last day in INdia

Most of the group has headed off to a trip to the mountains today. They will be well cared for by our gracious hosts, Rev. Sam Mathew and Rev. George Jacob. These two pastors could not have been kinder and more welcoming. I feel like they have become dear friends, after spending so much time with them two years ago and now these past two weeks. We laugh easily.  We learn from each other. We have all been in the care of the larger church. How comforting to arrive at the train station here in Kottayam in the middle of the night, and find on a crowded platform the friendly face of Rev. Sam dressed in his white cassock. What a contrast to the throng of male Hindu pilgrims dressed in their black and saffron garments. 

We have read about the stampede tragedy that occurred several days ago, not far from here. (We were in Tamil Nadu when it took place on Friday night) There was talk of inadequate safeguards for large crowds. We had to chuckle. All we see are large crowds, and safeguards not in great quanity.

I know that our Plymouth pilgrims will each be returning to the states with their own unique experiences of transformation. At some primal level, I think it is fitting and appropriate and by no means prideful that they can feel proud, " I did this! I traveled to and in India for over two weeks. Our Plymouth pilgrims have encountered this nation at a level of depth that few tourists ever see. Yes, open air second class trains. Yes, taking the hands of orphans and singing together the "Hokey Pokey", Yes, being invited into the homes of simple villagers with their open cooking fires and their livestock and goats and chickens right in their living room. Yes, guests, into the homes of families who are Vatsala's students at her school. Yes, from their meager belongings, we were offered food and nourishment (wisely, I believe, we had to refuse for our own health reasons)

My hope is that each of us take some of the energy of this ancient but future looking nation and bring it to bear in our own country, lending a hand where we can, contributing to the general welfare of all, offering our voices in praise, and doing good where and when we can.

In the end, for this traveler, it is all about the relationships that are built and nurtured. From taking my sponsored child Saranya's hand into my (she wrote a letter to Chris, Dan and Linda and signed her name as "Saranya Luckey") to the warmth we have received here from the Bishop, we realize that this is what makes life the gift that it is.God's grace is in and through all of it.

It is perhaps the sense of "being on the edge here" that makes us all the more aware of moments of grace.

Tonight the two rotarians of the group (myself and Marguerite) will be attending Rotary. We are the program. Our local rotary club in Lawrence has joined with the Kottayam club to engage in a special project of distributing household composting units in people's homes here in Kottayam. Tonight my mission is to learn about how this project is fairing so I can bring back new to the noon Rotary group.

A side note: Our host, George Mathew is the Immediate Past District Governor. When I spoke to him this morning he said to me, "Rev. Peter, you were in our local paper yesterday"

Yes. he said, you were sitting next to the Bishop at the annual convention of the CSI church. Many of my friends will find this not the least bit surprising:) Being in the paper that is!

This has been a great group to be in India with. I know we have felt support and love of Plymouth Church throughout. And when you have heard enough about India from us, we will understand. 
Peace

Peter Luckey