A weekend to celebrate

The sign was clear. Adults not permitted. Particularly adults whose birthdays were coming up in the next few hours.

And so the latest round of Eicher revelry got under way. Asha and Enoch - at their inventive best commandeered our bedroom for some serious preparations on the 1st of April

That night - at 12 AM - we had the first of a series of celebrations. Enoch had to be roused - and was relatively catatonic since he had just started the first deep sleep. But there we had it - the procession of loved ones with flowers, cake and gift to celebrate my completing a ripe young 41!


This year Sheba and my birthdays had a special glow to them - since they fell on Good Friday and Easter Sunday respectively.

The April 2nd day was a day of rest and unexpected friends. Since JSK was closed for the day we had a late breakfast with Rekha and kids, then were surprised at our late lunch by Dr. Tom and George from Powai - and finally had the joy of a supper with our dear friends Arvind and Putul Singh and kids!

All 4 in an autorickshaw!

In the meantime - we were able to spend time as a family - and for me to prepare (somewhat feverishly) to share at the Friday night service we had to mark our Lord Jesus' victory over death through his own dying-in-anticipation-of-resurrection on the cross.

Of the many precious insights that I got this year I was particularly touched by Jesus continuing to think about others - even in the agonies of public and naked execution.

As women mourned for Him, following his gory steps towards death - He turns around and thinks about their immanent sufferings in the slaughter that was the Roman conquest of Jerusalem in AD 70.

As He was nailed to the cross, He cries out to Father God - to forgive them. All of them. Not just the executioner soldiers - but all those who bayed for His blood - and all those like me who have rejected His love and followed my own hateful ways.

As He hung naked and gasping for breath - Jesus forgave one of the other men - a convicted murder and probable rapist - who had previously been abusing Him - but who amidst his gasps for breath had asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.

I have to think back on one of my favourite songs which we used to sing a lot at Nav Jivan Hospital in Jharkhand: Amazing love, what sacrifice - the Son of God, given for me.

The next day was a blur. Our weekly mini prayer meeting for JSK from 7.30 to 8.30 AM (this time attended only by us senior Eichers and our over-nighting friends Arvind and Putul). A full day of training for church members in HIV care at Jeevan Sahara. Then myself off to what turned out to be a late night meeting with fellow elders and Sheba and the kids having a birthday evening with Jason - a boy from church whose B-day was on the 3rd.

At 11.30 PM on the 3rd I had nothing in hand for Sheba - and the big day was just minutes away! As Rolly drove back I looked gloomily at all the closed shops. No cake. No flowers. Nothing.

Then we dropped off Oliver at Mulund railway station - and I saw an icecream parlour. At least I can get something there I thought. A brief stop in and I discovered something better - an icecream cake! In a jiffy it was snapped up - a styrofoam box and all - and off we sped to Thane.

I managed to get the box into the freezer undetected at my 12.15 AM arrival - a quick wish and prayer and we were all off to dreamland. An early morning wake up to get a card ready - plus a quick run on the scooter to see if any flowers were available - yes they were - roses for the taking at some enterprising flower seller - and we were in business!

At breakfast on Easter morning - we not only reveled in Sheba's delicious dosas and idlis - we had a small procession of cards and flowers and the frozen wonder of a cake!


Much jubilation and hilarity followed. We have been deeply blessed by some of the most remarkable children around (says the proud Papa). Our home is certainly not poor for not having a TV - especially since Asha channel and Enoch channel are on most of the time!


Amidst all of this - we had the beautiful joy of being with people who gather together every Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Easter Sunday has no special significance as a 'holy day' as each day is to be 'set apart' for our loving King. But, having said that - the wonder of being able to all focus together in a special way on glorious resurrection of Jesus makes up for any sloppiness and cant that has been tacked on to Easter (cf. chocolate eggs etc.).

As we gathered at Rolly's home it was a day of great joy to be with the wide variety of people that make up our house fellowships - and to celebrate together.


And then again - our meetings are all the sweeter when followed by eatings - together, a lovely jumble of folks using up every available cubic cc of space in the gracious Jayakars' home.

This being our particular flavour of house-fellowships we had the rousing strains of a big Happy Birthday to Sheba and to Jason (mine having already been taken care of after the Good Friday meeting).

Asha and Urvashi - great friends

And so we moved back home - bellies full, hearts full, ready for the embrace of a nap. Later in the evening we had some more visitors, and some music practice and some preparations for Asha and Enoch's final exams the next day.

Life is full. God is very merciful to us. Beauty surrounds us - and is lived in relationships. Unworthy - but oh-so-blessed.

Thank you.