Festivals, Food, and Frocks :)

I have the great joy of picking up where Bethany left off in the last post and catching y’all (the part of me that lived in Texas is coming out) up on what else has been happening this week. I’m going to start with Monday night…

After we came back from the village and had a chance to rest and get cleaned up, Pastor David took us to visit a couple who have been friends of the family for years. Both husband and wife were college professors before they retired, and they have been faithfully serving the Lord for their whole lives. They served us sweets and coffee, and Bethany and I both suffered through a whole cup of coffee, just to be polite (Bethany actually drank two!). This may not sound like much suffering, but both of us really dislike coffee so it was quite a sacrifice :) Though our taste buds did not really appreciate the coffee, our spirits fully enjoyed to wonderful fellowship with these two older believers. We had great conversation about the Lord and both learned new things. It was wonderful!

Tuesday we did not have any programs scheduled because none of the youth were available to come and sing with us. (All our friends here take their studies very seriously and they are nearing the end of their term, so they have a lot of work to do.) Instead, it was a day of getting things done. In the morning we cleaned and met the engineer for the missions center which HBA is currently constructing. (There is a post devoted to this project coming as soon as we finish it… wait with great expectation J) After lunch, I (Chelsea) went with Pastor David to a small shop and “Reliance Super” (a large store similar to a Super Walmart) and we bought things needed for both households. It was really very exciting because we rode on the motorcycle… something I have decided I really like doing! (FYI: it’s not as scary as you might think, or as I thought at first. Indians are actually very courteous drivers, even though it might not seem like it to those of us used to driving in the States.)

When we came home, David helped Bethany and me set up our stove… something we hadn’t been able to do before because the gas hadn’t arrived yet. It was quite a bit of work to get the hose connecting the stove top to the gas cylinder (very similar to a propane tank for an outside BBQ) on, but we finally succeeded with the help of God and our strong muscles J (though Bethany did get a blister from it). Once the gas was attached to the range, they taught us how to light the stove and how to make Indian style tea. We have been insisting since we arrived that we know how to cook, but after witnessing our (well, my) first attempt at tea making they seem a little suspicious. I have managed to turn out two fairly decent meals so far, but whenever I convince one of our friends to try any of my cooking they say it has “no flavor” – meaning I didn’t put any of the spices they are accustomed to in it. In making tea, the score is 2 out of 3, I’ve had two successes out of three attempts (Pastor David said this morning’s tea was a great improvement), not bad for someone who’s just learning. Check out our journal for tea-making instructions and videos! (http://withhiminindia-journalsstories.blogspot.com)

(Chelsea's "flavorless" soup that we so greatly enjoyed; David and Bulah, not so much)

Tuesday evening, Pastor David and I went out again, this time to pick us the clothes that Bethany and I purchased last week from the seamstress. We stayed up way too late trying on our new Indian outfits and taking pictures of ourselves. (We have no full length mirror so this is the only way we can see what we look like.) We’re such girls! :)

(Two of our outfits)

Yesterday (Wednesday), was Republic Day, the 62^nd celebration of India becoming its own nation, separate from the British Empire. In honor of the day we attended a parade/cultural festival at the Police Parade Grounds, which is very near our home. It was quite the experience. There were “floats” (large banners draped over semis) detailing different government projects, forestry/conservation, education, and medical care among them. There was also a demonstration of police dogs who have been trained to stop thieves, performances by different schools which dramatized different aspects of Indian history and culture through song, dance, and acting, and the presentation of awards for outstanding service in the last year. Our favorite part was the school’s performances; everyone else’s favorite part was us. At one point, it felt like there were two hundred children gathered around us (more like 25), shaking our hands, dropping flowers in our laps, and telling us their names. It was really quite overwhelming and completely wonderful. We were also informed by our friends last night that we made the afternoon news on TV and this morning Pastor David showed us our picture in several newspapers. Apparently, everyone greatly enjoyed the fact that we have come to India to “study their culture.”

Yesterday evening was the mid-week gathering of believers in the homes of different church members. This week it was at a home which was completed just before we arrived, and they happen to be our, neighbors so it was very easy to get there. Bethany shared out of Joshua 24:14-15, where Joshua is reminding the people of what the Lord had done and challenging them “Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” She challenged all present to make a commitment (not casually on the spur of the moment, but in quiet and thought when they reached their homes) that they and their families would serve the Lord, no matter what their neighbors may do. It is good for us all to evaluate whether we are serving the Lord and to make sure that our motivations lay in glorifying Him.

On that note, I will say “Good night,” or “Good morning” to all of you since you are just waking up. Much love and prayer is floating your way from India and we can feel the same coming back toward us.