor with big plates eating rice with a vegetable gravy. Meat is a very rare and special occasion, like Christmas.

We hated to leave, but Lata had a schedule. We needed to get back to the house, finish packing for a trip to nearby city (only 3 hours away) where we will host a Women's Conference on Saturday, speak in churches on Sunday, and host a Pastor's Conference on Monday.

Please continue to pray for us. I am now sitting in our hotel ready to start the Women's meeting. It will be blessed time and we're excited to see what God will do in these meetings.