Pavna Lake

Sandra came to visit - she was my student in the 1999 IPHC school and stayed in India for the next 6 years - she led the IPHC for a couple of years and then she established a Ministry for HIV+ people in Pune - this work continues to grow. She went home last year and returned for a visit - it was great to see her again. In fact part of the time during those 7 years she was also my roommate. We had many fun times.
Since she was here we decided to do some scouting in the area for a lake we had heard about. You know how it is - kind of have to have company around to get out to see places. So with my car full we took off - hoping to find it. WOW we found it - what a beautiful big lake! All the way there we passed through some amazing scenery - in fact Pamela kept saying - this is like Switzerland (she was in Switzerland during the January quarter for staffing a school - so she knew what she was talking about). We drove along the side of the Lake till we came across a lovely garden - free!! - there was a nice lawn, beach to swim and boating available. There was also an open restaurant on the site - with amazing views and lovely breezes. We really did enjoy the beauty. Sorry I didn't have a camera - but next time I go (and believe me I will - especially at those times that I really need to get to water) I will take my camera and get some pictures which I will post. It is only about 15km from my house to this garden. The water was clean and looked refreshing.
So as you can see it isn't all work and no play here - come see this amazing country!!

finally have internet connection at home!!!!!!!!

Wow, I finally got internet at home - so now can post on my blog. I was limited to the internet at work so wasn't able to do much since I went there to work not play on my computer.
Looks like our rainy season is pretty much over!! - what a relief to see the sunshine again pretty much all day. In fact last Friday we actually did a staff picnic in the rain - of course that is something the nationals really love doing - and I must say it was pretty much fun - but did have to come home to have a warm shower and change my clothes when it was all done.
We are just completing a quiet quarter at our campus - no schools just seminars etc. On Sept 29th we start our fall quarter - we are expecting about 70 students plus staff on campus so as you can imagine our campus will be humming. pretty much full house. These schools run till Dec 19th when they leave on outreach.
So now with the internet I can actually listen to Praise 106.5 FM which I really do enjoy and have missed over the past months.
Will try to be more consistent with my blogs now that I am connected. Would love comments from anyone.

Almost time for a visa run

Here I am again - have been keeping very busy this past few months. Our campus is full - there are 4 schools running and several have almost 30 students each. Of course having these courses running means that there are staff, speakers, and support staff - so as you can imagine - the campus is packed and really humming along.
At the end of April I will be flying to Canada for a visa run. I arrive on Apr 26th and will be around till June 15.
Right now my schedule does include some traveling around. I plan to be down at the coast till Mother's Day and then on May 12th i plan to drive up to Pemberton to hang out with my friend and her family for a few days - then on May 20th head up to Kelowna area - visit with friends and take care of some business. I expect to be there till the end of the month when I will return to the coast for the last couple of weeks before returning to India June 15th.
Of course this is just a tentative plan -but for now this is what I am planning on doing. I sure do hope to get to visit with many of your while I am in the area. I will have my car so will be quite flexible.
I will also be packing up my house before leaving here - since the guys will be moving me into a place down the road from the campus on Apr 26th - pretty nice eh!!!?? Just packing and then others will move me. The family living in the flat I am moving into - will be staying on (using my furnishings) I really appreciate them helping me out this way - it allows me to get my stuff moved before the monsoon starts. And avoid having to move my stuff into storage for the time I am in Canada.
Hope to be able to visit while I am there.
See you soon!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

The time has come to post on my blog - here we are in 2008 already - almost half way through January. I just completed a very extensive holiday together with Gloria my friend from Canada. She came Dec 12th and left Jan 10th. In that time we visited Jaipur, Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort) and Delhi. We travelled by Train, bus, rickshaws, and taxi. Then we got back to Lonavala Dec 22nd and left for Goa Dec 23rd. This is my favorite place to enjoy Christmas and New Years. We really enjoyed the sun, sand and surf! There were lots of others there. We were blessed to be able to stay in a friends flat for only Rs400 per day - wouldn't be able to afford it any other way. This wasy we could occassionally eat at home and then eat out on other occassions. The nicest was to be able to eat dinner in a shack at the beach and enjoy the sunset and surf. We drove down to Goa and experienced two different roads - going was a horrid road that seemed to take forever but coming back was very pleasant going through lovely country side. We cut about 4 hours off driving time going this way.
Now we are starting the enxt quarter at the base. We expect about 85 students for 4 schools and from many different places in the world. The place will really be humming for the next few months while they attend their classes. It is exciting to see such an increase in attendance.
We are really enjoying lovely weather these days - lovely warm days and cool nights - can even use a quilt to snuggle up in.
That's it for now - wishing you all a very properous and joyous new year!!!!!!

Early Season's Greetings

Hi everyone - I realize that in the west you are well into the Christmas activities and celebrations. Even getting some snow in the Okanagan!!! And here I am with warm sunny days and cool nights - cool enough to have to pull the quilt up before morning. How cozy is that?!?
Actually this is my favorite kind of weather - although this year I am missing the snow - can you believe that???
I am excitedly awaiting my friend Gloria's arrival - she comes from Vancouver via Heathrow airport and arrives in Mumbai on Wed 12th Dec at noon. This will be the first time I have someone from home who gets to see India from my perspective. We will get to do some traveling while she is here - of course to see the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort and then following a tradition that I started many years ago - going to Goa to relax in the warm sun enjoying the sand and sea, and of course all of that wonderful seafood. We will be staying at a friends flat - I have stayed there before - so that keeps the cost way down. Gloria will be here for about one month.
The schools that are running have almost 2 weeks to complete their lecture phase. Now staff are starting to leave for home - and the Christmas holidays - some have to travel 3-4 days by train - can you imagine?!???! and then often by bus (horrendous roads in those parts of the world). But it is very exciting for them to spend time with family.
That's it for now. I will try to post some pictures from my travels.

GOT MY VISA

Wow, it has been a couple of months (almost) since I posted anything - these have been a couple of busy months with daily work, meetings and making a trip to Thailand for a visa run. I ended up staying in Thai for almost 2 weeks because I forgot to sign one place on the application form and this was missed by the clerk checking it. Can you believe the Indian Embassy has outsourced the visa process !!! And wouldn't you know it - the day I was there was the first day they were functioning - yuk!!!
While in Thai I got to spend a couple of days with Jonah (a former IPHC student who has been serving in Korea for the past 3 yrs) - it sure was great catching up with what he is up to. He was just recovering from some pretty extensive dental surgery but we managed to get lots of talking done - in spite of that.
I sure didn't feel like I needed a holiday yet but had no choice so decided to make the most of it. Was great to be at the Juniper Tree again - although this time I went to the guest house up in Chiang Mai - what a lovely setting that is. I met a number of interesting people coming from different locations. In Bangkok I stayed at the Alliance Guest house - also met a number of interesting people.
Was very happy to come back home once I got my visa - but as result of poor communication on my part there wasn't a taxi waiting to meet me so had to find a taxi which delayed my getting home - only getting home by 4AM. But was able to stretch out and have a good sleep so could get into the base by the next morning - 10AM - it was great seeing all my friends there. The welcome was wonderful.
We are really enjoying the best weather of the year - warm during the day and cooling down real nice at nights.
I am really looking forward to Gloria coming for a vist in Dec - we will be keeping really busy with travelling etc while she is here - going up to see the Taj Mahal and Red Fort and various people in that area. Then of course go to Goa for Christmas - this has kind of become a tradition for me - so it will be great to introduce Gloria to this lovely tradition as well.

Enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend

Where does the time go??!???

Many people gathering to pray for different leaders in our mission. This is in the new hall that was completed enough for us to use. this hall can seat up to 500 people - and will be used as a multipurpose hall for the UofN.

David Johnson (first leader I had in 1998) and Lalram -(IPHC student in 1999 school) Both are now serving in Dakha, Bangladesh. It was great to see them and to participate in seminar with them.

This was the theme of our workshop - Carolyn (worked with me at Okanagan base and is now staffing IPHC in Kona - she stayed with me for almost one month here in India- was great to spend time with her. She is now in Cambodia with the rest of the staff and students from the IPHC running right now in Kona - they need your prayers.

Can't believe that we are almost at the end of Sept already - the monsoon is still dragging on - but really quite mild - soon we will just have sunshine - that will be nice. Thankfully the weather will now start getting cooler - though although we have sunshine it will be cool.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

Lovely Isn't it?

Have you ever seen such a large hibyscus (spelling)? Couldn't resist taking this picture - good I did because the next day it was wilted and dead! So much beauty for such a short time.

Well, it seems our lovely weather has stopped and the monsoons have returned - kind of disappointing since we are now having the UofN Workshop with over 500 participants attending! There are people here from 35 different nations and we are having a great time - in spite of the rain. The large hall that was under construction was completed enough to use it. and what a beautiful hall it is - even though it isn't completed.

We are now half way through the workshop and although it has been exhausting it has been good. The workshop finishes on Sunday and then there are smaller gatherings for specific groups - such as the College of Counselling and Health care which I will be attending - not only attending but also taking the minutes of those meetings.

I have Joanne from USA - worked in Pune with us for many years plus Carolyn - IPHC staff from Kona (prior to that was at the Okanagan base with me). Has been fun having house guests.

I can hardly believe that I have been here almost 4 months already - before you know it I will be travelling back for a visa run. Time just flies too fast. I am just loving being back here and am starting to really feel at home in Lonavala - it has taken an adjustment since it is really much more like a village as opposed to Pune which is definitely a large city. But here the air is clean and the hills are green - really very lovely. and definitely cooler - which is really great.

Hello from rainy Lonavala

Here we are mid Aug already - I just can't believe how fast the time flies!!!!!! You have probably heard about all of the rain in the north east of India and Bangladesh - well thankfully we have enjoyed (actually) a relatively mild monsoon. Although it has rained there are many bright times - not actually sunshine but brighter. And the rain hasn't been constant! Thankfully. The stories on the news about the people in the north east are tragic!
Well, it is only 3 weeks now till the workshop - all energies are now being focused on preparation for that. We are expecting approx 500 delegates at this workshop so we will be very busy for the first week of Sept. Then after the workshop are various meetings planned by smaller groups - since people will be coming from all over the world it will be an opportunity to network and discuss various issues related to our work.
The DTS will be finished their lecture phase next week - they have had a great school - they will be going to Pune area for a couple of weeks to do outreach - then coming back to participate in the workshop - for many of them this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are excited that our founder will be here plus a number of the top leaders. We are just hoping that this mild monsoon will remain during the workshop - or even better just plain stop during that week. It will be quite a challenge with so many people if the rains are there. Too much muddy water around!!!
Yesterday I went to Pune for the day and came home completely exhausted!!!!! This shopping is for the birds - I just don't enjoy it. But a few of the gals came down with me and we had a great lunch together at Sunmoi - my favorite Chinese place in Pune!! What a treat that was since no matter what cusine the restaurants here in Lonavala claim to be they are all basically pretty Indian in flavors! Things are so different in a village than in a metropolitan city.
My car is still working great and I am enjoying being taxi for 4 gals.
Well, it is Saturday and the laundry needs to get done so will close for now. Would love to hear from some of you. Thanks so much Sheri for your faithful comments and keeping me motivated to keep posting!!!

July is almost finished!!!

I can hardly believe that July is almost over - time just flies much too fast!   We have had almost 2 weeks with no rain - amazing in the middle of monsoon for this to happen  - the locals say this has not happened before.  Yesterday it started raining - and I must say it felt good (of course yesterday was the first day I didn't bring my umbrella to work :):)).  The rains isn't so severe yet but pretty constant.  With no rains there are no waterfalls - usually there are hundreds of waterfalls on the hills surrounding Lonavala.  Can see the scarring from the waterfalls but no water - and the Lonavala Lake which only fills during the monsoon became almost dry - hard to imagine where the water goes.  I am looking forward to finally seeing them - they are quite amazing - at least that is what I hear.
During July I drove down to Pune only once - have basically stayed here in Lonavala.  I have been going in the base 5 days a week - providing taxi for 5 gals so that they don't get wet - of course there hasn't been that problem these days but it will be again.
The hall being built on campus is coming along nicely - the dry weather has been a real blessing - the guys can work more easily with the dryer weather.  They need to turn the hall over to us by Aug 15th when we will start our preparation for the workshop.  Of course it won't be completed by then but enough so that we can use it.  So far we have about 300 people registered for the workshop - things will get pretty crazy here - with all the preparation and then the workshop itself.  We will all have to really pull together to accomplish this huge task.  It will be exciting.
My work is still a little up in the air - I have now started working with Pamela doing some of the accounting projects - I take minutes at pretty much all of the different meetings, in spare time I will be typing up Lis's lecture notes for her, and working on a book with Lis - she will speak into a Dictaphone and I will transcribe it into my computer - that should be quite exciting - since it is the history of YWAM India to a large extent that Lis has been involved in for the past 25 years.  My official title is Executive Secretary which is basically a 'catch all' phrase for the various areas that I will be involved with.  Basically it will involve keeping the bigger picture in view in the many different areas of the campus activities.  I am happy to be here and look forward to the great variety of stuff I will be able to participate in.
In my free time I have been busy knitting - something I really enjoy doing - finally got a bunch of yarn and have been keeping my knitting needles clicking.  I have almost finished a baby sweater and a poncho for myself.  Then I will be working on an afghan for my living room - this will come in very handy once the cooler weather starts - and i understand it can get quite cold - and with no central heat the afghan will be very nice to have.
That is it for now -

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Happy Birthday

Today is Sunday - the day before my birthday - Pamela (friend) came over for lunch, after lunch we played a few games of Skipo and then we went over to Coffee Day just off the Expressway for Capaccino (sp) sat there so long that we finally walked over to the US Pizza place and had a pizza for dinner - what a lovely day we had. The weather today was dry and then rainy on and off all day. Even got to see the sun from time to time. The wind is so lovely - I was saying to Pamela it is too bad there isn't some place to sit and enjoy the wind and at the same time she was saying it is a shame there isn't a place to go for a jog in the wind - different prespectives -!?!?
I guess we have had a pretty mild monsoon so far - at least everyone says that it is usually much worse - have had quite a few sunny (at least dry)breaks every day. I am so grateful that it isn't as bad as they all warned me it would be.
I keep having to remind myself that this is July and not November - the temp is quite cool besides the rain. Certainly more tolerable than the hot humid weather we were having when I first got here.
I am feeling quite settled in my place - have been able to have different people over for meals - and gone to different peoples places as well.
Currently we only have one school running on campus - but there are about 30 students in the class - it is going very well. We are in process of preparing for the UofN workshop that will be taking place beginning of Sept. The building is coming along really well - they were even able to get most of the roof slab poured already - thankfully the rain has held off quite a bit to make this possible.
This past week we saw Sandra off - she has returned to Switzerland after being here since doing her IPHC school in 2000. It was sad to see her go - but she certianly was happy to be going home again.
I haven't had a chance to go see the waterfalls yet - there are hundreds of them during the monsoon - hopefully I will get to do that soon. The people come here from Bombay every weekend to enjoy the rains and the waterfalls - so there is really no point going out on the weekends - the roads are completely plugged with cars and people. So I will have to go during the week sometime.

Pictures of my place and car

Stairs up to my bedroom

Front Door entry - side window is in Living Room now has an AC in it PTL!

My car - Hyundai Santro - has AC as well and power steering!!

Kitchen with back door - very narrow - go through this into a small square courtyard and over to Raj and Brenda's house! Very handy

My nook next to the kitchen

Living room - new sofa set, drapes and coffee table. I also have a reclining chair which I really appreciate especially now that I have AC in the room. The main reason for the AC is to get rid of the humidity during the monsoons - of course it will be a real blessing when it is hot in summer. The monsoon season here is much cooler than in Pune - quite a change - I even need a thin jacket or sweater.

trying to post pictures

blue tarp covers bedroom window during
monsoons

so now I am going to try to post some pictures to this blog - not sure if it will work but lets see. These are pictures of my home and my car. Living room, Kitchen, nook, stairs, back door(off kitchen), blue tarp that is put on windows during the rainy season, front door, car,

well that took over half an hour

since it takes so long to do from home I will post more pictures tomorrow at work where we have broadband - so much quicker!! so you will just have to wait for that.

June 26, 2007

After 2 weeks I finally have internet at home again - one of the frustrations of living in India is inconsistent connection.  They call my connection high speed - but it is just dial up and definitely NOT high speed.  O well, I will take what I can get - this is one of the downsides of living in a village rather than in a big city like Pune. 

I am adjusting to a very different life style here - have finally got most of the stuff I need - am getting some cabinets built - once they are in I will be settled - of course there are no pictures on the walls or other decorative stuff - just the basics of living.

Well, when it rains here we often don't have power - in fact the last few days we were without power - so that means no work - at least not at the office.  I came home yesterday soon after getting to work and again today - but fortunately today I had power at home so was able to work from home.  It seems like we are having lots of rain already but I have been assured that this is nothing yet - just wait till we don't see the sun for a month - then I will know what real monsoons are. 

Was in Pune last weekend for a farewell for Sandra - she was in the first IPHC (in 1999)  I led and has been in Pune since working in slum communities with HIV/AIDS people.  She is looking forward to moving back to Switzerland - .  Driving here is quite hazardous - I get pretty tired after driving to Pune and back.  Now with the rains it will be even more treacherous.  I am grateful for my car though - with the rains etc - it is a real blessing. 

The large hall that is under construction at the base is moving along - slowly - thankfully the rains haven't fully started yet - giving the builders a little more time to complete the roof at least.  Then they can work on the inside during the monsoons.  The UofN Workshop will be held here first weekend in Sept - so the building needs to be at least mostly completed by then.  The challenge is on!!!

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It's about time!!!

Hi everyone - I have not been able to write in my blog for some time now - my internet has been disconnected for some reason - not sure why but everyone says that is how it is in India?!?!?  What to do??  Hopefully that will soon be restored.  So I am limited to using the internet at the office for now.  Last week had to hand around home for the last 3 days waiting for different delivery people etc.  No phone and no internet - pretty quiet!  Now my phone is finally up and running again- yeh!! 

Well, the rains are still holding off but since it has rained a little the temp has definitely dropped - yeh!!  There are still power cuts (of course they are just a way of life here) so there are still times when it feels pretty warm.

I broke down and got an AC - mainly for the humidity but it certainly doesn't hurt for the heat.  So nice to be able to have a comfortable sleep -

This Friday I will be going down to Pune for a few days - first to attend Sandra's farewell and then to stay for a few days Mercy Ministries consultation - it will be good to see what is going on in our area again. 

It is great to be able to drive - however it is also pretty exhausting driving - with all the various kinds of traffic = including people and animals.  Thankfully I have kept safe on the roads -

My house is set up and starting to really feel like home - will include pictures next time I post - I promise!! 

Would love some response

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Not sure what the nbsp is about

Sorry about the nbsp after each sentence - if someone knows how to fix that let me know.

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June 13th

Wow i have almost been here a whole month already!  and it is time to write again.  Life has been kind of hectic for me - felt quite sick on Saturday - stomach thing (guess the water wasn't clean enough for my tender tummy.  Recovered by Sunday though - thankfully.  Tuesday drove to Pune again - took 3 girls with me - we each had a number of errands to run.  I finalized my sofa and AC unit - yes I broke down and bought one since that will really help with the extreme humidity here plus be a real benefit during the summer heat.  Originally I was planning on getting a dehumidifier but then considered that this would only be helpful during the monsoon and since the price is pretty much the same it made more sense to get the AC that way I can use it about 9 months of the year. 

I have almost got my place completely set up - thankfully have been able to get this taken care of before the rains start full on - it has rained on and off a few times but nothing yet - apparently. 

In spite of the humidity I am still very happy that I came back - it is good to be here.  It has been a challenge adjusting to living in Lonavala but it is nice to travel to Pune from time to time.  Pretty exhausting but nice to be there where I feel so at home. 

Got my hair cut yesterday - finally!!!  it had gotten pretty long - I was feeling more like a dog than a person - now it is short and neat again.  Got back in with my old hairdresser who does an amazing job - of course that means I have to go to Pune once a month just for that - but worth it. 

I sure would love some response to my blog.

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catch up

JUST CHECKING TO BE SURE THIS NEW SYSTEM WORKS

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