Arrival in Danishpet

I had a long night on the train. I slept, but the sleep was unproductive. I awoke 2.5 hours before my stop and fearing that I had gone past my destination, only to realize that the clock on my phone was still set to Manila time, and I was only about 2/3 of the way through my journey.
After a few more hour and a few more brief naps, I stepped off the train in the town of Salem. There I met two men from Bethel Bible Institute from the school where Hanson's father was president. I rode with the two men, in a silent and sleepy daze. After about 45 minutes, we arrived into a very remote village known called "Danishpet". We entered the Bethel campus and I was surprised to see that it included far more than I had imagined. There was a hospital, a church, a Matriculation school, an orphanage, and a bible institute which served as a training center for rural indian missionaries. The car finally stopped at the house of Dr. J. Jey Kanagaraj. Where there was room prepared for me to live in during my week-long stay in Danishpet.

The day was sleepy, yet productive. I attended a chapel service and a class on Indian Philosophy. Morning tea, Lunch and dinner were spent with the students talking and getting to know them and their calls into ministry.

Meals have provided an interesting experience. Almost everyone seemed shocked when I asked to eat the same food as the students in the dining hall. I was repeatedly asked various questions about my digestive health and if I had eaten Indian food before. I would usually reply something to the effect of: "yes," my stomach can digest a brick, and "no" I had not really eaten much authentic indian food in my life. So... eating would be a bit of a step of faith. Apparently they were asking these questions because, it is a common occurrence that "white people" will come, decide to "go native" and end up spending the remainder of their trip with painful stomach cramps and diarrhea. After all of that intro, I have to admit that I did have some mild concern, but I ate with them anyway.

Meeting and eating with the students has been wonderful. Sharing in a common meal something very necessary anyone who falls into the category of "human." And for me, it's never really about the food... but more about the sharing. I believe that there is something almost spiritual about sharing a common meal. There is a amazing sense of "leveling" that takes place when people eat together. This is what I think is so powerful in the symbolism of the Lord's supper. It is a catalyst and symbol for community, union, and fellowship. This is why I believe that it is so important to share in the SAME meal, eat from the SAME pot, and eat it in the same way, because it strongly communicates something about who we are as "people" and bypasses, if only for a moment, all of those things that seem to hold us apart.

Through meals and tea times, I have had the opportunity to get to know the hearts and callings of several of the students. Bethel Bible Institute caters to training indian missionaries and ministers for work in a rural contexts. Many of the students are coming from rural farms and provincial settings throughout Tamil Nadu.

Conversations with Dr. Kanagaraj have also been enjoyable. We got to share afternoon tea together and talked about the school and what drives him forward in this endeavor. He fondly remembers teaching at APNTS and hopes that there could be some constructive ways of connecting in the future. I was also impressed to see how active Dr. Kanagaraj has been in the Academic community, even on an international level. On his desk sits a full-commentary on the book of John bearing his name on the cover, and another commentary is on the way at the request of the publisher.

Tomorrow morning will be spent at the mission hospital here on the Bethel Compound. However, before I go there... I plan on taking a much needed, full-night rest. Good night.