From Rome to Kakinada 
After leaving Rome we arrived in Kakinada at 11:00 Thursday morning---27 hours and 3 airports later. We "crashed" for a few hours here in the hotel and will try to get acclimated to the time as our work gets going tomorrow. The lectureship actually begins on Monday but I preach several times until then in villages and then with the Savatyana congregation in Kakinada Sunday. People are already gathering here for the lecturship. Some are being housed in the new 3rd floor of the church building which will be the children's home when finished. The many who gather here from all over this area eat and sleep wherever they can and it will be a blessing to at least have a roof over their heads.
The purpose of our short stay in Rome was to try to better learn the events surrounding the lives of those people we know from the New Testament. I wanted to see the "real deal", where Paul walked in Rome ...the Forum, Senate, the house of Augustus Caesar, and all those things from the first century. That was, indeed, awesome. With all the hub-bub of modern Rome all around, it takes a great deal of focus--concentration, to imagine how it would have been when Paul walked those stones. The colosseum, houses of the Caesars, etc. are impressive. Since Jesus and the Apostles all lived and died under Roman rule, seeing first hand the history involved is a good experience.
Our impressions of Rome are mixed, some good, some bad. It did not help, that in spite of every precaution we could think of, we lost about $450 to the pickpockets on the subway. That certainly cast a dark shadow over our time there.
After our wonderful time of worship with our brethren in Rome, we were headed back to our hotel when I caught the hand of one who had my wallet, while an accomplish got a pouch with our EURO's in it from the other side. The train door closed and they were gone. Fortunately, The wallet I retained was the one with ID's and credit cards so all we lost was cash for which we are thankful. The next day another such attempt was made--I caught that one too, backed her into a corner on the train, and she fearfully ran out the door at the next stop. These are not isolated but prolific incidents giving Rome a very bad reputation--and well deserved. The "Poliza" just smile and almost make you feel it was you fault and you should have prepared better. I was ready to leave. I was determined to establish a website: "dontgotorome.com." I have traveled all over the world and never really felt fearful even though we have encountered some difficult circumstances. I was constantly on edge in Rome.
However, as is our nature, we try to make the best of whatever, "accentuate the positive" and move on. We had planned to go to Pompei on a one day trip but the loss of those funds prohibited that, so we used our bus and train passes (which we had re-purchased since they got those too) and just went to various places we would not have seen otherwise.
We also made the obligatory trip to the Vatican while there. The museum there is full of artifacts, art, etc. and is one of the largest in the world. The work of Michelangelo, Rafael, and the things of art, architecture, and history gathered there are worth seeing.
Respectfully however, I was appalled. The entire edifice with it's pomp and ostentatious excess has very little ---- if anything----to do with the teachings of our Lord. It's not about honoring the Christ but making monuments to men. I found it very little different than the Idolatry of India. There was no honor to God, just monuments to men. Peter would be disgusted at a statue of himself with a foot sticking out being touched and kissed as if some good luck charm. "Stand up, I myself am but a man." I can't write enough here about all the numerous false foolishness seen in those halls. (See recordings I will make of future sermons!) Undeniably beautiful art and architecture but nothing close to the church Jesus established. Doors through whom you walk to obtain forgiveness of sin "past, present, and future"? Where in the world would one find such in the teaching of scripture. Paintings of Jesus---in Rome---(He never was there) handing the "keys of the kingdom" to Peter. Man's inventions---not supported by fact or scripture --- are simply bald faced, deceptive, unfounded, devious, destructive LIES! Such is found everywhere!
So, you see, while it was a valuable learning experience, I am not very fond of Rome. We are glad to be in India again.
