It is now 5:00am June 8th, 2010. It has been exactly 12 hours since I landed here in Singapore. I am presently sitting in a small food court in the "Buget Terminal" at Changi International Airport. I'm eating something that I have just discovered (which I assume to be a big "thing" here"); its called "Kaya Toast" It consists of small, thin pieces of toast (about the color of pumpernickel break) smeared with, what tastes like, butter, coconut, and condensed milk. Whatever the stuff is, it's good... and it's just what I needed to keep me alive and moving until I get on the next flight and pass out. It's been a long night and I haven't slept in a while.
Today has been tiring and draining, but well worth it. I had a wonderful dinner last night with Doug and Angie Flemming. Doug works for the Asia Pacific Region of the Church of the Nazarene in Singapore and spent 13 years living and serving in the Philippines before that. Interesting additional note: he's from Circleville (my home town) and literally grew up knowing his Mother (small world, isn't it?) Regardless, the three of us met near Raffles Place in downtown Singapore. We had dinner, walked around the city, and got to talk about everything from School to church to politics and missions. It is always exciting to talk to people who are passionate about what they do and who they are.
Apart from the wonderful company, Singapore is an astounding city. It is truly a cultural crossroad in the Asia pacific with a genuine multi-ethnic identity. It was a fast trip--more or less a "pit stop" but provided some great encouragement as a met with a couple of familiar faces and saw some of the ways that they were walking the path on which God had placed them.
My flight boards in a few hours. I have just recently heard back from another one of my major contacts in India. I will be giving him a call once I reach Chennai and hopefully meeting up with him somewhere in the city. I'm still not sure where I will be sleeping tonight, but I'm sure that something will work out. If not, I have been browsing a few cheap Hostels on the internet--and I'm kinda excited to try one out for the night.
Plans are still in development for my eventual trip to the school in the Danishpet, which is a Rural village about 250 kms outside of Chennai. I'm planning on staying a few days on campus, living and eating with the students, and hopefully joining a few of them on an outreach to some nearby villages.
Much is still unplanned or uncertain--nonetheless, I'm excited to see what unfolds!
1 comment:
He grew up knowing 'his' Mother? I'm assuming you meant your mother, right? Otherwise that's not very impressive :)
This is so exciting that you're on an adventure so extreme you don't even know where you're going to sleep for the night!
Can't wait to hear all the stories. I'm praying for you!
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