Now in Vizak looking back on the 12 day Chennai happening. I had thought to travel in the train overnight to Vizak as we quite enjoy AC 2 tier. Instead have flown. Just as well for there is a rail roko (stoppage) for 3 full days due to the Hyderabad state agitation. The Lord has provided to date so we continue to trust in his provision. These are small low level flying planes much like the Porter Airlines flight to Sudbury. The newly redeveloped airport is an important secondary level access beginning to develop International links with places like Singapore.

Vishakapatnam is a sizable city on the East coast half way between Chennai and Calcutta. An important port housing the Indian Navy, a steel mill of Russian design threatening closure but with the advent of the infrastructure construction industry creating a huge demand for basic steel products, reinforcing bars, girders etc it has come into its own and even expanding. More evident is a huge education industry linked to the sprawling Andhra Govt. university with its 30,000 or more students which has spawned a myriad of private colleges all providing training in many areas with an emphasis on computer engineering and management.

The resident family here have three little girls who are very fond of Aunty Janette as is Leah the older daughter. Mother and Father are on a fund raising banquet tour in the US majoring on their own immigrant Malayalee community to provide needed resources for the Bible School and adjoining day school catering for 400 resident, sponsored children as well as bringing in students from the surrounding hinterland to make a complement of 700-1000 students. There is also a post high school Junior College giving first two years of tuition for University education.

Food has considerably improved in standard although variety is the common India challenge as rice, chapatti and various curries are the staples.

We are going over to the Bungalow in the evenings at 19.30 to share devotions with the 3 little girls who are carefully managed by G Ma but accept it cheerfully enough. They sing well then are required to read English Bibles going through the whole Bible so now at Romans 12-15 which is tough reading for such small kids who may be able to pronounce the words with some help but do not really understand at all what they are reading. This is then followed by prayers all around so the real old classic family devotions in monastic style. G Ma takes her spiritual, disciplinary and social responsibilities very seriously seeking to fulfill the vision of her departed husband. Very classic Indian household where the woman are the guardians of the spiritual heritage be it Christian, Hindu or Muslim.

The class has gone well. The 7 M. Th students are 2 for Missiology and 5 for Church History. Only one man from the local area this time, 3 from nearby neighboring Orissa, a husband and wife couple then another man involved in tribal outreach ministries then 3 students from NE India who have studied in various locations within India. I had sent some queries on ahead about possible field trips. The Dean sent them out before I arrived.

They did a creditable job in going to mostly Hindu temples as well as a visit to the Fishing village. I am hopeful they can make a meaningful project out of the material.