Chennai

Our host in Chennai was a delightful man by the name of Velu (Velayutham). By Thursday our team was more than ready to do something besides flying and eating. Velu met us right after breakfast, and we headed out to the Joy Children Home located just outside the city of Chennai.

The Joy Children Home was started in 2005 in memory of Dr. Joyce Scott. The home is governed, owned, and operated by Indian Christians. Christ the King Church sponsors the 29 children. Some are pure orphans and the rest are semi-orphaned. These children not only learn the Gospel, but are also challenged to share the Good News with family members when they go visit.

The children were lined up from smallest to tallest, dressed in their best clothes, waiting to greet us with bright smiles. Everyone wanted to shake our hands. After a brief tour of their sleeping and eating quarters we gathered in their little chapel. As their honored guests we were seated up front, given huge neckles of flowers and other gifts. The children sang songs, danced and recited verses for us (Psalm 1, 23 and 91).

Afterwards we all went outside (85 degrees) and played games with the children. They were all a happy group of children. Lots of laughter and competitiveness. Lots of huges and waves good-byes.

Later that afternoon, Velu took us to see a Hindu temple, the tomb of St. Thomas, and the beach. The temple was huge and brought a sense of darkness around it. Velu would not go near the temple - as he grew up Hindu and knows the spiritual darkness represented in the temple. We walked around it a bit - but in the end all agreed that there was no pleasure in viewing these useless gods.

The Tomb of St. Thomas was more uplifting than the Hindu temple. The disciple, Thomas, went to southern Indian and spread the Gospel of Christ, living in Chennai at the end of his life. His tomb is located in a Catholic church - simple and yet profound to see the resting place of one who walked with Jesus.

The beach at Chennai is the second longest in the world (Miami is the first). We walked on the beach where over 7,000 people were washed away and killed in the recent Tsunami. Velu showed us how far up the waters came that Sunday morning. It was a sobering experience to stand there.

Dinner was on the 20th floor of a business building in Chennai. Opened to evening air, surround by a flowing water pond, over looking the city. The air was warm and the food was very good.

It was also good to be in the same hotel for a second night in a row!