God's own Garden - NE

The North East Travel

The planning for this year summer travel was low cost budget travel.  We were looking at Darjeeling-Gangtok-Lanchen Valley-Pelling or Dehradun belt or the North-East (NE) belt. The straight flight Indigo from Chennai to Guwahati clinched in favour of NE. One of the other main interest to travel to NE was to understand their Christian roots. So it was Guwahati and Shillong this time. Stephen Victor annan connected us to two committed pastors, Bro. Jesson in Guwahati and Bro.Thompson in Shillong. They helped us in booking a Baptist guest house in Guwahati and at Shillong a Presbyterian guest house.

We started from the Chennai airport on 23^rd May, 2016 by Indigo, 5am and landing at Guwahati by 8am.  We had booked My taxi right from airport and straight we went to the Guwahati  Zoo. Hmmm can be better maintained and professionally run.  When we visit any new place we would love to  understand its history and culture. But Mondays the Guwahati state museum is closed. But the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Path, Panjabari, Guwahati is a must  in the city visit itinerary. This place is maintained well and gives a complete overview of Assam and also NE.Their small cafeteria was also good.But we missed the govt museum which we understood is also good.  It was around lunch time we headed to the Baptist guest house in Pan Bazaar. This is called as CBCNEI conference center and is in the center of the city and along the banks of the Bramahaputra river. We quickly got into our room, had a shower and some rest. The first taste of local food was in the guest house canteen. The Assamese preparation of NV and rice was very similar to our southern taste palate, enjoyed it. Later that afternoon we went to the hill top around Kamakya. It was a beautiful sight to see the magnificient mega Brahamaputra, also in the other side of the mighty river the beautiful IIT Guwahati campus. We booked the sunset cruise with Alfresco, bit costly Rs.250/head.  It’s a floating restaurant in the morning and also during the cruise, bit expensive. But the scenic sunset in the evening was worth the money though. We could have tried the less expensive boat buses but need to sacrifice the comfort ! Late evening we walked out through the Pan Bazaar shopping but missed our way to the guest house ! We were to meet Bro.Jesson and his wife but was getting late. The automan or the people couldn’t guide us.  God’s Grace made it to the guest house. The meeting with Bro.Jesson was simply awesome. He and his wife  are a man and women of God with so much of dedication and commitment in taking God’s Love to the unreached communities. They had come back from a Bible study. We spoke on many things related to their ministry. I enjoyed his sensor of humor. His burden for God’s Church was something marvelous !

Next morning, we started to Shillong with the same taxi. The road from Guwahati to Shillong is a 4 lane NH and one should appreciate Vajpayee ji and the following govts have made this stretch very comfortable. In only one stretch it was two lane. On reaching the outskirts of Shillong our driver put on his seat belt ! We could see many Maruti 800 as taxis. There was heavy traffic, took more than an hour to the city center. But we could not locate our guest house. That evening we were in the guest house cafeteria enquiring about other good hotels around the city. A gentleman calmly enquired whether I am a south Indian. After exchanging some pleasantries we starting talking about our roots, he was Joel my brothers BCom classmate and benchmate !! He is with BYM and his wife is a native  of Shillong. How God makes His people to get connected at unknown places !! He was with Pastor Comfort, an amazing man of God, a heart of love for people ! They quickly networked to identify a guest house. Shanti sojourn is run by a Rtd Presbyterian theology college principal family. Its good, costs around Rs.1400/night at downtown,lower Laban.  But next morning Joel felt it was not a good deal. Meanwhile we took a local taxi and went for local sightseeing. The mountains were breadthtaking. We went to the topmost upper shilling view point of the city. Khasis and Garos are the major people communities in Meghalaya. It was nice to be on their outfit for few moments ! On the way down we could go to the Airforce museum, met a airman whose family is in South Chennai ! World is too small. Meanwhile, Pastor Comfort and Joel have found a good hotel in the city center, it was luxury, courtesy people with God’s love ! But we have not yet got a wind of the Christian roots of the place as every place and people were in a very Christian way.  It was late evening and took another 800 taxi and headed towards the Don Bosco museum. It was just amazing ! They have the entire history so systematically done in four floors, well maintained with very cordial and enthusiastic staff. Though the entry ticket is expensive it is worth for any visitor to Shillong to have a look at it. It throws light on the first Presbyterian missionaries who took God’s love to them and also made local scripts for their language, brought education and social reforms along with them. Though, they could not root out certain habits and traditions of the local community. They are now generations  of Christians and that could be seen…Evening was the brightest time of the visit, met Bro.Thompson and his family along with his Bible study church members. One of the brothers was getting transferred so they had a good chicken biriyani and the fellowship of God’s children was just awesome ! He dropped us back and Love of God’s people in unknown land and languages was marvelous !!

             The next day we had booked the MTDC bus to mawlynnong. It was around 3 hours travel and a break in between to see the one tier tree bridge, innovation at its best ! Beautiful views…truly Megalaya was God’s own garden !! Next was mawlynnong, a small village, clean and made into a tourist spot but have not destroyed the environs in any way.  Others  could learn many a lesson from this place. We had lunch at a locals house, I enjoyed the rice, chicken gravy and egg. The Presbyterian church was being renovated. A CNI church too was there. After this we head back to Shillong and was a tiring day. ! Evening was an awesome time with Joel and his family with  Pastor Comfort and his family. It was time which we will never forget in our lives !! God’s love unites His children anywhere in the world !

             The next visit was to the most wanted place to visit of the trip, Cherapunjee. We couldn’t get the MTDC ticket for this trip. Pastor Comfort helped us to get a good taxi. When we just crossed in this district it started to rain ! Breathtaking mountain views..The elephant falls is the first one.Then Nohsnithiang falls, Nohkalikai falls. Finally Mowsmai cave..Oh mine the walk inside the cave was risky but worth it ! It was truly enjoyable. Then the driver said he will take us to a south Indian restaurant! The dosais was indeed very much the Tamil way. Orange roots restaurant is run by a Madurai based tamil Mr.Denin Rayan along with his local wife. A well organised, very hygienic place in the outskirts of Chreapunjee. They also run the Cherapunjee holiday resort which could be a place which we may try next time

             Next day was the day to packoff back to Guwahati and then take the late evening Indigo flight to Chennai. Joel and Pastor Comfort family joined us for some quick shopping. Then started back to Guwahati. The taxi drive was good. Saw the big lake on the outskirts of Shillong which we missed. Yes Meghalaya is truly the God’s own Garden !! Our only prayer is that they preserve their culture and foundations on which they are built and keep away from all commercialization that breaks the environs and all the divisive forces which may try to get foothold into this beautiful place. Praise God for helping us through this yet another learning trip.

June 2014 Punjab trip with a Team

          If I remember correctly we have travelled outside Chennai each year atleast once other than our native places for the past five years. This year was special and was different, brought memories back...

           When as a fellowship it was decided to visit our FMPB missionary in Barnala, Punjab ( 5 hours from Amritsar), immediately I could recall Stephen Victor annan foray into Punjab many years ago. It was during annan youth days (somehow he continues to look youth, one needs to know this secret) was our hero ! He was a footballer playing for BHEL, a muscian, a Bible study teacher, VBS leader, music group leader etc etc..He was a hero for many in the BHEL campus..Boast was the secret of his energy whenever he visits our house ! If its Stephen annan, our parents too were bit relaxed in their discipline..I still remember his late night visits to our house in R3/558..If only I has listened to his advice of writing Gate then, career wouldnt been so late :-) But one day we heard that he had a major surgery in his eyes and one of the two eyes have been saved..One just couldnt believe annan had lost his eyelight, at this young age? I dont remember whether he was about to be married or was just married to Sunithi akka. Dad had visited him at Vijaya after the surgery and brought news that Stephen is as usual cool and jumping around but Appa was extremely sad and we felt really sad. As it was then we heard he could play for the TN football team and possibly for India,but that wast to be. After a month or so, I visited our family friends Bennett Uncle house, a person was sitting in their living room, I didnt recognise him at all ! When I crossed him and came back, he said Davy, it was Stephen annan's voice, couldnt recognise him at all !! Later, due to some medical sideeffects, another surgery took place in his Hip. During this time I can recall Sunithi akka by his side. We observed that akka was much stronger than annan and was as cool as annan. Their faith in God just shook us out of our shades. Then came the shocker, annan and akka with few months old Ruthy deciding to leave BHEL for good and join an ITI in Jalandhar Punjab ! Most of our friends were questioning their wisdom, is leaving BHEL career prospects (he could have been AGM now) good? That too to Punjab?? Just then it was limping back from terrorism. Quietly everyone asked them whats the salary, it was if my memory is right 1500rs. Oh God the question was how would you manage with your small kid. Annan and Akka in unison said, they could have wheat and milk power for kid with groceries at 800rs, and another hundreds for sundry and they could save hundred every month! They will have a small quarters and a jeep. That was something out of the blue for us...None among the BHEL township Christian community have seen such drasmatic decisions with outright faith on God..

       When one look at the years that have goneby, the way God used Stephens in Punjab and other parts of India as tentmakers is amazing. We can surely see that God Blessed their faith, we can see in their family too! Then we saw one of our prominent Sunday school student Susan deciding to go to Punjab after her marriage with Emmy as tentmaker. Later we had Mony (Philamon Daniel) too leaving a lucrative career in Bangalore and joining NIT Hamirpur as tentamaker.

         All these came to my mind, when we started to plan this trip and I did share this in our fellowship too. So it was 23 of us as a team in this trip. Dr.Anand Samuel sir was the person motivating us to visit this field, sadly he couldnt join us at the last minute. But the team lead by Evangeline, planned everything out to detail,as Josephs two small kids were also part of the group. Thought we were bit skeptical on how things will pan out, later Vini and Shweth were also excited. The entire bookings, stay and travel was done meticulously.

31,May,2014 (Saturday)

      We started from home, just when we started we found Vini id was not with us. She did tell me to go back and have that but in my out of the world wisdom that for group ticket ID may not be necessary. Our group lead could have been over cautious. As we landed in the airport, the first thing we found was the tickets was in different PNR and individual ids are required. The entry CISF person stopped us ! There was bit of panic, but the security person was courteous in asking us to ask the airline staff. Thank God that airline staff attested our tickets and asked us to have our ID card next time ! Once checked in, had a hearty lunch courtesy Sudharsan, as it was a low coast JetKonnect and 5 hours travel to Amrtisar via Delhi. We were the last people to board by 1pm, got some words from the boarding staff :-) Into our travel we found food being served !! That was a welcome change, it was Jet Airways share code flight !! Everyone was starring at each other, should we go for our second round of lunch, everyone did go and had we enjoyed in. Delhi landing all of us had a good break, moving around,planning for the Sunday church service programme. Flight was delayed by 45 min, waiting for a incoming connecting flight from AbuDhabi. We landed in Amritsar airport in broad day light of 7.15pm !!! Our Bus from Sandhu travels was ready as was Charles our FMPB missionary to receive us. We started by 8pm to Barnala, overnight stay was in National Hotel, Barnala. Everyone was excited about a wayside Dhaba Dinner. It was the first Punjabi Dinner, everyone cherished it.We reached Barnala by 1am. Inspite of a Barnala being a mofussil town, the hotel people could quickly arrange the rooms, everyone could settle down in half an hour. We took three bedded rooms in the first floor. 

1,June,2014 (Sunday)

      By 8am everyone were ready finishing their breakfast,we were bit late, the church was an hour away in a place called Tapa Mandi. We crossed a railway track to reach the church on time. There was so much of planning seem to have gone to receiving us and for the special church service. The service started, we started looking out for fans, water :-) The place was full to the brim...Punjabi kirtans went on, the missionary and the local evangelists were leading, was spirit filled, people were immersed in their worship. Then came our part, it looked bit odd from the way they did, our skit and dance was to communicate their common problems, the keychains from Chennai for the Tapa Mandi believers was passed on. Then message was by Dr.Joseph sir, was so ably translated by Dalbir singh, the Punjab LTI missionary, a educated local convert. We were then formally received in their traditions. It went on and on, it was 2.30pm, everyone was scratching their stomach :-) we are not used to be in church more than 3 hours ! By 3pm church believers started their Langar (our mysore pagu was also served with their roti/sabji menu). But we were told food for us is in another believers place. The food was really good. Post lunch, one group left to hotel,another group to youth meeting in the church and another group for discussions with the LTI team. The Zonal secretary senior missionary, Ananthraj annan was also there. I was part of this, Sam lead from our side on how we can contribute. The mission team had a meticulous plan. We hope we can help in this. It was time for us to leave, it was one of the most memorable day in our lives. Young believers bubbling with their faith,believers from Chennai meeting the Church@Barnala believers! We heard that there are 700 new believers around the Church@Barnala in three years. It was so nice to see on how God  is using young missionary Charles and his team so mightily. We visited Chales and Sampaul room. That was pretty very hot. We understood only Veg can be cooked as per the customs there, we prayed and late evening we started to Amritsar. Another Dhaba Dinner, it looked like we have been here for more than a week now !! We reached Amritsar after midnight. Most of us we settled down in our rooms at Hotel Veenus International. Our Young brigade ventured into the Amritsar night, had a view of Golden temple and Jallian walla Babh at night.

2,June,2014 (Monday)

       This day was for sightseeing and a possible evening santsang at a field near wagah border. We had a buffet breakfast, went straight to Jallianwala Bagh. After some parking confusions, few of us took a tongo we thought was to Golden temple but were left no where. Jallianwala Bagh was crowded, the place maintained and preserved well. After gaining the patriotic spirit, we moved on the shopping center to reach brothers restaurant. We had in our mind that it was the best place to have mutton punjabi specials but to our dismay it was a famous Veg place. But food was really good. Back, searching for the parked bus took a lot of time, Sams hindi, Charles Punjabi didnt work with our driver assist person ! We started to the Wagah border evening retreat ceremony. Our team lead had arranged VIP passes, meanwhile we had tea, Joseph forgot and left their tumblers there. The wagah border gallery was full to the brim. The VIP gallery too was full. The Pakistani side too has such a gallery. A BSF officer with mike stirs the patriotic phrases, the crowd was joining in, this was with Pak side too. The retreat marching looked like both sides rehearsed in similar way. 

         On our way back we heard that we can join the santsang in another village near the wagah border. We had to take a U turn, bit of convincing the driver assist. Reaching the place we could hear the singing. It was around half past 8, it was turning dark with no street lights. Once inside the house arena where Santsang was there Rev.Justin the FMPB missionary there welcomed us, people were in all their spiritual fervour in singing their kirtans. The belivers there embraced believers from TN, after that a small song thought by Sam, and a thought. We had to rush back to Amritsar as it was already late, still Golden Temple in the itinerary remaining.Sadly we couldnt get back Josephs tumblers. After two days of roti, it was welcome change to have Dosai at Sagar near our hotel. After brief discussions and after Sam's quick decision making, all of us got ready to visit Golden temple by 11pm! Autos arranged, all of us went around Golden temple till 1am..We could observe an amalgamation of persian philosophy, Hindustani and certain Jewish traditions. People could be seen waiting for 2am opening of the worship centre. Many could be seen sleeping inside too. 

3,June,2014 (Tuesday)

      Time to leave Amritsar to Dalhousie, after late night sleep, it took time for all to be up and ready, by 10 we started, reached Pathankot, had good food again at Mamas Rasoi on the main ghat roads start, half an hour into the travel by 3pm, there was smoke out of the engine..All of us started taking our breadth. Sam could find a small stream, after pouring water over the engine and an hours wait, we started again, but by 4 again came to halt near Himachal border checkpost. With a breakdown, negotiations started with coach operator and other cars around the place. Whether to take few local cars and reach Dalhousie or wait for the operator to send alternate transport. 3 hours have gone by in the roadside. Another bus reached us, it was already dark, our young brigade was into action, climbing into the top of the bus to keep all the luggages. After all the mess, we reached Dalhousie busstand by 11pm. The bus owner said the bus cant be taken in the night to our place of stay, birds and chirps a homestay. After some hard bargaining and negotiations, better sense prevailed and finally again the young brigade of Sam,Christy and Sudharsan moving the luggages to the cars and reached Birds and Chirps. The place was 300 stair case steps from the road ! Already tired, it was hard, But the owners of the place, Bhallas had the food ready, all enjoyed the food and nearly forgot all the travel troubles. Again it was well past mid night when we went to sleep.

4,June,2014 (Wednesday)

        After a good breakfast by Bhallas we started in three cars, saw Daikend peak, I think could be a good view point during the season time but need to climb few hundred steps, Kalatop sanctury, looked like a dry valley, the road leading to a forest guest house and then came to Khajjar Valley, it was mentioned as mini swiss of India. But there was a good drainage in the middle ! We thought may be people would'nt have seen the grasslands in ooty and Kodai or havnt seen Swiss first hand. After a late lunch, many took photos in local costumes, listening to some local instruments, zorbing by kids, skidding by Jene in one of the drainpits, we started back. On the way we saw small flakes of snow, took good photos of that, a dry ride back to our place. But we stopped at Panchpulla, kids enjoyed the adventure sports and we were back to our homestay for a good dinner. This day too it was well past midnight once we settled down. Next day morning Bhallas agreed to pack us lunch for a travel to Dharmashala.

5,June,2014 (Thursday)

      After few confusions whether to start by 7am or 8am, we started by 9 to Dharmasala. Another two vehicles were arranged by the tour operator. There was no roads or badly damaged roads. We could see many places have had landslips, Sam said there had been a volcanic eruption nearby, the smoke could be seen. One could see snow clad mountains far behind. Those were breathtaking views. Josephs Kuttypayya was not well, after few anxious moments, we started after a break and stopped for lunch. Some had rice after 4 days, me too  ! We reached Dharmasala by 4pm, meanwhile it was decided the young brigade could take a night bus, as the vehicles were crowded. Visited St.Johns Church, in rememebrance of a British governor general, the church has the olded bell, Dalai Lama Temple, looked at Tibeatean shopping. It was a shock to see so many bars straight out of theses monastaries. Also campaign for AIDS, criminal behaviour etc..Could understand that the Tibeatean Buddhism is struggling with the current gen born in India. Instead of night travel to Chandigarh, we decided to break, checked into a Akash deep hotel at Dharmashala. Someone suggest Germany bakery restaurant has good chinese food, but they had every country cusine ! Tasted all those and this was the first day we went to sleep by 11.30pm.

6.June,2014 (Friday)

      First time all us were up by 5.30 and we started off by 6am to Chandigarh, could not see the beautiful cricket stadium. On the way had breakfast at Bombay picnic, after 5 days many saw idli in the menu,but anyway it was their version of idli. But dosa was good. As we reached the plains one could feel the heat. It should have been above 40. Reaching chandigarh, from rural punjab to urban punjab was 180 deg change. some went to Dominios some to Subway some to south Indian. News came from young brigade that there is no water in the place we planned to stay YMCA :-) We reached YMCA, left all our things and left for sightseeing. visited Rock garden,a very creatively made place, lake, Shweth could take the bungee jumping and also artists view of her, but it was nt that realistic! Then some purchases, back to YMCA after 11pm, the driver missing out our sector, went for a detour and was finally safely back. thank God there was water in ! We had a good fellowship time after midnight, we listened to Charles, his work, we prayed together. Again it was a late night sleep.

7,June,2014 (saturday)

      Last day, pack our bags home ! Many started feeling homesick !! It looked like been away from home for months together ! Started off in three vehicles, had breakfast in Haveli, few more purchases. It was getting hot by the day..We reached Jalandhar by 1.30pm, Emmy,Susan and their sons, Ashish and Arpit, tentamkers were there to receive us in a Haveli, a beautiful punjabi traditional restaurant. All of us enjoyed the place. We had a good fellowship time with Emmys, listened to their on/off campus ministry among students, had good food. We said bye to them and started rushing to Amritsar airport to catch the 6.30 flight back. On the way our driver said fuel tank is nearly empty, Thank God there was a fuel station in 5Km or otherwise it could have been trouble.  It was the hottest day of this year 46deg, our AC was not working, we were literally scorched. Reached amritsar airport by 4.30, checked in, back to flight, good inflight dinner and small nap, back to Chennai by 11pm. As we came out it was informed Geetha had her Birthday, after the song, all of us parted ways, reached sweet home past midnight !

             This was a trip which we may not forgot in many sense. Why God took us a family along with Suresh Mama and Jene, God may have a plan, but its in His overal purpose He took us there. I am sure in the years to come though this was a mission cum vacation trip could be useful for our lives.