Updates from India 69

Amazing Grace.

What a wonderful hymn and testimony. Written by a man who was a deep sinner, profane and a slave trader who denied God, what changed him, and why the change?

Many people have written about the life of John Newton, his conversion and his work in the church from that time. What happens inside a man when God is finally allowed in? I cannot answer directly for John, but I can answer for myself.

Mine was a life of violence, drug use (class A) and debauchery, loyal only to those about me that I trusted. These were outlaw bikers, the law being an inconvenience if considered at all. I had no faith and frankly didn’t believe a God could even exist. My training was in science as an engineer I saw the universe as a natural phenomenon. Drugs enhanced my life and women were there to enjoy. Parties, alcohol and violence ruled my life. One of my proudest achievements was to be able to throw a knife and hit what I aimed at. This wasn’t a short spell either it was 50 years.

Many times in those years in days or weeks of distress I would call out that if there was a God….prove it to me, make that tree branch fall, change the wind direction, but he never did. Even if He had then I think at that time I would have called it a coincidence.

Then I went to the USA to ride from West to East with a friend. I rode up the California coast into the great Redwood forests of Oregon and to Lake Tahoe. It was a long climb for the bikes to the top of the volcano that has long been dormant but gives a great view from the top. Here I found the Lord. Not in the view but in the ride down the other side of that mountain. It was steep and twisting with only a few places guarded against the sheer drops beyond the road.

My rear brake failed, then the front burnt out trying to stop, the Indian I was riding didn’t change down well and I was afraid that if I tried I could end up in neutral and make matters worse. The speed increased and the bends came faster until I knew the next one was where I was going to crash. I wasn’t new to this, I had been a biker all my life so I prepared to bail off the bike as it hit the ground. The bend swept at me, I leaned into it until parts of the bike were making sparks on the road and it would lean no further. In front of witnesses at that moment, the bike stood up. I couldn’t let go of the handlebars (believe me I tried!) Against all the laws of physics it straightened up crossed the road towards the sheer drops and STOPPED. This was impossible, no brakes and leaning in the opposite direction, this could not happen but it did. I stress this was in front of witnesses who openly stated what they had seen could not happen. Well, I came off that mountain a changed man. Later that week in a small church I told my story, that day I accepted Christ as my saviour.

I want you to think about what you just read and read the words John wrote. For me life would never be the same. Everything was different, a whole new world about me, a great joy within me filling that part that had been empty for so long.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

It hasn’t been easy, many times I have been tested, my faith challenged but I know that Jesus is always with me and will be as long as I live. I am His servant and I serve with joy in my heart.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

  

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

One day I shall go to him not in fear of death but in gladness and peace knowing what awaits me.

I changed from the person I spent a lot of my life as into the person I am now. Now I serve Him in India, my work is among some of the poorest people. I don’t preach, that is not my gift but by example, I hope I show what his love has given me.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

As John says for all time we will sing His praise, praise for what he did for all of us that accept His way. I was literally saved, and then spiritually saved.

If Jesus can save people like me and John, why can’t you be saved? You only have to ask.



A ride to Mount Abu

It had been decided for some time that a ride to the highest point in Rajasthan at 1220mtrs was a good way to get my back used to riding again. Kris can’t ride with me for a while so this seemed the ideal time. The ride was good and the scenery fantastic. I rode with a good friend Peter and stayed at his aunt's home.

She runs a small school (live in) and is a super person. I met Peters cousins and generally had a great time.

Rode home again the next day with no back issues. Glad to be home, it’s very rare for Kris and me to be separated overnight.

Tea break on the way. 180K

In solo mode

How many animals can you see?

Peter, a good friend who I rode down with.

That's bear claw marks

There are Crocs in that water........fancy a swim!

That's a volcano in the background. In fact, Mt Abu is a huge extinct volcano.

Home produce

20Kg of Mangos stoned and turned to
pulp.
Step one of our mango wine production

Kris can now make our own really nice bread.
the next one is multigrain.

Comments by Kris

Yet another busy month seems to have flown by. Chris is still having his anti-rabies vaccinations so I get to stab him on a regular basis, the last one will be on 30^th April. It is reassuring knowing I can administer these without having to traipse to the hospital on a regular basis. Funnily enough, lots of people thought the news that Chris was bitten by a rabid dog was him joking especially as he posted on April fools day, alas no it was very real, and the dog did die.

We have just returned from Ahmedabad in Gujarat the next state to Rajasthan. It was extremely hot, we had some time to spare so we thought we would visit the vintage car museum which had an excellent write-up and apparently had lots to do including a restaurant. Well, you should never believe publicity or advertising. We spent 45 mins travelling by taxi to get there, we were hot and tired so thought ah first stop the restaurant for a cold drink. Simple one would think and no it wasn’t a language or translation problem.

We went in and were presented with the menu, great lots of drinks to choose from but no although they were listed they were not available, so I asked for cold panni (water), again no not available so I pointed to the fridge with lots of bottles of panni inside. Yes panni but fridge was not switched on so water was hot. But we could have a warm coconut milk, yuk not particularly keen especially warm, so we left as we already had warm panni we were carrying with us. The museum was overrated, yes they have lots of cars, not in good condition and you could not see them properly as access was severely limited at best some you could view the front of the car but not the back or they cars in the row behind as it was roped off with many security guards watching your every move. Yes we were told these cars had belonged to the royal family, but believe me they were not in good condition at all. Some had been overpainted by hand badly, and many were incorrect with additions or pieces missing. I was most disappointed as I have a passion for vintage cars. There was a vintage car ride advertised at Rs1000 around £12per person, as the cars on show were in poor condition we decided to forego the pleasure. There’s a vintage car museum here in Udaipur which we have been told is better so we will visit this when we get time.

On a really positive note I got a days painting in when Chris and a friend Peter rode to Mount Abu. I really enjoyed it just did some watercolour practice pieces which turned out quite well. Really looking forward to doing more painting. I have also been practicing making my own bread, it’s a bit hit and miss at the moment as you can’t buy strong bread flour here, but it is really tasty and better than the bland sliced bread you can buy. Chris and I love home made bread and as my hands are not up to kneading we invested in a bread maker which makes things easier for me.

Work has been hectic, we’ve had a university inspection and COA (Council of Architecture) inspection in the last month so its stressful all round. Were still teaching Workshop with the first year and this semester were again teaching Landscape to the third year, so its never dull.

Chris and I often comment on how beautiful the drive is to college and how lucky we are to work in such natural surroundings. Of course its not very green now summer is here it looks kind of barren but come monsoon it will become very verdant again. Its amazing how resilient the plants and grass are to the harsh heat of summer and lack of rain.

Our tomatoes are now at an end, we’ve had bumper crops of cherry tomatoes for which our friends have been very grateful to receive.

I was just thinking over the last week how many people I now know in the city and how nice it is to go to their shops and stalls to buy my everyday needs. It’s like it was when I was growing up in New Brancepeth an old mining village, everyone knew everyone and if you went to the shop they knew you and what you wanted to buy. I now have that here there are many shops I go to where I chat and pass the time of day with the owners and staff, even the stall holders who sell vegetables know me. It’s kind of nice when I haven’t been for a while and they ask if I am ok. I really feel like part of the community and they don’t treat me as a tourist. I know some of their families and have been invited into their homes by many. Some practice their English with me and they help me with my Hindi or I use google translate when it gets really tough but you need to be careful as it doesn’t always translate accurately which can be quite funny. Body language and sign language help too, but they appreciate I try to use Hindi where I can. It’s not so easy as you get older to learn a new language but I will keep trying. (Hum Koshish Ker rahe he- we are trying). I often get offered chai (tea) which alas I refuse as it’s made with cow’s milk and I’m lactose intolerant. I have even been offered chai when I have gone to fill my scooter up with petrol at the local garage. I chat to the guys dispensing petrol about the IPL cricket as I have got very interested in 20/20 cricket here, it’s interesting and not boring like test matches.

At long last I am to get my bathtub, hopefully, more on that next month.

Well, that’s all, for now, hope you’re all well and having a reasonable summer.

Take care and God Bless

Chris and Kris in Udaipur