Saturday, July 25, 2009

Starting to Work!

So this week I have been able to start working with the Asian Relief team that is stationed here, which is a really good way to meet cousins and other people to make relationships and find People of Peace. I have been training on how to tell stories, what I should expect when going into villages, and tons more language. Its been really fun working with the believing people here and making friendships with them.

I've been getting used to the city and learning my way around on buses and autos, with the occasional bike rickshaw! I find the bike rickshaws very awkward because the seat is tilted forward and I pay so little to be taken however far. I've always overpaid because I'm white, but I still pay less than 20 cents! The buses are a little better. They cost about the same amount, but there are tons of people on a bus so I can feel a little better about how much I'm paying. Sometimes there are no seats though, and then it gets very hot and uncomfortable! I am taller than the average person here, and the buses weren't made for someone so tall! the autos are the most expensive, but they are also the fastest and most comfortable. They go directly without stopping for other passagers, they're small enough to fit through small gaps in traffic, and you ride them alone with doors. I like to look out the windows (just openings, there are no coverings like glass or plastic over them, it is too hot for that - you want the breeze!) at all the buildings and people. As long as I'm not feeling sick the auto is very fun, but the bus is a better place to meet people. I was on the bus last week going to the vegetable market and I wasn't very sure where that was. I got like four people to help me and they made sure I got off where I needed to and pointed me in the right direction. They are so helpful!

I was on my way to the training center last week and I left my directions at home, and the girl I was meeting had forgotten her phone. So, I rode the bus and told them what I knew and I got there right away and was even 2 minutes early (which if you've ever met me somewhere, you know that is not usual)! Then I waited for my friend for 45 minutes :) I like that part of the culture though, me and other friend sat around talking and playing with some num-chucks we found! (I have pictures that I will post as soon as I can!!)

Thanks for all your yarper and support it makes a world of difference over here!!!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

this makes it.

Still no pictures, but if you'll stay with me you'll hear a fun story!!

One day I was out on my language walk in my neighborhood, just walking around and talking to as many ladies as possible to practice language, when two little girls flagged me in from the road and invited me to their home. Lately I've been cautioned not to go into peoples home because of some weird stuff going on but Dad told me it was OK and Dad and I had just talked a second earlier, so I went in. As I sat, I met 2 girls ages 11 and 12 and their little brother age 9. Their parents weren't home, so the 12 year old was very adult and asked me if I wanted tea. when I said yes she turned to her sister and gave her some money to go buy things for tea. I was a little embarrassed, but to decline now would be really rude. When the little sister Pinky got back, her older sister Sila went to make tea and left me and Pinky in the room. None of the kids spoke English, so I was talking as much as possible about everything I knew how. Then I came to a story about Dad I had just learned, and felt this was the perfect time to try it out. Pinky listened very attentively, and then she asked if I had a shrine in my house like she did hers. I said no, that I didn't need one because He was in my heart, and then she introduced me to all of her gods. This was all done in their language, and it was very exciting! By this time many more people had come in so we had to stop and do introductions, and then the ladies that had come to visit took over the conversation. I was very excited though. This is the first time I have shared a story with someone over here that didn't already know the story! As I left, the girls made me promise to come back and meet their mom, since I lived so close, and by now I have met their mom! I plan on going over regularly, and I have another story prepared for her when the time comes.

That's all for right now, I'm just doing language study and such this week. I did take an auto, a rickshaw, and a bus all by myself this week! I was in search of food, and I got most of what I needed, and only got ripped off a little! It has been a very independent week because my supervisor is out of town, and it has been very good for me. I've been forced to take initiative and do things on my own - I need to eat, and so I need to go buy food!! I feel much more at home now, and ready to start my service project!!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

mental images

So my home-stay is over, and I am settled down in the city to stay for a while. My last week in the home-stay was really tough, I became dehydrated and had to sleep a lot. Then my family pulled out an ORS packet, which stands for Oral Rehydration Solution, which is exactly what I needed to rehydrate and feel better so that was such a blessing! The monsoon season finally hit though, and I kept slipping in the mud! All the rooms in the house stand alone - to travel from one to the other you have to walk outside in the mud. Every time I fell, the family thoughtI had broken every bone in my body and rushed to my side! They thought that the falling was causing me to be sick. They also believe that drinking cold water makes me sick, and they kept trying to get me to drink hot water - but I stuck to my crisp, cold water! This week brought an English speaking girl to the house, Riju-Moonie. Her exams had just ended and she came home for her one-month summer vacation. She was very helpful with language and she taught me how to play a game with 5 stones. You have to throw and catch the stones over and over again with increasing difficulty. I finally got up to 5 points! (You get 4-5 points in one round). Fun times though. When we went to look at the village fishery, one girl gave us all a piece of grass for protection against the evil spirits. I told her that I had protection with Dad, but she ignored me. I didn't think three little girls on an evening walk was the best time for a theological discussion so I quietly dropped mine on the road and talked quietly to Dad. Before we left the road to see the fishery one girl turned to me and asked me if I had the grass blade. I told her I had protection and smiled. That was my first time being asked to participate in all the superstition in the believing villages. Leaving the village was bittersweet. The people were really sweet and their love overflowed! I had such great friends there, but I plan on going back to see them again. I was glad to move back to the city though - the mud was really getting to me!
The next week I spent with a national family that lived in the city - kind of. They lived in the hills in the middle of the city, but it was quiet and beautiful. They had moved from the city 3 months ago to their ranch-style house in the middle of the "country". It was great - like a vacation! The whole family speaks English and they were excited to meet me and make my stay as comfortable as possible. The dad brought home soda pop and chips for me everyday because it was "American" :). I had my own room and my OWN BATHROOM! It was very relaxing and had a breathtaking view. After a week of rest I am back in the city. I will do some more language learning this week and start on my service project next week.
I have no pictures for you right now and I am very sorry!! I took so many pictures! My computer is on the fritz (yarp please!) so I am using friends computers while I figure out what to do about mine. As soon as it gets fixed there will be a bombardment of pictures that will take too long to get through!! My major Yarp requests are that my computer gets fixed, I can build relationships with nationals here around my house, I can stay attentive while in training for my service project, and that I can really start investing here in my area and the people here. Thank you all so much for all your comments, emails, and support!!!