water day - from Heather

Greetings again from India!  We had a great saturday today - the theme was water!

the plan for the day was to float down the backwaters of Kerala - taking us through villages and communities that live life along a series of waterways - maybe something like the bayou in Louisiana, but with rice patties. The group was all really excited and waiting for the bus, when we were told - first we would go to a baptism!  Karen claimed it was the first time she'd ever dressed for a boat trip and ended up at a baptism.  And that's exactly what happened.

The baptism seemed quite the event for this community.  The ceremony was officiated by about 8 priests, and maybe 100 people were in attendance.  It was a beautiful ceremony, and clearly a very important event in the life of the church.  After the ceremony, we learned the baptism was for the first grandchild of one of the priests - grandpa was proud indeed!  And seemed to love it that we were in attendance.  they invited us to the hall next to the church for a catered breakfast - which was curry and rice, with some sort of vegetable roll on the side.  And then insisted that we take a photo with the family - we hope this one will make the ROCK.  We were really happy to be part of this event.  And then happy to be on the bus to the river afterwards.

The next water event was an all day boat ride through the back waters of Kerala.  This was fascinating.  As we meandered through the backwaters, we saw traditional villages and the people living there.  Women were washing their clothes in the river, men were fishing in the waters, basic life was happening all around.  Everyone looked busy, but no one seemed hurried.  The children waved and yelled at us as we passed.  we wondered what life would be like here - a life so different than our own. 

On the water, we stopped at one of the small churches that belongs to the diocese of the church of south india.  It was a small church with a tiny, poor school attached.  I think the pastor was surprised to see us.  He was a young pastor - who was not yet finished with seminary.  It seems they send young people out to the small churches on "probation" - a win-win situation.  The young people get good on the job training and the small villages get a pastor.  we wondered whether this would work in the KO Conference.

After we returned to the boat, our conversation turned towards the people who live in these areas - who goes to this church and very small, poor school?  Our host told us that the lineage of these people was probably of the untouchable caste.  This has been a theme throughout our stay - the Church of South India seems to have reached out to the "untouchables" - we've seen it whereever we go - they reached out with education, social service programs and churches that love and nurture them.  Their motto is, "So that all may be one." sounds familiar.  It seems a wonderful association for Plymouth - these churches that focus on education and welcoming all peoples, no matter where they are on life's journey, or maybe in this case, what family they were born in to. 

Well that's all i have for the day.  Tomorrow - Peter preaches in the Cathedral.  And the group is going to see a Hindu shrine.  So there will be more to come!

Thank you again for your prayers.  And again - keep them coming!

Peace from India,
Heather