"The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.” I Corinthians 12:7 me, Sean and Carla our last day in Chennai
Rental car – check. Driver – check. Four team members – check. Suma as navigator - check. Umbrella ratio – 1:6 – oops!
One morning while I was in India we headed off early. We hit a client site then completed a sundry of errands in the Anna Nagar neighborhood of Chennai. Traffic is usually congested anytime of the day or night in India but the overcrowded streets were further clogged by the biggest rainstorm I have ever experienced. And I am a native Seattleite!
The streets were flooded above tire level, cars were stalled in the middle of the thoroughfare, pedestrians waded knee high across roads, little autos created wakes worthy of wakeboarding, motorcycles left whirlpool eddies behind them and doormen built “bridges” from arriving cars to entry ways with stacked bricks and boards…it was organized chaos. Everything went forward – just at a slower pace – and, surprisingly, there was no yelling or accusatory tones when a car drenched a pedestrian or motorcyclist.
I watched all of this from the foyer of Spencer Plaza; a huge mall with multiple floors, multiple buildings, and a glass atrium roof. Which it turned out is a great piece of architecture in the dry months…but during the “winter” it is NOT a good thing! The ceiling leaked. And not just a drizzle of a leak either – it was like the storm moved inside the building! The downpour was waterfall worthy in places!
We were done with shopping, lunch, and ready to leave – but were waiting for the rain to let up a bit (from massive to moderate downpour). Unfortunately, our driver was taking a nap, not answering his cell phone and didn’t notice our dancing, waving antics from the safety of the Plaza’s overhang.
Sean anteed up to the task of awaking the driver and getting the car. The six foot five inch, 250 pound man smiled at us, nodded, and said “back in a sec ladies” and jogged out into the massive, massive downpour.
He crossed the parking lot, awakened the driver (took a bit of time) and then followed the car back across (who knows why the driver didn’t open the door for him) to the covered foyer. Instead of getting into the van immediately, he opened and held it for us…while the driver remained dryly ensconced in the mini-van! Soaked to the skin Sean entered the vehicle and promptly caused every window to fog.
We were so grateful for Sean!
I was thinking about this adventure this morning, and giggling. Not only was Sean chivalrous and gallant; he changed the environment around him.
As Christians we are to be “soaked” with God, drenched in his presence. We are to be carriers of his identity and purpose. We are supposed to change the society, the environment around us.
This made me think of a bunch of questions…What am I soaked with? What has “drenched” me? Where do I spend the majority my time and resources – i.e. where do I marinate? Am I affecting the society / environment / people around me - for the best, or just better, or at all?
I honestly feel that my level of “drenched-ness” wouldn’t cause a mini-van to fog – but maybe a Mini-Cooper!
Updates:
Condo – Still for sale.
Travel – I am home in California safe and sound! My luggage arrived with me – although a bit of a scare at SFO…my bag was the LAST one to come out on the carousel! The flights were uneventful except for the screaming infant and wiggly 4 year-old…I really felt for those parents. Errol’s naval-anti-motion-sickness-bracelets really work! NO NAUSEA! Headache, yes, burbly tummy, no; Praise God.
Visitors – my parents are coming to California! They haven’t been able to make it down since I moved and I am so excited to show them all that God is doing. They are here on November 21st! Also, my bestest bestest friend is coming down the 8th of December from Seattle – whoo hoo!
Requests:
Condo – It needs to sell and I need the monthly mortgage payment to come in. I have been trusting God since July and he has paid it every single time…I wish the condo would just be snatched up by some lovely buyer and I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore!
Finances – I am raising funds for my trip to India. If you would like to donate, please send a check to Annie Gaudette, 3777 Fujiyama Way, Redding, CA 96001 – include a note in the envelope stating the funds are for me. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
Websites - If you would like to RSS my update vs. getting them by email visit my blog site http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/. To find out more about rēp visit http://www.repurposing.biz/ for information.
One morning while I was in India we headed off early. We hit a client site then completed a sundry of errands in the Anna Nagar neighborhood of Chennai. Traffic is usually congested anytime of the day or night in India but the overcrowded streets were further clogged by the biggest rainstorm I have ever experienced. And I am a native Seattleite!
The streets were flooded above tire level, cars were stalled in the middle of the thoroughfare, pedestrians waded knee high across roads, little autos created wakes worthy of wakeboarding, motorcycles left whirlpool eddies behind them and doormen built “bridges” from arriving cars to entry ways with stacked bricks and boards…it was organized chaos. Everything went forward – just at a slower pace – and, surprisingly, there was no yelling or accusatory tones when a car drenched a pedestrian or motorcyclist.
I watched all of this from the foyer of Spencer Plaza; a huge mall with multiple floors, multiple buildings, and a glass atrium roof. Which it turned out is a great piece of architecture in the dry months…but during the “winter” it is NOT a good thing! The ceiling leaked. And not just a drizzle of a leak either – it was like the storm moved inside the building! The downpour was waterfall worthy in places!
We were done with shopping, lunch, and ready to leave – but were waiting for the rain to let up a bit (from massive to moderate downpour). Unfortunately, our driver was taking a nap, not answering his cell phone and didn’t notice our dancing, waving antics from the safety of the Plaza’s overhang.
Sean anteed up to the task of awaking the driver and getting the car. The six foot five inch, 250 pound man smiled at us, nodded, and said “back in a sec ladies” and jogged out into the massive, massive downpour.
He crossed the parking lot, awakened the driver (took a bit of time) and then followed the car back across (who knows why the driver didn’t open the door for him) to the covered foyer. Instead of getting into the van immediately, he opened and held it for us…while the driver remained dryly ensconced in the mini-van! Soaked to the skin Sean entered the vehicle and promptly caused every window to fog.
We were so grateful for Sean!
I was thinking about this adventure this morning, and giggling. Not only was Sean chivalrous and gallant; he changed the environment around him.
As Christians we are to be “soaked” with God, drenched in his presence. We are to be carriers of his identity and purpose. We are supposed to change the society, the environment around us.
This made me think of a bunch of questions…What am I soaked with? What has “drenched” me? Where do I spend the majority my time and resources – i.e. where do I marinate? Am I affecting the society / environment / people around me - for the best, or just better, or at all?
I honestly feel that my level of “drenched-ness” wouldn’t cause a mini-van to fog – but maybe a Mini-Cooper!
Updates:
Condo – Still for sale.
Travel – I am home in California safe and sound! My luggage arrived with me – although a bit of a scare at SFO…my bag was the LAST one to come out on the carousel! The flights were uneventful except for the screaming infant and wiggly 4 year-old…I really felt for those parents. Errol’s naval-anti-motion-sickness-bracelets really work! NO NAUSEA! Headache, yes, burbly tummy, no; Praise God.
Visitors – my parents are coming to California! They haven’t been able to make it down since I moved and I am so excited to show them all that God is doing. They are here on November 21st! Also, my bestest bestest friend is coming down the 8th of December from Seattle – whoo hoo!
Requests:
Condo – It needs to sell and I need the monthly mortgage payment to come in. I have been trusting God since July and he has paid it every single time…I wish the condo would just be snatched up by some lovely buyer and I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore!
Finances – I am raising funds for my trip to India. If you would like to donate, please send a check to Annie Gaudette, 3777 Fujiyama Way, Redding, CA 96001 – include a note in the envelope stating the funds are for me. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
Websites - If you would like to RSS my update vs. getting them by email visit my blog site http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/. To find out more about rēp visit http://www.repurposing.biz/ for information.
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