The pandemic has resurfaced to my view an unlikely life, someone I met in North India 25 years ago.
In
dia’s sights, sounds and smells overwhelm a first-time visitor from the West. On my initial trip, 1995, everywhere I looked riveted my attention, especially the sheer numbers of people—children, women and men in south Asian dress doing interesting things.
Cars, buses, trucks, human-powered rickshaws, scooters, oxen-drawn wagons, bicycles … a tangle of vehicles snarled the roadway as pedestrians darted through the gaps with care. Trucks bore strange signs at the back: 
“Honk, please.” Pairs of laborers stood on rickety, ascending platforms passing cement-loaded trays up three stories of a construction project. Cattle tethered on short leashes languished beside tiny homes lining narrow, dusty streets.
Of course India boasts lots of world-class tourist sites, especially the Taj Mahal, and a list of lesser-known Mughal architectural wonders including the Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all splendid, enchanting, spectacular.
But the people, the God-image bearers, made the deepest impression. One, especially.
Nice stuff! Keep up the good writing! Steve
Thanks, brother. I trust all is well out there in the heartland!
Cool story, Gary, of God’s sovereign ways and of the good in his image-bearing children. I tire so quickly of American “News,” focused almost entirely upon US. Through stories like these I am reminded of God’s great heart for people everywhere and how he orchestrates the music between us to bring glory to Himself”
Thank you, brother.
Well said, Don. I appreciate very much your reflections.
Great story, Gary! Had to share it on my Facebook page.
Oh wow, thanks for sharing it, Julie! So good to hear from you. Trust all is well in your world. 🙂
Gary, such a heartwarming story….feelings…thank you so much for sharing, hope you are well..
Thank you, Gary, for taking me back to India! Sam & I have similar memories of the sensory overload and also some beautiful experiences with people there, with some of whom we are still in contact … Indian hospitality is unsurpassable, both in India and here too. I appreciated reading some of your story. 🙂
Ah yes, fellow pilgrims to the Punjab, eh? And you actually spent some extended time there, if my memory serves. Thanks for reading and writing back, Judy! Greetings to Sam.
Well, maybe Mom would say that Don Pahl stuff is a plant. 🙂
I’m humbled reading this. How amazing he would call without the funds to talk to you, call you after 9-11, and again this year to check on you. God made your paths cross 25 years ago. What a story…