Kahani Art!

"Grace" and I painted some 'aparn' - traditional Kahani art while I was in her village this last time.

"She has all her teeth!" (Email to friend back home)

(Part of an email to a friend back home)

...As the older women in the village were examining me one day, one of them was about 2 inches from my face- talking about my nose, and hair, and eyebrows and teeth. One said, “Look at how white her teeth are!” Another one said, “Oh my, look, they’re all there too!” (meaning my teeth!)
Then it was a show of who had teeth and who didn’t, and which ones were missing, and why, and for how long, etc, etc, etc. I wonder if there is a story in the Book about teeth- they would for sure connect with that one!!! :)

Anyway, crafting and testing stories in the villages has been going well. It’s physically draining as we fetch water and wood for the fire daily, among other village chores. However, it’s emotionally refreshing to be among the people whom these stories are for! Pray for “Grace” our new story-crafter- she’s a fairly good story-teller, and willing to help. Pray that she’ll realize that her aunts and sisters-in-law can provide useful feedback and that her aunts and sisters-in-law will listen and want to help. Of course, above all, pray that all of them realize the Truth within the stories…(see a picture of one of the little boys with his goats in "Grace's" village).

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season!!!

~ Elizabeth

Wish I had this attitude more often!

“Can you come help me put grass inside because it’s going to rain…” Chachi (Aunty) asked me.
Even though I was in the middle of studying, I saw it as an opportunity to help and connect with Chachi and probably have another adventure! I told her I’d come up soon. After a few minutes, I went up to where the cow and goats stay- at Diksha’s house. I started moving three huge bushels of hay, straw and grass, little by little, climbing up steps and handing them to Chachi as she put them further inside the “barn.” I felt as if I was back working in the stables. Later, I told Robin, “It was like workign in the stables in America, except there, I was able to take a shower and get clean afterwards!”

Anyway, my arms are scrapped up and my clothes have little thorn things in them…for what? For time taken away from studying, for energy wasted on work that isn’t even mine and for an animal that these people worship?

No, it was for a woman who has a lot of other work to do, and needs help. For a chance to build a relationship. For a chance to love even when I had other things to do and perhaps didn’t really want to. For a chance to show Jesus.

My only regret…I only wish I would act this way and have this attitude more often.

No soap for you! (Journal Entry)

When I fasted the first time, I was outside washing something with soap and Joyti came over to me and said, “No soap- when you fast, you don’t use soap…” I wasn’t about to refrain from using soap all day, so I told her that our fasts were different. She was fasting for her god, I was fasting for my God- and my God didn’t care if I used soap or not!!! I was half joking with her. My fast is also different because I don’t eat anything whereas they eat roti and dahi- and other ‘natural’ things. They also usually eat again in the evening. I don’t eat until the next day. They weren't surprised at my fast, but were surprised I didn’t eat anything and that I fast the entire day until the next day. I’m trying to connect with the culture, and fit it, but still have some differences…I think in this one area, somehow, in someway, I’ve found a blanace...

Eating grass... and Frisbee (Journal Entry)

“…Does it seem a small thing to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the people of Israel to be near him as you serve in the Lord’s Tabernacle and to stand before the people to minister to them? ~ Numbers 16:9

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:8

We didn’t have electricity from yesterday afternoon around 2pm until this afternoon around 2…nearly 24 hours. Our computer batteries were dead pretty soon and so we were left with whatever work we had that didn’t involve computers, or electricity. That wasn’t a whole lot! I read the readings in the chronological bible for March 1-5. After Bible reading, I went through my pictures and recited as much as I could remember without listening to Deepa’s recordings. I was impressed with how much I remembered!

After studying, Robin and I ate lunch. We had “hari-saag” which is grass. Oh my, it was one of the worst meals I’ve ever had to eat, probably in my entire life. Basically, I put it in my mouth and tried to get it down my throat without tasting it. Robin also didn’t like it. When Chachi asked us how it was, I told her, “strange.” We didn’t want to tell her we liked it, or even that it was okay. But to tell her it’s not good wouldn’t have been right either. “Strange” is a great word to describe something you don’t’ think is good, but can’t say is bad either. She understood what we meant and said, “I wont’ make ‘strange’ again.” I felt bad, but glad that she knows we don’t like it. Otherwise, it’s possible we’d have it every day!!! Once in a blue moon is okay…and yes, if we had it every day, we’d probably end up liking it….but I’m sure it would take a while!!!

After lunch, I went to Deepa’s for my language session. I can tell the steps it takes to make chai (18 steps!) and washing clothes (10 steps) in Kahani! I can tell it with all the different pronouns too!!! I’m impressed with myself and happy with my progress. I didn’t expect to learn that quickly…now I have to find more things to learn for the next week! (Picture - Deepa, Golu and me - studying Kahani!)

After that, Bea came over and I watched her jump rope for a little while. I swung the kids around in the air a few times. Then I decided to get the Frisbee out. They had no idea what to do with it! It was wonderful to be able to teach them and how much they seemed to enjoy it. They were pretty good too- catching it most of the time. I think these kids here are a lot less afraid of getting hurt than kids in America. I know they have a much higher tolerance for pain. It was nice to play with them!

Tomorrow I am going to fast again. The first time I fasted, I was somewhat in a cranky mood because I was so hungry. The second time I spent more time in prayer and the Word, and must say I that while I physically felt weak, I wasn't hungry at all…cool how that works huh?

Falling in love...(Journal Entry)

I’m afraid I’m falling in love with these people. I’m afraid I’m really enjoying living life here. I’m afraid I am allowing myself to be so caught up with things here I may not remember life back home. I’m afraid I might want to live here for a longer period of time. I’m afraid of what that might mean for me, what I might be committing to if that were the case…I’m afraid of what my parents would think and say. I’m afraid to even share it with anyone, because I myself don’t know what lies ahead and I want to be available for whatever my Father may call me to.

Why am I afraid? I think because of something Mommy said…I’m afraid that all of the sudden I won’t love these people. I won’t enjoy life and won’t be caught up with things here. I will actually not want to engage the work here and will want to return home. Yes, I know that might happen…and yes, I’m afraid of that too…I guess, I’m afraid because the more I like it and the more I fall in love with the people here, the worse it will be when I fall “out of love” with them. Mommy has also said that I’m a one-tract/100% person. I can do lots of things at one time, but when it comes down to it, if I’m doing more than one thing at a time, I can’t do any one thing well. I have to be able to focus my energies on one task, one place, one people. I need to be free to do that- and I feel like I can do that here.

We just returned from the “jungle” the forest, carrying small bundles of branches on our heads! The village people of course, carry HUGE bundles, but they gave us little ones because the path is curvy and we might slip and fall. I did slip a few times, but didn’t fall. My arms are sore, I’m pretty dirty (in spite of the bath I took this morning!). My clothes, which I had also just put on this morning, are now dirty too. (Generally, I can go nearly a week without a bath, and my clothes too can go about that long!). Hmm…and I love it here? Call me strange… “annakasai” is the Kahani word for strange. It was my favorite word the first two weeks we were here! I think I now fit that category.

Another thing I’m afraid of is that I will love these people and this culture so much I will do everything and anything to “Fit in." But, no matter what, I never will. That thought nearly brings tears to my eyes. I know it shouldn’t. God made me different, for purposes I don’t even know yet…but still, I long to know their language, their culture, their way of life. And yet no matter how hard I try, no matter how long I stay here, no matter what I do or say, I will never know their language or their culture or their way of life fully. And that’s okay. Part of me screams out, “no it’s not!!!!” But the sane part of me says, “yes it is…do what you can, but accept it and don’t dwell on it!”

I find myself laughing a lot more these days…Robin seems to be laughing a lot too. Having someone to share things with, and who laughs at cultural things that could otherwise be frustrating can bring one great joy! This is a quality my future husband should have. He should be able to laugh a lot at situations that might otherwise be annoying or frustrating – but then also have wisdom to know when not to laugh! A fine line I’m finding…but still, when you’re on the laughing side, it’s great!

Anyway, I’m thankful that I am enjoying life here! Like I wrote to my brother, I’m not sure how long it will last- but I pray that it lasts for a long time, if not forever…I pray that you, Lord continue to give me grace and mercy to really love these people with your love. I pray that you show me what purpose you have for me as I live here – not just in these two years, but in the years to come…May I be open to your plans for me, whatever they may be. I love you Jesus. Amen.

P.S. I feel so distraught. I feel so torn. I feel like this can’t be the same world as America- my “home.” I feel like how can these two very different places exist in the same universe? I feel so afraid of going back “home” even now, only six months over here. How will I feel in 2 years? I feel so strange right now- as if I’m really in a dream. It’s a good dream, but part of me feels that I’ll wake up at some point and be back to “normal” life. It won’t be a bad thing that I woke up, it will just be a fact of life. How can this be anything other than a dream? It’s so different, so strange, so opposite to what I would consider “normal” and yet if I was to go back “home” right now, would I feel that those things were “normal” or would I feel that most of those things are a waste? What would my attitude be?

I know that American world exists, more than I know this one does, and yet…what will my attitude be when I return? Ahh!!! Lord, could you be calling me to live here- perhaps even in this village? Or at least in this “other world?” How can that be? I know I asked you for that, and I do think I ‘want’ it, but it just seems so strange to me- how I can even live life here and function and actually enjoy it…Again, it scares me! Lord, please guide me; give me wisdom and most of all, give me faith. Faith to trust you tonight, tomorrow, this week, month, year and with my life. Whatever lies ahead, help me to have faith in you, knowing you will accomplish your perfect plan...

What an amazing place I’m in right now…what an amazing assignment you have given me…what an opportunity to know you more through what you’ve called me to do.

And then, there is the picture of all my friends back “home” on the desktop of my computer. What about them? Have I forgotten so quickly about them? What will become of them- who will tell them? Who will take care of them? I have established a relationships with them…was that all in vain? Was that just to help prepare me for this work? No, I can’t belive that…God is working in their lives…who will be there to answer their questions (not that I could!). I pray there would be others to care for them....and yet...How can I pray that? Don’t I want to be the one? Don’t I want to go back home and be there to tell them? I feel guilty or wrong in many ways, but somehow the answer is “no” I don’t. Why? Why not? Of course you want to go back, of course you want to be with them? They are your friends!!! It is as if my heart is being pulled very strongly in two opposite directions…but- at least right now, the tug is stronger here. And, I did leave them to come here in the first place- how that happened, I’m not sure!

As the Lord gave me strength and a love for them while I was there, perhaps He is giving me strength and love for these people here, while I’m here. Does that mean I will go to yet another place to serve Him one day? I know the answer is most likely! And I know He will not only give me the strength and grace to go there, but also the love for those people when I get there. I wonder if I will run out of energy and love at some point? I’m glad that my Father’s love never runs out and that I can get “re-filled” from Him daily!

Typical Trip to Village (Journal Entry)

“But I trust in you, O Lord. I say, You are my God, my times are in your hands.”
~ Psalm 31:14-15a
“Be strong and take heart- all you who hope in the Lord.” ~Psalm 31:24

We arrived back in the village a few hours ago. Golu, Diksha and Latta were thrilled that we were back and were running around like crazy for a little while. We showed them pictures and such- they were so happy to see us again. It was nice to see them too.

Our trip was pretty much uneventful, which is good, but now there isn’t a fun story to tell! And then again, the trip that we took today would have been considered VERY eventful by just the ‘normal’ person in America probably. I told Robin, “You know, sometimes when people say, ‘wow I can’t believe you are over there, doing that work, and in those conditions,’ I want to reply, “it’s really not bad, we’re used to it, it’s no big deal’ and then sometimes I think, ‘you know what, it is a big deal- I can’t believe how much we put up with!”

What does our trip to the village look like? At least, what did today’s trip look like? Today, we ate lunch, and hiked up the stairs to the road, walked to Joshi’s store and waited for a jeep. We were there about 10 minutes standing waiting. Joshi came out and gave us two stools to sit on and wait. I asked him if a jeep would come and he said yes. So we waited. Jeeps came, but they were all going the opposite direction.

Finally, after about 40 minutes, one came. It’s very unusual to wait that long for a jeep. We asked him how far he was going and he was going to B town, so we went with him that far. That jeep ride consisted of Robin’s chair falling down while she was sitting on it, Robin getting sick, and us going through a herd of cows and goats. Once in B town, we asked for another jeep going to M town. The shortest path to the village is between B town and M town. There was a jeep going (we didn’t ask when, but just got in). I asked if he knew the path to the village, and could tell us on the way. He asked someone else and they knew. We said okay, but realized the guy who knew the way wasn’t going with us…so how would that help us? Anyway, by the time the jeep left, another older man had gotten in and the driver pointed to him and simply said, “Jogda” – the name of the village. I asked him if he was going there, he said yes and that he would lead us. After a short jeep ride, we got out of the jeep at a different place than where we have gotten out with Anju, but the path we took down ended up meeting with the path we knew. So, we took it and arrived here- approximately 3 hours after we left- no too bad!

We sat outside with the kids resting and cooling off- we were both hot and sweaty from the hike, but didn’t dare ask for hot water for a bath, because you just don’t do that at this time of day- it's just weird :)

Now, we’re sitting here typing and it’s as if we never left. Aunty came in and talked to us for a little while. We sat by the fire for a short time and washed our faces…There was a spider (sill is a spider) in our room when we got here- just like last time. It really feels like we never left at all- except that I’m wearing clothes that I didn’t have before- that honestly feels a little strange!!! Haha!!!

6 months of being in India (Journal Entry)

Today is Robin’s and my 6 month anniversary of being in this great country! Wow! In a way when we think of all that we’ve done, it seems that it must have been that long or longer. But then when I think of what we have to show for it, I feel we’ve only been here a few weeks.

How will we celebrate? By burning our trash! Haha! We’ve actually had some trash building up for a little while (A small bag full) and Jyoti said she would take us today to show us where to burn it. Great anniversary celebration, huh? Maybe we’ll dance around it. Oh, but that may be considered demon worship or something.

In addition to today being our anniversary, the monkeys also decided to raid the village. They were all over the place, perhaps 50 of them or so, all through the fields and in people’s gardens. Bicky chased them around the fields for about 20 minutes, then came back to the house. We watched as the monkeys came into the fields again. They didn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that people were throwing rocks at them and chasing them. It continued most of the day- people would be yelling and shouting from one house, as the monkeys left their house and went to another one, those people at that house would start yelling and shouting. The monkeys went around and around- people kept running around and around…It was quite a sight!

I also decided to begin fasting on Thursday- which is typically a day when Hindus fast. Since today is Thursday, I am fasting. This morning I continued my regular Bible readings and am now in Job. Chapter 12 seemed to be very fitting for me, one who was/is having doubts about this work…I was reminded who my God is…Below is the New Living Translation..

Taken from verses 7-23
“…Ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish of the sea speak to you. They all know that the Lord has done this. For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of all humanity….(vs 13)- But true wisdom and power are with God; counsel and understanding are his. What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he closes in on someone, there is no escape. If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth. Yes, strength and wisdom are with him; deceivers and deceived are both in his power. He leads the counselors away stripped of good judgment; he drives judges to madness. He removes the royal robe of kings. With ropes around their waist, they are led away. He leads priest away stripped of status; he overthrows the mighty. He silences the trusted adviser, and he removes the insight of the elders. He pours disgrace upon princes and confiscates weapons from the strong. He floods the darkness with light; he brings light to the deepest gloom. He raises up nations, and he destroys them. He makes nations expand, and he abandons them…

I’d like to add a short verse:
“He breaks down the barriers of the caste system and draws those following other gods to Himself.”
He has done that, he does do that, he can do it- He’s God! I pray and hope that He will do that here, and that we might be witness of it!!!

In addition to Job, I also read chapter 19 in Psalms and Proverbs. Again I was truly blessed…
Psalm 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day the pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Proverbs 19:21- “Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

While I sit beneath a calendar with a picture of Ganesh on it (one of their gods), God has made his glory known even here…these people haven't seen it and instead are following what has been passed down generation after generation.

Day 9 - Sick?

Today, I woke up around 3am, a little sick, but didn’t want to get up. I wasn’t sure if I just had to go the bathroom or if it was something else. By the time I got up around 7:30, it was something else. I went to the bathroom and got sick. I felt better afterwards, but still a little uneasy. I studied with Bicky and two other little boys for about an hour- they completed my list of opposites for me. It was interesting because as Bicky was trying to write out the Kumaoni for some of the words, he said, “Talking in Kumaoni is easy, but writing is hard- I don’t know how!” He knows how to write Hindi and he wrote the Kumaoni words in Hindi script which is what I do- but he had never written Kumaoni before, since there is no need for it in an oral community! It was a little inspiration that the oral stories, rather than written stories will be welcomed in this community. At least the form would be welcomed- who knows about the content!!!

After studying, we had lunch. It was good- kicherdi (mix of rice and daal). I nearly finished it, but my stomach was feeling a little sick, so I didn’t eat the last little bit. After that we went to Deepa’s for our language session.

I got sick three times so far today, I’m not sure what it’s from. Robin got sick this morning, so at first I thought perhaps it was just the meal we had the night before that both of our stomach’s didn’t like. But since I’m still sick, I’m not sure. I feel a little warm now, in spite of the cold air- perhaps I have a temperature. It’s at times like this that I wonder how those first M’s did it- in the backwoods, in the jungles with those crazy diseases!!! True, we are prone to some of those same diseases, but have more precautions and medications than they had then. I’m really feeling fine- even jumped rope a few times with Jyoti this afternoon, but now am again not feeling so wonderful.

I told Robin this morning I feel about 93% okay. Then I said, “That is, if you can ever feel 100% in India! I guess at any given time, the most you could feel is about 70%, so given that, I probably feel about 65%.

Day 8 - Job complains...

Today was an interesting and tiring day! I woke up and realized that for the third day in a row, the sun was not out- how depressing! So, I stayed in bed and read 4 days worth of Bible reading. I finished Joseph’s life and started Job’s. It is interesting that Job does not curse God even though he does complain about his boils and the “misfortunes” that come to him. He wishes he was never born and says he hates life. I’m wondering how this is considering “blameless” in God’s sight…? Does this give us the right to complain and wish we were never born at certain times? I have never wished that myself, but felt that such thoughts were sins! I guess generally from man we can learn what “not” to do and how “not” to behave, while when we look at Christ, we learn how we should behave and what we should do. He is the perfect example…not Job.

After studying Job, I went outside and soon, the kids in the village came over. We looked at my language learning pictures and they told me sentences about them. Granted I don’t think I retained anything from that ‘language session’- it was fun, nonetheless and perhaps that’s just one more time I can hear the sounds and the words and getting me closer to producing them!

Afterwards, Joyti, Robin and I ate daal batt (beans and rice), and then we went to Deepa’s for our more formal language session. Although, it has never been a ‘formal language session’ by normal standards of a language session! Today, I asked Deepa to review what Anju had taught as “on top of” and “under.” I recording the differences in Deepa’s Kahani versus Anju’s- as there were differences. I think this week I’ll be checking everything that Anju did- for review, but also to check and see how Deepa says it and how’s it the same or different.

Later in the session, Deepa was able to understand what I wanted with the little people I’ve been using to illustrate various pronouns. She went through all of them telling me the various verb endings for “to sit” in the present continuous tense. I was so proud of her- I made a big deal about it when we finished the recording. She also seemed happy, and asked, “Did you understand?” I said, “Yes! And you did too! Yeah!”

During my session, two kids (Joyti and Gauruf), were sitting there talking some of the time, and saying things. During the recording they also were saying things. I finally said, “You should be quiet during the recording, because…listen…” I had Joyti listen to herself in the recording. She said, “who is that?” I said, “you!” She realized that she needed to be quiet and both kids were better in the rest of the recordings.

After my recording I started to go back home (while Robin had her language session). I met Diksha (6 years old) and Latta (5 years old) on the path. I asked them, “Did you go to school?” The said, “yes.” I said, “how was it?” Diksha (I think my favorite little girl in the village!), said, “Good!” I tried to ask them what they learned, and Diksha motioned to her school bag and said, “Should I show you?” I went with them to Latta’s house- I was planning to go to Diksha’s home, but Latta’s was on the way, and there was no way I could go through Latta’s house without staying, having chai and talking to whoever was there. I realized that I might not get to Diksha’s house today- she seemed to understand.

I sat for about 45 minutes and tried to communicate. I took some pictures, and they asked me various questions such as, “Are you married?” “Do you like it here?” “Can you come to my village?” “When you go back to America, take me with you…” I was mainly surrounded by old women and little kids, but two young mothers were also there.

We finally did go back home; when we got there, Joyti asked us if we wanted to go with her to the field. So we did…We picked “flowers”- that are used for oil and other grass type stuff, that we think is for the cow- but we’re not sure. After a short time, Joyti continued picking grass and flower stuff and Robin, Bhavana (a 5 year old little girl who was with us), and I went to watch some little boys from another village play cricket up on the side of the mountain. We had to climb up the mountain to get there. It was fun!

We came back and continued picking. We filled an entire basket and carried it a short distance on our heads! It was heavy! Joyti carried it the rest of the way back.

Day 7- 1 week of being in the village!

Today, I woke up to another gloomy day. No rain, but lots of clouds and a general dismal feeling. I went outside and pretended it wasn’t so gloomy! I took my chair outside as I do on sunny days, set it up and read two days worth from God’s word. I am going through the One-Year Bible- the Chronological Bible in the New Living Translation. Anyway…in spite of my positive attitude and efforts to ignore the greyness of the day, it was still cold and eventually I had to give up and go inside.

Robin and I had some green slimy stuff for breakfast, or lunch rather. (We eat our first meal of the day around 12 noon). We figured the chunks were probably potatoes, but how they got green we weren’t sure. Robin couldn’t finish hers. I did, but didn’t enjoy it very much. I mainly ate it because I knew it would be another 10 hours before we would eat again! After eating we went to Deepa’s house for our language session.

Today’s language session was…okay. Deepa has a hard time with teaching us pronouns. Mainly today, I was trying to take a verb I already knew the way Anju had taught me and figure out the differences in her Kahani and Deepa’s. I figured out one difference, but there were others that I’m not 100% sure if they were different or if Deepa just didn’t understand. Ahh!! She also seems to be impatient with us- not waiting very long for us to say the answer to a picture she points to. From being a teacher, it is hard to not just give the answer, but so much more joy comes to both the teacher and the student when the student is the one who has learned it and can produce it. When she sees that in us, I think she’ll give us more time and chances to figure it out on our own…hopefully.

While Robin was having her language session, I hung out with the kids. We had a good time taking pictures and talking- about what, I don’t know! Haha! One little girl, Dicksha- is sooo cute! She and I have had a few conversations. She’s 6 years old and speaks fairly clearly and doesn’t seem to mind repeating things or saying them slowly so I can understand. So far, she has mainly spoken in Hindi, however, so I’m not sure if she is more comfortable in Hindi, or just figures I don’t know Kahani (which I don’t), or what. Anyway, she has become a good little friend! (Golu, and Diksha - this might be my favorite picture!)

When Robin was finished, she to came and joined us – sitting on the ledge. An “aam” (old woman) came by and said something to the kids and then sat down right next to me- so close she was touchin me in fact. We took some pictures with her too- she seemed to enjoy it. She talked to us, but I didn’t really understand anything she said!!!

A little while after that, we were back at home and Joyti served us chai. This is normal, but I have forgot to mention how the flies in our room also like chai! Most of the time after we’ve taken a few sips, a fly manages to get stuck in our chai cup. We have nick-named our chai, “fly-traps!” and are thankful for them! Today, I had not even taken one sip before one flew in- and, what’s more, I even had the cup in my hand the whole time- trying to not allow flies to go in, but still…he got in! Ugh!

Day 6 - Sunday!

Today is Sunday- your day Jesus!!! May what we do bring honor and glory to you and may we set an example that this day is special to those around us!

Yesterday, I didn’t write because I was tired after going to Bardachina- but the trip went well. It’s a long trip, but it went well, and now I think we pretty much know the way- through the fields, over the wall and through the river…

Yesterday as we were walking back, we had to go through some people’s yards- and we stopped and talked with them some. Part of me, okay, most of me wanted to stop and sit with them- even though we were hot and sweaty and dirty and tired from hiking back. That didn’t seem to matter at all- I just wanted to be with them.

When we got back, I spent a lot of time- a few hours with Joyti and Bicky and thouroughly enjoyed their company. For the first time I think since I’ve been in Kahan/Village, I felt like I had friends. I want to cry just typing that because how can people I just met 6 days ago, who don’t even speak my language or worship the same God, and who look different than me, and are different from me- how can we be friends? Only God can make that happen. Wow. Anyway, I felt so happy to be here- sitting there in the mud kitchen, smoke from the fire burning my eyes, trying to understand what they were saying, communicating whatever I could, and just enjoying being there. And today, in spite of the gloomy rain, I feel so happy to be here- with these people. I’m not sure why or how, but I’m thankful for that blessing from the Lord!!!

Day 4 - "There is One God..."

Today, I woke up a little later- around 9am. I actually woke up at 6:30, but was sleeping off and on until 9. The sunshine doesn’t arrive on the house until about 9:30, so when I got up, the sunshine was just hitting the house. I gathered my dirty clothes, the bar of soap and the plastic brush and headed outside to wash my clothes. It took me a while because I was trying to wash my underwear, but having to hide it under other clothes anytime the father or brother would come to that side of that house! Finally the clothes got washed, and then I took a bath- for the first time in over a week! I decided to take one after I felt like there was some kind of rash on my back from not bathing. Probably time to get washed huh?

Even though I just had a bucket of water, it felt really good! (Below is a picture of another time, washing same idea - squatting and washing hair - this little girl was helping me :) )

Afterwards, Robin and I ate parathas, some of our favorite food. Then Anju came in and we talked about rent payment and payment for language stuff for Deepa. Anju first said, no one remembered what Becca paid last time…I had heard a previous conversation between Anju and Chachi and Chachi said Rs. 400/week, but she wasn’t sure. Neither of them realized I understood their conversation, since I was in the middle of eating and pretended not to be listening. I told Anju that Becca had said Rs. 400/week, which was what she thought she had paid. Anju then said, “Maybe 1000/week for both of you?” Robin and I both thought that was kind-of a lot, since we paid only 700 back in "Kahan" for our room there… We suggested 800. Anju went out and asked her aunt and uncle and came back and said, “Whatever you think is okay.” I said, “We want to do what’s right, what did they say…” She said, “I don’t know, 1000?” We said, “okay, that’s fine.” The reason being there is two of us and also a little inflation from two years ago when Becca was here. 1000 rupees is about $25.00, for both of us, per week. It is a little much for India, but since we're foreigners, and don't want to hurt the relationship, that will be okay with us. We think that instead of “per room” rent, here it must be “per person” – since us using the room doesn’t really cost them anything, it’s more the food, I guess.

We then went to Deepa’s and had our language sessions. It was still different from the two previous lessons. There were more people there this time, all interested in what we were doing and the mother and sister watched both Robin’s and mine entire language session. Deepa did a good job today- we all were confused at times, but I think she’s getting the hang of how we’re trying to learn. We’re learning that her Kahani is different from Anju’s (who we’ve learned from before), but we told her that we want to learn her Kahani. I think she’s happy about that…

When we got back, we watched Bicky and Chacha build a ‘closeline’ that Bicky had started on this morning. It’s two logs with little crevices in them, and a long, thick pipe that rests on them. Pretty ingenious! I keep thinking how much Mark would love life here- finding little things here and there to do and make. Pretty much everything is of natural stuff- from the materials they use to cut, chop and hammer, to the final outcome of whatever they’re making. Just fyi, previously, we use the wood pile or the mud roof to lay our clothes on to dry- because that’s not dirty or anything!!! Haha…
(Here is a picture of one of the village girls and her animals!)

Then I had a conversation with Chacha in Hindi. Robin was also sitting there. We talked about the town above us and his school he works at, and the temples nearby. He asked us about our work, what we’re doing and after we study language and culture, then what? I told him that part of that is learning Kahani stories…he seemed to like that idea…but still asked, “after that, then what?” The way he was asking was merely out of curiosity, he wasn’t trying to get anything out of us, just curious- as any normal person would be! (why in the world would you come out to a village to live and learn language anyway!?!?)

After our conversation we went inside to eat rice and daal. Chacha said something about how since we are guests we can’t eat with them, or they can’t eat with us (Although we have all eaten together before). He also said something about changing clothes to eat…which we have observed- he always puts on a doti- a white linin cloth thing around his waist when he eats- as part of his religion. Along with the religion topic, he said,
“God is one; there is one God…We, Hindus call him Krisha- Mohammad/Muslims call him…--what do they call him Bicky?—
Bicky said, “Allah.”
“Yes, Muslims call him Allah, and you call him Jesus.”

I explained to Robin what he said and told her it was similar to the conversation I had with Uncle before…and never really came up with a good answer. The conversation kind-of trailed off as we were eating and he was on his way outside. But either way, I think it’s interesting that he feels a need to explain that to us. After this, he did observe Robin and I as we prayed for our food.

Day 3 - In the field...(Journal Entry)

Today, I woke up around 3am and then again at 6am. Robin was up- she had been feeling sick during the night and hadn’t slept until 5am. She ended up being in bed all day, though she is feeling better now.

I spent about an hour or so studying as well as time reading God’s word. I watched life happen around me, including the sun rise over the mountains. The gas cylinder ran out today, and so this morning Anju, Joyti and I tried to call Bicky with Robin’s and my cell phones. He was at the shop on the road on the mountain- which we can see from the village, but it takes an hour to get there walking. They wanted to call and see if he could bring another gas cylinder. The phones weren’t working at first, but then they did. In the process, I nearly fell off the roof! I stepped on what looked like part of the roof, but apparently it wasn’t and it gave way. I caught myself fortunately and quickly got to a more stable part of the roof. Chachi (aunty) later told me, “if you don’t know where is a good place to step and don't know what will happen if you go there, ask.” I wouldn’t have fallen very far, there is a wood pile down below- it would have hurt, but I would have been okay, most likely!

Anyway, after sitting around for most of the morning, studying, checking on Robin and trying to converse with whoever walked by, I ate lunch (one of two meals during the day), and then went to Deepa’s for a language session. It was…okay. For a first language session, it was probably wonderful, but I’ll say about 40 out of about 45 minutes were frustrating, but the 5 minutes that were good were a good start. She seems patient enough, so should be okay. She talked a lot more and I couldn’t understood most of it, but I think once she realizes we can’t respond and just don’t know much, she’ll talk less, perhaps. One good thing is that her first response to explain something is in Kahani rather than Hindi, like Anju- so that’s good. Even though we can’t understand it, at least we’ll have less interference with Hindi- hopefully.

After coming back ‘home’ – I sat with Anju and Deepa for a while, trying to share what I had learned. Then Joyti had to take something to the ‘ket’ (pronounced ‘kate’ and means ‘field’) and she asked if I wanted to go with her. I did- wow, it was an interesting rasta (path) to get there! Once there, we watched Chachi and Chacha plant onions. As we were there, more and more woman came down to plant them- all sitting in a row, planting. I think I got a few good pictures. While there still wasn’t a whole lot to do down in the ket, it was a nice change of scenery. There was a lot more wind down there too for some reason. On our way back, we saw Bicky caring something on his head! I took a video of that!

I came back and played with the kids while listening to Deepa talk with Anju and while Anju ground up some white stuff for pujas- for rangoli. Then I washed my feet from being in the fields with all the miti (dirt/dust). Robin came out of her room and we talked for a while and ate some apples. She’s feeling better, her head hurts and she’s tired, but her stomach is okay, which is good.

Then I went upstairs and watched Anju put some white paste stuff in lines on the mandir (temple). She said it was for a festival two days from now. I watched in silence for a while, and looked around at the pictures of various gods and things used in their pujas. It didn’t seem as if the rangoli was an actual part of the puja- it seemed more of a fun thing to do. Even Joyti came in and I asked her what the stone was in the mandir- she said it was a coconut that they use in pujas, but she laughed because I thought it was a stone.

Anyway, I’m sitting here now- Robin and I are typing on our computers, waiting for nightfall when we can sleep again! The past few days have honestly been pretty boring. I’m not sure how to fill the time. I can only take so much language at once, yet I do feel I could be doing more. I did more today, and will try and continue to do more, even when I just don’t feel like it. I want to go around and visit people and try to speak with them- I think that will help a lot, though it will take a little more courage on my part! (the picture below is of the smoke filled mud kitchen!)

I pray that we both persevere and not give up in living here- I pray that we continue to laugh about things that normally might make us cry. I pray that we continue to encourage each other and not encourage a negative attitude in each other.

I did get to talk to Mommy today- what a special treat! The phone worked, and we got to talk for a long time! It was nice mainly to know that our phones work. Of course, just because my phone worked then doesn’t mean it will work in the future- but either way, at least it worked once! Mommy was also very encouraging about our work here and to press on and keep looking for opportunities…While she doesn’t know a whole lot about our lives here, it was good to talk to her and hear her thoughts on things…I’m thankful for that phone call!!!

Day 2 - I got a bed! (table) (Journal Entry)

It was much the same as yesterday…except I got a bed, ahem, I mean ‘table,’ to sleep on! Bicky (the son) and his friend brought it down from the store they own near the road. It is a table, but no worries, I can use it to sleep on- just throw a few blankets on it, and "bas" (enough), it’s good to go! We’ll see…I don’t think it will be much different from the floor, except it’s a foot higher…

While it may not be the most comfortable to sleep on, it does make me feel like I have my own space which I didn’t realize how nice it would be to have until I didn’t have it. It would have been fine to continue folding up my bed, but I must say, having this little space that’s “mine” is nice…I hope my back feels the same when it’s time to sleep…

Robin and I also went to Deepa’s house today for a “language session” – haha, it was pretty interesting. First of all, we ate lunch late, and thus we were late going to her house and so she didn’t really have much time. Robin attempted to review some pictures with her and it ended up that four women stood around all saying what they thought Robin was trying to learn. She was confused and frustrated, but we decided it was a good first step.

I shared that part of me wants to have a language session just like we’ve been having, and wants things to go smoothly…but language sessions and people aren’t going to just line themselves up for us or fall in our laps. I mean, this might not even be the best village for us to be in! Basically, language learning, and culture learning isn’t just going to happen by itself. Since Anju is here with us, I feel dependent on her and as if she will introduce us to people and arrange our language stuff for us. And she has to some extent, but I’m convinced, we need to take more initiative. Of course, the other thing is that there is always a go-between-person in this culture. So how will that work out when Anju leaves (Tomorrow!). Hmm…we shall see.

The sun was out today, it was nice to sit outside- I even got hot! I had to eat the lemon stuff again today- Robin was there, but didn’t try it…I took three bites today, as opposed to my one bite yesterday. The best description I can give to this stuff they consider a special treat is ‘dog food.’

Anyway, I’m tired now and my head hurts. I continue to wonder how language and culture learning is going to happen. Goodness, if we’re having trouble with that, how will stories ever be told? I’m convinced it will take a miracle. There is no other way.

God, you have put me here in this work either to show me that you are more awesome than I ever thought, or to show me that I’ve made a mistake in how I’ve decided to spend these two years. Only time will tell what is to come. I’m glad that you, Lord, know the future- and no matter what, you are with me, with us, in this journey and work.

Day 1 - in the Village (Journal Entry)

We arrived yesterday afternoon. We met some of the people here, ate lunch [sitting on the floor], and eventually night came- when we had a fire! It was great, just like camping. In fact, this life here is just like camping, except we forgot the marshmallows! There was one bed in our room. While it would be customary for both Robin and I to share a bed, and while Robin and I do have a somewhat close friendship, we both knew that sleeping together was not an option. I ended up on the floor- which was okay until about 4am.

I woke up this morning at 4am, and stayed in bed (my sleeping bag), trying to sleep until about 6am when I gave up. I still stayed in bed since Robin wasn’t awake and since I didn’t hear much action going on outside. Finally around 8:15, I decided to get up. It was a struggle to know what to wear- my pajamas with a nightgown type thing on the outside, or get changed, or just wear my pj’s or what, since I didn’t know what was appropriate. I finally decided to keep my pj’s on, put on a jacket overtop and go out. Well, that was a nice thought- but didn’t get me very far, since I couldn’t get the door unlocked to go out! I tried several times and finally gave up and sat in a chair in my room for about a half hour until Robin sat up in bed.

“Good morning” I said.
“Good morning,” she said.
“I can’t get out.” I said.
She just laughed, got up and unlocked it without too much of a struggle! (It’s funny because most of the time when we have a door that’s locked and we can’t open it- I’m the one who is able to open it!)

We sat outside for a while with Anju- she washed dishes using tied up grass as a dishrag. I think it made the dishes dirtier! It was funny how she rinsed out the grass when she was done! The sun wasn’t shining, there were clouds everywhere- it was pretty gloomy and cold- though it didn’t seem as cold as our home in "Kahan." Someone had boiled some water, so we used that to wash our faces, brushed our teeth and then had chai. I observed Chachi (aunty in Hindi), take a ‘barten’ (A bowel) filled with some stuff, including water over to a tree. She pulled a leaf from it and added it to the mixture. Then she went and stood up on the ledge that surrounds the porch. She lifted it up to the sky and then slowly poured some of it out- making sure it fell on the ledge and the ground beneath it. Then she turned around once- and poured some more out. She then sprinkled it around the porch area where she was standing. I’m not sure what that was for, maybe one day I can ask her.

Seeing this, I wondered what the day would hold- our first day in the village.

The day was very much uneventful, and in fact somewhat depressing. We learned that there aren’t really any women or girls our age to learn from and work with. Bicky- the son (a few years younger than us), seems to be the only one around who doesn’t have anything to do. We both feel that while he can help us with language, he can’t and shouldn’t be our sole teacher- for everyone’s sakes, that’s just not a good idea. We talked to Anju and there is another woman who she had mentioned before and mentioned again today. We had met her the last time and she did come over today for a while. We are supposed to go to her home tomorrow to do language. She has a 1 ½ year old (named Rahul!), however and he’s pretty demanding, so I’m not sure how much learning will actually happen. If she didn’t have a kid, she would be working in the fields- as are the other women in this village. Though all the other women seem to be 50 years old or older! It seems the village has old woman and young boys- where are all the men and the young girls?

Also, Joyti, the girl (15 years old, who will go back to school in Feb), said something in Kahani and Anju said, “That’s different from how we say it…we say it like this…the Kahani people here say it like that….” Oh brother- even before we’ve hardly learned anything, there are differences in the language we’ve learned and the language of this village. And then Anju said, “all villages have a little different language….” Great.

Thoughts we had throughout the day:
“Is this really the best village to work in?”
“If there aren’t any women here our age, I’m not sure that it is…”
“Does everyone work in the field?” - Yes.
“When do they come back from the field?” – 5pm or so…
“I guess we’re going to be spending some time in the field”
“We could go to another village…”
“How did this seem like a perfect fit, and everything was laid out for us?” (Elizabeth)
“I never thought that, just for the record.” (Robin)
“Who can be our story-crafters?”
“We are just here to learn language, so I guess we should focus on that…”
“Yeah, but if the village where we end up has a slightly different language than this one, we should start learning that rather than getting confused with this one, PLUS we are supposed to be making contacts and looking for a potential story-crafter too… “
“Ugh.”

The rest of the day was spent writing letters, watching woman with grass on their head walk by- some of them had so much grass you couldn’t even see their faces- I don’t know how they could see where they were walking! We played with the dog, had chai, I tried to sleep, but to no avail, we tried to catch flies in our room (we counted more than 35 of them at one time), I was forced to have some really slimy, lemon, yogurt stuff- ugh.

While there seems to be a lot of negative things here, including the spider looking at me from the wall next to me, there is a lot to be thankful for too. Things like, “woman with grass on their heads, men working in the field, kids running and playing with the dog, and mainly, the incredible peaceful feeling of being here”

I did observe Chachi worshiping or doing some kind of puja (prayer) this morning and then heard Bicky (the son) blowing a horn and was told that was he was doing his puja in the temple in their home. My thoughts are: “How can what we bring to these people make any difference at all?” And, “There lives are fine- they don’t need and don’t want to know anything different than the life they are leading- honestly, they have more of a perfect life than a lot of Christians that I know!” Robin once told me that while things on the surface may appear fine, there may be things underneath that they are really trying to escape.

True, I guess. And perhaps, they don’t know that they want to escape that because they haven’t heard of anything else? I don’t know. Somehow being here, seeing things makes what we’re trying to do seem so much more impossible. I knew it was impossible before I got here, but now I really feel that way! One thing I guess to help is that while it’s good to keep the end goal in mind, living life day-by-day, hour by hour is what is going to get the work done in the end. And humor will probably help too!!!

-----------written later that night--------------

We just finished eating alu gobi- which is potato and cauliflower with spices mixed in. While it doesn’t taste bad, we’ve had it for the past three meals so far…I wonder how long we’ll be having it…

But, this afternoon/evening something exciting happened! Robin and I played cricket!!! It was SO MUCH FUN!!! We had been sitting around kind-of unsure of what to do all day. Some kids had seen us and sort-of talked to us, though not much. Later in the evening, the sky looked really pretty, so I went out to take a picture of it. As I was taking it, one boy came over and asked what I was doing- I showed him the picture, and about 2 minutes later, I was surrounded by kids all wanting to see the pictures on my camera. They wanted to know where their picture was, so I told them I had to take a picture of them first, then they could see. They laughed when they saw the pictures of themselves!

I then asked if they were playing cricket- they said yes and “come play.” I said, I don’t know how, they didn’t seem to care. I also didn’t care, and was thankful for something to do, so I called to Robin, “hey, you wanna come play cricket?” She said, “I don’t know how.” I said, “I don’t either, come on!” She came and we both played…

At one point, I pitched the ball to one boy and he hit it so far it went out of the field and down the mountain somewhere. They said, “The ball’s gone”- I felt bad about being the one who pitched it, so I said, “No, it’s not, come on, let’s find it.” They kids kept saying, “scorpion, scorpion”- as I climbed down the terraces trying to find the ball. I tried to ignore the “Scorpion” warnings, hoping that that it might mean something different in their language! Anyway, after the kids saw I was serious about finding the ball, they all climbed down and started searching with me- I asked one about the scorpion and he said they were joking. I’m not sure, but either way, I never saw any scorpions and, I found the ball! Both the kids and I were excited!

Anyway, I’m not sure how playing cricket helps our storying work, but it made me feel a lot happier about being here. For now, I think that’s a good thing.

1st Trip to Village (Journal Entry)

We went to the village today. Robin was feeling sick and was not able to come, but Vivian, Becca and I went with Anju to her aunt and uncle’s home who live in a village. We walked a little while, then took a jeep about an hour and a half- Anju and Vivian got sick (sticking their head out the jeep window to throw up). Both Becca and I felt sick, but didn’t get sick. I felt sick for about an hour after we arrived, but never got sick.

Anyway, we arrived and walked down about 45 minutes to the village. We arrived in the “village” that in many ways seemed like a village, but then in other ways did not. I’m still trying to process everything. We had to walk by a bullock- ox-cow type thing that tried to knock us over with it’s head! We were able to get by without too much trouble, just a little scared! We got to her aunt and uncle’s home and had water and then had lunch after a while. The family speaks some Hindi and mainly Kahani. It was interesting to listen to them, but somewhat overwhelming also to think how much more there is to learn! The Aunty is very nice, though she doesn’t speak Hindi. The father is actually a Hindi teacher.

The room that we would probably stay in is pretty nice- about the same size we have now which is great. Our living conditions would be about the same- getting our water outside and heating it, only one electrical outlet- but at least there is one, a few other things like that that are similar to what we have now. Oh, a great thing- my cell phone works out there- what a blessing! It may not always work (depending on the weather!), but it worked when I called Robin today, so that’s a good sign!

The home is situated kind-of in the middle of the village, but again, I’m not sure what other people’s pictures is of a village, but this is not exactly what I had envisioned. I think partly is because it’s a mountain area. Basically, there is one house- and then a field, and another house after that and another field. Some houses are closer than others, but not really close. Now, there is a front porch/patio type thing in front of the house and while we were there, several village people just came and walked through as if it was the main highway- for them it is. Real stones and everything- rather than a dirt path! Thus, there are other people around- it’s just that houses aren’t necessarily close. Let me rephrase that- they are close- in that it would take you 5 minutes to walk to one. I think also that there are so many trees and bushes that it hides them more!

There are 14 homes- approx. 50 people in the village. There are other villages somewhat nearby, but not belonging to the same village. Anyway, it was quite the experience. It was odd to be there and think this might be my “home” or as close to it as possible for the next 2 years. I’m not quite sure I was able to process it all- or ever will be able to. I felt quite comfortable there and as if stories would be much better there than in the “big city” of "Kahan." Thus, language is going to be tricky. Kahani is a different language, and it’s related to Hindi, but certainly different. I have not yet even begun to master Hindi, let alone begin another language. I am hoping that our Epic training will teach us about languages some and helps us know what language to focus on- and how to learn it!!!!

Our trip back was also quite interesting. We walked about an hour- going a different way than on the way there. We walked along a wall, on a wall, went through a river (about a foot deep), through grass paths, dirt paths, up and down stairs and finally to the little town nearby. We then took a jeep that was much better than the one on the way there. However, the driver stopped about halfway back and said, “That’s it, I don’t go any further, get out.”

He wasn’t saying it unkindly, it was just that that town where we were was his stop- he was going to turn around and go back. We were still about an hour away from home and at that time of day, it would be quite unlikely that we would get another jeep or even a public bus. Hmm, what to do. There was a lady with us who lives close to us and she said, “We’ll take a truck.” The best thing I can think to describe this would be standing along side a road and waving down a tractor trailer and asking for a ride. That’s what we did- we climbed in- (about 4 feet up to get in the door!!!) and rode on home. Vivian, Becca and I actually preferred the truck to the jeep- since it was nice and high up and also such a big vehicle it didn’t jolt you around quite as much.

It was a good trip all in all- and I’m glad I was able to go prior to our Epic training so I have an idea of what it’s like there.

Lord, I pray now for the Kahani people- I pray for the people we will live and work among and for their impact on us and our impact on them. I pray that you would give them vision to see the stories we hope to share are true stories and can change their lives. I pray that we would be able to learn the language quickly. I pray that the storying work would go well- that we would find ways to connect with the people and craft the stories in a way that they would understand and relate to. I pray that you would guide our storying strategies as well as our time with possible storytellers. May what we say and do be glorifying to you and a blessing to these people. Give us wisdom in how to live with them and share You with them.