My new Kurta!

A Kurta is a dress here. The pants, churidars, are considered underwear, and the top shirt should be long enough to cover the pleats on the pants (the "underwear"). It is worn with a dupatta, a scarf thing, that is very virtuous, and cannot be touched by men. Can you imagine, wearing a scarf in the middle of the summer. Well, my friends, we do it here. It is after all, The Land of Random.

These outfits are so very fashionable, and quite exciting to choose, buy, but I don't like so much wearing it, especially if there are other natives not wearing it, but instead jeans and a button up. I bought two more today, and I think we will go to get some made tomorrow, they are much cheaper that way, so I hear.

It really depends on what part of the city or caste or people group that you are with that wears a form of this, or something completely different, like from the west.

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Their eye is still so very much on the west. It is incredible. It is as if a brandname as "west" or "western" in it, it sells for more. Especially news articles. McCain and the whole bunch is in the news over here. Hillary Duff and Clinton, too. The image of the west is strived for so much here. It is as if they are hungry, starving for it. Greed comes of it, and poverty, too. There is so much of it. Slums and people lying in the streets, asleep, as the cars drive by honking their horns and on their way. Men pee on the walls, and cows alongside some people are going through the piles of trash that line the sidewalks. Children are abandoned, off to fend for themselves in hopes of survival. That is how gangs are formed, and addictions to sniffing glue to ease pain. It is quite a sad story. But they are told all their lives that they do not amount to anything. Such lies! What if they could see their value and their worth. What enemy to degrade such people! Crowded it is, but there is room, and there is enough hope for everyone! Come, Lord Jesus, come! You are powerful enough, and Lord over all. They will see your might and your power one day. They pray to gods that they create. and are nothing and not doing anything! they crave, they crave so much for the fullness, and is this not in Christ? only if they knew...

Power, they love healings, and prayers. And testimony after testimony is going up about the saving powers and healings that God has done for them.

Let us pray more for our brothers and our sisters who need a touch just as much as we do! Amen.

Rough Day

It has been a week later since I have been able to blog. I spent the past week in a very nice place, but i had no rupees (cash) to pay for internet. My bank did not free up my account so I have not been able to get out any cash, and this place does not take plastic anywhere. So, I finally was able to use a phone today to call my bank and see what was going on. They confirmed, I have cash and internet now, so, needless to say, i owe some people cash, and i would love to update you all on what is going on!

Today was a rough/tough day becuase it seems as though spirits are down and stomaches are upset.

We traveled today, 3 hours north of where we were. We took a train. There are not very many tourists here, so for the natives to see 10 white people walking through the town is "quite a spectacle." It has been commented by other students that it is like a parade, we however walk in Christ and let his light shine and reflect off of us, not us.

I went into some temples the other day. Sihk, they were. A peaceful religion that practices many service-works. They like much water, prayer, and singing. They like yellow, too. and purple.
I was in the temple, and children would smile at my friends and I. Men dare not look at us in the eye, and i must keep my sunglasses on so that it is not easy to "see" me. But children would come up to us, and mothers with their babies. We prayed for them and shared cultures, learning about each others. We had to take our shoes off and dip our feet in the water before we entered in. There are people of all kinds in there, and outside of there, there is quite a contrast. Inside is peaceful and clean, white and marble. On the outside is a literal dumpster that smells and is extremely dirty. The crippled are there, and the caste that believes can't do anything but beg.

We also went into The Lotus temple, of the Bai'hai faith, religion, and tradition that was begun rather recently. A peaceful place as well. Simple, but beautiful. Here in the towns there are beautiful parks all over the place. These are the clean and orderly parts of the country. Outside of these is chaos, noise, and threat. I have heard over and over that this country is The Land of Random. I shall experience this more as i am in it. Anyways, we were at this beautiful grounds of the Lotus temple, roses and flowers all over the place. and a path way to the gorgeous building that makes you feel like you are in Australia. Inside is a sanctuary, with a podium and chairs. When teachings are not given, words are not allowed, cameras either. Shoes had to be taken off here as well.

Our stomaches are messed up, but the food is good here. There are some nice places to eat that like to serve American food such as pizzas, pastas, and sandwhiches. Sodas, of course, and salads too. I am sure not to eat anything that is not cooked, although salads and such are tempting for me. I have eaten a few apples and plenty of ice cream. My favorite so far, however, is the nan bread. Eggs are considered a meat and it seems as though all food is categorized into "veg and nonveg." I hear they have alot of buffalo milk products. hm. that is interesting. I have only had cow and goat.

Tea is drank alot around here. Chi, that is. And they have masala everything, which just means spices. masala tea, bread, ice cream, dinners, just as long as it is mixed spices, it is masala.

Today we walked the city, met more friends and are learning alot.

We rode owattas, we fit four people in one! it is like a little motor cart. no fun, especially if riding for an hour with four people, just keep all limbs inside of the vehicle, for sure. traffic is a mess, no lanes, and honking is their communication. On the back of trucks and stuff it says "please honk."

It is quite late here. 10 hours difference. but peace to all of my homies!

Ants!

I have arrived and have had pleasant rides over. I am staying in a nice place for a few days until the next departation. Although critters like giant ants with wings and gecko lizards run free in rooms, and buses (my friend who was sitting next to me managed to smash a dozen mosquitos on the bus ride over! I had to give him a napkin and handsanitizer to wipe off all the blood), service is great and so are the other turists I am with. We have learned alot so far about what we will see and do. I bought a green outfit today becuase we will go into the city soon. The people are great here.
I have noticed alot of parallels to the Mexican culture as well. I even saw a pinata today!! and tortillas, and even similar words like "camiseta" for the same thing. I hope to post pics and videos soon.

The morning of

Hello! and good morning :)

I woke bright and early this morning to zip up the last belongings and head out to a 2 day plane ride :), with stops of course. They will be waiting for us to arrive and I am sure we will show up with red eyes, messed up hair, possibly smelly, and hungry. This is always the case when the international students at DBU that have just come over from places all over the world, now it is my turn!
I have met my team, the 4 other students, and we are already getting along well.
I am so excited about the trip. I hear it will be quite smelly when I get over there, I will probably most definitely be on sensory overload. Well, that is all I have for now, other than Gd is good all the time! even when circumstances don't seem like it.

Much love and excitement,
-ac

i can't believe it's Tuesday!

I have had such a busy weekend with graduation, parties, family, and catching up with friends. I have even been offered a job for when I get back. What a blessing. But, it is Tuesday now, and the past four days have seemed to be worth a whole week! and also, Tuesday means only TWO MORE DAYS!! I told mom that and she said it made her stomache hurt. :) i guess the reality that i am really going and that i am going really soon hit all at once, it must have been a big hit.
so, yep, two more days it is.
i got my 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on, and, surprisingly, there is still so much room left in both. maybe once i am really leaving i will realize what all it is that i will really want to take and throw it in at the last minute. that usually happens and takes a good 30 mins extra. but it is when i pack the best and don't forget anything!
i got an mp3 player last night and have been loading songs and media on it. thankfully. :)
and, checking off lists and checking them twice, preparing spiritually -the Lord is soooooooo good. m! he is! He feeds his flock, his children, me. he is redeemer, sustainer, enjoyable and even an entertainer! Life with Him is so sweet. He has been providing and taking care of me. like always. he always does.
Spiritually, i have been prepared, prayed for, and will continue to be. victory is won, and we just need to live in that. i am enjoying so much life in Christ. it is the sweetest thing i have ever tasted. exciting, it is. he is preparing me more and more. i have gotten random words and prayers from different people. there is a theme that i will see. what i am holding onto, he is preparing me. my expectations are to be His, as he tells me. light, and shining.
if I were asked, "what is your greatest day on earth?" i would have to say, "today." "today, becuase 'it is the day that God has made.' and i rejoice and am so glad in it. and that is today!" God never changes, and he is the same today, yesturday, and tomorrow. what changes, is our responses to Him. let us always rejoice because today is today, and tomorrow will be today, and God will be and is the same person, lovely person always. His character never changes. !

and today is Tuesday.
Last Friday i graduated with a communications degree in print/graphics from DBU.
i got up early that day, was at the school before 8am, had lunch at 2, :), then that night went and watched Marc's dance recital. what joy!
Saturday, saturday i saw a friend in the morning, went to a graduation party at 2 for Ben the V, Katie was there. then, went to bible study. late.
stayed in Duncanville, thankfully Grace's house was open even though it was late.
went to church Sunday morning at Mountain Creek :) my fav place to be. went to a friends for lunch, then saw Edna, thought i was going home, went shopping instead, then remembered Merge at Lake Point, hung out, got coffee. anxious for home, but called to be. God has a plan, i let Him use me. Amen.
That was my day, my weekend in a breath. Today is Tuesday and i finally took a rest.
Slept till 11 and now it is time
to continue to prepare for the next two days so i'll be fine.
for the trip ahead, the change of pace.
my reality will shift, when i get to the place.
all will change a great great deal.
i am excited to go, it is such a thrill.
the change and motion will be different in deed.
but with standing on the Lord, nothing matters to me.
"no worries" "no fears" just trust in Him,
he carries, he prepares, and gets us to the end.
he cares a great deal for His children he uses.
those that love him and take all the bruises.
"we enjoy them" they say. "they are victory for the Way."
It just shows i am weak, and He is The Strength.
i rely, deny, and go in a wink.
:)
what joy it is to rely in Him.
it is not I, but Him in the End.

Great Prep

So far, I have been prepared well to go. First, I have been able to make Indin and Nepali friends at DBU. Just this last semester we got 100's of new international students from these areas, and we have never had that number before! What a blessing. I have been able to befriend many, be challenged in ping-pong with them, share indian meals, and learn a few phrases.
Also, the house I was staying at in Duncanville while I finished school had other students in it. The girl that roomed next to me was studying at Wycliff and preparing to go as well! We got to share meals, language, and she even gave me a few of the traditional suites.
I have also been buying Indian food and eating it. It is quite different, and so I figured I should get use to that shock while I can.
Music I am also enjoying. and getting on Google Earth helps me get used to the region and geography.
Video

First finding

So, i have been Google Earth looking at the different places I will probably go to. (Google Earth is such a good tool). First thing I found in the C city is: musica!

Going to the other side of the globe again

It is time again. Summer means travel for me for about the last 6 years. This time I will be taking a trip to where it is hot, ancient, and hindu! Traveling around and seeing all sorts of new things. I'll get my camera, my passport, and my bag, and off I go.
I leave May 24th and arrive back about Aug. 1st. I have already told family and friends and want to keep them informed with my discoveries.
Tata!