Chennai

We arrived in Chennai last night around 11pm our time. Not sure what time it was in CA. Our hotel was surprisingly nice. However, I was in the only room without air conditioning and it is hotter and more humid than texas in summer. I also slept on a nasty cushion on the floor. In addition to that, I had a fever all night. Pray I don't have malaria. Around 5am there was a morning prayer call at the muslim temple. It was so loud. I feel sorry for them, but they are quite disciplined. It makes me so happy that we worship a loving god that we aren't required to do that.

We just went for a walk around town. Nader was right, I have never experienced poverty on this level. I am super excited to share some of the pictures with you guys when I get back. We got to take pictures with and of kids out here. Its amazing. Most of them have never seen their picture before and just want to look at the screen after the pic. I taught one little girl the fist bump.

Anyways we get on a 9 hr. train ride in a bit. See you later.

From LA to KL

Hello everybody! This may be a little long, but it is recapping our travel thus far...to Malaysia.

Our first leg of the trip: The night started when I had to carry a bad of childrens ministry stuff to the check in. Seems simple but it felt like ti was full o bricks...ridiculous.

The enemy began attacking immediately. We found out when we got our tickets that nobody in our group was sitting together for 18 hrs!!!. Seriously, it was comical. We all kind of freaked out and I was like, "So it begins!" On the plane I was able to swing sitting next ot birge and Dave sloan...whew! The dude in front of me decided it would be a good idea to slam his seat back into me and I pretty much wanted to punch him. I slept for about 8 hours, watched In the Valley of Elah, and Martian Child. Ate some pan fried noodles and chicken for breakfast...it was a delight. That's malaysian airlines!

Kuala Lumpur: This place is so weird. Flying in I noticed fields of palm trees. Huge fields with hundreds, thousands of acres of nothing but palms. It was beautiful. There is something very uncomfortable about Malaysia. Ever seen "Return to Paradise"?? It is almost 100% Muslim and everywhere you go it looks abandoned. It's freaking hot and humid.
After our free bufet at the hotel, which had some nasty pickles and mayo balls, (we are about to leave. Just stopped in to shower and nap on our layover) Jon Gaw and I went walking to Giant. Its a big swap meet indoor kind of mall with a grocery store in it also. they freaking had a KFC in there!!! I didnt get anything bc I was full from the mayo balls and nasty pickles. Jon Got a 1hr foot massage for like 15 bucks. Anyways that's KL in a nutshell. Oh yeah, they also have Mickey D's and BK here too!

Off to India...right now literally! I am sure the next blog will be more exciting as we enter a thirder world country.

Please continue to pray for us. Travel has been a breeze thanks to you guys.

Sorry for the typos...in a hurry!

Peace!

Here We Go!!!

Well. Thank you for all your prayers. Birge and I are so stoked to be going to India. We trust that God will use us in amazing ways. Honestly, I am kind of nervous, but super excited. I will do my best to keep you updated!

Thank God I had to work at church today! I would have gone stir crazy! Wish us luck on our 40 hour journey to where we will be serving!

Peace out!

Santa Cruz Trip Recap

It was so good to see Bobby and Rachel again. We all had a really good time. Most of the time at least one of the 3 kids was screaming and we all ate way too much (naturally, I know). They didn't say it, but I am sure they wanted to tell all of you hello. BTW, if you told me to tell them "Hi" I totally did. Here are some pics of the trip.






Just another beautiful day at the sunny california beach. Yum!



Having the most disgusting coffee at Mr. Toots. Uhh. It was nasty.





San Francisco has many treats...not just Rice a Roni. On the way up to San Francisco, Birge, Will, and I played what was known as 20 questions, but became about 100 questions. It started a long weekend of playing this...we couldn't stop. We found out that Birge thinks of triangles, I think of mudflaps, and Will thinks of Chocolate Easter Bunnies.




This was Sunday in Santa Cruz, which, by the way, is where the movie Lost Boys was filmed. I felt so cool being there. It was probably the most relaxing day I have had i a long time. It was so needed.



I also picked up, perhaps, one of the most underrated and talented bands of all time. They are called Servotron Robot Alliance, and they will rock your face. They are now all of our favorite band. You should check them out.

http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/servotron/artist.jhtml

Santa Cruz

Birge and I arrived in Santa Cruz last night via San Jose via Southwest Airlines. We haven't seen anything yet because we are all getting ready, but I can feel that it is awesome. We are hanging out with Bobby, Rachel, Will, and soon we will be with Stephen and Stephanie.

This is the same crew that went to big bear in the winter of 06 and had a blast. We are going to San Francisco today. I am so ready for this mini vacation. It will actually be a relaxing vacation. We typically take high stress vacations, but this is a much needed relaxing one.

Indian Thriller

I am apparently on a Thriller kick right now. Matt and I found this video the other day when we were watching the Prison Thriller video. I plan on going to India on a mission trip this February and I really hope this is what it is like. If it isn't, at least maybe I could meet this guy.

Prison

I have never thought I wanted to go to prison...until I saw this video. I would actually recommend to any criminals that may be reading my blog to go to the Philippines to do your crime. It seems crime does pay in the Philippines. It pays if free dance lessons. Check this out. Notice the "girl" in the video...she is hot.