SATURDAY & SUNDAY IN BANGALORE

POST #12

SUNDAY REST DAY. We had our first break from cycling on Sunday, but it was a full schedule. John spoke at a church in Bangalore and then participated in the dedication of a new facility for the congregation. Joe, Bob, Gope and Sathisam, having had a very good meeting with faculty and staff at Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore (about 140 k from Bangalore) on Saturday evening, set out to return Sunday afternoon. A religious parade on National Highway 7 and a rock slide delayed their return until early evening. Once they got to Bangalore, we all packed into the Tata Victa and headed north of Bangalore to visit the Free Methodist International Child Care Ministries Children’s Hostel. 83 children, who stay at the hostel nine months out of the year and attend public school in the area, sang and danced (photo) and we had a great time together. Photo: Bob, Joe, and Sathisam meet with faculty at CMC.

MONDAY: REJOINING THE JOURNEY. We set out early this morning with two new riders from Bangalore, Mohan and Shereesh. We have passed from the state of Tamil Nadu into Karnataka. The predominant language here is Kanata, one of many official languages in India. These Indian riders, along with our Karnataka guide, Sagar, help us communicate and make our way through this particular state. We made it through more climbs and rolling hills into the small town of Bagepalli, about 100 km north of Bangalore. It was a cool day – high was 80 degrees Fahrenheit (just thought we’d remind our American Midwest friends, who will not see temps like this at least until June).

LOOKING TOWARD HYDERABAD. Our sights are now set on Hyderabad. We will work on knocking out at least 100 k (62 miles) a day until we arrive there on Saturday. Hyderabad is another one of India’s growing technology centers, smaller but similar to Bangalore in its striving to compete in the global information and communication technology market. Both Bangalore and Hyderabad were featured prominently in Thomas Friedman’s recent bestselling book The World Is Flat. This is a good read for anyone interested in understanding some of the mind-boggling dynamics that are bringing India and China into the limelight as emerging global economic powers. Map: we've journeyed from south to north along the blue line, which represents National Highway 7. The blue marking ends on the map at Umri Christian Hospital. That will be about half way to New Delhi. Right now, we are 200 k north of Bangalore.

ONLY 2,300 KILOMETERS TO GO! All are healthy. All are safe. All are in good spirits. Our bikes are holding up well. Still only one tire puncture. No more spills. Bob and John have been duly warned about trying to outrace motorbikes and auto rickshaws. We’re gulping lots of Gatorade and eating bananas like monkeys. We’re also enjoying the Indian food, hospitality, and people at small roadside restaurants each breakfast and lunchtime. It’s hard to believe we’ve already put over 900 kilometers behind us. But we still have 2,300 k to go! Thanks for everyone’s support, prayers, and concerns. We believe you are riding with us through your care.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JARED! John sends birthday greetings along to his oldest son, Jared. Jared, a freshman at Olivet Nazarene University and a member of the ONU Men’s Soccer Team, is 19 years old today. Best wishes for a great day, Jared, as you return to ONU for semester #2.

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