Hot, Hot, Hot

Holy heat! I got a little too much sun yesterday. We went to an amusement park with the teachers from the Salvation Army School we've been at for about a week. I actually enjoyed myself. I took the opportunity to get to know some of the female teachers better. One of them really tugged on my heart. She's a Hindu. She has such a beatiful smile and personality. She's a Social Science teacher which is a huge interest of mine. I've sat in a few of her classes. The kids at the school are so precious. Every morning they have an assembly and they sing songs. The Indian people are big on songs with actions. On Friday they had a special assembly and our mission team were the chief guests. We put pins on student leaders, took pictures, and performed for them. The school gave each of us a gift. The girls recieved material to make an outfit. The boys received ready-made polos. The clothes are very comfy here. And cheap compared to what I am used to. I have several outfits that were made to my size. It was neat except I don't like when they say my measurements out loud. I try not to cringe every time my bust size is said.

Let's see there are random cows everywhere in this country. Several of the youths think I'm cute. I've had girls pinch my cheeks...hard. Like an old lady would do! I guess they don't see dimples often. I've had boys tell me they like my hair too. Hand holding is big in India...hugging not so much. There are also random stray dogs on the street. I experienced my first authentic Indian bathroom this week. By authentic I mean...I have to squat down and do my business close to the ground. It's like a toilet in the floor...except it doesn't flush. You use a bucket of water for that and to well...clean up as there is no toilet paper. The hotel we're staying at has a westernized toilet in case you were curious. ;)



On Monday night we will go to a boy's and girl's home that houses orphans and semi-orphans. I'm looking forward to this experience.

Our First Sunday

Hello Friends!

Well, we experienced our first Sunday meeting. We attended the only English speaking corps in the territory. It is a small corps. The THQ is near it though so several of the THQ officers attend this corps. The uniforms are white or blue sarees for the women and white shirt, navy slacks for the guys. No one where's shoes when entering a Holy building. I quite enjoy that although my feet get rather dirty.

The team seems to meshing well together so far. We have been living in luxary so far. All of our rooms have AC. The bathrooms are set up a little differently. There is no curtain for the shower...it's just right in there w/ the toilet. We have a western looking toilet. Most of the toilets are located close to the ground...which means squatting. I have yet to experience that but...I'm sure I will.

There are always random dogs and cows in the street. The people drive like they do in NYC. There is constant horn beeping and few traffic lights. I have only seen lights at major intersections. Many people ride on motor bikes...I"ve seen many families of 3 or 4 crowded on a bike. Usually no one is wearing a helmet. :(

Today we encountered children beggers...very hard to endure b/c there was nothing I or the team could do for them. They kept tapping our arms and saying hello. I've seen whole families of people sleeping on the streets.

More later.

A Whole New World

I'm writing to let you all know that we arrived safely in Chennai! We got here at 4 AM yesterday (June 14). I was a little out of it that early in the morning. The driving here is crazy! If you've ever been to NYC it's very similar. There is constant horn beeping and there are few traffic lights. There are a lot of motor cycles and bicycles.

Today we went to the THQ and met several of the officers in the territory. We visited the school that we will be in for about 2 weeks too today. We did our first meeting at a corps today too. The kids were so precious. They kept wanting to shake my hand and touch my hair...which is in a bunch of little braids on my head. Given my curly hair and extreme heat...braids were a great idea! :) One kid touched my toes too.

I am adjusting to the spicy food. I'm getting accustomed to eating with my right hand. It hasn't been as weird as I thought it would be.

I love you all and hope that you are all having a great summer! Drop me a comment or a line via e-mail to let me know how you're all doing. :)

In About 24 Hours...

...I will check out of my hotel and check-in at the Newark Airport. We have a night flight that is going to London. Then about a four hour lay over and a long 10 hour flight to Chennai, India...we will be in Madras for the first part of our trip.

I'm really getting excited. I've had a good weekend in New York and New Jersey. My corps officers, rock my socks! I don't think they'll ever know how thankful I am for them. I'm thankful that my path has crossed with many other incredible human beings. :) I got to quickly catch up with some of them this weekend. So a shout out to Majors Kevin and Cheriann Stoops, and new Captains: Dave & Darlene Means and Dave jr & Kristen Means! It was great to see you all this weekend! The three meetings I attended during Commissioning Weekend were long. Like over 3 hours. I had to take part briefly in a meeting on Saturday night. It was an Hispanic Celebration so the entire meeting was in Spanish. I had one of those translation devices...mine was shady and didn't work very well. I was glad that I didn't trip coming up or off the stage when the Comish. prayed over our teams.

I'm excited to be stretched this summer. I welcome challenge and opportunities to learn. I'm secretly hoping I'll get to ride and elephant or camel this summer. Today I was asked if I was mixed b/c of my hair. I thought the question was a little odd but I have been asked that before...believe it or not.

Question of the day: What is the oddest question someone has asked you and what was your reply?

Me: It's between asking me if I was mixed b/c of my hair or when someone asked if I was an Indian once. I have nothing against those races/ethnicities but I really don't see myself in either group. I calmly said no that I wasn't either of those in reply.