Agra and Reflections on God's Hand Upon Us
22 August 2015
Hello from Agra!
We arrived in Delhi yesterday afternoon with great anticipation for a few things. The flight was a little over 2-hours. We were met by an Indian Atmosphere Tours agent and got on the bus—driven by a very courteous driver. One thing for sure as we touched ground--the majority of team members looked forward to a meal at McDonald’s! We then took the picturesque drive along the Jaypee Highway into Agra. I enjoyed watching shepherds herding their flock of sheep along the route, or the women carrying large loads of what may have been jute or another grass in burlap wrap upon their heads. The grass or mud huts continue to intrigue me as do the boys running on the older highway alongside Jaypee Hwy. There are universities of science and technology along the route as well as a mega sports center. Indeed, Delhi is developing by leaps and bounds!
As we arrived in Agra in the evening (7:00 PM) we drove by the Baby Taj, the Taj with its pink/orange hue as a result of the sunset, and the enormous expanse of Agra Fort. As we moved into the city, arriving at our hotel at approximately 7:30 PM, I could tell that the city has undergone major development in construction of higher-rise hotels. Last year these were just foundations with a few floors; today they are nearly complete and include a Hilton and Marriott. The smaller hotels (such as The Light House where we are currently staying) will have a lot of competition and will need to be sure to include ‘that special touch.’ However, India is on the move to draw tourists so these details will be important. We were met at the hotel by another agent who made sure we checked in and were accommodated. This morning we will meet our wonderful tour guide, Mikki! He is wonderful and I am delighted that we will have the honor of his presence today. When we don’t get Mikki, it is just not the same!
Today we will have breakfast at 7:00 AM and meet Mikki at 8:30 AM to begin our day. We will tour the Taj and Agra Fort and do some shopping at some of the handicraft stores where we will watch marble inlay work, silk rug weaving, and possibly musicians on traditional instruments. I am downstairs in the lobby of the hotel currently having my first cup of coffee for the day and reflecting on all the Lord has done for our team during this journey. A few of us remain a little under the weather with upper respiratory congestion/cough. There have not been any major issues with gastrointestinal illness I am happy to report.
I want to thank the 2015 team from the bottom of my heart for their diligence to follow Jesus at the hip; walking hand-in-hand with Him and each other. The road to and in India is like no other! It challenges every part of our beings. I anticipate internal struggles, now, as we transition to the other side. It is easy to slip back into ourselves and our day-to-day routine—those little complaints about no hot water in the hotel for my shower or the recycling of hotel room shampoo (speaking for myself). That we can remember that God continues to do that mighty work in and through us…to not forget His sovereignty! That we can be quiet and content that this trip wasn’t meant to redeem us but rather to seek His beauty through the eyes of all peoples—those suffering and trying to make it in their desert. We can reflect on His grace upon our own lives; that we were born in a place and into a family that looked after us. That we have a bed to lay our head down on and safe food to eat. We now can “touch” the child with the dirty hands and infested hair because they need love more than we might be repulsed. Let us not forget India as we move forward. Let us not brag about any “works” we may have done but boast about how Jesus protected us even up until this day. Let us be bold in sharing the gospel message. Christ said to make disciples of all the nations’ only once. The command only needs to be made once. It is innate in the believer to “go out” and tell others about salvation (Matt 28:16-20).
This team will not be forgotten by their professor. I was able to see the transformation in their lives. I was able to get a little closer to my students who moved me in deep ways! I strongly believe that the relationship faculty have with their students in Christ can be one of the most important “commissions” in a lifetime. It has been a privilege. Thank you students and thank you parents and family members for letting go for just a little while.
“I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely” Psalm 16:8-9.
Professor Heinlein
22 August 2015
Hello from Agra!
We arrived in Delhi yesterday afternoon with great anticipation for a few things. The flight was a little over 2-hours. We were met by an Indian Atmosphere Tours agent and got on the bus—driven by a very courteous driver. One thing for sure as we touched ground--the majority of team members looked forward to a meal at McDonald’s! We then took the picturesque drive along the Jaypee Highway into Agra. I enjoyed watching shepherds herding their flock of sheep along the route, or the women carrying large loads of what may have been jute or another grass in burlap wrap upon their heads. The grass or mud huts continue to intrigue me as do the boys running on the older highway alongside Jaypee Hwy. There are universities of science and technology along the route as well as a mega sports center. Indeed, Delhi is developing by leaps and bounds!
As we arrived in Agra in the evening (7:00 PM) we drove by the Baby Taj, the Taj with its pink/orange hue as a result of the sunset, and the enormous expanse of Agra Fort. As we moved into the city, arriving at our hotel at approximately 7:30 PM, I could tell that the city has undergone major development in construction of higher-rise hotels. Last year these were just foundations with a few floors; today they are nearly complete and include a Hilton and Marriott. The smaller hotels (such as The Light House where we are currently staying) will have a lot of competition and will need to be sure to include ‘that special touch.’ However, India is on the move to draw tourists so these details will be important. We were met at the hotel by another agent who made sure we checked in and were accommodated. This morning we will meet our wonderful tour guide, Mikki! He is wonderful and I am delighted that we will have the honor of his presence today. When we don’t get Mikki, it is just not the same!
Today we will have breakfast at 7:00 AM and meet Mikki at 8:30 AM to begin our day. We will tour the Taj and Agra Fort and do some shopping at some of the handicraft stores where we will watch marble inlay work, silk rug weaving, and possibly musicians on traditional instruments. I am downstairs in the lobby of the hotel currently having my first cup of coffee for the day and reflecting on all the Lord has done for our team during this journey. A few of us remain a little under the weather with upper respiratory congestion/cough. There have not been any major issues with gastrointestinal illness I am happy to report.
I want to thank the 2015 team from the bottom of my heart for their diligence to follow Jesus at the hip; walking hand-in-hand with Him and each other. The road to and in India is like no other! It challenges every part of our beings. I anticipate internal struggles, now, as we transition to the other side. It is easy to slip back into ourselves and our day-to-day routine—those little complaints about no hot water in the hotel for my shower or the recycling of hotel room shampoo (speaking for myself). That we can remember that God continues to do that mighty work in and through us…to not forget His sovereignty! That we can be quiet and content that this trip wasn’t meant to redeem us but rather to seek His beauty through the eyes of all peoples—those suffering and trying to make it in their desert. We can reflect on His grace upon our own lives; that we were born in a place and into a family that looked after us. That we have a bed to lay our head down on and safe food to eat. We now can “touch” the child with the dirty hands and infested hair because they need love more than we might be repulsed. Let us not forget India as we move forward. Let us not brag about any “works” we may have done but boast about how Jesus protected us even up until this day. Let us be bold in sharing the gospel message. Christ said to make disciples of all the nations’ only once. The command only needs to be made once. It is innate in the believer to “go out” and tell others about salvation (Matt 28:16-20).
This team will not be forgotten by their professor. I was able to see the transformation in their lives. I was able to get a little closer to my students who moved me in deep ways! I strongly believe that the relationship faculty have with their students in Christ can be one of the most important “commissions” in a lifetime. It has been a privilege. Thank you students and thank you parents and family members for letting go for just a little while.
“I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely” Psalm 16:8-9.
Professor Heinlein
