Wednesday, June 25, 2014

#DuncansInIndia

We have been in India about a week and it already feels like we have done so much yet so little at the same time. We are getting over jet lag and trying to keep our days straight. It's Wednesday right? 




Our first full day in India we met our supervisors, Paul and Sarah, who are really great! We have already been blessed by their friendship even in our short time here. Our second night in India we got to attend house fellowship. This time was filled with worship, teaching, and fellowship. It was such a sweet time and we are looking forward to many more of these! 

Our first experience in India culture...
So Jacob and I stayed a couple nights in a hotel in the middle of the city. We decided to get out of the comfort of our room and walk about a half mile to the KFC down the street. Let me paint the picture for you... Cars, big trucks, autos (rickshaws), motorcycles, bicycles, cows, and often times wild dogs, all share the road together. There are no sidewalks so there are also people, lots of people, walking down the street right along with the vehicles. That's where you could find us that afternoon. In all of the craziness, I was more afraid of the cows (of course) then getting hit by a car. But, we made it to KFC, which is delicious in India, and we made it back to our hotel. This was one of the most stressful things that we've experienced since we've gotten here. 

That night we were invited, along with Paul and Sarah, to have dinner in an Indian family's home. I learned a little bit of Indian cooking, which was SO fun! And Jacob ate with his fingers.




The next day we spent with an Indian couple about our age. They took us ALL around the city, by auto! Here is a video of what riding in an auto is like...


We also went to the zoo where my lifelong dream of seeing a white peacock came true!! We also saw a white tiger which is native to our state in India. Fun fact - our state was the setting for Disney's "Jungle Book!"


We also visited the historic king's palace and spent some time at the mall.


This week we are focused on learning language. We have been able to participate in the Hindi intensive along with other workers from this area of the country. We have met so many awesome people and heard so many incredible stories of what Father is doing all over India. It has been a great week so far!

We are planning on doing a home-stay beginning next week. This will be with an Indian family. We will be totally immersed in the culture and be able to practice and learn more Hindi!

One thing Father has taught us already is the importance of community over here. Back in the states, specifically Bolivar, something we lacked was community. I guess because we were in a different stage of life then a lot of the people around us. But anyways, when we struggled with things or went through trials, we would just handle them on our own or with each other. That was as much help as we needed. And that worked fine for us, there. But here is a totally different story. With all the added stress here and the way things pile up, we are learning that we can't just rely on each other, we need that support and encouragement and love from our team members who are our friends and the people we fellowship with as well.

Continue to lift us up please! You have no idea how essential your words with Father are in. We appreciate it so much! We love you friends!

Blessings, 
Jacob & Sarah