Friday was an action-packed day! We got a earlier than usual start as we tried to complete all the remaining projects. We managed to finish painting several areas (even did an extra wall or two). We got some newly constructed walls prepped for paint. Generally, we got all the projects started to the point where national workers could be hired to finish the work next week.

The roof is still a challenge. Theoretically (as I write early Saturday morning), the materials arrived yesterday afternoon and Chuck will go over this morning to show the contractor how to apply them...theoretically...unless they are on a slow rickshaw from Bombay, instead of a slow train...

Following lunch, we spent the afternoon souvenir-hunting (aka=shopping). We started at a "regular" grocery store. Visualize your way down from a 75,000 square foot Vons or Raleys. This was more like a small town Roys, or Josephs--that store named after someone that is a locally owned and operated member of the IGA. Many teas, coffees, and spices were found. It has been a long time since I've gotten that many groceries for only $30!
Next stop was a music store to check out Indian musical instruments. I think the owner was overwhelmed by the presence of 14 white folk in his store. Aside--Music stores must be some sort of holy because we had to take our shoes off before entering. After Katherine told him, "It is okay they will buy many things," he seemed more at ease with our presence! And we proved her correct! If any of us actually new how to play the instruments we bought, we could make quite the racket...errr...music...on the flight home...
Next on the adventure list was a handicrafts store. Much like the government store we visited last weekend, this store was more of a co-op, or consignment store featuring the goods and products of many artisans and vendors under one roof. From jewelry to sandalwood carvings to wood inlay pieces to bronze and silver sculptures, there was a vast selection of items to tickle everyone's fancy (Wendy: should MasterCard call, you can okay the charges....)

No adventure of the shopping sort could be allowed to conclude without a visit to another silk store. Located right around the corner from Pothy's (see pictures from last weekend's excursion...), this store was a bit smaller, but had just as many amazingly beautiful sarees and not a few dohties for men.

Girlfriends and wives: BEWARE!!! Many of your men are coming home wearing skirts that can be worn full-length...folded to reveal a little knee (not recommended from what I've seen, but who am I to comment...)...or worn in a baggy style that looks like Bam-Bam's diaper (and if worn that way by an American, you better carry a big club like Bam-Bam did!!)...

The last stop was back at the Ministry Centre for a quick meeting with Walt and Gunya from LHM. They were back in Chennai after celebrating the seminary anniversary in Nagercoil and had a couple hours before catching a flight to China. Since they were in country at the same time as our team, they wanted to extend thanks to us for our efforts and also gather some thoughts and impressions on how to improve the GWW program. We offered up several insights and possibilities for making things better and more smooth, but mostly we extended praise and thanks for the opportunities we had.

Now as Saturday dawns, I believe a trip to some of the shrines and churches associated with Saint Thomas are in order. Then this evening, at the Centre, a special program has been arranged involving a dance group. Hard to believe our time in Chennai is quickly winding down...