Summer Camp here we are

Well it's been about, no it has been exactly 2 months sense i've posted. I'm now in New York working at Mission Meadows summer camp. Many events have taken place in my life prior to returning to New York, Trials that only show me how to persevere and to be faithful with where God has me.

Contagious

~ JOY~

Man these last few days have been great. I feel good and have an overwhelming joy inside that's hard to control at times. I'm not sure if my body is blocking the fact that i'm leaving a place that i have called home for nearly a year or what. I just know a week after i leave i'm going to be dying to come back. I've noticed my pace while walking has slowed down, i'm not in a hurry all the time and i can just sit and smile. SO back to joy. I sit i smile someone walks by they smile, WOW.

Think about it when your upset you carry that vibe with you to everyone you meet and works the same with Joy. Ever been with a group of friends, happy and having fun then one person walks up "mad at the world" and COMPLETELY changed the feeling of the group.

Well maybe it's just me.

Next time your feeling Joyful, Happy or just in a good mood try sharing it, YOU MIGHT LIKE IT.

Peace & Love

COUNT DOWN BEGINS

20 days then a long flight to a land of "comfort"

People have asked

"What's the first thing you gonna do when you get back?"

Well sense there will still be snow on the ground i'm just gonna try and stay warm the first few days. :)

New year so far

WOW 2011

I know I know i can't believe it either. To me it seemed like 2010 FLEW by, a year in a place where you don't anybody, every things different, smells, sights, sounds, EVERYTHING. At first it seems very slow being here but the longer you stay the faster it flys by. With my departure date getting closer and closer i'm feeling pulled from 2 angles. One, my love for being here, I know i gonna miss this place too much but the other is returning home to see my friends and family.

I've experienced many new things while being here and have been able to share a few of my own. Eating pumpkin doesn't seem that bizarre but seriously how many time have you been out to the Field and picked a pumpkin, peeled it, Boiled it and started eating? That's what i thought. Baking the seeds is what we did growing up but not here, we just eat the whole dang thing.

In Alabama we have Elephant ears and never once have i ever thought of eating them but here, no hesitation. All cauliflower is edible if you cut it into tiny pieces and put many spices in the mix.

Growing up in an Area were Hurricanes are seasonal, learning to sleep through them became normal. Seeing how and were people sleep here it almost makes it unbelievable, I thought i could sleep through anything.

This is where i spent most of my time

while here, yep at ah train station. Known for being the busiest train station in the world and largest in India. Not only a train station, for some it's a home, a getaway, a hangout and for some it's the only thing they got. There's not many trains in south Alabama so this was all new for me. I've been here before but wasn't really able to see what really goes on until i was able to spend some time there. One of the most dangerous places in this city becomes a safe haven for young boys that are rejected, thrown out or just put out for the day, by their parents, if they have any.

The bridge is a famous symbol of Kolkata and West Begal. It's a very unique designed bridge and the finest of it's kind in the world. Finished in 1943 with an over all cost of 25 million Rupees. This eight-lane , 26,500 metric ton high - tensile steel bridge carries approximately 80,000 vehicles, more than 1,000,000 walkers and somewhere around a thousands or so cattle every day.

We spend many days crossing this same bridge, seeing the same children and family's in the station. IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE !

Peace & Love

CHRISTMAS SEASON DONE UP RIGHT.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Well i'm receiving more and more training with this blog stuff (second time writing it).

This holiday season has definitely been a DIFFERENT experience then the ones previously. While it is Christmas time i'm currently still wearing shorts and a short sleeve, well it does get pretty cool in the evening time (53o)

Had a nice Christmas program with the kids. Dancing, Singing, Games and Dramas. It took what seemed like all year to plan and only 4 days to accomplish. The kids loved it and that's what truly mattered, heck even some of the staffed enjoyed.

Had a good time with the team from New Zealand working at Sundarban Islands. Dramas, Dances, Songs, Prayer, Testimonies and whatever else we felt led to do for the villages/tribes there . It was Truly a learning experience for me and the Team, in more ways then one.

The last few Christmas's have been rather different for me. Whet from wearing pants and sweater and saying "it's pretty cold out side." too 4-6 foot of snow last year saying "Man it Freezing out there !" too now sitting in shorts and a Tshirt saying "what happened?" I must say i found a place where i enjoy spending the winter season.

Well preparing to say Goodbye to 2010 and hello 2011. Don't know what's to come of this new year but i bet we can find a way to make interesting. I have much planned but only God truly knows where my feet are going to be planted. I'm looking forward to the areas of training that i'm looking into and also the upcoming schools. Each one play s key role in the future holds or so im starting to think. I know it's gonna be a hard road to travel but when you know you just know.

Peace & Love

Jairaji aka (Jeff)

Sorry still working on the Layout and Design of this blog thing.

There was good friends, good food and good fellowship this Thanksgiving, 9 nations were represented among 20 different people. 3 pieces of corn was given to each person to share for 3 things they were thankful for. We also sang a few song of thanks giving even throw in a little dancing. There were 3 chickens roasted, 2 small hams, mashed potatoes, 3 different kinds of gravy, Deviled eggs (prepared by yours truly), veggie dishes of many colors and for desert there was pumpkin pie, cran-apple pie, chocolate chip cookies and cheeto meeto bars! Definitely was like any other Thanksgiving that I've ever had before, ONE OF A KIND, no doubt. For many it was there first ever Thanksgiving so it was great to be a part of it.

After we ate and had fellowship for a bit more then dessert they jumped back on the drum and Begain singing, that in turn led to dancing and of coarse that's contagious so everybody started dance and singing even a little rapping. HAHAHAHAH it was so much fun. Many ideas for my future Thanksgiving plans.

Peace & Love

GETTIN HITCHED " Run away Bride X3"

I haven't to many wedding, well i haven't been invited to many wedding the ones i have been too were just kinda of last minute ideas. This wedding i was invited to and it was not what i expected at all.

Here in Nepal when you talk of Arranged marriages you don't get much of a reaction due to most are use to the idea. I had met the bride just 1 short Month before here wedding but i didn't even know she was getting married. The day of here Engagement party i found out i was invited and that was getting married. So the story starts to unfold.

Born and raise in a Hindu family but Later turned Christian. When it was her time to marry the parents started bringing in the first picks for here future husband. No wanting to marry a Hindu man, she ran away and not just once but three times. Fearing her time was running out she turned to the Church and asked to be "arranged", Pretty common question in these parts. Only 3 weeks before the wedding she met her husband. I ask myself what that conversation must have been like, HuH? 2 1/2 weeks later there was an Engagement party, 3 days after that they were married.

I know from the picture she looks sad and upset but it's a cultural thing here. I physical appearance of sorrow must be shown out of respect to the family, She is in all reality leaving her family and traveling far from them to start her own life with her husband, that's sad.

I think this was the first wedding i went to that i wanted to cry at. I felt bad for the bride she started crying and just couldn't stop. Poor guy, probably didn't even see that coming. I thought a wedding was suppose to be the happiest day of your life not the saddest granted there will be some tears but these kind of marriages make you wonder?

Lord be with this marriage. Heck be with all the marriages

Spent the day over at the Bioponics facility

Had a great day today with Doyl and a buddy of his, Bill. Bill is from South Africa and is now living here in Nepal running a business that works with Bioponics. I know I know i had no idea as well but soon learned all about it. So for all you ECO-Friendly / Save the Planet kinda people, your gonna love this.

Fish tanks and Plant tubs, both working together for the good of all. SEE WE COULD LEARN A LOT FROM THIS BIO-STUFF.

Theses All-Nature, No bake bricks were made with the soil right off the property, nothing was added. The Cottage was made with the same bricks as well as a barn.

Bioponics (Aquaponics) is a process or cycle of symbiotic relationships where fish help plants and plants help fish. There's no chemicals involved, needs only 1/10 the water needed to grow those beautiful plants and vegetables AND only a fraction of water that is needed to grow those tasty non-polluted fish we all enjoy eating. (Aquaculture) That's the Fancy name for it : )

As more and more people are populating this planet many people are looking forward to the future. These people are trying to find ways to Recycle, Reduce & Reuse the resources that we are so easily using up. For instance did you know that human or animal waste (if handled properly) can be used as gas to cook your food or keep you warm. That tubing (water pipe) if angled just right can build up enough pressure to run up hill, using that stream near by to help you receive the water you need. Buy a chicken, you can have those fresh eggs every morning and that perfect garden foundation you've always wanted, AKA (Chicken Tractor). Get yourself some honey bees and stay sweet season after season. See God has given us some many resources on this earth if only we had the little bit of knowledge to Recycle, Reduce & Reuse these resources. Bill has been working very hard despite the many obstacles in his way. But soon and very soon the wonder facility will be up and running. Not only that but also Training course, school, walk troughs, and even "get-a-ways" for that nice organic vacation we've been longing for. Soon to have a WEBSITE up and running so you can read for yourself all that amazing things this guys can do.

Shalom & Agape

Spiritual Vacation

What do we think about when we think of a Vacation?

To me is consists of running water, green trees preferably by the thousands, sounds of nature, there has to be a camp fire of some kind & it would be nice to sleep out side. But hey that just my thoughts of what a Vacation might look like.

I have made it to Nepal and the 2nd day here i felt as though i was on a Spiritual Vacation. Very morning waking up the a beautiful sunrise over a gorgeous mountain top. This pretty little concrete cottage laying on the side of a mountain for the greatest view i've seen in ages. Breath taking sights every where i go and that's just the scenery. The people here have a style of there own as well that just makes you wonder. The way they cook, clean, work, sleep. The way they dress the style they dress heck man every thing about them is so different then how i was raised. "Differents not wrong it just Different " That's a phase one of the speakers said in one of my class a few years back and it has stuck every sense.

I'm truly enjoying my time here. I don't like the rain or when it rains but its been raining quite a bit sense i've been here and it's still beautiful.

NEPAL, land of the mountain farmers

WHAT A WORK OUT

Ok so no matter what direction i go it's a workout. Up hill hurts some times down hill's just a bad. After a 2 day travel by Bus, Taxi, Train, Taxi, Rickshaw, Travel bus, Mini bus and a long walk up hill i made. I'm staying in a little house hidden on the side of a small mountain, what a great location. I love it here, the air is crisp and the sun is warm. Everywhere i look the beauty in everything. An old abandoned, rotten tree, mangy dog, It seems as if everything is Old and dirty. No matter where you are the view is great and the air is always clean.

I'm staying with 4 young men, all musicians. They have an Early morning and evening music class, as well as a new training center there building just down the HILL. We keep pretty busy. Some of the different things i have experienced in Nepal as of now are.

Church is now on Saturday, they switched for some reason

Lunch in served in the morning around 9:45/ 10 a clock.

Breakfast is around 2:30

Dinner is just before bed.

You don't have to bath everyday if you don't want

You have to brush once a day.

EVERY ONES got a garden

You can't pick up dead wood on the side of the road because it might belong to someone.

EVERYONE SING something.

Well that's all i can think of at the moment and now i must go. Love you all.

Peace & Love ai

Helloooo Nepal

Goodbye cooking and cleaning and sweeping and playing and tons of other activities we do everyday. Goodbye kids and Life Connections staff and that old guy that always trys to sell me Bananas from the corner, i love that guy. My time here India skipped amazing and hit unbelievable smack in the face. I felt as if i was part of 3 different liefs here. Ministry life, Personal life and Kolkata life, all glorified God and definitely kept me busy.

Now moving on to Nepal to where the Journey continues. Time to shovel dirt and hammer nails, hike trails or so i think. I leave in 3 days and so many things are running thorough my head. I'm excited to see what's to come and what kind of doors open. I'm willing so we'll see.

Peace & Love

Wow goodbye six months

Had a some what nice stay at the Mission of Mercy hospital here in India, well the nurses were nice. After my 16 day stay i came out to what was like a new world, like my little stay some how made me forget india, lol. Don't worry i survived.

Well as my six months are coming to an end, looks like I'm heading to Nepal. Don't really know much about it and getting pretty excited about the trip. Some friends that have been there from India said it's like a breath of fresh air.

Oh and by the way, does anybody know how i can watch the Alabama Game, they kick off this Saturday. You know this would be a great "early birthday present" or Christmas present for anyone wanting to Help this Bama fan get his fix, Thanks and God bless.

Roll Tide !

YEA YEA HOSPITAL AGAIN !

So about a week after my leg injury there was some tearing that took place and well it just wouldn't stop bleeding. For most of you, y'all know of my situation and well uncontrolled breeding's just not good for anybody. Before leaving the states i checked into come local hospitals in the area so i knew of some pretty well organized facilities. Went for a CHECK-UP the Tue the 10th and well 10 min in the check up and doc said "Well we gotta admit you" seen that coming. The Doc was a specialist in the states for 20 years so it was quite comforting to hear.

The hospitals here in India are definitely different then the US. Their treating me well and i hope to be out by this coming Monday.

Sorry about not informing y'all sooner. I didn't want to e-mail or post something stating i had to go for a check up then stay almost a week before writing anything. I hope it's not to upsetting and you can forgive me. Just know that I'm safe and the condition was never life treating. Thanks and God bless.

OUCH !

So after much walking, biking and along with other physical activities India can make one involved in, time to take rest. I recently invested in a bike to help out with transportation and boy what a work out. I was reminded quickly of how draining a bike can be and now i am paying the cost.
Layed up in bed is where it left me, nothing serious just much pain. It was definitely a lesson well learned. I excited for the use of my bike but i guess it's gonna be a slow ride for now. OW it hurts to walk.



On the another note we have a new roommate coming in today. All i know is he's middle aged man named Bob and likes carpentry. He'll be with us (Taylor & I) for about 2 weeks. It's gonna be cramped in our one room apartment but were excited to have him come and stay with us. He'll be help out in local "places" and local "friends" It will be good to have someone else to chat with. Yay BOB !