And so, it ends.

And so it comes to an end. I'm sitting in my hotel room in Hyderabad having left Rajahmundry earlier today. It is really bizarre to be sitting in this room which is very Western in style having only a few hours ago been in the midst of the hustle and bustle and chaos which was Rajahmundry. I would have to say that the last 10 days or so have been revolutionary for me. I have fallen in love with a country I wouldn't even have considered visiting only a few months ago. Much of what scared me is strangely what I have loved - the food, the smells, the chaos, the language - all of the things which were so alien to me, have become so familiar and endearing. I sat in the car on the way to the airport today, relaxed as we overtook two vehicles (side by side) with a lorry overloaded to the extreme with hay coming the other way towards us and buffalo wandering around the road, and I sat back relaxed - thinking, "I'm so going to miss this madness!"

But I think the thing I will miss the most is the people. They hold such a warmth and joy in their lives, it challenges me to my core. As I sit in the UK, worrying about the 101 things that I worry about, they are struggling to put food on their tables. They work long hours for nothing but can few rupees. They aspire to more, work hard, get educated and then find that they cannot get a good job because they are a Dalit or another low caste. And yet, they do not seem to let it get them down. They remain full of joy, hope and optimism. They are always welcoming and hospitable. Even in the leper colony yesterday, they were overjoyed that we had come to see them and spend time with them and they really do have nothing.

Particularly, I am also thinking about Prasad and Suneetha and their family who we stayed with. They don't have a flashy home, but they opened it to us, made us not just welcome but part of their family and it was really really difficult leaving them this morning. I deliberately stayed in bed until the children had gone to school because I couldn't say goodbye to Evangeline, Angel, Alice and Cutie. They are so full of joy and are an inspiration to me. Whilst we got to see this one family close up, we know that their lives are mirrored across the network of pastors and leaders Prasad heads up, as well as beyond them to their churches and families.

I head back tomorrow to my own family who I have missed so much and love so dearly with a love for a country and some individuals in that country, which has so much to teach us about what it means to be truly human.

I've taught pastors, preached to thousands, played with school children whose parents can't afford to look after them, sat with lepers, spoke to people in city and rural communities, been guest of honour at a Hindu girl's coming of age ceremony, travelled for 5 hours into the deep hill country, ridden on the back of a motorbike through the crowded streets of the city, spoken to many people, shared the life of one family and watched as a city celebrated Diwali. I don't think I could've squeezed anything more into that time.

Thank you India. You have surprised me and enchanted me. I somehow think this won't be a final farewell...