It is Wednesday morning and we are on our last layover in Amsterdam.
Just to bring you up to date...
Monday morning - We visited the Taj and it was even more beautiful than we anticipated. We hired a horse drawn carriage from the Sheraton to take us into the gates of the Taj. It was very cool. It was like entering the Emerald City. We got some great photos.

After the Taj we had an 8 hour drive to Panipat, which is the home of Aashish and Parmod Vij. These are rug suppliers that I have known for 15 years. They showed us Indian hospitality at it's finest. Their entire family came out for a garden party. We ate and visited until 1:00 am.
Tuesday was our last full day. We met Aashish and Parmod at the factory and everyone but Kurt got Henna on their hands while Kurt worked for a bit. Then we toured several of their factories. We loaded up the cars and we were off to an Indian amusement center. We tasted all kinds of chat, or Indian junk food. It was all very good.

We were off to Delhi to meet one last time with Prem and Jacob Gideon. They served us a light Indian meal and we left for the Delhi airport at 11:00PM.

It was sad to leave India, but it will be good to be home. Everyday unfolded new adventures. This trip fulfilled and exceeded every expectation. We are so thankful for all you prayers and support. We look forward to sharing our pictures, videos (we promise to keep it brief), stories and memories with you upon our return to Mpls. this afternoon.
Blessings,
Kurt

Monday Morning

Hello out there (We have missed your comments the last few days)
We are in Agra now gettting ready to vist the Taj Mahal this morning. We had a wonderful time in Delhi the last few days. After visiting Prem in Anurag on Friday, we spent a quiet evening at the hotel. On Saturday we met my Indian suppler, Aashish and his wife and daughter, at Conaught Place, which is the major shopping area in New Delhi. This was a real outdoor Indian bazaar. It was so much fun for the kids to pick out something and then let Aashsish spin his magic barginning for the lowest rupee in Hindi.
Sunday, we met Prem and her husband Jacob again at their church in New Delhi. It was great to worship with them with familiar songs. (Their services are about 3 hours long). After church and lunch we took the 4 hour ride to Agra. Agra is a city of about 2.5 million and I think they were all on the street we were driving on. Sunday night must have been the night for outdoor weddings. We counted 10 of them as we drove into town. Each wedding was brightly lit and the groom was wearing a turbin on a white horse.
After seeing the Taj this morning we have a 6 hour drive to Panipat to visit again with Aashish.
Blessings,
Kurt

Explanation of Photos from Anurag in New Delhi

1. Director Prem Gideon with pre-school students
2. Bryce getting fitted for a shirt that the tailoring students made for him. All our kids got outfits made for them by the students.
3. Alissa with students from Anurag.
4. The cutest kid in the world praying the Lord's prayer. She would pray and the class would repeat.
5. A man in the streets selling hot potatoes from his head! This type of thing is fairly normal in New Delhi.

Photos from the Anurag ministry in New Delhi

Explanation of Photos from Goa

1. We came across this mother and her kids. We gave them candy and rupees.
2. A Goan steer hearder
3. The kids on their first elephant ride (It was a 42 female elephant)
4. An adorable monkey family. We fed these monkeys by hand (maybe we should have had those rabies shots)
5. Women washing clothes on rocks in the river

Greetings,
We finished our short visit to Goa yesterday(Thursday) and headed to Delhi well before dawn.
We had a blast there. We spent our last day with Rajin as he drove us wildly through the villages; traveling inland toward the jungle. (They don't really drive here, it's more of a weaving in and out, darting between lanes with the assumption that you are invincible.)
After the first 2 hours of driving we left our car and switched to a jeep that took us on a narrow, rocky, dirt path into the jungle toward Goa's famous waterfall. We took our driver, Rajin, with us as he has proven to be most helpful.
We must have looked like a bunch of bobble-head dolls bumping our way down the trail. We even drove through several streams, one of which was quite wide. It was amazing to successfully cross both times: Thank God for an experienced driver.
When we got there we were almost immediately greeted by a jungle full of monkeys. Looking up at the trees we could see that there were monkeys everywhere. All of us tourists had purchased fruit and cashews to feed to them. The kids were loving it and we got some great pictures that they will have to show you when we get home.
We took our time on the way back; taking pictures and doing a little shopping. Bryce and Kurt even got a haircut in the main town. Both cuts cost little more than $1.00. Naturally, we were outraged and will not be returning there for their next cut! jk
While they were busy at the barber shop, us girls decided to check out the shops on our own. This was fun for awhile, but after being swarmed by street sellers that were a tad pushy, we needed to retreat back into the barber shop. I am not so good at saying "no" to people who are so poor. If needed, Alissa will get my back and step in to say that we have no money or to give them a "take it or leave it" price. We usually walk away with another bargain purchased for "a good price". They always give us "a good price".
In the middle of the night, we awoke to leave for an early morning flight. This was the most peaceful drive that we have had all trip; no traffic, everyone was sleeping still. Again the Lord was good and our flight was on time.
Once in Delhi, we were greeted by several men that were hired by an Indian associate of Kurt's. They loaded all of us and our luggage into two cars and brought us straight to Anurag, the ministry to women and children. Here the little ones welcomed us with flowers; one bouquet for each Nelson. Prem Gideon, who started and still operates this ministry, took us around to all of the rooms and buildings.
This area was like something that you would expect to see in the middle east. It was a series of alley ways where all parts of life were taking place. Men getting a shave, sitting in a barbers chairs from the 50's, a man selling baked sweet potatoes that he carried on a tray on his head, a caravan of donkeys, making their way through the people, carrying baskets of goods. ( I'm surprised that my neck didn't just plain snap off!)
On our tour of Anurag we met and observed the children in their classrooms, and saw the young women involved in their training in sewing, knitting, and embroidery. We also saw the Love Basket office, the Compassion Int. Office, the health office, etc.
It was wonderful to witness all of this good work being done in the name of Christ. The face much opposition from the leaders of this village of farmers, yet the continue to grow. Women and their families are slowly and cautiously coming to know the Lord. Although Prems life has been threatened, she proclaims God as her savior and protector.
We were honored to have the opportunity to see this incredible project. It has been another day of blessing for us. I hope that hearing of them touches your hearts as well. I am off to bed now to rest up for a day spent touring Delhi.
Love to all of our friends and family. You make us happy to know that you are with us on this journey. God has clearly shown us why He sent us here, and at this time. This visit to India has God's finger prints all over it. We do serve an awesome God. AMEN!

We left Chennai yesterday,Tuesday, and headed for Goa. Our Hotel there was a bit "sketch"' as our girls would say. The kids were very good about it; no complaining. I told them that they would get a crown in heaven for staying there. But, not for our visit to Goa!
It is very beautiful here and the hotel is lovely. After waking at 4:00 am every morning in Chennai, it was a treat to be able to sleep in. The maid woke us up at 9:30 (even Kurt!). It is amazing what a difference a good bed can make.( In Chennai the beds were very small and hard. The pillows were thick foam and weighed about 10 lb. each. The rooms were damp and smelly. But hey, we did it; we survived.)
We got here mid afternoon. It is warm and sunny in Goa. We just relaxed here by the pool and enjoyed the hotel until bedtime.
Today, we hired a driver to take us to the beach. It was so fun to drive through the villages along the way. I wanted to stop constantly to take pictures. This place is a photographers dream: The fruit stands, the houses, the children, the elephants, the cows, and the pigs; it's all so fascinating.
FYI... We almost lost Bryce today. The driving here is crazy; one narrow road with lots of people, motorcycles, and cars. Getting out of the car to see a gigantic elephant, Bryce darted across the street without looking. A motorcycle had to screech to a halt and somehow stopped inches from him. Know that your prayers are very meaningful. God is good!
Spending the day at the Arabian Sea is not a bad way to kill an afternoon. Alissa said, "It feels like we are spending the day with the natives". And, she is right, we did. There were lots of Indians with us all day. I think they were determined to see to it that we left the beach with no money left. They were selling services and gifts. We like to visit with them too, because they are such wonderful people ( a few beggars, but mostly people selling). It is fun to mix with the locals whenever we can.
Our driver, Rajan, will be returning for us in the morning. When chatting with him in the car today, he told us that he travels by bus each day for 2 hours to get to the hotel. He lives in a mud hut with his extented family. He is super nice; very polite, knowledgeable, and personable.
These people intrigue me. They are very poor, but you would never know it by seeing them or talking with them. They conduct themselves with class well beyond their status. They are very happy, hard working people. We love the people more than anything.
We have an early morning tomorrow, so I better close. Thank you for all of your prayers. The Lord has clearly blessed this trip: Everything has gone so wonderfully. Also, we love hearing from all of you, so keep writing.
In Him, Gloria

Explanation of Photos

1. We gave Maheswari a necklace that Gloria made. After receiving it she took the necklace from around her neck and put it on Natalie.
2. The gift that got the strongest reaction from Maheswari was the supersized bag of suckers that we gave her ( compliments of Carolyn Bradway). We told her that they were for all of her friends back in the village. She was very happy!
3. We brought her a backpack filled with art supplies, a flash light, toothbrush, school supplies, jump rope,etc.
4. Oh Happy Day! I got to hug my 4th daughter. Words could never describe how incredible it was. I should like to bottle such an experience.
5. We were able to find a Christian bookstore in Chennai. They had only one Bible in Maheswari's native language: we bought it! Now I am 100% joy.

Some more Photos

Monday Update

It is Tuesday and we are enjoying Goa. I wanted to update you all on the amazing day we had yesterday. We met Maheswari, our Compassion child. She and the director of the project where she attends and a social worker made a 3 hour trip (each way) by train to meet us in Chennai. It was an unbelievable sight when this sweet girl showed up in our hotel lobby. There were a lot of tears shed. Her father died 6 years ago and she calls me Papa. She lives with her mother in poverty with her 2 other sisters. They have no electricity and she had never been in a car or train before yesterday.

We spent some time talking with her. She spoke some English. Our kids immediately were attached to her. We then went to a shopping mall (Chennai's version of the Mega Mall) and bought her and her family some clothes. On the way out we asked her if she wanted anything else and she said "video game". Even in her rural community in India, they know of video games. We couldn't find one, but we gave the director some money to buy her one when he was able to find one.

We then took her to a nice restaurant for lunch. She was overwelmed by the big city. Our last stop was to a Christian book store to buy her a Bible in her native language of Telugu. Then the time came that we needed to take her back to the train. We all were sad to see her go, especially Natalie, but we were so grateful for this special time that we had with her.
I am sure that Gloria will have more to add to this tommorow.
Kurt

Explanation of Photos

1. Kurt in Taxi traveling from Chennai airport to our hotel
2. Family in airport in Amsterdam
3. Gloria holding one of the babies at Concord House of Jesus orphanage.
4. Aubrey with her new friend Christina. They met during a wonderful service at St. Andrews church in Chennai.
5. Natalie and Aubrey playing with the girls in the toddler room at the orphanage
6. Natalie being kissed by one of the women that took care of her there 10 years earlier.

Some photos from Saturday and Sunday

Day 2

We have been here for a day and a half and already I could write a book.
At the airport in Mumbai we had our first experience with the street children. It was 2:00 in the morning and they were hanging out outside the airport. It was a group of young boys that approached us. They were very sweet and we enjoyed talking to them. They were looking for a handout, but also just a little attention too.
We visited the orphanage yesterday. We were able to give the kids some toys, clothes and supplies. They were very happy to get the things we brought. We stayed for quite a while , holding the babies and playing with the toddlers. Watching our kids interact with these little ones was a moving experience. You can only imagine the thoughts and feelings going through our heads.
We had an interesting dinner at the hotel last night. We were intertained by to men singing American songs with an Indian flare, while a very little man about the size of a five year old danced to the music.
Today we attended church with Geetha, the director of the orphanage, and her family. It was a wonderful two-hour service in a two-hundred year old church. Now we are of to the orphanage for our second and final visit. The rest of the day will be spent touring Chennai and shopping.
Good news! Our Compassion child will be traveling to visit us here in Chennai tomorrow as we were advised not to travel to her village. Praise God!
Love to all of you,
Gloria