Carie's Blog... her account wouldn't work

Subh Prabhat Sab!
I’m sorry I didn’t write last week, we’ve been pretty busy…anyways things are going great here! It’s so hard to believe that we’ve been here for 2 weeks already! It feels like we’ve been here longer, but the time has gone fast. As Kyle probably mentioned, we spent our first week getting acquainted with everyone and adjusting to the weather and food and whatnot. We worked in the library some and also visited the Mercy Home. There are only a few kids there now but in a week or so there will be over 100. Apparently the Mercy Home is more like a boarding school than an orphanage. The way it is set up kids come and stay during the “school year” and the rest of the time they go back to their home villages to live with relatives or whoever will take care of them. Most of them are orphans though and they are accepted into the Mercy Home based upon need…so they are the kids that need our help the most. I haven’t really started officially interviewing any of them yet. When all the kids get here it’ll be much easier to set up a schedule or something like that. Most of the kids don’t speak any English so I need a translator for every interview, which means that I also have to work with someone else’s schedule. It’s an ordeal, but definitely worth it. The time I’ve spent with the kids there has been really good. I’m kinda glad there are only a few; it makes it easier to build real relationships. They have devotional time every night and it is amazing! They sing their little hearts out, praising God for the work He’s done in them, even at such young ages. I am very blessed to have gotten pretty close to the oldest girl there, Eshwarie. She’s teaching me “Hosanna in the Highest” in Hindi, it’s so fun! She’s the eldest of 3 children and doesn’t have parents that I know of. She has some kind of problem with one of her legs and has to see a doctor often. I’m not sure what it is or why she has it (communication is difficult), but be praying for her healing and that she isn’t in pain.

I’m terrible with remembering what happens each day so I’ll just guess it from here on out:

Last Saturday night was the graduation for the summer session students. I don’t know if Kyle mentioned it, but my teaching went really well. The students were really interactive and asked lots of questions, so I think they enjoyed it and got a lot out of it too. Back to the graduation, it was quite long, but nice. They even gave Kyle and I special seats at the front…I always feel so awkward when they call us out…but it’s nice and they are just giving us honor and respect for being here. After the graduation we all ate together, family style, with the students, faculty, and everyone’s family. Later, after most people dispersed from the dining hall area, Kyle and the boys had a dance party. It was stinking hilarious! The dancing in the Bollywood movies isn’t just show, they really dance crazy like! Sunday was worship and then laundry day. I washed my own clothes…in a bucket. Doing things myself really makes me appreciate the work, if that makes sense. When I wash clothes at home it’s no big deal, and here I feel so accomplished and proud of my work. Sungeeta, one of the students, helped me out and taught me the Indian way to do it. It was good to have the company and extra hands, especially since I was washing Kyle’s stuff too (I offered). We took breaks from laundry and talked for a long time, in her broken English and my broken Hindi. At one point she even broke down and cried while talking about her husband. Most of the women I’ve talked to are not happily married and feel trapped almost. She hadn’t talked to her husband in 13 days (though she attempted many times) and he didn’t even come to her graduation. “Love marriages” are very uncommon here; so many women don’t have much of a choice when it comes to who they marry. Their parents chose for them and it is dishonoring if they say no. Another one of the students, Vandana, also opened up to me on Sunday after church. Many times during the week she asked me to pray with her. She has been severely burned over most of her upper body. Her face is disfigured and her chest and arms are as well. One of the other girls told me that she and her husband had been fighting and either she or her husband set her on fire. It was hard for me to understand the exact details. But when the girl told me, it was as if it was an ordinary thing. I asked Vandana myself what happened when we were talking but she just cried and wouldn’t tell me. She said that she looks dangerous (her English isn’t very good) and asked me if I agreed. I told her that she is beautiful, no matter what. I know that’s cliché but it’s so true and she seemed to not have thought of that. She smiled when I told her what God says about inner beauty and kept thanking me for being so kind. Please be praying for Vandana. She has both physical and emotional scarring and only God can heal her. After talking with Sungeeta and Vandana I really want to open a women’s counseling center here. I know it could be really tough, but I also know how needed it is and how much God would bless it. Many of the women say they have good marriages but I don’t think they know what a good marriage looks like. Sunday afternoon most of the students left, including Sungeeta and Vandana. I was really sad to see them leave. Please pray for them specifically, as well as the women of India.
So that was the weekend in a nut shell. Monday and Tuesday were spent working in the library, that is, when there is power. The state we are in, Maharashtra, is one of the poorer in India, so to save money they turn the power off each day for a few hours. Last week we were lucky and had power all week…this week we haven’t been that lucky. It’s all in how you look at it I guess though. I’ve enjoyed very much spending time in the library getting to know the other workers. When there is power we are all busy preparing for the students to come and re-entering the 2 months of work that was lost last week—apparently the term “back up” is foreign to the librarian. So in the times without power we sit around and talk, read, sweat…the usual. Kyle and I have been trying to learn Hindi, so it’s also a great time to practice. The librarian, Thomson is hilarious. He’s jolly in an awkward sort of way. His wife, Catherine, is great too. She also works in the library. Most Indian women are very quiet and submissive, but she’s loud and laughs at everything. She’s from a Christian home but was never very faithful. She lost both of her parents in the 80’s and fell away soon after. After her parents died her eldest sister stepped up to take care of the rest of the siblings, all 6 of them. Being the youngest in the family she was in the house the longest and remembers the most. They were very poor and spent many days hungry because they couldn’t afford food. She wept telling me how difficult it was, but also how much her family trusted God to provide. Thankfully she can look back now and see how God was working even in the difficult times. In 2003 she was arranged to marry Thomson by her sister’s friend. The same year she fasted and prayed for 3 days straight and decided to come back to Christ. Thomson seemed like a good match for her, and a Christian, which is hard to come by, so they were married. They have a good marriage, filled with mutual love and respect. And their little girl, Deb, is adorable. She’s almost 3 and very bright. She’s teaching me Hindi and I’m teaching her Itsy Bitsy Spider. Sorry for the rambling about Catherine…anyways, the Thomson’s are great (that’s their last name actually and he goes by it).

Tuesday night we got a special treat…a real Indian wedding! The entire faculty was going and they asked if we wanted to join. Of course we said yes, how could we pass up an opportunity like that. Because it was a Christian wedding it wasn’t as fancy as the Hindu ones that are most often seen in films, but it was still really interesting. It was super long, with people getting up with screaming babies and roaming around all throughout the service. The bride was decked out in all white, from head to toe. She had a white sari and long lace gloves covering her entire arms, with a huge veil that covered her to her knees in the front. Following the wedding was the reception…with about a thousand people. There was tons of food but lines do not exist in India, so getting to the food was the difficult task. It was like shopping the day after Thanksgiving, everyone grabbing things and pushing people left and right. Kyle thought it was fun, but it made me nervous. And then the water…wow. There were 4 huge barrels full, about 10 cups, and a kid with a pitcher. If you wanted any, and of course I did, you had to squeeze your way in and grab a cup, stick it out for the kid to pour you some from the barrels and then drink it there. I tried to leave with the cup the first time (not knowing the system) and got yelled at in Hindi. There was water splashing everywhere from his just dumping the water in a line across all the hands stuck out waiting for their fill. Thankfully I’m not germaphobic and like sharing! I got to wear a sari to the wedding too. I borrowed a beautiful purple silk one from Jasmine (the principle’s wife). Catherine dressed me. They aren’t kidding when they say that sari’s take a long time to tie…its really complicated!
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were also spent in the library during the day and at the Mercy Home at night. I like our routine and its flexibility. Now I’ll just tell you random things that you might like to hear…I haven’t talked about Sunanda yet! She is an old, well she looks old, she’s actually only 46, Hindu lady that works in the library. She’s so funny, always trying to talk to teach us Hindi. She speaks NO English. She jokes around with everyone all the time, and is real feisty. Her chai (the Indian tea) is the best. Kyle and I get so excited when it’s chai time. She asked me the other day why I don’t comb my hair…she thinks my curls are just messy. I probably should have been offended, but it was hilarious. I’m really glad that she works in the library here. She is surrounded by Christians and has the opportunity to learn about Christ through action, not just words. Be praying for Sunanda that she is open to what she is seeing and hearing about Christ. I’m so blessed to have made lots of friends here already. At night Kunti (pronounced Coon-tee) the girl’s warden and I watch Bollywood movies on my laptop. She takes care of me and kills all the big bugs that I’m too scared to get close to. The movies are strange and I can understand very little, but the time spent with her is fun. Another one of the girls, Suman, always joined us, but now she is back home. I miss her, but she’ll be back soon for school. It’s lonely in my apartment at night, so I definitely enjoy the company very much. I also made another friend, Charlie the dog, yes I named him, I’m a nerd. Most of the dogs are scared of people, but he knows I won’t hurt him so he likes me, we’ve bonded. Funny story. I was playing with him after dinner the other night and talking to Kunti about how all the dogs are scared and run away. She told me it was because the students kill and eat them! She said, “You must tell them you are friends with this one, so they will not eat him.” I hope they don’t eat Charlie! (Escape to Candy Mountain Charlie!)

I almost forgot to tell you all about Kyle and my Indian boyfriend! His name is Bansal and he’s amazing! Indian men are very affectionate with each other so he always holds Kyle’s hand when they are walking together. Kyle is a great sport and respects their culture very much as not to offend. I just love Bansal. He has such a big heart and is so kind to us. I think Kyle wrote about his story in his last blog, so continue to pray for him.

We are having a lot of fun getting to know everyone and experiencing a new culture, but, it is also very difficult. India has a HUGE Hindu population and everywhere we go we are surrounded by its influence on the people and the culture. India is a dark place. It may sound strange but being out in the city just feels different. Everywhere you turn there is some kind of statue to a god or goddess, temples line the street, even the buses and rickshaws have Hindu gods painted all over them. People sleep under tarp tents in the street, yet their village spends loads of money to build elaborate shrines for their god of choice. Something is wrong with this picture. We have heard amazing testimonies from the Christians here, but it is going to take more than that to change this country. Kyle and I feel a great burden for this place and we ask that you do the same. Please pray for Light to be shown in this dark country. Pray for His Kingdom to move here and that His people rise up and claim this land for His glory.

I love you all very much and am so very thankful for your encouragement and prayers!!!

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Okay everyone, I am so sorry that this is probably the longest blog in history. I was planning on using the on campus computer this week since we didn’t make it to the city…but…someone left it on and it was smoking really badly, so that idea was out. Anyways, bear with me as I continue telling you the happenings of the trip.

Sunday we went to Wadi (right outside Nagpur) for church. I just love church here. Everyone is so filled with the Spirit and it’s definitely encouraging. That night we got to go the market in town. What an experience! Everyone was shouting so you’d buy their stuff and there were tons of vegetables that I’d never seen before. I will be back there next week, that’s for sure. Monday we went to Fun & Food Village (what a name). It’s an Indian waterpark, ha! The staff wanted to take Chris (the other American guy here) somewhere special since he is leaving soon to go back to the States and we got to tag along. There are not words to describe an Indian waterpark. We had to rent swimming costumes (that’s what they are called here), and they were so funny! It is reversed from the States. The women’s costumes are these baggy dress things with pants that you wear underneath. The men’s on the other hand are these tiny little shorts. And I’m sure you’re all wondering, yes, they made us wear them too. Kyle brought his own shorts (much longer), but they wouldn’t let him wear them…hilarious! The swimming costumes were unpleasant but the company was great! We had a lot of fun going on the slides and playing in the wave pool with the staff and their families. I even got Catherine and Sucheta (one of the teachers) to go on the water slides with me…for their first time ever! They were being adventurous since I was there so make sure they didn’t drown; neither one of them know how to swim. It was great spending time with them and really getting to know them both better. On the way home from Fun & Food Deb was sleeping in my lap and peed on me, twice. The next day Catherine was telling Sunanda about it and apparently there is a Maharashtran folk tale that if you get peed on twice in a row you will be married soon and then have a very blessed child. So mom if you’re reading this then start saving for the wedding! Anyways, Fun & Food was a day I will never forget…and I have video and pictures to remind Kyle for years to come too, haha.

Wednesday night we were invited to one of the teacher’s homes for dinner. He and his family live in a village in the city so we had to take 2 rickshaws and then walk to get there. It was the first time that Kyle and I had been into an actual village here and it was a lot to take in. It is one thing to see the poverty from a distance but being in the middle of it is another. Satich, his wife (Kuruna), their son, and Satich’s parents live in a small 2 room home. There are 2 beds in one room and the other is the living room area with an attached kitchen. The men stayed in the bedroom and I was taken into the kitchen with Kuruna while she cooked. I just love spending time with the women and learning from them. She doesn’t speak much English so we stuck to conversation about the cooking. When it was dinner time we all sat around the living room on the floor, since they don’t have any furniture and they served us. It was such a humbling experience to be taken into their home and served like that. I am being taught so much about true service and hospitality each day.
Friday was yet another day in the library. I’m on Indian time now, so I was late getting there, but made it just in time for tea, perfect. The afternoon was a little more laid back since the librarian was in a staff meeting so we spent some time talking with Samuel and Sunanda. Samuel listened to Share the Well, by Caedmon’s Call. It is an amazing album about their mission experiences, a lot about India. Kyle and I have been inspired from it but hearing the take on it from an actual Indian is even better. Samuel was listening to one song called “Mother India” and felt so connected. He had his eyes closed and was singing along, but not just with his voice, his heart was singing too. Everyday is so refreshing. When I get discouraged that my work here is not true service and that I’m not being of any help, I see things like Samuel listening to “Mother India” and am instantly shown how God is using me in so many ways. God is faithful. After the library we went to the Mercy Home. To our surprise Binoj was there. He is over the construction being done on campus and had been in the hospital since Monday. He had been having terrible stomach pains and went to the hospital thinking it was something with his appendix. After a day of tests they found out he had severe kidney stones. He was being given medicine for the pain but there wasn’t much they could do. We had all been praying hard for him. Friday morning they did more x-rays and all the stones were gone! He is in no more pain and was released that afternoon. Healing is such a strange thing for me. It is done so much throughout scripture but I still have trouble believing it. I have been reading through the book of Mark and just last night I read the story from the 9th chapter where the father asks Jesus to heal his son from a demon. Jesus tells the father that “all things are possible to him who believes.” The father then replies back with “I do believe; help my unbelief.” I feel like the father in the story. If I believe then why do I doubt? Reading the story again and listening to Binoj tell of God healing him really convict me. I do not want to be one of the Pharisees who asks for a sign and then doesn’t even believe it when they see it. God is also teaching me a lot about His power and how I need to just trust Him. So Friday was again another great day in India. Saturday we will venture into the city to do a little shopping and site-seeing. Obed, one of the newest faculty members is going with us. We are excited to spend the day with him and get to know him better.

Well that’s about it I guess. Again I love you all very much and look forward to reading your comments. They are so encouraging! And keep praying for india!