Joseph Grows a Beard...

...in response to Dave Taylor's comment, "you're looking shaggier than a scooby snack!"

the land of Oz

The few days we had in Malaysia last week were really good. Some favorites were the world's largest bird park...the amazing new fruits, and the crazy drinks like, bird's nest drink and kickapoo joy juice.


We have been in Australia the last few days and it is a very different world than where we've been the last few months.
Joseph's friend Sparky met us in Melbourne and it has been cool to catch up with him. He made us a gigantic salad, and it was the first time we've had a salad in months. We drank a glass of water from the tap with it, and marveled at all the other strange occurences, like soap and toilet paper in the bathroom, and white people speaking English. :) Sparky has taken us exploring his city, rowing boat, jumping off rope swings, playing music...We've also been being our own travel agents, which takes time.

So...we'll write soon. Have a lovely day.

Joseph and Christy R.

Tracing the Roots

I want to share the unparalleled experience we had last week of traveling to places in India where my (Christy) ancestors were for 75 years.

My Great-great-great Grandfather John Eddy Chandler (photo), was a missionary in South India. He sailed from Boston to India in the 1840's, and he lived and served in Madurai and surrounding areas for the remainder of his life, 47 years! He was part of the American Madurai Misson.




His son, John Scudder Chandler was born in Madurai, India and carried on the mission...He also wrote a book, "75 years in the Madura Mission". John S. died in Kodai Kanal, India, at the age of 85.

We had only four days to explore the area where they once worked and lived. We are so glad to have the wonderful Holy Spirit, who directed us as we explored. We are also grateful to our incredible Indian friends who helped us with connections, translating and recommended people to talk to.
We took a bus up the Palani hills to Kodai Kanal first, a hill station where lots of people go to escape from the heat. My ancestors used to travel from the city of Madurai to this hill station by ox cart during the hot season. This is the place where my Great-great Grandfather (John Scudder Chandler) is buried. We hoped to find his grave, and after a short time searching, I stumbled upon it and we got to spend a good long while their contemplating his life and thanking God for the faithfulness of these great men and their incredible wives and families. (My Great-great (great) Grandmother's must have been hardcore...they served faithfully and also lost many children on the mission field).


We also found a memorial in the place where they set up the first church in Kodai Kanal. We visited the still- thriving Kodai Kanal International School and found out that John E. Chandler had much to do with establishing the school...amazing!

Next, we took a bus to Madurai the city where their mission was based, which has of course changed much since they were there. It is vast and busy and full of rickshaws, people and many graveyards. Our hope was to find the grave of my Great-great-great Grandfather, and to find the book that my Great-great Grandfather wrote... in 2 days. We went pretty much straight from the bus to a Theological Seminary Library to inquire about the book, and lo and behold they had there an original copy of the book-so beautiful! We got to look at it for a while, and write down some names and places, but of course were not allowed to take the rare book with us. We did ask if the librarians had any ideas about where John E. could be buried, and they proceeded to call us a rickshaw to take us to a certain graveyard where they said we might have a chance of finding it. We searched for about half and hour before the rickshaw driver called us over, and there it was! The only graveyard we went to! It was amazing to stand there and imagine who must have been gathered there 114 years ago for his burial.



We journeyed on to some places we had seen mentioned in the book and found churches they had preached in, and schools they had set up, which are still in use, amazingly. Here is a photo of some of the students.



We spoke with the ministers at one church who told us that there are three villages named after the Chandlers! They also thanked us and said that it is because of the missionaries in that time that they have many of the opportunities they enjoy now.

They also brought us to a school named after John Scudder's daughter, Gertrude Ethel Chandler (photo of her and the school motto), where we were welcomed with gifts and thanks for what the Chandlers had contributed in the context of education.



Well, Joseph and I had been praying that we could get a hold of a copy of the book that John S. wrote...so we went to the American College for an evening service. A bit into the service, two people sat down next to us. Immediately Holy Spirit let me know that we should ask them about the Chandlers. So I waited until the service had finished and immediately started a conversation with the Indian woman next to me by asking if she was a teacher at the college, to which she answered affirmatively. Her name is Vermela. Next to her was an elderly man that was so kind and gentle. I inquired about the book and her eyes lit up as she said she might be able to get it for us. So the four of us set off walking on the campus, in hopes of finding the book. The elderly fellow had the key and Vermela knew where the book might be. They found it a few minutes later and gave it to us straight away! Vermela had made a copy recently, and hard bound it, knowing that it was going to go to someone it meant a lot to. We were all really glad at God's goodness and good gifts to His children. (photo) ...It turns out this wonderful elderly fellow is a man we had just written a letter to asking for anything he might know, and he ended up sitting right next to us in church an hour later!



Nothing is impossible with the King of Kings!
I am overwhelmed at the inheritance of generous love and strong devotion from those who have gone before us. There is still so much more to discover!

May we each know Jesus heart and find the treasure that He wants to uncover for us.
Because of Grace,
Christy
p.s.
(Joseph is just as excited about all this as I am!)

Out of India

Wow, i can't believe we haven't written in a week.
We are leaving soon for the airport to fly out of India, which is actually sad.
This place has a way of growing on you.
There is so much to say about our last few days here..which have been full
of discovery and adventure.

We will write from Malaysia to say more about God's goodness.
Following the Holy Spirit is the best!
Lots of love,
the R's

Don't Worry, Chicken Curry!

May your day be filled with joy and bright!

The focus of this note is the absolute goodness of Christ...in His pursuit of His people. He takes care of us, and knows what we need...so we can rest in His big-ness, and not worry!

The Arabian Sea in Kerala, SW India is really pretty. Joseph got to go surfing, so he's stoked! Here's a photo of him looking hot, catching a wave... getting ready for Australia and Hawaii.

Yesterday we ran into a Swedish physical therapist who needed patients to come to his class for free...15 Swedish doctors and P.T.s were there for a seminar, and Christy had a really good appointment with professionals who have been doctors for 25 years..they gave some great advice and exercises to incorporate.( Christy has struggled with chronic pain for a few years now, so this is a blessing)

We have found the cheapest yummiest place to eat (where Indians actually eat because the food, prices and service are just right..kind to the wallet and the tastebuds). The food of choice is called Thali, rice with 5 different tasty sauces to try, including fresh coconut goodness.

We keep running into this cool family from New Zealand..we've seen them in three different places in India, totally different parts of the country...so we had dinner with them last night again. ..., we found out their hearts have been captivated by Jesus too! God is so good!


Have a splendifirous day
and be Refreshed!

your compadres,
the Rauwolfs

The Spirit to the children: "Come, be a kite and let me fly you."

"Come, fly a kite in Ahmedabad city.
Come up, take some time.. This city is so busy
with everyone goin everywhere all at the same time
as fast as they can."

"Come, take a break from the grime and the gritty.
I know that this time hasn't been all that pretty,
bein' strangers in such a strange and
distant land."

"So come, be a kite in Ahmenabad city,
look up to the sky and look away from bein busy.
Remember that I Am flyin' you and firmly
Have you in My hand."

God knows what we need, when we need it.

Just the past few days have been on the difficult side. This city epitomizes the crazy, smelly side of India. It seems we've been counting the minutes until we catch our train to our next destination and eventually leave India. Today we took a good look at our finances and it wasn't looking to encouraging either. Soon afterwards Joseph ran into the hotel owner, who invited us to come up to the roof and fly kites with him.

In Ahmenadab, many people fly kites. There is an annual kite festival and even a kite museum. The view from the rooftops is a sea of kites of many colors with people of all ages flying them as far as the eye can see. Soon after getting started, the expressions on our faces were turned to joy; and laughter found its place again. The owner treated us to coffee, which is a rarity around these parts for a person selling something to "rich, white, cash cows," and also gave us a free bottle of water, which was just what we needed.

And then we remembered... all this time our Father God has been fashioning us into one beautiful kite that he delights in flying around this world. Through simple and beautiful means, He shows us that He really is carrying us over His shoulders and will continue to provide for and make a way for us. Sometimes we forget He is with us and we struggle to know who He really is. Days like today help us remember.

Rajasthan & Great Thar Desert

Have you ever spent three days riding a camel and camping in the desert? Well, neither had we until a couple days ago......twas a right fine time...and we were happy to have somewhat trained camels. Our guide was training a four year old camel that would growl like a maniac and once even regirgitated green stuff all over the guide. Other than that (and a bit of sore muscle-ness), it was extremely peaceful, and great to meet some of the desert shepherds and villagers. (photos). It was also awesome to sleep on sand dunes under the desert sky...no tent...but we had 4 blankets and 2 sleeping bags. :)

Rajasthan (a state in NW India) is a land full of legend and history of maharajas, wars, desert folks and crazy architecture (carved building photo).

Our time in the ancient fort-city of Jaisalmer has been magical...Today we joined the cows, pigs, and other merry creatures in wandering the old get-lost-kind- of- streets. We found a shop about the size of your closet, and the man there sells only chai. We partook, then Joseph took the shirt off his backto have the much-needed stitching done in about 3 minutes. (photo). Then we came across some kids playing cricket and gave it a shot for the first time. (photo) ...The adventures never end is this land of India.

In one old maharaha palace with antiques and such that we were exploring, the people were getting ready for a New Year celebration, so they got out the special antique palanquin, ...Christy sat on it for a photo, and afterwards found out it was a very old one that no one can sit on...so here is the photo of her getting scolded.

Then you see the photo of all the people sleeping...that is your basic train station at night in India...and lots of the streets look the same....

Still learning lots. Tonight we're off on a 6 day train journey to S. India ( with a couple stops)

Keep us in your prayers.

Lots of Love,

Joseph and Christy