Oh what a flight...

What follows will be a series of posts about the India trip that I'm currently on. Because of work load I haven't been able to spend time blogging but I have been writing things down in a notebook and keep track of things the old fashion way, paper.

The flight to India from Boise takes about 24 hours. There are three legs of the flight that we went on. The first flight was from Boise to San Francisco, then to Frankfurt Germany, then to Bangalore India. The Frisco flight was only 1.5 hours, but the Germany and Bangalore flights were 11 hours and nine hours respectively. The first 12.5 hours (with layover) where not bad, I was excited and it didn't bother me that I was sitting in a rather small airplane seat. The last leg of the trip however was pretty brutal. I didn't sleep at all on the first legs (I was studying and reading and such) and by the third flight came around I was getting pretty tired but the seats were even smaller and it was more cramped so I was feeling my backside pretty good after about half way through the flight. On the bright side I was able to share my faith and the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a Hindu man who had never read the Bible. He seemed interested. I asked him about his religion and he answered a few questions. I gave him a Gospel of John and told him to read it with diligence. When we were through taking, I noticed that he read some sitting there. I can't remember his name, but the Lord knows, pray for him.

As the time ticked away, I thought about what my family must be doing at that time of the day. I missed them already. I was also thinking of what lay ahead. I have been praying off and on for a while about going to India and never had the opportunity. Now here I was, working for a group that was planning to go to India. God is good! I also had just found out that another person on my work team was a believer too. We connected right away. He had actually talked to his church about his trip and they mentioned that he get in touch with Calvary Chapel as they knew they were doing some mission work in India. Then I showed up in his cube and we both felt like it was the Lord bringing us together for this trip. I knew that work was a priority on the trip, but still it was exciting to think about what the Lord might do. One thing was for sure though, I had just learned after going and returning from a Canada mission trip, that I needed to let go of what I wanted or hoped for and let the Lord guide me to His will and not my own. He was bringing me and I just needed to trust Him for what lay ahead.

The Lord had blessed me greatly at my United checkin at Boise airport. I was going to be using an e-ticket, although I didn't really know that for sure since the person that booked my flight never mentioned if I was flying with e-tickets or with paper tickets. As it turned out, it went very quickly and easily even though there was heightened security at the airport. I was also blessed as my brother and I found a place to pray right before the flight. It was actually a little too close to time as we barely made it back to get on the plane. Actually they had already closed the ramp door but they let us on and we were on our way. That was close!

I was curious as to how the "seat lottery" would go, you know, the lotto that determines who you get to sit next to and bless during your flight? I was praying that it would be someone who wanted to hear about Jesus. The couple I sat next to was an older couple who were traveling to German to go on a river cruise down the Rhine, and Danube. It sounded fun. I told them about India and going to visit the church there. They seemed to have an understanding of Christianity, though the gentleman course language revealed where he was. Midflight on the flight to Bangalore, a lady stood up started chewing out a mom in the front row of our section because her "kid was too loud". The child was about 1 and he was very cute and the lady correcting was being quite rude to her. The Mom got up a few minutes later and went back and dished up some antagonism herself. It was sad really. There were three kids in the compartment and as a Dad I think they did very well.

I was convicted of how selfish we can be sometimes, how one sided we see things. This lady, in a way, just seems like a microcosm of human nature. She was ready to come against what doesn't fit what we want, that doesn't acquiesce to our expectations of the moment. I aso prayed for myself that I would see when I act in such myopic way. I want to see broadly across the landscape and see what the Lord is doing that I might be involved where He is working and guiding and providing!

Morning in Germany. It's 1:30 am Boise time, Aug 20th. We had a great breakfast on the plane. It was a croissant with cheese and sausage, very naughty to my diet, but I'll have to pick my diet back up after I get back. :) We've flown about 5600 miles at this point, are at 39,000 ft, moving 570 mph, and it's -45 degrees F. out side the plane. We were late out of Boise, but because of favorable winds we are getting to Frankfurt on time roughly. We are beginning our descent.

5:00 am, we've made the transfer to the second flight on Aug 20. We barely made it as we had to treck across the airport to on bus and a tram, we were scootin' it along. This flight was about 11 hours long. I got Aisle seats the who way, which I hope to make a window so that I can sleep well. I was going to try to sleep on that last flight but it wasn't meant to be. :) My last record of where we were was at 33,000 ft, 595 miles

signin off for now!...

Speaking of India

I recently received a link from a friend to a video about traffic in some city in India. This is amazing. I can't believe anyone didn't get killed. Also her daughter wrote an article about walking across one of these streets! It follows...

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Tailor
By Myca Vickers

At the outset of a short-term mission to India with YWAM where Myca and her team later had the opportunity to meet Pastor Guna, his wife Victoria, and the children of the Home of Hope, Myca writes…

After a long day of walking, the team stopped near the shopping end of things to pick up some tailored clothes ordered the previous day. We’re dropped off on the corner of a busy street in even busier night time traffic. In India, there doesn’t seem to be such things as traffic laws – no signaling, no stopping, though I’m sure there are some – like, small vehicles better get out of the way of the big ones.

The night is filled with bright headlights, ceaseless horns, four lanes that become seven – easy. And all of this is what lay between me and my newly tailored sari top. I take a quick breath and hold it in, hoping that any reflexes my clumsy body possesses would manifest themselves now. One step, two, a quick sprint, an abrupt stop. I dodge the rickshaw, let the bus pass, weave between the bicyclists and arrive at the median. Blocking out the blaring horns, I exhale and try to clear my head of the exhaust fumes and headlights. Taking my life and my punjabi tails in hand, I swerve, spin and parry myself to the other side – adrenaline full to bursting.

I hit the sidewalk at a dead run and try not to let the headlight shadows and my pounding heart send me reeling. Immediately, four or five street peddlers rush to me, trying to sell me plastic airplanes. Apparently, it looked as though I could use a few. I look wildly around, eyes wide and unblinking. Slowly, I turn my attention to the shops and realize, quite crestfallen, that I needn't have crossed the street at all. My shop was two doors down from the place I once stood.

Used with permission. © 2006 Myca Vickers, Do not copy or use without permission.

Get Ready ... Get Set ...

Final preparations are underway for my trip to India. I'm hoping to get the right electrical adapter for my laptop before I go. I think the beauty to the right is the correct one, but I'm still looking (locally). We have a 10:18 departure time tomorrow morning and I'm excited to be finally going. I've prayed for a long time to visit India, and now the Lord is providing for it. I hope that I can useful to the Kingdom of God on my travels. Last night I stocked up on some New Testaments and Gospels of John to hand out as we talk to people about Jesus. It will be awesome knowing the Lord. I will miss my family, but I know He has them in His hands.

Cody has wound up his first week of full contact, padded football practice. How exciting! He's doing a great job and has been setting goals for himself each day to be better and learn more certain areas. He'd love to be able to carry the ball and has a pretty good arm, so we'll see. His size makes him an easy pick for a line position. Work outs have been difficult but he's doing better each day (high knees Buddy!) It's been a little hard for Dad to simply watch and encourage since I'm not an assistant coach. But that's ok, Cody is doing well and liking it, which is what he was a little worried about in the beginning.

Callie had two great clogging performances last night at Albertson's College in Caldwell and then at the Boise Train Depot. She danced three numbers and did great. She's getting much better all the time (high knees Punky!). The first audience was a bunch of hics (well we do live in Idaho) and their applause left a lot to be desired. The second audience was a little more high fa-lutin' and they really clapped and enjoyed the girls (and moms) dancing. You can really see the level of energy go up when the crowd gets involved. Callie will continue to do great I'm sure, I'd love to see her get into Irish dance. I won't be doing much coaching for that (I'll leave that to Uncle Dan - inside joke).

Corban is a good boy for being two. :) He likes to be thrown as high in the air as I can throw him, which is almost to the top of the cathedral ceiling at the house. Most of the time he has a Superman pose hanging at the top. He also really likes football, wrestling and motorcycles. Every time he sees a motorcycle he says, "Motorcycle! I want to ride it!" Which is funny considering we don't have a motorcycle, nor has he seen one in action other than in traffic. He's a cutey.

I'm really going to miss my wife!

Pro 12:4a An excellent wife is the crown of her husband...
Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

Love you Near!

India, Chapel Missions, and Grand Prize

This coming Saturday I'll be trekking to Bangalore, in Karantaka India (Southern India - red state on map to left) on a business trip (unless we have to cancel due to the recent terrorist activity). We will be busy during the day for work, but we (another Brother and I) hope to connect with the outreach activity of Chapel Missions India that currently pastor churches, plant churches, run children's centers, orphanages, ministries to those suffering with leperocy and aids, among other ministries. We pray for the many many pastors and missionaries that are working all over India to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ, that people might be free from their sin and have eternal life.

This week there is a Christian music band called Grand Prize that is touring in India, especially at Universities and Colleges. They literally expect thousands to attend. They will be playing music and sharing the truth and reality of Jesus Christ. Our prayers are for significant fruit and many lives turned to Jesus for the first time. With roots in Idaho and Calvary Chapel Boise, this band is now on a national contract with Apostrophe Records (started by Christian singer Jaci Velasquez).

In the mean time, I'm trying to figure out what I'll be able take on my carry on (no liquids or gels) and praying about how the Lord would use us to further His glory and kingdom there.

By the way, Cody (my 9 year old) started Football practice last night. It was a good start and he seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. He'll do great! I'll get some pics posted soon of him in his pads, he's becoming quite the young man. Callie (my 11 year old) has a Clogging performance at the Idaho State Fair grounds coming up. Unfortunately I'll miss it and Cody's football Jamboree as I won't be back from India to attend. Mom will video.

I leave you with a final quote.

"The work we do is of no account when compared with the compelling purpose of God. It is simply the scaffolding surrounding His work and His plan." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest 8/3

This is the first post for the Jason Dean Family blog. I hope to post regular updates for friends and family, showing the Grace of God as He so faithfullly cares for and leads us day by day.

The family is composed of Jason, the Dad, Lanea, the Mom, Callie the first born, Cody the middle child, and Corban, the toddler. We are all born-again believers in Jesus Christ and it is our honor to worship Him with our hearts and lives.

We're currently attending Calvary Chapel of Boise Idaho for fellowship with other Believers in Jesus Christ. Callie (11 years old) is an award winning Clogger (an original American folk dance), Cody (9 years old) is starting Optimus Football this week (practice 4 times a week, 2 hours per day - whew!), and Corban (2 years old) is a Momma's boy who may have a promising career as a linebacker (given the way he likes to tackle his 3 year old cousin Danny Boy - fortunately Danny is quite resilient.)
Lanea's parents (Fred and Bonnie) live Salt Lake and she has scattered brothers (Mike, Dave, Lyle, Paul, Curtis, and Greg) and a sister (Stephanie) and their families are mostly in Utah. Jason's parents (Tom and Jewell) are moving to Boise this summer, God willing, and his one sister (Julie) lives a block away with her husband (Dan), and three kids (Jacob, Jeffrey, Danny).

Upcoming posts: Jason's trip to India, Cody's football practices, Callie's dance, Corban's antics, and more!