After arriving around 06:15 and after breakfast, Deepa Aunty and her daughter Hannah (and even her grandma participated on Aunty’s team) while the 4 of us played a game of Scrabble. One of my favs, of course, and thankfully there was worthy competition although Hannah and Joben weren’t as intense, Aunty was quite good, and took every word seriously. (and yes mom…“I cheated”…which pretty much means “I won” for all outsiders.) J I love Scrabble.
On a different note, as I ended the last post, the 13th of July will forever carry special significance because it is the day that Cassie Cork was brought into this world. Although Hannah thought it was incredibly sad that I was in India on such a momentous day, it was a pretty proud moment when I got to briefly mention how great God has strengthened Cassie (and ME) and how our relationship has actually been strengthened despite a significant physical distance, even on a day like this one. Thankfully, Hannah has a good head on her shoulders b/c she was able to understand this, and her clarity was further seen in her great taste in Disney movies, and selection of songs on her ipod. Hah, we went to a pretty famous spot in Delhi, and sang some classic songs in the car. I really enjoyed it.
After our brief trip out in the city, we headed to the train station thinking we would have plenty of time to stop by the house real quick and still catch our 15:50 train. However, some sort of demonstration/celebration/I don’t know what- made the (now infamous) Delhi traffic come to a standstill…literally. Our plans changed from stopping by the house-> to being thankful we had our bags already with us-> to thinking it wouldn’t matter either way b/c our train would surely be gone. We weren’t moving. We debated back and forth btw hopping out and trying to get an auto to take us back a different way to the station, then we moved… a little. We waited… then we got out, serious this time about finding an auto, but nothing was there. By this time, the car came back around and so we got back in. This time the backseat carried three bodies and two body-sized bags. The thought that kept running through my head was reminding me of my ignorance to God’s will, and that whether we get this train or a different one, it would be good for us. After the many ways throughout my time in India that God has confirmed that we are in the center of his will, I knew and for once was completely at peace knowing that whether our train would be at the station or not it would result in good, because God’s will is good, all the time—amen. It was equally evident that we would reach the station after our scheduled time of departure. Aunty asked our Father aloud for an extra half hour, the rest of us prayed silently, and boy were they answered. Joben got the number of the station as we were going as fast as the traffic allowed, and the automated voice delivered sweet news of God’s provision- the train was 2 hours late. Incredible! This was the Duronto Express. Our previous (and the normal) experience with an express train is impeccable timing. The former express we rode literally pulled into the station accurate within a minute. (They bypass stations and have higher priority on the tracks so they can run on time.) But, for whatever reason—by the grace of God—the Duronto Express was late. We breathed out much praise and a thankful sigh of relief. We enjoyed a few moments and a mango shake back at their house, and were advised by Joben’s dad to head to the station asap b/c a train like that won’t wait for us, although it was supposed to leave now at 17:50.
We took his advice though, thanked our fabulously fun and gracious hosts, and tried to catch an auto-rickshaw to the station. No one would take us. We couldn’t figure out “why”, it wasn’t cause I was white, plenty of other autos have taken me around Delhi. After dozens didn’t bother to stop or rejected our request I thought “this is how they feel when we continually tell them “no” wherever we go,” (–but we have good reason to reject them.) I fought the anxiousness that was creeping back into the air around us by assuring myself that if I thought the 2-hour delay was a miracle and a testament to God’s goodness than surely God will not stop being good now. If I allowed the anxiety to settle in my mind/body now it would completely neglect what had just happened. So, with that reminder of the presence of my powerful Lord we walked down the street, ready to walk the whole way if necessary, but then an auto stopped, and he had the upper hand of the deal making b/c of the uncertainty created pertaining to when our train would actually leave. We paid him what he wanted, and quickly got to the station. We walked in at 17:00 and looked at the board, which still had the Duronto Express delayed until 17:50—two hours later than our tickets—so we walked over to platform 3 and not five minutes later after sitting in the warm sun and cloud of flies— our train pulled into the station! “Hah”, I thought, “right as we get here”…it pulled in a little past 5p. Thankfully, for the rest of our train I’m sure, it still didn’t leave till a little past 18:00 but nonetheless it was a wonderful and undeserved blessing to benefit from the work of a God that transcends and manipulates time to serve his purposes. And what a joy it is that we (my family that follows Jesus Christ) can serve a God who also lives among us to work in simple ways like delaying trains and continually watching over his flock.
May we always have abundant Peace.
