A sigh of relief...

I just got off the phone** with Brent, and he’s arrived safely in Bangalore.  I continue to be amazed by the support we have around us.  In addition to the MANY people who are praying for us, our friends in India have already begun displaying the genuine hospitality that they’re known for.  While it’s afternoon here, Brent arrived around midnight Bangalore time.  After working a full day, our friend Taha drove to the airport to meet him and make sure he was ok.  Capital One sent a driver, so Brent wouldn’t have had any trouble getting to the apartment.  It wasn’t about logistics.  Taha wanted to be there just to show his support and because he was excited to see his friend.  Another two friends have offered to come to the apartment when Brent gets there shortly to welcome him.  I’m just blown away by their caring hearts and willingness to put aside themselves.  If that was me, I’m afraid to say that I might not be so willing to hang out that late at night.  I’m asking God to change my heart and learn from these sweet people.

One very tactical prayer request is that Brent has lost one bag in transition.  There was another associate travelling with him (also going for 6 months), and the airlines lost both of his bags.  I don’t have enough details at this point to know if they’re truly lost or just delayed, but we’ll be praying that they are returned quickly.  If that’s the worst that happens, I can live with that. 

It was so good to hear his voice and know that he is safe.  This wife is breathing a bit easier this afternoon.

Brent getting ready to leave

Saying goodbye

**Even the circumstances around me hearing from Brent are pretty cool.  I’m trying to avoid making every post super long, but I want to make sure I remember all these details later.  Ignore this part if you’re in a hurry!  I’m at work today and knew that Brent would be arriving around 2pm.  I was watching the clock but understood that he might not get to call as soon as he landed.  I was walking to a meeting, and suddenly our good friend Vishnu poked his head out of a conference room and asked me to come in.  Apparently Brent didn’t have my blackberry number with him (and my normal cell doesn’t get reception at work), so he called Vishnu to let him know he’d arrived.  God had me walk by that room literally at that exact moment so that I could talk to Brent.  It would have satisfied my worries just to get an email from Vishnu that Brent had arrived.  But God gave me this extra blessing, knowing that I’d rather actually hear his voice.  I love that.