If You Could Take a Missions Trip . . .

View from our plane on the way to India!

The Born for India trilogy was inspired by my travels to and experiences in India.

One woman, One God. One passion.

Could love await her, even in India?

One brother's dark secret.

Another brother's scorn.

Will family ties be strong enough to bind two wounded hearts, once the secret is revealed?

A couple in crisis.

A child taken captive.

When their worlds intersect, they each will receive a precious gift, but will they find it in their hearts to accept an outcome so different from what they expected and hoped for?

Okay, time to play!

 

If you could take a missions trip, where would you go?

 

Answer that question below for a chance to win the Born for India trilogy Kindle versions!

 

If you've been on a trip, where did you go and what did you see?

 

Hurry! Contest ends March 26! 

Experience More of India!

After 28 hours we're finally home! After listening to yapping dogs, horns blowing, varied voices, water sloshing, the early morning Muslim call to prayer and military drills, it's pretty quiet on the homefront this morning. God awakened me with a gorgeous sunrise! 

There truly is no place like home. 

Below is a shot I captured from our plane while waiting in Frankfurt.

I also took a pic out the window at 36K feet as we flew over the English Channel, Wales, and Ireland. Ah, to visit those places! 

To continue your experience with India, pick up my Born for India trilogy at the following locations:

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Thanks so much for hanging in there with me over the last three weeks in India!

I have an exciting slate of authors joining me to discuss their current or upcoming releases! So stay tuned for more!

A Writer's Haven

Where does a writer go to escape?

As soon as I clicked off the "record" button, I noticed a single copy of Forever by Karen Kingsbury and a handful of books by Kim O'Brien and another author I did not know. They definitely needed more Christian fiction! This was an OM (Operation Mobilization bookstore).

Asia's Largest Monolith

Madhugiri hill, the largest monolith in Asia and the second largest in the world, attracts many climbers. The prosperous town is famous for its pomegranates as well.

Other India trivia . . .

The language of Karnataka state where we are staying is Kannada. However, most speak English quite well, even though we have to strain our ears to understand.

Vendors pass by the house every morning collecting and/or calling out their wares--papar (collecting old newspapers to resell to make various items, such as gift bags), fruits and vegetables, potted plants and soil.

Chuck played golf here the other day. He wore a long-sleeved shirt since he is very susceptible to sunburn. The manager of the course said, "Your shirt, unacceptable." So he purchased a regular polo shirt at a reasonable price. Back on the course and ready to play, Chuck sees the man approach again. "Shirt, unacceptable." What now! Chuck thought. The man said, "You must tuck in." This coming from a culture of people who seem oblivious to major nuisances like garbage piled on the side of the road.

In my Born for India trilogy, characters Maggie and Gavin contend with these cultural dynamics day in and out and learn to cope. While Gavin does not hike Madhugiri, he does take a Himalayan trek with brother Tim in Restored Hearts. This excursion proves to be a turning point in their healing journey, exposing some long-buried hurts from their past. 

Exploring the City

India boasts quite a variety of homes, from the higher caste to the lower caste.

When I pulled my bedroom curtain aside this morning, this is what I saw--a blanket-covered lump sticking out from under a rock truck. One by one, four men crawled out yawning. They've been working all day drilling a bore well in hopes of hitting water for the new home construction. Dirty and noisy!

Strolling Bangalore

The chip shop where they fry up the potatoes in the huge vat located in the front. Delicious!

Stray dogs and garbage go hand-in-hand here.

Open-air markets line the streets, selling everything from mattresses to dish detergent. 

India's coconut "Sonic!" The merchant whacks off the top, then plops a straw into the hole. Or if the customer prefers, the seller chops the coconut in two pieces, then slices off a portion of the outer shell in the shape of a spoon so that the buyer can scoop out the white coconut meat. 

One coconut costs R 18 (18 rupees, equivalent to about 0.30 US).

Mr. Lee...zard

Another mosquito deterrent is the common household lizard. So before you consider smacking the little fellow, think about how vital a role he plays. Just last night, Chuck and I saw about a two-inch lizard climbing its way along the wall that borders the stairs. As long as I don't step on one in the middle of the night, he's fine. He can stay. 

Fighting Mosquitoes

Fighting malaria-carrying mosquitoes in India is quite interesting!

In my novel, Restored Hearts, Constance jokes that in India when a mosquito bites a person it flies away singing, "There's power in the blood!"

Here my husband uses a special electrically-charged wand to zap the mosquitoes.

This helpful plug-in deters mosquitoes during the night. Works great!

We like natural alternatives, so my husband and I take Garlitrin 4000 and Vitamin B1to repel mosquitoes.

Around and About India

Cattle often roam the streets. No one bothers to hurry them along even if they end up in front of your vehicle, since they are considered sacred. You will also see cows, goats, dogs, and pigs rooting through the garbage along the sides of the road. The "rag pickers" also have their shot at the trash. These are people who make their meager living by rummaging through garbage for items they can sell. 

Life in India is quite diverse. Here is another crude home right across the street from an upscale ice cream shop. 

One of many huge ant hills you can see in India.

The Boat Tree

The large orange flowers are housed in a pod shaped like a boat.

Washing dishes is an event. Fill two pans with water boiled on the stove. Add detergent and wash, rinse, and stack. Dishes are washed once a day.

The Innkeeper--No Room

The innkeeper in the Nativity story, Indian style. :)

Laundry Time in India

One of my favorite household chores in India is hanging laundry on the roof. A soothing time of contemplation. Washing machines are front loaders and very small, so the Indian housewife washes frequently. 

The alternative for most Indian women is washing clothing in the river and beating them on a rock. Then they hang the items wherever they can--on fences or over bridge railings.

In my novel, Chosen Ones, Constance hosts a tea party for Maggie and Yvonne on her roof top. Many Indians deck their roofs with gardens, a lovely sight to behold!

Life in India

Life in India means surrendering what we often take for granted. You can't drink the water or brush your teeth using water from the tap. You can't casually rinse off a piece of fruit or wipe an apple on your shirt. You have to soak veggies and fruits in a special solution to make sure they are sterilized before consumption.

While driving through the city, I saw a Hindu priest leading worshipers into the temple mounted on top by this god. The priest rings a bell upon entering the temple to wake up the gods. 

Mary and Joseph watch over newborn Jesus in the manger. A scene from the Nativity program presented at church.

More Christmas Program

More Christmas program

Indian Christmas Drama

The church set up an outdoor stage and performed the Nativity story, "Born to Die," written and directed by a member. After only two weeks of practice, wow, they did fantastic! And with the Asian accents and cultural perspective, the play was so authentic.

Here is a clip of pre-play music. I'll add more clips of the drama when I get them uploaded.

My character, Maggie, directs a Christmas program with the children. Here, adults, teens, and children are involved. The program drew in neighboring people who do not go to church, most of whom are Hindu or Muslim. This is the second year the church has tried this outreach project. Snacks are served afterwards.

Indian sharpening a knife

Indian sharpening a knife on the side of the road. This is his business.

Riding in the City

Riding in the city--through the market area.

You may not hear all the noise outside--dogs yapping, machinery, cattle roaming the streets, vendors shouting, and of course the constant horn blowing. One of the first lessons an Indian driver receives is on blowing the horn. I don't think the video shows the "coconut stand," India's version of Sonic." A crude hut on the side of the road houses a huge stack of green coconuts. The merchant uses a machete to cut a hole in the top, then places a straw in. Coconut milk is a great drink for restoring electrolytes to the body.

My character, Gavin, the mission doctor, highly recommends the drink! 

On Kitchen Duty in India

On kitchen duty in India. The life of an Indian housewife in her kitchen.
Not sure what's going on with the sound. If you're not able to hear the commentary, here's some info:
The Indian housekeeper uses a small gas range.  Petrol tanks last about 2-3 months, with a reorder time of one week. Delivery comes to the house.

Milk is purchased frozen in bags and must be heated on the stove before used.

The water is not safe to drink. The unit pictured purifies the water for drinking and teeth brushing. 

Most kitchens are equipped with a counter top range, but this one is not. The fan and light is still on the ceiling however. :)

Notice all the neat cubby holes and cabinets for storage.

Out the window you see the walled garden which I detailed in a previous video.

My character, Maggie, learns to cook Indian foods, such as dahl (lentils), curries, curd rice, and other recipes.

The dining room. Notice the sink in the corner. Every Indian home has a sink in the dining room for easy clean-up before eating. Nice touch!

Washing dishes. One pan for suds, another for rinsing. Water is boiled on the gas stove and used to wash since the tap does not have hot water.

Homemade apple butter. You can also make homemade peanut butter by roasting peanuts in the oven, placing them in the blender with a little oil. Homemade humus is good too, made by boiling garbanzos or other beans and whipping in the blender. 

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/all-day-apple-butter/

Gardening in India

Gardening in India

Tomatoes, cucumbers, egg plant, peppers, lettuce, mint, beets, and carrots

Mango Mama: India or Bust!

Two days and counting!

India or Bust!

~~

 

For a list of over 100 Indian mango recipes, visit the site below. 

From refreshing beverages to tangy relish, pies, smoothies, and chicken curry with mango, you'll discover more than enough recipes to satisfy your Asian palate!

http://www.indobase.com/recipes/category/mango-51.php

Christmas Party Time in India!

Indians enjoy their Christmas parties just like we do!

Do you like to play Dutch Blitz? Well, Indians do, too!

Indians in the south enjoy heavily spiced foods filled with curry and cumin. Rice is a staple. Only the right hand is used for scooping up food, since for many poverty-stricken Indians (not those pictured here), the left hand is used for toileting purposes, since paper products are very limited.

Of course, Christmas decorations are a must for any party!

The Born for India trilogy

http://www.cheapestbookprice.com/search/eileen-rife

Like Mary of Old

Like Mary of old my little granddaughter who lives in India cradles her "baby Jesus." At three, she received a doctor kit for Christmas. She and her cousin reenacted the Christmas story over and over again. At one point, Kylie pretended to be Mary. She lay on the couch writhing in pain. Suddenly, she raised up and said to Jesus, "Come out, come out, wherever you are!"

Once He was born, they gave Jesus His first postnatal exam. 

~~

As you can see in the picture above, my granddaughter is sitting on a tiled floor. Indian homes typically boast flooring of marble or a variety of other materials, such as porcelain, tile, marble, stone, or brick, in keeping with one's budget. The cool flooring soothes the bare feet on a hot Indian day.

But not to worry this time of year . . .

December yields mild temps of 80 degrees during the day and 60 at night, only requiring a light sweater. 

Spring time, here we come!

~~

By the way, flooring in India is hard to keep clean. My character Maggie in Journey to Judah complains about all the dirt accumulating on her floors. She has to sweep and mop every day! 

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