We left Kollegal on Thursday afternoon, and went to see the Kings Palace. They said that we couldn’t come to Bangalore and not see the King’s Palace! It is from the time when Britain ruled India. It’s the place where the King and Queen would come when they visited India. It’s very beautiful still, and speaks of the luxury they enjoyed. When we arrived in Bangalore after 3 hours or so of driving, we found the place that Pastor Wilson had arranged for us to stay at, and we spent a few hours there until we had to leave in the morning. I stayed in a room with Pastor Alfred, and we had a squat toilet and running water. After sleeping a few hours we got up and headed to the airport. We made it on our flight and after a short layover in Hyderbad, we arrived in Vishakapatnam (Vizak for short). It was about another 2 and a half hours to the Blind school in Bobbili, and finally we arrived. There are about 200 blind students that go to school here. Some of them are totally blind, and others are partially blind. They were all out lined up just inside the gate on either side of the driveway to greet us. After greeting them all, we found our sleeping quarters. The house that we are staying in is very nice even by Western standards, it even has AC! I feel guilty staying here knowing that none of the locals have quarters like these. But they insist that we stay here, ‘because they want us to have the best’. Of course we pay for it too!

It’s been great to see all these deaf Bible workers here. They didn’t all make it here for Friday night, but they arrived for church on Sabbath. It is really something to see so many deaf people sign a different sign language! Their signs for the letters of the alphabet are all different too! And a lot of the signs are different as well. Some are similar, such as ‘eat’. Some of them are just different enough to throw you for a loop. I can’t say that I’m able to communicate with them very well at all. One thing that’s really interesting to me, is that when Pastor Wilson teaches at one of the classes, that he speaks in Telagu –the local language here– and the interpreter translates into sign… I can’t understand anything that he’s saying, but when it’s translated into sign I can pick up a few things here and there! It’s kind of interesting not being able to understand the person talking but to understand a little bit when translated into sign! Yesterday we presented the Bible workers that work nearby with bicycles so that they have transportation for less cost. They were very appreciative of them. I need to get a few interviews from some of the deaf workers, and this afternoon is my last opportunity, so please pray that God works in that situation. I also wanted to get some video of someone that doesn’t know sign language, but I haven’t found anyone yet, and I’m praying that God will help me find someone if that is His will.

Tomorrow we will be leaving Bobili school at 5 am and driving to Vizak, then the rest of the group is flying to Bangalore, and then back the US, while I am flying to Chennai to meet with Israel. I will be with Israel until I leave on the 30th.

Here are some pictures that I just posted… Pictures .

Thank you for all your prayers, and may God bless you all.

From the Mission Front of India
Daniel