Our first full day in India was absolutely amazing. Pastor Varughese met us at Shanti Home and we were off to visit his three churches in Delhi. We were received with beautiful flower garlands, heartfelt worship, loving hand shakes, and joy filled smiles. A few of our students shared scripture and gratitude, each congregation appreciated their words. The final church shared testimonies of God's grace, salvation and healing in their lives. After a tasty lunch back at Shanti Home, the team hung out in the movie room and bonded over Avatar, rook, candy, friendship bracelets, and crazy games of Jenga (Jared is the Jenga master). Henna artists came to 'decorate' almost everyone & then it was time for another incredible meal on the rooftop terrace. It's a very tired but content group getting ready for bed, we have a 6am departure for Agra.

We're here!!! Customs cleared, baggage collected & heading out to our bus for Shanti Home and comfy beds! Tired bodies but excited spirits to have finally arrived in India. The blog updates will now be each evening so check back and keep us in your prayers.

We are now all on the final flight out of Dubai for INDIA!!!! Numerous movies, games, books, TV shows, and a bit of sleep on that first flight. I think the growing excitement will keep everyone awake for this 'quick' three and a half hour flight!

We've just landed in Dubai and walking to our gate. We have a quick two hour layover then on our way to India.

The team is safely aboard our first 15.5 hour flight! Hooray!!!

Team India 2011

It's our final night in California and the excited texts and packing questions are burning up my phone.  I love the fun anticipation just prior to departure.  Thank you for reading and following along as we serve and experience the beautiful culture of India.  Please continue to check in and pray for our team.

God has assembled an amazing group of people to share this journey: Jared Borowitz; Beau Brannan; Marissa Clark; CarolineDahl; Brianna Darling; Susan Isaac; Nicoletta LaForgia; Taylor Losi; Manali MacRae; Marisa Maunu; Kevin Moore; Elisabeth Scahill; Chloe Shostak; Kyle Sisson; Susi Thompson; Cassie White; and Nate Zeile.

I will do my best to capture each day's events with a brief text, but the team's journals, pictures and stories when we return will be a beautiful window into the true experience.  If you're curious about our travel itinerary, below is a condensed peek into our week.  Oh, and remember, we are 13.5 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.

Thank you!

Itinerary:  Feb. 18-depart from LAX at 10am; Feb. 19-arrive in Delhi at 8:10pm and travel to Shanti Home; Feb. 20-church with Pastor Varughese and touring; Feb. 21-Taj Mahal; Feb. 22-early flight to Varanasi for boat ride along the Ganges River then to North India New Life Boys Home in Allahabad; Feb. 23-25-ministry with Pastor Varughese and the boys at the orphanage; Feb. 25-late night train back to Delhi; Feb. 26-shopping in Delhi then fly home in the evening; Feb. 27-return to LAX at 7:45am