Progress

I followed through on the game plan to straighten my hair and wear earrings. First thing the principal comments on is how I look today. I had several women talk about my earrings and hair. Some of the girls told me I look like a "hero," which is their term for movie star. I think that's stretching it a little. I was amazed about the hair comments because, speaking the truth, straightening it doesn't really work in this humidity. So right now its looking pretty frizzy. But if they like it better, I guess I'll go with it. haha. For some reason that really makes me laugh hard. I feel like I'm playing a role in a play or something. Whatever it takes to look the part. Oh, and one new addition is I stopped wearing eye liner because I noticed some of the Hindu kids wear it. I don't want any confusion. While I want to look Indian, I'm trying to avoid looking Hindu.
I'm finally feeling more emotionally stable, which is allowing me to think outside of myself some. I'm able to turn my focus and attention toward the people around me, which clearly is my whole purpose in being here anyway! I got some names down today. I had to write them down and study them, but whatever it takes. And I want to invite some of the teachers-in-training over sometime; I just want to think and pray it through a lot first. I don't want to make any cultural blunders.
Best story of the day: I ride the school bus home from school. Now, I was homeschooled so never had to ride the bus growing up, and I hear its pretty bad. But lets be honest, no American form of transportation has anything on an Indian bus ride. They pack it in. There's literally no space to breath. It makes me smile every time I get on. Those kids are precious and have no concept of a personal bubble. Well, the first day I rode on the bus there was this one boy, probably around three, who was sitting near me not looking very happy. I tried to get him to smile. I'm pretty good with kids, especially sad ones. And he started crying. Tears streaming down his face crying. Apparently I scare him. What I'm getting at is I can see God's purpose in having me here for an extended period of time because its gonna take some time to build trust. They really don't see foreigners often, and that little boy is a great example of that. I really think my white skin freaked him out. Here's what's so encouraging: he's sitting a few rows in front of me today, and I catch him looking at me. I smile and wave. Booya! Got a wave and a smile back. So if it takes a process, a six month process, to develop relationships with people so I can share Jesus, then six months it is.

BTW: Here's a video from this past Sunday. I've been meaning to post it. We had to wade through this little river to get to the spot where we were having church. Then, P. Banuel baptised some people afterward. Baptism in India gives it a whole new meaning to me. People were all around us bathing and washing clothes and here we are baptising people. It truly was a public confession of faith in Jesus. Its really different from the tubs we have in our churches. Its amazing. Anyway, here we are crossing the river and one of the pastors slips. I happened to catch it on video. If you listen carefully you can hear me trying to stifle my laughter. I have a terrible sense of humor.