Masala is a spice that Indians use on everything, and it
brings us to tears every time we eat it, because it is so spicy!! They literally put it on everything, from
chicken to their drinks to popcorn. There is an ongoing joke among our team,
that just when we thought that we escaped food with masala in it, it seems like
they add more and more to the dishes that we eat, and then they bring out an
extra side of masala.
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| Scootin Around Town
We have found a new way to get around town- on the back of
Rachel’s moped! There is no better way to face the crazy traffic in India, than
on the back of a scootie (as the locals would say)!
 
We met with
some students from the English class that Rachel teaches at, outside of the
classroom, hoping that we could have some less scripted conversation with
them. We really wanted to try to build
more intentional relationships with them.
A lot of students showed up and we got to hang out in smaller groups,
and tried to help them improve some of their English. We didn't know that they
were going to be quizzing us on our Hindi though! One thing that they really try to do is to
have motivational phrases that they are working on. One that they shared was “Life is best for
those that enjoy it. Life is worst for
those that criticize it, because attitude defines your life.” This was great for how we were feeling, we
were all going through some culture shock, and it was time for us to change our
attitude and perspective. Our negativity was getting in the way of what God was
trying to do.
 
We had lunch with a guy named Amon at a traditional Indian restaurant. He ordered a ton of new things for us to try. We were all pretty nervous, but it turned out
to be pretty good!
Because of these things called Vegi lollipops, we have
learned to say “This is YUMMY!”, as a warning to the other members of our group
that actually this particular dish is absolutely disgusting, and if they ask if
you want any, reply that you are full.
There was confusion at one point, where everyone was just lying when
they said something was good, when it was really awful, therefore everyone
thought it was a safe choice, and we all ended up tasting it.
Amon then took us to a place called Regional Park! This pic
is great because when Amon first saw Justin in the mall, he wouldn’t approach
him because he was so intimidated by Justin’s huge muscles! Now they have a
nice bro-mance going on!
On the way to Regional Park, a couple of people were talking
about how grey India is and it is depressing because we are missing God’s
creation, which is something that we took for granted in the States. There is a little green, but it is covered
with trash. There are rivers, but they
are filled with trash. The smog is so
dense that we don’t see any sunsets or sunrises, or the stars or the moon. And we couldn't remember the last time that
we saw flowers. As soon as we finished
talking about it, we had arrived to the park, and we looked around, and the
park was filled with so many flowers. It’s like all of the flowers of India
were gathered and put in this park. God
is so good to remind us he is still in control.
We needed to be reminded of his beauty and splendor and creativity, and
he provided it!
 
Regional Park was good for a lot of reasons, but
mostly because it just refreshed us in reminding us how great our God is and
how beautiful his creation is.
 
The girls went to an apartment for a bible study with some
of the national believers here. It was
mostly all in Hindi. We studied
Ephesians. We were reminded that the
same God that I love and worship and and serve, is the same God that these
women worship and love and serve. God is
cross-cultural and bi-lingual, and multi-generational. We have nothing in common with these women,
but in Christ, we have everything. It
brings such Unity among believers being able to pray and worship together. It is such a great picture of what Heaven
will be like one day.
  
We went to the English school for Rachel’s last day
there. We spent time teaching them how
to use “a, an, and the” correctly. It
was hard for us, because this is just something easy we don’t even think about,
but having to break it down for them, was really confusing for most of us!
 
We went to Rachel’s going back to America party! India will
miss her!
 
We went to a fancy going away lunch for Rachel at the
Radisson hotel! The week that we got to
spend with her went back way to fast, we miss her already!
Josh being Josh
Josh, “What
is the right angle to take a selfie, but not make it look like you are taking a
selfie?”
I do realize that Josh has been the focus for the last
couple of pics, but it is important for everyone at home to know that Josh is
addicted to Corn that he can get on the side of the road! His record is 4 in one day!
Josh and Justin got to go and play Cricket with some guys at
6am! They then went to breakfast.
2 Thessalonians 1: 9-10 “They will suffer the punishment of
eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his
might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints and to be
marveled at among all who have believed, because of our testimony to you was
believed.”
-
This is a verse that we studied in one of our
bible studies and it just reminds us why we are in India. That the reality for the unbeliever is
eternal separation from God. This
motivates us to be intentional with our time here and love the lost.
Please be praying for: -one of our team members is staying
long term and is having trouble finding a job. - the health of our team, specifically Anna Grace has been
sick the most. –That God will provide
more contacts for us so that we can build more meaningful relationships. -continued
unity among our group -steadfastness. India isn't the easiest place to stay for a
month, please pray that we will seek God in those trying times and remember
that we are here to reach the lost. –pray
that we will be led by the holy spirit
By: Kayla Dickson
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