When the Elder speaks, y'all better listen

And so, four weeks into our trip the sweaty trains of Mumbai have been exchanged for the fresh smelling serenity of Pune. Population 22 million exchanged for just 5 million (I know thats more people than in Scotland, but it feels like a peaceful retreat by comparison).

Things I miss about Mumbai:

working with some incredible people in the biggest slum in Asia, being able to get a rickshaw anywhere at anytime without even asking, being relatively mosquito easy, Kebab Corner and the great projects and friends made at all the projects I visited...

Things I don't miss:

overcrowded steel sweat-boxes- a poor excuse for public transport, the sheer number of what I will politely call 'starers', the humidity and rain which gets you wet and keeps you wet...

After arriving here on Tuesday night we have had a fairly relaxed introduction but here are a just a few of our recent activities...

The first thing to say is that the food here is incredible... we are staying in a bed and board Bible college and we have an excellent chef. Meals are now a treat rather than a chore and I can finally say that curry is acceptable at any time of day. The highlight for me is the home made peanut butter served with freshly made bread for breakfast - incredible!

Secondly, last night the team visited the O.M slum base to join half a dozen men our age for their daily worship and prayer meeting. It was incredible to pray and worship in two (or three) languages as we prayed for the area and the work O.M do there. Hopefully we can continue to get to know and encourage these guys as we work together for the next two weeks.

We have just started our work here in Pune, so have little to tell but lots to think about, upcoming events include working with a children's kindergarten, teaching English to those who have dropped out of formal education, leading prayer meetings and Bible study groups, youth work and daily prayer hours, as well as the opportunity to do some teaching and Church preaching as well. Should be a fantastic week and if you fancy it, why not throw some prayer our way for all of the above!

that is all, unless Mr Dean has anything funny and undermining to add to this particular entry!

Aaron