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Tuesday Morning in Delhi
Posted by Ronnie Worsham
Okay, so it's Tuesday morning in Delhi. We arrived at the home of Katish Kumar at about 9 pm last night. We were somewhat late due to a delay in our flight from Chennai. Katish is the father of Samar Raj, a UTD graduate student who fellowships with FOCUS. I believe he is a friend of Brad Davis. When Samar found we were coming to Delhi, he was insistent that we be guests in his father's home. His father is widowed and lives alone in a very nice place here. I'm not sure what they would call it, but we would call it a condo. Katish was very gracious to us. He has a live-in housekeeper who had prepared dinner for us (although there was no way I could even sit at the table with food, let alone eat). He treated us with great honor, telling us that in their culture and tradition guest meant “presence of God.” (I could get used to this!) However, in the American tradition, it is very strange and unsettling to fly into a foreign airport and city you've never visited, hire a “prepaid air-conditioned taxi” per Samar's instructions, take another harrowing 45-minute drive through India traffic (“Oh, it's not very far from the airport!”), have the taxi driver stop three times to try to find the address, and walk up to a strange door and ask if they are actually expecting you. We were in the right place though and were treated royally in our reception.
Our room has a window air condition and a great ceiling fan (God is consistently good!). The restroom facility is nice. The bed is very, very firm. I only just now received my first mosquito bite in Delhi. It is on my elbow. The mosquito clearly took advantage of my positioning in a rocking chair at the foot of the bed. He used the same technique as mosquitoes back home, coming in from behind, making his (probably should say “her”) hit, and then leaving. One only knows about the incursion after blood has been extracted and the itching starts. I can feel what seems to be malarial parasites even now fighting to break through my own leukocytes, antigens, antibodies, T-cells, and anti-malarial drug. However, since there is now some daylight shining through the window, I can't be sure if I was fed on by a dengue fever mosquito (day) or a malaria mosquito (night). I really do have to laugh to keep from crying here. I feel like throwing up my stomach lining (since there's no food in there), my elbow itches from what only God knows has entered the wound, my rear and back ache from sitting in a weird position to compose for you pain voyeurs (only kidding!), I sit in another room feeling like a prisoner—doors closed and locked and bars on the small windows, and I'm anticipating another 45-minute taxi ride through India traffic to our day's destination. You guys don't deserve me:)!
By the way, Casey has been incredible here. I fee for the first time ever like I've become more of the kid in this situation. He leads me around, looks out for me and otherwise takes good care of his old pop. I have repeatedly been struck with what awesome kids Tana and I have (what awesome kids we have in our Northeast family). I could not be prouder of my sons and daughter. Casey is in every way a godly, unselfish, caring gentleman—a true man of God. He could not be treating his dad more royally. I feel so badly that I've not been a lot of fun—both because of the heaviness of my heart in its burden for Sugumar and India and because I just haven't felt very good due to jet-lag and my stomach hurting me. Casey has, nonetheless, been awesome. Oh, what a strength and comfort to have him here.
Finally, just know that I love you all dearly, miss you all greatly, and both Casey and I are sorely homesick (And, Casey, at least, is ready for a side of beef, you know the meat that comes those livestock they worship here rather than eat, and that are allowed to move freely through India traffic. You know, oddly, I've never seen a dead cow on the streets here though; I guess a testimony to their worship of them, huh?) And, this is what's going on DURING your day of prayer and fasting for us:)! Okay, now, we're really doing fine, Tana. I'm just trying to get sympathy and a fat raise, so, don't go sending an air ambulance over here or anything. Let me bleed this thing for all it's worth. Ta ta, folks (wherever that came from??!).
Posted August 11, 2008
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Reader's Comments
Wow!!! I do in a way want to be where you are because I am feeling that God is calling Northeast to something more than we can't even imagine. Could this be the path that God was giving you when He gave you the fifty churchs vision? One must wonder these things.
Posted by Jason Osaer on August 13 2008, 10:41 AM
I just sat and read all your posts. Amazing stuff. It is truly amazing how blessed we are. And it saddens me to see the conditions in India. I will be praying for you guys and that God will be glorified during your visit. God bless you both!
Posted by Andrew on August 12 2008, 08:01 PM
You both are pretty awesome, thanks for sharing with us...hang in there! Check out 2 Thess 3:1-5, I thought this was pretty encouraging and 'May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.' Prayin for you:)
Julie
Posted by julie schimpf on August 12 2008, 01:47 PM
You guys are awesome! We love you a lot and thank you for your sacrifice. I was reading Psalm 4 yesterday and it reminded me of you your situation. "...when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord." v.4
Posted by Brad on August 12 2008, 10:55 AM
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