Day 3: Mumbai and Church in the District

Today we were able to see some sights around Mumbai and do some shopping with Devki and Savita, who traveled with us last July. It was sooooo good to see them and be able to spend some quality time with them.

It was fun to be out on the streets with them and having a reverse role then last summer. When we went out on the streets we would bring lots of attention. When you see 4 white girls on the road in India everyone stares. So Devki and Savita spent a lot of time directing us. As you will see in the picture above w

e saw "STD's" all over the place. STD's in India are cheap calling places and not what we think of them. But it was weird to see STD on most signs.

We also saw some of the local fruit and vegetable stands. I so wanted to go purchase the fruit but knew that I did not want to be sick for the rest of the trip. Fruit was definitely my most missed food while on the trip.

Shopping was fun. We tried a few Indian dresses and the bartering that Devki and Savita did for us was appreciated. We did find a small treasure shop that had some one of a kind Indian clothes. Both Sonia and I purchased some unique dressy Indian dresses. Oli found an amazing sari but chose to not purchase it.

We also went by some American food places like KFC, which if you know me is not one of my favorite places. But thought it would be fun to take a picture with the delivery bikes. This

brought much attention but was fun.

As soon as we got back to the hotel from our shopping and city adventure our car was waiting to take us to the church service in the District. So we took our adventure across town to the District. BTC rents a church facility on Saturday evenings to have a service for women of the District. The service was very moving to see people worshipping God. I truly enjoying being services around the world and seeing how people worship God. We were able to talk to some women who work in the brothels but feel drawn to church. Continue to pray that these women will be drawn to Jesus and come out of this lifestyle. Also the children from the shelter were at the service. It was so fun to see them. Some of them even brought their balloons to church.

After the service we went to a "sizzler" restaurant with Deveraj, his family, and another family that is part of the BTC staff. Your food is literally brought out on sizzling plates. It was a fun experience and we all enjoyed the food. Then off to a natural ice cream shop where the others enjoyed some homemade ice cream. As you see from the sign to the left, "You cannot return or exchange your ice cream". So don't even try.

What a good day of seeing some of the Mumbai city, reconnecting with some of the girls Mindy and I traveled with, and worshipping with people who loved the Lord in a place that is oppressed.