If I were trying to describe life in the mega cities of this country, I would tell you to take every idea of normalcy, every personal boundary and throw it out the window. You just never know what you might see. We've seen cows, goats and pigs roaming around–not to mention the thousands of street dogs. You would see all kinds of people, dressed in ways that are so foreign to us but that is now becoming the new normal. As for personal space, just hop on a metro to see if they have any concept of it. One time we were getting on and saw a guard literally shoving people into the metro car. If you make it in, there's no point to even hold on because you have nowhere to fall! Then the next task is making your way through the people to get off in about a ten second window that the doors are open. Everything is such an adventure here, it's great. I say all these things not grudgingly, but with a sense of humor. Being able to laugh and keeping a light-hearted attitude I have learned is crucial to being able to adapt to life here. Life runs so differently, but there is always much to be appreciated and much to learn from the culture.
There were about thirty people in training together in the first city, including singles and young families. I was overwhelmed by the great support network we have here. We had different people come in and speak to us about different aspects of living here and being among the people. We also learned and experienced a lot about culture and all the worldviews we will be encountering. I wish I could say more about this, but just know that we have seen crazy things. Things I thought only happened in the OT and NT. But it happens now, in very big ways.
All that aside, this is a beautiful, colorful country with so many faces. The people are so kind. One day two colleagues and I were walking through a neighborhood to experience some more culture, and a woman walking the same way as us wearing a beautiful sari said hello. It only took a few seconds for us to use all the Hindi we knew and for her to use all the English she knew. But her face was so sweet, and my friend wanted to keep talking, so we tried to ask her if we could practice a story we had learned in Hindi that I had in henna on my hand. Of course we didn't know how to say practice or story, so everyone was confused. She got out her phone and called someone, then practically took us by the arm and wanted us to follow her.
I wish I had videoed the path we took with her. The only words I heard were English and school, so we followed her through little four foot wide alleyways, weaving alongside buildings and through people until we arrived at a small doorway which was her house. She invited us in and immediately made somewhere for us to sit. Her teenage son, who had learned English in school was there to translate. It's crazy how when a story needs to be shared, the language barrier always gets taken care of. So she offered us coffee, chai or water, and we accepted. Hospitality is a huge thing here, and we were taught that even if we weren't hungry or thirsty or if we weren't sure where the food or water was coming from, that to preserve the relationship we had to take it. Five people lived in this one bedroom house, and I was so excited that this was our first experience in a national's home. She gave us water and said it was filtered for us. We drank it, as well as the superb chai she offered. Eventually, we got back to the henna. She loved the design, and I told her it had a story to go with it and that since we are learning Hindi that I would like to practice saying a short version of the story. It was the story of the Son calming the storm on the boat with his followers. Literally it was four sentences long, but because her son was there I could elaborate a little in English. Although we moved on pretty quickly after the story was told, it was an incredible experience being in their home, talking to her kids and letting them teach us about their country. It was a blessing to us and to them to receive their hospitality. They were so kind, and by the time we left, she had fed us lunch too!
I left encouraged with a deeper insight that our work here is all about relationships and learning about the people. And let me tell you they have so much to teach us!!
This week we are in our city, still looking for an apartment, but we are starting our language study with a national. If only I could fly Sheryn over here to keep helping me I'd be set!! There is so much to tell about this wonderful, crazy, sensory overload country, but this is all for now. It's lunch time here :)
There were about thirty people in training together in the first city, including singles and young families. I was overwhelmed by the great support network we have here. We had different people come in and speak to us about different aspects of living here and being among the people. We also learned and experienced a lot about culture and all the worldviews we will be encountering. I wish I could say more about this, but just know that we have seen crazy things. Things I thought only happened in the OT and NT. But it happens now, in very big ways.
All that aside, this is a beautiful, colorful country with so many faces. The people are so kind. One day two colleagues and I were walking through a neighborhood to experience some more culture, and a woman walking the same way as us wearing a beautiful sari said hello. It only took a few seconds for us to use all the Hindi we knew and for her to use all the English she knew. But her face was so sweet, and my friend wanted to keep talking, so we tried to ask her if we could practice a story we had learned in Hindi that I had in henna on my hand. Of course we didn't know how to say practice or story, so everyone was confused. She got out her phone and called someone, then practically took us by the arm and wanted us to follow her.
I wish I had videoed the path we took with her. The only words I heard were English and school, so we followed her through little four foot wide alleyways, weaving alongside buildings and through people until we arrived at a small doorway which was her house. She invited us in and immediately made somewhere for us to sit. Her teenage son, who had learned English in school was there to translate. It's crazy how when a story needs to be shared, the language barrier always gets taken care of. So she offered us coffee, chai or water, and we accepted. Hospitality is a huge thing here, and we were taught that even if we weren't hungry or thirsty or if we weren't sure where the food or water was coming from, that to preserve the relationship we had to take it. Five people lived in this one bedroom house, and I was so excited that this was our first experience in a national's home. She gave us water and said it was filtered for us. We drank it, as well as the superb chai she offered. Eventually, we got back to the henna. She loved the design, and I told her it had a story to go with it and that since we are learning Hindi that I would like to practice saying a short version of the story. It was the story of the Son calming the storm on the boat with his followers. Literally it was four sentences long, but because her son was there I could elaborate a little in English. Although we moved on pretty quickly after the story was told, it was an incredible experience being in their home, talking to her kids and letting them teach us about their country. It was a blessing to us and to them to receive their hospitality. They were so kind, and by the time we left, she had fed us lunch too!
I left encouraged with a deeper insight that our work here is all about relationships and learning about the people. And let me tell you they have so much to teach us!!
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