Smile

I have this habit. I've been called out on it recently. I went to a campfire/barbeque (totally reminded me of home, btw!). During that evening, we split into two groups for a game. One group came up with 10 why? questions and the other group made 10 because...statements. Then they were read as questions and answers. Most of them were rather hilarious. But one question that the other group asked was, "Why Laura always smiles for no reason?"
Okay, I'll admit it. :) I smile. A lot. But I have reasons! That particular time, I was thoroughly enjoying the evening. That campfire was an answer to prayer. I have been longing for a group to just hang out with, and I found it! (even if only for that one night). So I was smiling.
Sometimes I smile at women or children as I pass them on the street. It's my way of saying "Hi. I'm a person just like you, even if I look quite a bit different than most of the people you see every day." I love to see them smiling back.
Other times, I will smile randomly to myself. Like every time I think, "I'm in India!" Smile. :)
Walking down the street, it still amuses me how much attention I draw. I didn't respond to him directly, but I had to smile when a guy yelled after me, "Hullo, sister! Welcome to India!" :)
Sometimes I smile when no other reaction will work. On a recent train trip, I went to brush my teeth and use the toilet. The toilet is basically a hole in the floor of the train. Somehow I managed to lose hold of my toothbrush & toothpaste and they promptly fell through the toilet, out onto the tracks! What could I do? I couldn't get mad. It was actually kind of funny. I smiled. Luckily, I had brushed by teeth just before I dropped them, so my smile was nice and bright! :D
Forgive me if I smile too much. I can't help it. God has blessed me so much this year. Just know that when I smile, there's a reason. This is one habit I'm not going to give up! :D

MCC Christmas Party

The MCC Christmas party was last evening. It was so great to see everyone there again. And this time I got to see all of their children and spice (don’t you think the plural of spouse should be spice? mouse – mice, spouse – spice…:) ). Anyway, it was a very fun evening. I was amused by the use of snowflakes as decorations, as we were sweating at the beginning of the evening. Haha. I had never noticed how many Christmas songs are about snow and cold weather until I was walking down the street, and heard White Christmas playing from a store. “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.” Who in Kolkata used to know a white Christmas? Unless the go elsewhere for Christmas every year.

I really enjoyed singing Christmas carols and playing games with the rest of the staff. They were all impressed that I was wearing a sari. I know you’ve all been waiting for that picture, so enjoy! Some others don’t enjoy wearing a sari, but I found it rather fun. Plus, they were all impressed that I can already wrap my own sari. One of the MCC staff, Suniti, helped adjust it for me, and she also wrapped Ruth and Sarah, two of the country reps here in India.

One of my favorite times during the evening was when we all got in a big circle, lit candles and sang “Silent Night.” It was just like being back home. Only difference was that when we finished the English verses, I was all ready to sing it in German, and it never happened! Now, why would I expect them to sing German? It’s only that we always sing it back home too!

Photos are under MCC Christmas Party.

Reflecting

I am constantly reminded that I am not alone. I feel alone. I miss my family and friends back home, but I wouldn’t call it being homesick. I long to see everyone again, but I know that July is not that far away. Lately, I’ve been trying to find the balance between being present here in India and keeping in touch with people back home. In some ways, it’s been difficult to be present in India. At home, I was used to hanging out with people all the time. Be it one other person or a whole group, my friends were just a cell phone call away. Here it’s different. I have no cell phone. I have several friends, but it’s difficult to get together, especially during the week, when I work until almost dark, and it’s not safe to be roaming about very late (8 o’clock has become “very late” for me).
It probably seems strange to be feeling alone when there are so many people every time I go outside. I want to have a group of people to just hang out with here in Ranchi. I was thinking about how I was going to make that happen. And then it occurred to me – I can’t make that happen. Kinda depressing, eh? At first yes, but I realized that it’s really in God’s hands. Not mine. If I try to live in India by my own strength, I’m going to have a lot of difficulty. Relying on God has been so much better. He is with me all the time, even when I feel alone in the crowded streets of India.
I’ve also been trying to figure out what exactly I’m doing here. It’s like I’m waiting for God to tell me my next step. I prayed, “Okay, God, I’m here. I’m in India. This is where You told me to go. Now what?” And then I waited…and waited… I’m still waiting. I’ll never forget what Dan O. said at our small group Bible study just before I left. He said, “You’re gonna be sooo different a year from now.” I didn’t want to think about that. Can’t I just take this as a year “off” and return home to life as usual in July? I don’t want to change. I like me. But I know he’s right. And I will still be me – me will just be a little different (Hopefully good different…I still want to like me!) So instead of refusing to change, I made myself busy with random tasks throughout the day so I wouldn’t have to think about changing.
I could only keep myself busy for so long. I was forced to reflect on my year so far. After all, it’s been almost three months! Working at MCSFI has been great. As the accounts person, I’m doing what I enjoy, but I am also able to go along for different programs and project visits to see more of the social justice work that is being done in India. And I really appreciate the kind of work that MCSFI does. From water projects for agriculture in rural areas to health and awareness issues to disaster relief, it’s an organization working for the people of India. I’m very privileged to be a part of it.
I also get to play the Mennonite game quite a bit too, which I find hilarious! I made connections with Joanne (Keim) Benderoth, who grew up in Charm and calls Fredericksburg home when she and her husband, Carl, and son, Andy, are not in Varanasi, India. They have been coming to India for 13 years now, with YWAM, and they return home every 2 years to raise more funds. They have built and run a widows’ home, which also houses a school for the widows’ children and a bakery to give them a source of income.
I recently went along to help with two of MCSFI’s programs, the HIV/AIDS awareness and Peace & Justice. MCSFI has been conducting these programs at each of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ church conferences in India. This trip happened to be in Dhamtari, the town in which Janine lived during her year with SALT. I got to meet her host family, the Chatterjees, and she wasn’t kidding, they love to talk! They were very excited that I knew one of their SALTers.
At times, the needs of the people of India overwhelm me and I don’t know what good I can do. But even small things can make a difference. I hadn’t known much about situations in Southeast Asia, let alone the subcontinent of India. Even knowing more about the people here and talking with them has been a blessing. On our train ride home from Dhamtari, I made new friends. (Thank you, Mom, for giving me the gift of gab and teaching me the art of conversation!) A compartment in 3rd class AC on the train contains 8 berths. 2 along one side, and the other six begin as seats, but fold out into beds for passengers at night (triple-bunked). Anyway, I was traveling with Rev. Minj and Sonwani Uncle, and they were in my compartment. Sometimes people talk with the rest of the passengers, sometimes they don’t. Well, this time, everyone was talking. The two men sitting across from me were Akash and S. K. Singh. Akash’s mother was traveling with him, and an older couple (I never caught their names, so they are Aunty and Uncle to me now) filled up our 8 spots. Sometimes the conversation was in English, sometimes in Hindi, and when we boarded the train at 6:30, we didn’t stop talking until well after 10. Of course they all wanted to know why I decided to come to India, and we discussed many topics, including religion, nonviolence, brain tumors, corruption, Gandhi, the global economic meltdown, Obama, and problems with electricity in India. It was such an enjoyable train ride.
I don’t know if that train trip has changed me. I don’t know if any experience here has changed me. There have been no earth-shattering moments when I knew that my life would never be the same. Yet I have accepted the fact that Dan is right. I will be different. I just might not know how different until after this year is over.

Mumbai

Don't worry, I'm safe. Ranchi is nowhere near Mumbai. I'm sure most of you have heard about the attacks on two luxury hotels in Mumbai. But even though I'm not directly affected by the attack, it's effect has been felt all over India. Please pray for the people in Mumbai.

Engagement and Another Trip to Chandwa

Don't worry, Mom, it's not my engagement. :) It’s been a while since I’ve given an update. Mostly, I’ve been between home and the office and not much else. Hindi classes are going okay, I just need to practice more and study the vocabulary they give us. It’s so nice to have a class! But every once in a while, I am able to do something out of the ordinary. First, I got to go to an engagement party. Second, I got to visit Chandwa again. So, here’s more about each of those experiences.

A couple of weeks ago, Liz and I were invited to attend an engagement party for our neighbor’s daughter, Seema. It was fun, even though I could understand pretty much nothing that was said (it was all in Hindi, obviously). There were three parts to the service in the morning. First was the cultural ceremony, in which the bride-to-be and two of her friends stood across from the groom-to-be and two of his friends. They eventually came together and then Seema and her friends washed the feet of the guys.

Next came the ritual of the families bargaining about the price to be paid from the bride’s family to the groom. Three male relatives from each side were selected and they went back and forth with a list of things that were offered and requested, until an agreement was made. It was actually fairly light-hearted, as it’s meant to be nowadays. Sometimes this can get into some heated debates and fights. But this one stayed light and fun.

Then they introduced everyone on each side of the family. Since almost everyone there was family, everyone was introduced, and it took quite a while. Anyway, next was when the betrothed went around and greeted all of the guests, and received gifts. His side gave saris to her, and her side gave shirts to him (along with money passed very discretely while shaking hands).

Next was the Christian service. A priest came and gave a blessing and preached for a bit, and then there was an exchange of rings. It was interesting to see that the groom-to-be got an engagement ring too. I had to keep reminding myself that it was only the engagement. This wasn’t the actual wedding. That will be even grander with more ceremony and celebration.

By 2:45, it was time for lunch. There was so much food, and all of it was absolutely delicious.

Then on Monday, I went to Chandwa. Well, I went through Chandwa. Amy and Priti were going out to the village of Ulatu to give a presentation about clean water, so Liz and I joined them. MCSFI has been working in 4 of the surrounding villages on well-digging projects. People from Ulatu, Bamanhirwa, Chagrahi, and Chandabadhar came for the program. We got a chance to see the well that had been dug nearby in Ulatu.

I was excited about the chance to visit the villages. I had met some of the youth from there, and now I was given the chance to see where they live. I was especially excited to see how the farms look in India. Very different from farms at home. Dad, I thought you might be interested in some of the pictures I took too. On the drive home, I had mentioned how I wanted pictures of the fences they had up, so everyone in the car was watching for fences. It was hilarious! Mainly the major crop is rice, and right now the rice has already been picked. The monsoon season is over. One of the reasons for digging wells in the villages is so that they will have water throughout the dry seasons, winter and summer. If water is available for irrigation, there can been 3 crops grown on the same plot of land. Again, I thought of Dad. Imagine having not only one growing season a year, but three!

I did not get to see anyone I had met on my last trip to Chandwa, but I guess I didn’t really expect to. At least I got to see where some of them live!

I have explained more things with the picutres I have posted under More Pics.

Pictures!!

Just a quick note...I finally figured out how to put up more pictures so that it doesn't take forever. I have added a link to my facebook photo album. Check it out!

I'm in India!

I don’t even know what to write right now. I’ve been doing so much reflecting already and I can’t remember what I’ve written and what I’ve only thought. I can’t believe I’m in India! The thought hits me almost every day. And I can honestly say that one year ago I didn’t even know this could be possibility. It’s amazing how God works!

Things have begun to feel like I’m actually living in India now. Up until this point, we’ve been setting up our flat and lots of loose ends needed to be tied up, and my clothes were at the tailor for a month. Now, I have my salwar suits, our flat is mostly finished, and things just seem to be falling into place. It has been a whirlwind for the past month, traveling from place to place, and right now, I get a bit of a break from moving around. Unless something comes up at the last minute, I’ll be able to get used to living in Ranchi for the next few weeks.

My Hindi has been improving, very, very slowly (bahut dhire dhire). I wish I could type in Hindi. The script looks very cool, but I’m told that typing it is very complicated. So I’ll just settle for typing with my usual alphabet.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be a foreign woman in India. Most of you have no idea how complicated that sentence just was. It’s one thing to be a woman. It’s another to be foreign. It’s completely confusing to be a foreign woman. Just walking down the street, everyone’s always looking at me. I’m getting used to it. I’m actually somewhat amused by it. I often wonder if they stare just because I’m foreign or even more so because I’m a foreign woman. Things that I can’t just go up to people and ask. I’ve seen people elbow each other so that their friends won’t miss seeing the “amriki” (American) walking down the street. On the up-side, I’m extremely recognizable. Like when I went back to the fabric store where I bought all of my salwars, he knew exactly who I was (and he asked “why only one suit? last time you bought 13!”) The tailors knew exactly who I was and what my clothes looked like the last time I stopped by to pick them up. I didn’t even have to try speaking Hindi to them. The guy at my usual phone booth takes really good care of me too. He’s very kind and even offered me a little breakfast after I called my parents. Then again, I don’t think he gets many long distance phone calls to the US. He’s sure to want my business again!
Thanks to everyone back home who has been praying for me and writing me notes and sending birthday cards. It apparently takes about a month for mail to get here, so I’m now celebrating my birthday all over again! You have no idea how wonderful it is to have all of your support and encouragement. It makes me feel like I’m not so far away from home. And then it hits me again – I’m halfway around the world. I’m in India!

Back in Ranchi

Okay, so most of you didn’t know I even left Ranchi. And now I've been back for a few days. But anyway, on Saturday morning, I went with Priti to Chendwa for a youth meeting. Chendwa is a small village in Jharkhand, and about 50 youth came from all over the area. All of the youth belong to tribal groups and they were excited to find out that I grew up on a farm, just like them. Saturday afternoon, during one of the sessions, I was asked to share about myself and about Mennonite youth in the US. Priti translated for me. I think that really helped me connect with them, and one thing I said was that I wish I knew more Hindi so that I could get to know them. After that, they all wanted to talk to me and ask me questions. It was hilarious! One or two of them know a little bit of English, so they would talk to each other in Hindi, mostly trying to figure out how they were supposed to say things in English. I was excited that some of the time I could actually understand them when they were speaking Hindi. It will still take a while, but at least I’m beginning to learn more.
Saturday evening they had a cultural program and a group from each area sang several songs, then they performed a tribal dance. After each group went (and Priti and I presented one English song), everyone began dancing together. So naturally, I had to join in. It was so much fun! They were all very impressed that I could pick it up so well. Who knew that we’d be up dancing until 12:30?! And then Sunday morning, we got up around 5:30 (yeah, ouch!), and after a morning worship service and lunch, we caught a bus back to Ranchi. I think everyone from the villages was returning to the city that day. 3 buses passed by because they didn’t have any more room. Finally we were able to get on a bus. We had to stand for the first 45 minutes or so, but eventually with people getting off and on, we were able to sit down for the remaining hour and a half. I was so exhausted after the weekend, but I am very glad I went.

PICTURES!!!

Finally! Pictures!

I finally had time and an internet connection that works! Enjoy my first month in India!

First is tea break at the MCC India office in Kolkata. Can you believe it, mom? I like tea!

Next is me with Pratima, who works at MCC India in finance and administration.

We left Kolkata after only 2 days to get to Ranchi for Youth Sunday. Here are some of the youth singing and dancing. It was a very good service that lasted all day!

Our flat in Ranchi

My flatmate, Liz, cooking over our one-burner "gas." It takes a long time, but we've been able to cook some pretty tasty dishes already!

This is the road to our flat.

The MCSFI office.

This is one of the streets in Ranchi that we use the most. It's really not busy in this picture.

Inside the office. On the right, Amy. On the left, front to back is Priti, Sonwani Uncle, and Liz.

I was invited back to Kolkata to help with the MCC Asia Regional Meeting for New Wine/New Wineskins. I met people from all over Asia that work with MCC offices or in partnership with MCC.

One of the table discussions that happened during the week.

Some of my new friends... He Wen from China, Retno from Indonesia, Tiya from Indonesia and Kyong Jung from South Korea.

Banyan tree at the botannical gardens. This is all one tree!

At the end of the week, we all went on a riverboat cruise on the Hooghley.

Don't you just love finding random lizards crawling on your bedroom wall? I know I do!

Amy and me at the office.

Typical Day

A typical day for me begins around 7am. Well, I'd like it to begin around then, but it doesn't always happen that way. Every 2 or 3 days, I have to mop the floor (Mom, you would be so proud. I mop!) The mornings I don't mop will be laundry days. I read the morning paper and have breakfast. Cooking is very slow, because we only have one small gas tank with a burner. My goal is to kill at least 3 mosquitoes every day. I think of Ben every time, because I have to get them by clapping my hands together. I must say, I'm getting pretty good at it! Then I get cleaned up and go to work by 9:30. Work always begins with devotions. By 10, we have gone over our tasks for the day, and we begin work. My work is mostly with the accounts (go figure!...pun intended). Right now they do it manually, so part of what I hope to accomplish is to get it on the computer. There are 6 staff at MCSFI. Rev. Emmanual Minj is the director, and his daughter, Priti, works on some of the projects. Sonwani does some work with projects, but his main task is to pull together a history of the Mennonite Church in India. I'm interested to read it once he's completed it. Amy works on some of the projects too, but she also works for Jharkhand Council of Churches because Rev. Minj is also the secretary of JCC. Liz is the other volunteer. I guess she's technically a service worker, but she extended her SALT term for one more year. So that's our office. Around 10:30 or 11:00, it's tea time, and I always have to laugh. Our coasters are old 3 1/2" floppy disks (they make great coasters, btw!) 2pm is lunchtime, 4 or later is afternoon tea (and I'm starting to enjoy tea...gasp!), and we usually leave work by 5 or 5:30. Then there's only enough daylight to run to the store and come back home. Then any other chores are completed and dinner is at the earliest 8pm. Usually it ends up being 9 or 9:30. By 10 it should be time for bed, so I crawl under my mosquito net and read a book or something before falling asleep.
Our schedule is somewhat flexible at work so if I need to run a lot of errands, it can be arranged during the day so it doesn't get too late in the evening for me to be out. Plus we've been trying set up our flat (aka apartment), so that's taken some time.
I laugh a lot during the day. There are just random things that come up on a regular basis. Like little frogs hopping around our house. One big one comes around every now and again. Lizards too. I haven't seen any snakes yet, but I'm sure they're around somewhere.
My bathroom sink requires the use of 2 knobs. One to get the water to the sink, and another for the faucet. Thank goodness for nice neighbors who showed us that. I thought my sink was broken!
The electricity goes out at least 3 or 4 times a day, for unknown lengths of time. We have an emergency light that comes on if the electricity goes out, so it's become routine that when it goes out, we grab the light and bring it to whatever room is being used. Then when it comes back on, we return the light.
This may be minor, but the light switches here are the opposite of what I'm used to. I usually flick a switch up for on, but here, they all have to be pushed down. At least they're all consistent. And a switch is also used to turn an outlet on or off. I'm gonna be so confused when I get back to the US. I won't know how anything works.
Oh, and if I drive like a maniac when I get back, that's just Indian driving. If there's space between other vehicles, take it. It's fair game.
Thanks to everyone who has been praying for me and thinking of me.

Settling in

Slowly I am settling in to life in Ranchi. I don't have much time to post, but I am going back to Kolkata next week, so I should be able to write more then. Since I didn't get much of an orientation, the CRs thought it would be good for me to come back with Rev. Minj and Liz when they go for the New Wine/New Wineskins meeting at MCC India. MCC is currently redefining itself. I guess that's the best way to describe it. They're reassessing the vision and goals of MCC as a whole, so all of the Asia MCC CRs will be in Kolkata for the week.
I'm glad for the chance to go back to Kolkata, since I don't feel like I got enough time there to begin with. My homesickness is not as bad as it had been, and slowly I've been getting used to how things work here. I just wish now that I would know more Hindi, and could go do things on my own. I'm not independent here yet, but I also know that will come in time.
About India...I was warned, and it's true: there are LOTS of people. I have enjoyed the time I get to out to the market. There are people everywhere, and these people are beautiful! Such clear, dark skin. I stick out like a sore thumb. Sometimes I feel like a celebrity with everyone staring at me as I walk by. I want to offer them my autograph. Don't worry, I behave myself. I've already bought fabric for more salwars and they are at the tailor's right now. I can't wait to get them back. Then I might not stand out quite as much (Yeah, right!)
I've found that the Mennonite church here in Ranchi is very similar to the Mennonite Church in the US. The same major principles are stressed, especially peace, justice and service. MCSFI works at promoting all of these through their various projects and programs. I'm only beginning to understand the scope of the work this office manages. And I'm excited about going along to visit different water projects in the rural areas, as well as accompanying other staff for trainings on peace & justice issues and HIV/AIDS awareness trainings.

Ranchi

I've made it to Ranchi. It's been a bit rough for the past few days. My body is having a very hard time adjusting. Usually new SALTers spend at least a week in Kolkata, to help get over jetlag, etc. But I was shipped off after two days so that I could be in Ranchi for the weekend. It was a very special weekend, with a youth conference on Saturday, and Youth Sunday was yesterday. People from Campus Crusade, an international organization that does youth seminars, worship sessions, etc. came were there Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Sunday was crazy...but kinda fun. Church began at 9am. Well, it didn't actually begin until 9:30. That lasted until 11:30. Then we had tea, and then a special youth service from 12:00 to about 1:30. Lunch until 2, and then another service by Campus Crusade until 5. Then more tea. Quite a long day. I have pictures of the one service, and I'll post them as soon as I figure out how to accomplish that here!

I'm amazed at how homesick I am already. Everyone here is very helpful and kind, and I know I can get used to bucket baths and cooking for hours three times a day, I just miss everyone back home already. The adjustments will take time and I'll learn Hindi eventually. I've been reading in Psalms and that's been very helpful to keep me happy with where I am now and my focus for the next 10 months. Psalm 1:2 especially spoke to me the other night. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." I know that any time I have struggles and challenges, God is with me, no matter where I am. And from past experience, I know that if I stay in His word, I am comforted. So although it's rough right now, He is still right here with me and everything will work out according to His plan. :)

In Kolkata

Thank you everyone for praying me through the past two days. I've made it safely to Kolkata, with only a brief 1 hour delay in Frankfurt. I was amazed when I first arrived at the airport. I had been packing and repacking my suitcase and carry-on, and I was worried that I was too close, maybe over the 50 lb. limit. Dad pointed out the scale when I checked my bag. It read 50.0! It's crazy how a little thing like that made me feel good about this decision all over again.

So, Kolkata. I can't say too much yet. I arrived after midnight, and had a night drive through the city. I couldn't see much, but there were still lots of people up and about. Basically all I've accomplished today is sleeping. But I'll be going to the market this afternoon, so I'll actually be able to see some of the city then!

Orientation

I just got back from the SALT orientation in Akron, PA. I decided to have a blog rather than try to email everyone all the time. The orientation was amazing! The orientation included SALTers, IVEPers, and YAMEN! IVEPers are basically the reverse of SALTers. They are from all over the world, and have placements in the US and Canada. The YAMEN! are from countries outside the US and Canada and are filling some of the SALT positions.

It was a wonderful week getting to know the other people that have made the same commitment that I have for the next year.

One evening I was able to sit down and talk with Ed & Twila Miller. They had been the CRs (country representatives) in India until last year. Christina and I are the first SALTers to India that they had not placed. I was able to get a lot of information from them about the place I will be living and working. I can't even explain how it felt to talk to someone who knows exactly where I'm going to be and knows the people I will be working with! MCSFI, the place where I'll be working, is kind of like an umbrella organization that brings all of the Mennonite churches in India together. Kind of like Mennonite Church USA, but for India. That's my understanding anyway. I'm still not exactly sure what my job will entail, but that's okay. I'm sure I'll find out when I get there!

As for my living situation, it's a bit different than I had originally thought, and it's still not totally set, but I got an email from Liz telling me the plan. Liz was a SALTer this past year and is staying in India for another year. She is currently looking for an apartment, and she and I will live together. She also works at MCSFI.

For now, I'm back home, figuring out what I still need to buy and pack, and I'm getting ready for Ben's wedding in a few weeks. I am so excited about this next year!