Just thought I would share a few thoughts with you about our trip so far. Over the next few days we will try to share some experiences of other team members as well.

It has been a very rewarding trip so far and worth the sacrifice those on the team make to come, but also the sacrifice our families make that allow us to be able to minister to these very poor people through medicine.

Obviously compared to us they are all poor, but yesterdays clinic was the poorest. Being located 2 hours out in the country, where no one ever comes out to hold clinics and they cant afford to go see the doctor unless they are dying. We had a very old man yesterday that could not walk and had to be carried in to the clinic. He used to be able to walk with a big cane, but about one year ago he no longer could do this. Since he is so poor he has had to wait one year to even talk to a doctor about why he can no longer walk. It was sad, since he has gone so long without treatment and not walking, there is nothing that can be done for him now.

One thing that stood out to me was that even though they are poor their style of dress makes them look like they are not so poor. But as you look closer many of their outfits are torn and tattered. The bright colors of cloth they use cover that up a lot.

Another thing is their smiles - they have beautiful smiles and are just beautiful people. Even though they age very hard and fast here due to their hard lifestyles they still come across to me as beautiful people. Many of the older are missing teeth but still have beautiful smiles. Many older ones have disfigured hands and feet due to not being able to go to the doctor when they get cut or have an injury. We have even noticed a few that have lost toes due to being diabetics and no money to buy the medicine they need. I think that is why I have taken so many head shots than I normally due on this trip. Not to take away from the wonderful and beautiful people we have seen in other countries, but for some reason the people are standing out to me on this trip.

One big difference they have here from the US is that pubic affection between men and women does not exist here. So when we meet people that are working with us, if they are ladies we shake hands like we do the men. In many countries we hug them good bye at the end of our trip when we are leaving. Here that is not allowed as they look on that as the same as if you have committed adultery.

We have ate at some great restaurants if you like good spicy Indian food. I have loved them all of course. Even when we ate Chinese food we had curry. There is something Indian in every meal you eat. Last night we ate at a place called BBQ Nation. They put a BBQ pit at your table and keep bringing out shish-kabobs of meat. It was awesome as we had shrimp, fish, chicken and all kinds of vegetables, but of course they had Indian spices in all the meat. They then brought all kinds of indian side dishes with it as well.

I also want to say that our "host" have been awesome. We have enjoyed working with them and getting to know them better. We are praying that these medical clinics have opened the door for our host, that God will be able to use this as a way to reach the people here in India.

Today (Wed night for you, Thursday for us) we are holding a clinic in the Tent Cities that we showed you in our last post.

Thank you for letting me share a few things I have observed so far. Look forward to hearing some thoughts from our other team members soon.

Gary for the India Team