Short notice friends

Bombay is a big city. Waaaaay too big.

People come from near and far. And work and work and work. But for all the cash - do we actually get time to be with each other? It seems that for most of our 16 million plus who 'live' in the greater Mumbai area is it just work - commute - tv - sleep - drag out of bed to work again. Repeat cycle ad infinitim. Ad naseum.

Last Saturday evening we were wishing we could be with our friends. John has recently taken up a new job in Navi Mumbai - which means he passes within 200 meters of our house every day on his 1.5 hour commuting drive (if the traffic is ok). So we called him. Maybe he is on his way home. Maybe he could take us with him to meet Nalini and their lovely kids Nikita and Jasper.
We called. He was already home.

Hearts sank. Then the small glimmer. Could they possibly come here? We called up again and asked. The answer was yes! Some of our favorite folks of all time were on their way! Pure joy reigned in the Eicher home.
And so we had a dinner. And what a dinner. Nalini had brought crab currey! Sheba had rustled up coconut chicken currey. Watermelon rounded it all off.

As my Dad would have said - the only unhappy ones were the crabs and the chickens. Having had a childhood aversion for any seafood - I am proud to say that I really enjoyed the crabs.

I am also very glad that I do not have to follow kosher dietary rules. This was one tasty crustacean. And my favorite chicken curry as a chaser only added the culinary joy.

But what more delicious than the food was the sheer pleasure of being with dear friends. Talking, soaking up what they have been going through. Hearing encouraging words. Listening and praying with each other. Heavenly.

The kids were blessed as only kids can be with their good friends. What a total joy to see these four - who have been growing up together - though we are separated by our own mini-geographies and busy-ness. These four are really special - and there are always shrieks of delight when even the possibility of meeting up is mooted.

The kids have a go at drinking watermelon juice with miniature straws

The next morning it was pancake time. Crepes with coconut and syrup were served. A bleary eyed but cheery lot as John and family scooted off early so that they could be in their church fellowship on time.

We has spent most of the night talking with each other. Man to man. Woman to woman. Kids to excited kids. We had also spent time in family prayers. John shared about how when Jesus came to a house in the area near Tyre that his presence could not be hidden. John's challenge to us was whether Jesus' presence in our lives has a similar impact.


There were the normal tears in Asha and Enoch's eyes when it was time to say good-bye. At the same time, what a blessing it was to have them come and spend the night with us. Short notice - and just what we needed as a family. To come at the drop of a hat. Wow.

Later in the week John stopped by - this time on his way back from work - and thrilled Enoch with a small remote controlled car (packaged as only the Chinese can - in a simulated cold-drink can!). Needless to say our young 'un did not do much studying that evening. Exams are upon us - and though these two little ones have done excellent so far - we do need to help them prepare a bit for their terminal tests.

How much we cherish our dear friends John and Nalini. How very valuable such trusted, loving, tear-sharing friends are. We hope that each one of you, gentle readers, have such friends. And are such friends to others. If not yet - you can start today. We are still learning.