India-Week1

This week has been a week of readjustment and preparation. Allot of the week I have been adjusting to the new time zone, which is 11 and 1/2 hours ahead of eastern standard time. Needless to say I have been sleeping allot, but slowly each day by body is a little closer to being in sync with the local time. Also, it's hot here, and that has been a readjustment as well. I have been warned that this is as cold as it gets here, so I am praying that I will be able to withstand the summer heat which starts in March. Right now it has been in the upper 80s and high humidity. The summer is supposed to be well into the 100s and high humidity, so we will see how I do. My neighbor Jobu said that most of the people in the apartment that I am staying in said that they sleep on the roof of the building during the summer. I can't imagine me doing that, but anything is possible. By the way here are a few pictures of my apartment. It's small, but it's now home. I still do not have hot water, and probably will not have any for some time because of the plumbing. I am finding out that it is Indian custom to not take hot showers. My friend Josh said that he has only taken a few hot showers when he was a kid because he was sick. That custom is not one that I want to embrace anytime soon I want my hot water. My other major readjustment is the customs. Eating new foods, and learning new ways of doing things has been my week as well. Tuesday We went out and purchased my new cell phone. That alone was an interesting task. Once we decided on what phone to get we had to negotiate on the service. Also there phones are prepaid here mostly. Josh had to put the phone in his name and give a original photo to them in order for them to sell us the phone. I had to also explain what voice mail is, which still is not working. If you want my phone number, by the way, email me and let me know, and I will give you the 12 digit number. I rode on the back of a motorcycle on Tuesday as well in Indian traffic. Yet a first for me. Defiantly the best way to travel here because you can weave in and out of lanes to get to your destination quicker. I was a little nervous, but trusted Josh that he was not going to kill us, as that would have been a bad day and a bad start to this time here. I also made it to the US consulate office to let them know I am here for a while. after 5 security check points I finally made it to the window to register and they said to register online. 3 words; waste of time. Friday was very interesting, in the evening I went to a Bible study with a couple of students that was off campus. it was about a 20 minute walk to the home where the bible study was, so I got a much more detailed look of the city around me. I was a nice evening, and went as most bible studies go with the exception of the prayer request about Orissa. That is a community that is under heavy persecution. There have been several HBI churches that have been burnt down and on of HBI's missionary's have been killed. Please be in prayer his family and pleas pray for the church members that they will stand firm in the Lord Jesus. Also pray for the people that are causing the unrest. After The Bible study I did the first major American no-no, as the students and myself went back to campus we stopped at a street shop and had dinner. That was some good food. A Very spicy Chilly Beef Curry and Non (Indian Bread). Praise God no sickness after that meal. By the way, I was encouraged to start to different foods outside of HBI so my body can begin getting a custom to Indian foods and Indian Germs. The last learning experience came yesterday as I had to learn how to do laundry Indian style, you place 4 shirts into a bucket and add some powder and water, let sit for a half hour and then scrub. Dump wet shirts on bathroom floor, empty bucket and refill with clean water. Finally rinse and dry clothes. I will see if I will continue to do this or ante up the money for a washer. I need to get to Church, so I will talk to everyone soon. As I promised last week i am including some photos from last weeks festival. And here they are. Pleas keep in touch :)

-Bob