Kochi and Father Joe

Well, a LOT has happened since the last time I posted. I always hope for more free time, but i guess it's not a bad thing that our hours are full and exciting! So I was incorrect...I initially said Father Joe had been in India for 12 years and as G mentioned, it has been 15! Before he moved there, he specified that he would be willing to stay maybe for 2 years but probably not any longer. I think India surprised him and you can just see how much he loves it and how much India loves him.

Father Joe is an integral part of the Van Leeuwen family. He married my parents in 1974, and he's about to marry my cousin Craig in June, 37 years later. Amazing. Although he has lived in India for so long, we still see him very often.(almost yearly) and always has the best stories to tell about India. So seeing his life here first hand and witnessing the service he has provided to so many people for so many years and those whose lives he has touched is inspiring. People love and know him because he loves them. And as G mentioned, he knows everyone. He showed us an awesome time in Kochi. The night we arrived, he showed us all around the monastery which is so cool, very beautiful and picturesque, albeit simple. The simplicity was the best part about it. It just reminds you that all this stuff we have isn't always necessary, and just helps you take a step back. This is a picture of the three of us at an awesome restaurant he took us to at the Harbor Hotel in Fort Kochi the first night. We ate outside in the garden, the only lighting was lights hanging from trees, and there was a traditional Indian band playing across the pool. It was a three-piece band, all members seated on the ground, two types of drummers and someone playing a harmonium (?), an accordion type instrument. After a good night's sleep, I went to mass in the morning in the new chapel (below). Father Joe worked for so many years to get this chapel built, his name is on the plaque outside, and rightfully so, he and everyone in the parish are so proud of it.

The next day (Monday) was full of sight-seeing all around Kochi, and Father Joe had more energy than G and I combined. We were exhausted at the end of the day! But in a very fulfilling way. The next day (Tuesday) was left open so after a leisurely breakfast, we decided to go to Cherai Beach, where another Passionist parish is located that also has a new, beautiful chapel. The monastery there has an awesome goat named Mary who is like a dog. She deserves a shout-out.


Cherai Beach is a small fishing village with gorgeous beaches and warm ocean water on the Arabian Sea. After playing in the waves, Father Francis took us to an oceanside restaurant for a late lunch with the freshest seafood around. Not the first or last time we have had unbelievably delicious and freshly caught seafood. After a late dinner, we retired for the night and packed, as we were headed to Poovar the following morning. Here is where we stayed in Poovar.

www.poovarislandresort.com

Full of nature and beauty. We stayed in a floating cottage and sat outside listening to the waves crash at night. More about Poovar and Kovalum (where we arrived today) next post!