Each day is a new experience in India. I’m thankful to have had this opportunity to live in a nearby flat (less than a 10 minute walk away) where I can cook meals and prepare bowls of cereal everyday. Being so close affords me the free time to come and go as I please. During the week we are busy interacting and helping them grow in wisdom & vocabulary. Most days (M-F) our time is utilized from 12:30-8:30 with breaks in between plus two meals and plenty of Chai. There are two different groups: freshmen and discipleship mentees. The first week we were here we mentored twice by ourselves without supervision. It's good to know that we are trusted to lead. They are so eager (and some are very shy & timid) to grow in understanding! This is such an encouragement to me and my walk. Both groups are memorizing prayers (mealtime, thanksgiving, morning, etc) and we are privileged to be able to listen to them as they recite from memory. We've learned that American candy is a HUGE motivator!! Shyness and timidity go out the window when candy is in the mix…
Since Saturday is our free day, we booked a car to take us to Aalankrita Resort & Spa, determined to have a fish pedicure. We went with our roommate and another girl here for a health ministry. I went first and the fish swarmed my freshly washed feet… there were so many fish that it looked like I had “fish boots” in my feet! One by one, everyone else set their feet in the water and the fish began nibbling off the dead skin cells on our feet/legs. It tickled greatly to the point of a constant feeling of a vibration on/under my feet. After a while your feet are desensitized and it tickles much less. After wading with the fish we set off to find the spa… massage for me and head/shoulder massages for everyone else. My masseuse, Silji, saw my cross necklace and asked if I was a Christian. I told her I was and asked if she was one also. She said she was. After my massage/steam-room/shower, I asked if I could pray for her and she accepted. I praised God for the gift of healing hands that He gave her, lifted up her family (from Kerala), and asked God to shine His light through her…
We left the resort and made our way to Thinespo, an American-food-themed restaurant, where we ordered pizza (woo… spicy sauce) and cheesy garlic bread. Delish! In the evening we walked our street because on Saturday nights there's a farmers’ market. The street is packed with food vendors on both sides, mixed with crowds of people walking trying to buy their groceries, and numerous cars/motorbikes filling up the once empty space! You can't imagine the loud sounds of people selling their goods, honking their horns, all the while the exhaust is filling the air, gagging us. In America, we would block off the street to vehicles, not here in India!
Sunday brought a 10 am church service, then lunch on the same grounds. We returned home for a nap, then watched 3 Idiots! on DVD with our roommate and friend, all the while eating sweedish fish and gold fish crackers. That movie is so great… quite emotional, really. We had to stop the movie in order to catch the evening worship service at 6 which has loud music and dancing during worship. I love it! We met and spoke with some church goers who were eager to hear about why we are here! After sharing, they talked about our country’s independence day being tomorrow and wanted to know if we had plans. I mentioned that we are having dinner at Patty's with the other internationals, but that was it. They also asked about fireworks, we said we didn't have any! They offered to plan a celebration on the church lawn, fireworks and all after our dinner. Today's the day and I'm looking forward to celebrating America's Independence with my Indian brothers and sisters…
That's all I have for now… I will edit the post with an update to the party as soon as I can.
Good bless,
Tiffany
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