We can't wait to make the move. Then we can focus even more on our language and culture study. It would have been so nice to know the language more before we were going through all of this set-up. But it certainly is a huge motivation to learn it really well!
Here are just a couple pictures from the past few days:
This little girl is all dressed up on her way to celebrate Durja Puja. Notice there are 3 people on this motorcycle ... we've seen as many as 5!
This is one of the many HUGE lines of people we've seen waiting to get into a pandle to worship the idols, durja and cali. This line went on very several, several blocks and it was quite a few people deep. There were men fighting and screaming and lots of action ... so sad that they are going through all of this with absolutely no assurance of their salvation. They just hope that one day their good will outweigh their bad. We are so thankful that we can share true hope!
This is a picture inside one of the pandle's. They are painting the idols, getting them ready for the celebrations (this was a few days ago). The one with all the arms, holding her husbands head, is cali. The other one, supposedly the more beautiful one, is durja.
We had one cab driver tell us that he gave a whole months wages to the gods to show his thankfulness. They do this in order to receive a blessing and basically not make the gods mad at them, to stay in 'favor' with them. A whole months wages!!! I just wonder what this cab driver would do for a God that's actually able to answer prayers and be real to him ... we hope to find out!
5 comments:
Interesting pictures! We read about parts of India where there were many people trampled to death in a crowd trying to get into a shrine. Quite sure the crowds for the special festivals make traveling and shopping even more of a challenge. Glad to hear you and sis are tackling that big job and are making progress. All of these everyday experiences are lessons in culture and language, that's for sure. Sending our love from Back Home in Indiana
Hi Sari Sister
I think you will be excited about this. I had homeschool cooperative and I was asked to lead our cooperatives devotion this morning from 9 - 9:20. I spoke from 1 Col 1-14. It spoke of HOPE we have in the Lord. I passed out knives and told the kiddos we would be cutting ourselves and letting our blood drip onto the altar hoping to get favor from God. The place went crazy including parents. It was wild. I then explained that this is exactly what was happening all over India. We talked about the festival with my computer open to your blog and that of your sis's. The kids and parents learned soooo much. I also feel they better understand why HOPE in Christ is so much better than anything else. There was discussion of blood sacrifices, how a little of the scripture is tainted and then boom you have paganism. We prayed for all of you and the kids were really interested. Thanks for the great information and allowing those of us left here to walk alongside.
Hugs
Dawna
So glad things are progressing in your flat! What a blessing to have your sis there to be a motivator and encourager, and friend like sisters do best! What a commodity the simple things are that we take for granted every day!
Sending prayers and peace for your shopping days ahead ~ can't wait to see the great things god has in store as you get more acclimated to your surroundings!
Wow Dawna, that is great! It is so encouraging to me to hear you use our info like that. If it can help even one person understand better the situation over here, that does our hearts good! Thank you so much for sharing this with them!
I'm so excited to hear how well things are going for you. Praying God's favor on you all!!
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