Okay, so I kind of forgot I even had this blog spot! We have really been trying to keep up with our India site since moving here. That site is a bit more professional. So, I thought I would write a new post on this one, something a little more personal about life and times in India.
So we have been here for two months. And I must say, I am feeling pretty at home. My biggest struggles in the beginning had to do with a certain loss of control. We have no mode of transportation. So, while in the states I had my own car, and drove, I could throw the girls in the back seat whenever I had to go somewhere. Here, we walk some of the time, which I really love now that I know my way around. At first, however, getting around by walking involved getting lost alot and therefore, walking longer than I wanted to with the girls!!
I also know how to use the taxi services here, and we now have a regular company, and even a specific driver, who we use most of the time. I can call the same day and get a ride to the grocery store. This is convenient and inexpensive, so now that I can do this with comfort and ease, getting around is no longer an issue.
My next hurtle was cooking. There are more things here to cook with (ingredients) that I have never seen or heard of then there are things familiar to me. So, it took me some time to learn a few Indian meals. I have also conquered my goal of creating a large American menu to draw from with the things that are available here. American items tend to be more expensive. So, I have learned to cook dishes that use chicken, rice and/or noodles, and fresh veggies. This is a blessing, as produce here is ridiculously cheap and of course my cooking is now very healthy. I have made chicken and dumplings, spagetti, french toast, and a myriad of other American things.
One thing I love. People pushing carts full of fresh fruits and veggies roam the streets every day. They come right to my building. I only have to decsend the stairs to purchase all of my produce. So, this is a convenience I will sorely miss once we are back in the states.
It is also common here to hire help in your home. I employ a young girl who washes all of my dishes, cleans my 'marble' floors, dusts, cleans the bathroom, makes the bed and hangs laundry. (We have no dryers here, so laundry all hang dries.) I cannot tell you how much of a blessing this is. It is also extremely inexpensive, because of the crossover from dollars to rupees, and employing these women is a service to them, as well, as they cannot find other work.
The girls are doing so well. Kayla is in school now. She goes every day, Monday through Friday, from 8:30am until 12:30pm. She loves it. She is learning letter sounds, numbers, and writing. She has gained so much in the short month she has been there. Apparently, she plays with the older boys at recess (they are only 5 and 6 years old, as this is a preschool/kindergarten only school). So, not much has changed with her! She claims to have a boyfriend, who she punches and kicks more than the other boys at recess! But, they are impressed with her imagination, her artistic abilities, and her ability to pick up academic concepts. So, we are so pleased!! She is also learning to love Indian food, as this is what they serve for snacks. She rides on the school van, to and from school, and they pick her up and drop her off right in front of the house.
Alan is teaching and loving it. I am going to bible studies, helping Alan with worksheets for classes, and helping develop a children's curriculum for the church we attend. We are very busy.
Also, in the short two months we have been here, we have endured much, but God is good. At least one of us has been sick in some capacity or other since we arrived. Lydia needed a trip to the emergency room for an infection that caused a fever of 104 and vomiting. We lost our third child, Tobiah, at 11 weeks gestation. The relational character of the Indian people astounds us. During this very difficult time, we were brought meals from fellow missionaries, Indian Christians and the people in our building. People came and checked on me to make sure I was okay and taking care of myself. The Indian people care about other people above 'things' or 'tasks'. Hospitality and caring for others is top priority. This is a blessing, and is stretching me to become that way myself.
All in all, Indian life is good. It is an adventure. We are more aware of God's goodness and His provision than we ever have been. We have been stretched, and we have grown from it. This will be an exciting, blessed and challenging two years!
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