The slowest time has ever gone in my life was probably training camp, until this past week when we boarded a train in Dehli, India for a 30 hour ride. It may sound silly, but it’s taken me a few days to process the journey to just arrive in this crazy new land.
Already overstimulated and on sensory overload from just stepping out of the metro, we split up into our sleeper carts (we were with 2 other teams) and reality set in. These were no European trains and we were the only non-Indian people on them. With the 100* humidity and heat weighing on us, I started to worry about just how claustrophobic this bouncing engine would be getting. I soon discovered the heat was not quite as disturbing as the smells, so many I couldn’t define and then those that I’m sure you can figure out. I’m sure I was even adding to the smells after not showering for so many travel days! 
one half of our cart- I slept on top bunk
We shared our carts with beautiful Indian people, plus multiple beggars and people who passed through selling things, who shared their time, food, and lives with us and wanted to know about us. The ever changing views out the window were amazing-landscapes, palm trees, the people, even monkeys. The scenery inside however didn’t change much. We slept as much as possible and sat up some, hoping not to need the “bathroom”. The bathroom being a hole that goes straight to the tracks you squat over- always fun on a movie train. I got to practice my aim and clean my shoes! The most interesting thing I noticed was the noise, which has carried through to the whole country. It is so loud, even on the train, wearing my earplugs made the volume normal. I listened to my Ipod on high and could barely hear the music and couldn’t hear podcasts at all.
After the train arrived we had transportation to the bus, a 3 hour bus ride, then transportation to our ministry site. All of this after 12 hours in an airport, a flight to Russia, another rescheduled flight to Dehli lead me to be very grateful for a whole month in one country!
The beds were just Garret's size
This “training” process I feel I went through brought me to a wonderful place of really feeling at one with the people, to a place of humility and brokenness, and it gave me a chance- through many many hours- to walk through a lot of my processing before my actual arrival to this incredible country.
I share this journey with you, not to say it was awful or complain, but for you to know, through the noises, smells, and fear- God spoke in a whisper and used each place He brought me to and I am grateful.
