Thursday was our 4th day on the ground, and our 3rd day on the job site. Work is proceeding at the CMC; with much of it accomplished by the crew working for the electrician, and by the crew working for the contractor handling the restrooms, wall repairs, painting, and roof. Our team has been working on some demolition and on some of the painting outside.

We've tried to take precautions to keep our team safe and healthy. We only made the walk from our hotel to the CMC and back on Tuesday. That walk was brutal last year, and although it gave lots of opportunities to see life in Chennai up close and personal (and take some great photos), it was exhausting and dangerous. We dreaded it every time, especially on the way back in the evening during rush hour traffic after working long hard days. This year was even worse with construction along the road blocking our way and causing much more dust. Starting Wednesday morning, we've been using the auto rickshaws. In the morning Josh used his professional negotiating skills and got the fare all the way down to 40 rupees, about 80 cents. For the trip back after work, Sheila (one of our national friends from the CMC staff) negotiated just 25 rupees for the same trip. Gary Bell says riding in the little cabs is like Indiana Jones and more exciting than an E ticket ride at Disneyland.

Other steps to keep healthy included us taking over one of the studios in the building we helped renovate last year. With the main building in such a mess and chaos due to all the construction - noise, dust, debris, and power off with no air conditioning except in one office upstairs at each end of the building - we needed a cool retreat in which to rest and cool down. Let's face it, none of the team is used to doing this amount of physical work in this hot and humid climate, and some of the team (no names mentioned) are creeping up there in age. We keep after the team to stay hydrated with water and electrolytes, wear sunblock and a hat, and take frequent breaks. We all have water retaining scarves around our necks to help keep us cool. We're not even working a full 8 hour day.

But Thursday morning all power was lost about 10:30, and not due to our construction. It was part of (very slow) rolling black outs due to demand out-stripping electrical generating capacity in the city. By 3:30 this afternoon we called it quits; even the staff (which are all crowded into the two remaining offices) were beaten by the high heat. We left them and all the workmen and came back to our nice western-style air conditioned hotel for a shower and rest.

Unfortunately, Josh woke up this morning not feeling well. He toughed it out until after lunch, but decided that without power to run his computer and editing equipment he couldn't work, and without a cool place at the CMC he couldn't rest. So he came back early, where he is still in bed resting, recuperating, and praying this isn't the beginning of something worse. He could use your prayers, as well.

One more prayer request: remember those who are sending us - our families at home. Two and a half weeks is a long time, and lonely. Here in India we are having new experiences and lots to fill our time, but our families are continuing to take care of home, hearth, and kids on their own. Give them a call, drop off a card, invite them to lunch or dinner. As we show Christ to the nationals we come in contact with here in India, please show our loved ones Christ at home. Thanks, that helps us here as well.