Greetings Reader,
India! I’m in India! A place where I never thought I would go, let alone for missionary work. Here I am. Wow. God is truly showing me that I don’t have a clue what’s going to happen in my life. My plans and ambitions have gone out the window and I’m just rolling with it.
Our journey began at 3:30 in the morning with only two hours of sleep after a late night run to Mickey D’s. T-squad was the only squad at launch who had to get up that early, not cool. After arriving at the airport at 4:00 we had to go through the motions of checking our bags, going through security, and waiting for our flight to board. Then the moment came where I said my final goodbyes to Georgia and we made our way to Chicago. There I found out that my carry-on bag was too heavy. No worries, I now have a cute little memento.
Soon we were off to India. I’ve been on plane rides before, but nothing of this magnitude. Looking out the window and seeing an endless blue ocean is a miracle all on its own. After 13 ½ hours on that plane we landed in Deli, India for a two hour layover while the crew cleaned the plane. After half a day on a plane sleeping, reading, and watching movies getting up and moving around was a real blessing. A few of us even got some Starbucks. (Mine tasted like Ovaltine. Lol)
Finally we boarded once again and headed for Hyderabad. Since 7:00 when the sun rose in Atlanta it had never gone down. My squad and I chased the sun from the U.S. all the way to India. That’s quite poetic don’t you think? Haha
The city of Hyderabad was quite different than anything that I have seen. The speed limits here… just a suggestion, weaving in and out of oncoming traffic… normal, jumping over random speed bumps in the road… now that’s just plain fun. Needless to say that the adventure of traveling didn’t end when we were on the ground.
Once we were in the hotel for the night we had a few long term missionaries came. They answered our many questions and taught us the dos and don’ts. For instance:
- Do everything with your right hand especially eating, so for all of you lefties out there, sorry Charlie.
- Men and women sit on different sides of church. Even husbands and wives don’t sit together during services.
- Women, don’t look at men in the eyes or give a big smile… that’s considered flirting.
- Never flush toilet paper down the potty, that’s a big no-no.
- If you’re full after finishing a meal, leave a little on your plate. If you don’t the food will keep coming and coming and coming. (My experience confirms this. Apparently my stomach isn’t made of steel like I thought.)
So there you go. If you plan on visiting India, you’re a little more prepared than I was.
I’m so blessed that God has made away for my through this adventure and I know that’s because many of you are obedient and generous from what God has given you. As I journey throughout India I’ll be sure to keep you all updated with blogs and pictures.
Thank you for sharing in this journey with me. Your sacrifice will never go unnoticed.
With Gratitude,
Kirbie Head, World Racer
