India and beyond

After 2 and a half weeks in North India, seeing some incredible sights, spending hours on a bunk in a train, meeting some inspirational people and seeing their ministries, it is good to be back with the family and to be back home.

I arrived in Kolkata on Feb the 6th meeting 6 others  from America and Canada, all with similar roles to me. This was a trip of a lifetime, led by a lady who had spent more than 40 years in India, setting up hospitals, community health projects and much more. We spent 3 days in Kolkata then journeyed to the border of Nepal by train, stopping on the way to Delhi and then beyond.

Our itinerary involved spending alternate nights on a train, with a nights rest at various hospitals, schools and hotels in the towns that we visited. Sleep was not something that was easily found on these train journeys. Fighting off people trying to grab my blanket, squatting over the rail tracks, interspersed with sipping lovely chai each morning...it was great to spend time with these guys and to soak up the Indian culture. What a privilege to see the ministries to which people devote their lives!

There are many moments which stand out. I guess a hugely impacting day was the walk through a street in Delhi, praying for the thousand plus prostitutes along there. An innocuous street composed of hardware shops, each split by a staircase which led up to rooms above these stores, full of young girls, many held against their will. As you walked, it was possible to see their hands through the bars, beckoning clients to come up. Gangs of men and youths lined the street and pimps hung out on the base of each staircase.

As we walked, it was pretty hard to keep our emotions in check. Jesus came to give abundant life to all - yet we felt helpless and angry. Thank God that there are people acting to change the situation, to enable these girls to find freedom and a different way of life. May we be constantly inspired to be passionate for the gospel and to show God's compassion to his people.

Back Home
So that was just a snippet of the trip, and  I am glad to be back with my family. Sam and Caleb have been on hyper drive since returning...I am not sure how Gen managed to cope - she's amazing! As far as the running goes and preparation for the marathon, I need to really step up the efforts. My plan for this week is below and I need to get a 20 miler in over the next 7 days.

My next blog will be about Caiphas in Zimbabwe and also the exciting news that some friends in America, who have links with the HIV work in Zimbabwe, are going to run the Paris and New York Marathon for this project! Running for Hope is going truly international!  Thanks for all your ongoing support for this project.

Cheers,
Rob

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Planned	4 miles	Rest	6 miles	4 miles	8 miles	Rest	8 miles
Completed	28 mins	Rest	Rest	27.12	64 mins