Day 2 in India - The Bangalore field office
Friday in Bangalore involved my first visit to an IJM field office. Stephen picked me up at 7:15am and we squeezed our way around town to an undisclosed location in Bangalore. Stephen was a great driver, much lighter on the horn but still got us there safely. We arrived a little early so we decided to stop at a local coffee shop around the corner, but unfortunately it was closed. I thought it was strange that a coffee shop was closed in the morning, some was told that sometimes they do not open until 10. No matter though, as Stephen was able to make a great cup of coffee at the office before things began.
About 8:30, the staff started to gather but noticed that the chairs were being set up in little semicircles. Apparently on Fridays, the staff takes 30 minutes to play a games called the Master's game, which is essentially a trivial quiz game. I was assigned to one of the four teams and the game began. Apparently the gamesperson who hosts the games that week also sets the rules. In this particular week, the team could not answer the question by giving the letter A B C D representing the correct answer. The team had to form the letter with their hands. All team members had to be included in forming the letter. Well, the bottom line was my team put up a good effort but we did not win that day.
Now I was up. Peter the IJM office director introduced me and I came up front to lead the devotions. I was nervous. I started out with my personal history and how I got involved with IJM. I shared about how God had done amazing things through the IJM involvement, how He made it possible to me to be a part of advocacy day, got me an appointment with the state representative staff member, he gave me the words to say, which ultimately lead to his sponsorship of the ledgislation (although sadly forgot to mention the last point). I was told afterwards that many were really touched by my story as example of how God moves to bring supporters of their work.
I went on to say that the IJM experience really opened by eyes to the possibility of an interactive relationship with God. I then moved to the passage in John 4 about the royal official who requested healing for his son. I said that up to that time I had seen that passage as a example of great faith on the part of the father, but recently had begun to see a different view, the fact that the son who was healed was far away, but that was no issue for God. I went on to say that I knew of many who were praying for them. The passage points to the principle that anyone near to God, can ask for things, and God can do them - even when those things are far away. I closed with an encouragement to them to take heart that although the challenges were hard, we are following their work and are interceding for them, and even far away God was there to help.
Next up was a time with Peter the Director of the Bangalore office. We had a great conversation covering the state of the office. He shared a couple of specific prayer requests. First, that the investigations would be able to uncover more slavery cases. Things had slowed down to the point it was a little discouraging. There were many still in bondage but locating them recently had proved to be difficult. He also asked for prayer for a replacement of the Director of Administration - a key role in the office.
I then met with Miguel who led me through the casework in that office, some of which was not public information - such as their current strategy with structural change. I think that this is important step for this office and I want to be able to support this effort in some way. I have not offered anything yet, but would like to find a way to support it. I am attending a client monthly meeting Sunday and I will ask what I can do to help.
I then was walked though the office by Teena who introduced me to all of the staff and I had a chance to ask them questions. I then sat in on the leadership team meeting but sadly had to go to appts at the office.
The office day was pretty interesting but I was pretty tired. Day 2 of jet lag was the hardest and I was fading fast in the afternoon. The night before I was only able to sleep a few hours.
I sent my bag off to Mumbai ahead of me. I was able to fit what I needed for Chennai into my backpack. This avoids paying baggage fees to fly it to Chennai and then to Mumbai, and I also don't have to lug it around. The cost to ship? 2800 rubies or about $45 - as opposed to 18000 rupies the airline would charge me.
2 random observations: My room faces the street so I have noticed that although there are sidewalks, everyone seems to walk in the street. Also, I noticed that although there the power lines are on proper poles, there are other wires, probably internet strung down the street ramdomly over trees, street lights, etc. Interesting.
Saturday is totally free day and I am not sure what I will do. I would like to get out but am uncertain how good of an idea it is to wonder around alone. It is not that I fear the people overall. In fact, I have been treated extremely well by everyone I meet. I do feel like I should see something other than factories of India. Hmmm . . . what to do -- what to do
Friday in Bangalore involved my first visit to an IJM field office. Stephen picked me up at 7:15am and we squeezed our way around town to an undisclosed location in Bangalore. Stephen was a great driver, much lighter on the horn but still got us there safely. We arrived a little early so we decided to stop at a local coffee shop around the corner, but unfortunately it was closed. I thought it was strange that a coffee shop was closed in the morning, some was told that sometimes they do not open until 10. No matter though, as Stephen was able to make a great cup of coffee at the office before things began.
About 8:30, the staff started to gather but noticed that the chairs were being set up in little semicircles. Apparently on Fridays, the staff takes 30 minutes to play a games called the Master's game, which is essentially a trivial quiz game. I was assigned to one of the four teams and the game began. Apparently the gamesperson who hosts the games that week also sets the rules. In this particular week, the team could not answer the question by giving the letter A B C D representing the correct answer. The team had to form the letter with their hands. All team members had to be included in forming the letter. Well, the bottom line was my team put up a good effort but we did not win that day.
Now I was up. Peter the IJM office director introduced me and I came up front to lead the devotions. I was nervous. I started out with my personal history and how I got involved with IJM. I shared about how God had done amazing things through the IJM involvement, how He made it possible to me to be a part of advocacy day, got me an appointment with the state representative staff member, he gave me the words to say, which ultimately lead to his sponsorship of the ledgislation (although sadly forgot to mention the last point). I was told afterwards that many were really touched by my story as example of how God moves to bring supporters of their work.
I went on to say that the IJM experience really opened by eyes to the possibility of an interactive relationship with God. I then moved to the passage in John 4 about the royal official who requested healing for his son. I said that up to that time I had seen that passage as a example of great faith on the part of the father, but recently had begun to see a different view, the fact that the son who was healed was far away, but that was no issue for God. I went on to say that I knew of many who were praying for them. The passage points to the principle that anyone near to God, can ask for things, and God can do them - even when those things are far away. I closed with an encouragement to them to take heart that although the challenges were hard, we are following their work and are interceding for them, and even far away God was there to help.
Next up was a time with Peter the Director of the Bangalore office. We had a great conversation covering the state of the office. He shared a couple of specific prayer requests. First, that the investigations would be able to uncover more slavery cases. Things had slowed down to the point it was a little discouraging. There were many still in bondage but locating them recently had proved to be difficult. He also asked for prayer for a replacement of the Director of Administration - a key role in the office.
I then met with Miguel who led me through the casework in that office, some of which was not public information - such as their current strategy with structural change. I think that this is important step for this office and I want to be able to support this effort in some way. I have not offered anything yet, but would like to find a way to support it. I am attending a client monthly meeting Sunday and I will ask what I can do to help.
I then was walked though the office by Teena who introduced me to all of the staff and I had a chance to ask them questions. I then sat in on the leadership team meeting but sadly had to go to appts at the office.
The office day was pretty interesting but I was pretty tired. Day 2 of jet lag was the hardest and I was fading fast in the afternoon. The night before I was only able to sleep a few hours.
I sent my bag off to Mumbai ahead of me. I was able to fit what I needed for Chennai into my backpack. This avoids paying baggage fees to fly it to Chennai and then to Mumbai, and I also don't have to lug it around. The cost to ship? 2800 rubies or about $45 - as opposed to 18000 rupies the airline would charge me.
2 random observations: My room faces the street so I have noticed that although there are sidewalks, everyone seems to walk in the street. Also, I noticed that although there the power lines are on proper poles, there are other wires, probably internet strung down the street ramdomly over trees, street lights, etc. Interesting.
Saturday is totally free day and I am not sure what I will do. I would like to get out but am uncertain how good of an idea it is to wonder around alone. It is not that I fear the people overall. In fact, I have been treated extremely well by everyone I meet. I do feel like I should see something other than factories of India. Hmmm . . . what to do -- what to do
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