Jim Stuff

India Post 6 - (F10/Equip)

Well I must be an official missionary type. I have had 2 separate meals at locals houses, ate everything put in front of me (cheerfully), and lived to tell about it.

Saturday afternoon I sat in on the equip training. When it was over us US Equipers went to diner at Anands house and had diner provided by his wife and mother. Curry chicken, fried fish, rice with white curd sauce, salad (3 kinds of onions and peppers chopped together), and chapata (sp?) (India fry bread). All of course eaten with no utensils. A little messy, and the salad was a little strong, but overall very yum. Rounded off with a tapioca type dessert. Anand lives in his parents house that they have owned for 44 years. He and his wife and 2 very young kids (2 and 6 mo.) live in one half, while his mom and dad have the other half. the house BTW is actually an apartment that is a little larger than average I'd say - likely around 4 bedroom. This is not an unusual arrangement here in India.

Sunday afternoon I sat in on the equip training and local group commissioning. When it was over, us US Equipers went to diner at Kamal's house and had diner provided by his wife and her helper. Fried fish (spicy), a rice/yeast pita type break, deep fried cauliflower (in a bread sauce), and a vegetable fritter. Again all very good, all with no utensils. Rounded off with ice cream and these little donut hole sized pastry that is soaked in syrup. Very yummy and very rich. Kamal is one of the India Consultants that just completed the training. He lives with wife and 2 kids (11 and 15) and their paid kitchen helper.

You'd never know what an incredibly picky eater I was growing up. Mom must be so proud! I feel like I left my food comfort zone checked at immigration. Lets just say that I really don't eat fish in the US - or onions - or curd.

Of course not all meals are a concern!!! For lunch (after church) I found my way to the local pizza hut to conduct a cross cultural experience. And I'm happy to report that the peperoni personal pan pizza really does taste exactly like it's counter-part in the USA. The diet pepsi accompanying it has a little different mix though. But a solid familiar meal is not far should I really need it :-)

Church was at PowerHouse. A church conducted in a local theater. It was very cool. Great worship music and the the message this Sunday was brought by the gentleman who is I believe the regional director of YWAM for a good part of India. Powerful message on the the parable of the seed sown and how each of the areas where seed fell deals with an area of Repentance and how we do or do not repent. I hope to translate my notes to share that soon.

This is the last night at the Force10 guest house. Tommorrow I have my final day at the Force10 office, then I'm back to do final packing and I scoot off to the Beverly Hotel a few km away to officially start the Equip venture. The Beverly is very nice and I'm looking forward to being with the rest of the team.

My health is running strong. Thanks again for your continued prayers. I am the feet on the ground, but the whole team includes God, you, and only then me.

Thanks and I pray God's powerful blessings of peace, hope, and love on your lives today.

jw.

posted by Winya @ 10:00 AM