Delhi

Nameste Ji

It is swarming with life here. It's spring! Our lawn is full of squirrels, birds and other creatures. The garden is a rainbow of flowers. I've seen my first gecko and after 5 years my reaction was still eeeehhhhhh! Stephan showed him the door with a free flying lesson to the neighbours. I know .. harmless creatures that like to have their meals in my house .. I don't think so.

We had 3 journeys since we've written last. Khasauli, Delhi and Texas (Stephan for work). You can see the photographs on our blog. I will share our Delhi trip with you. After shopping in an enormous market the first evening, our car disappeared. At first we thought it was stolen. But a very helpful man on the pavement, that greeted us so friendly when we parked there, told us the police took it away. He's like the internet and tells us everything we want to know: who, where, how, how much. Just a bit too much, I think. I suspect that his purse is a lot thicker after the transaction and that he gave us away. Apparently we stopped in a no-parking zone (there is no board and 10 other cars!). I am furious and want to make gestures as
though I am calling down all kinds of evil on him (they are sooo superstitious), but reconsider. I am here to share Jesus' love with these people. I think I didn't manage that and the man look half sorry especially after Anandi starts crying.

We took an auto-rickshaw to the police-station. We are at the mercy of the rickshaw-driver, because we have no clue where he is taking us. Eventually we reach a large parking area where hundreds of cars are chained on a lease like dogs. After some fruitless protests and Rs800 later, our car is free again. Now we can get back home. But we have no idea where we are and there is no-one to ask. I have a feeling where we should go (Stephan thinks we have to go the other way - so I know I'm right). We drive, but I don't recognize any of the names on the few road signs. We are stuck in Delhi Saturday evening traffic ... I have visions I've seen in movies of aliens and flood waves storming at the cars in the traffic jam. I realize I cannot even open my door if I want to get out, because the others are too close. Eventually I am able to attract one of the driver's attention and he tells us we are
completely wrong. We have to turn around. Half an hour later we manage to turn. Stephan grabs the map and works out a route to get back home. It takes 2 hours and 3 wrong turns to reach home. We decide to avoid Delhi in future.

But the next day is a different story. We visit Delhi Bible Fellowship with our friend from SA. The message is about how David handled difficult situations. I get flashbacks of the previous evening. Afterwards we eat at McDonalds and after a short nap we go to a huge wood in the heart of Delhi. On the hills we see just the tops of the buildings. Who could guess that Delhi can be this beautiful!

We are busy and every now and then I drop one of the balls I try to juggle. But we are going forward, sure of what we must do. We visit the church, the satsang, friends, take Hindi lessons, go rollerblading, walk in the gardens, learn new things, write programs, drive, manage, play tabletennis, talk to Jesus, sketch, etc.

We appreciate you like a comfortable chair that you take along everywhere you go (something special from your own world). Or a bit of sugar after you've bitten into a chili. We need your letters and prayers. Thank you very much for that.