Going through Kustums

 I asked a native Coimbatorian what the Tamil word for suffering was. He said the word was "kustum". Perfect! I thought that would be a great play on words to describe what this part of our journey has been like for us. (me mostly) But now Google Translate informs me that "kustum" in Tamil actually means leprosy. Hah! Just kidding, we're not THAT bad off! We have not contracted leprosy, glad to report. But culture shock and jet lag are not myths and we've experienced it all this week.

 We arrived at our new apartment in Coimbatore (also called Kovai for short) in the evening, not quite firing on all cylinders after a six hour drive and that first evening was a real doozy. We couldn't figure out anything; the light switches, the water osmosis system, the toilets, showers, and power sockets, it was all strange and disorienting and we despaired, wondering what alternative universe we had landed in. The reality of our new surroundings hit again each morning when we were awakened at 5:00am with the Moslem call to prayer outside our windows. Those first nights we were wide awake at midnight-3:00am anyways so it wasn't altogether an intrusion and I might not have minded it so much if he wasn't so off-key to my American ear. (He sure does love those quarter tones.) On top of that layer of jarred circadian rhythms was the added horrible plague of mosquitos. Those pesky fiends have been indulging on my TypeO supply nightly with regularity but haven't bitten Rob and his TypeA even once. Every morning I awake with more welts on my arms, legs, earlobes, forehead, neck, palms, tops of feet and toes. We've tried Deet, hydrocortisone ointments, antihistamines, bug zappers, diffusers, all in an effort to stop the accessibility and my pain but still they are not deterred as a species. Even as I type this, Rob is erecting a netting around our bed and I hope we will then be over and done with this little initiation prank.

                             Dengue it all

      And if this doesn't work, then we concede the battle.

I've also been the lucky one to get the first hit of Delhi belly. We were fed alot of delicious spicy Indian food this first week and we've both completely loved it going in but combined with my lichen sclerosis, the going out is just too excruciating to describe without fire and brimstone metaphors. There has been wailing and gnashing of teeth!  Since we've been cooking for ourselves a little more, that has thankfully subsided a bit. I'm trying to take all of these trials in stride, knowing that these things are giving me experience and great journal material and if I can but endure them well, the joys of the good things of India will feel that much sweeter. 

So ok, enough of all the pain and suffering stories, we're through kustums, let's get on with the joy stuff, shall we? We are so gosh darn glad to be here! It's warm! No more complaints about frosty weather. The mornings here are absolutely perfect as we take our early walks. 

The Gibsons, who are on their 2nd Indian mission and and are a wealth of knowledge in all areas, came down from Chennai for 4 days this week to orient us to the area, show us where to shop, etc. and introduce us to the outlying branches and missionary apartments in our District. Bless them! They are so generous in spirit. 

The Gibsons with the Erode branch leadership

There are 6 branches total in the Coimbatore District, 2 that meet in the building nearby us, 2 within an hour away, and 2 that are nearly 4 hours round-trip away. We are tasked with inspecting the missionary apartments in these places as well, so traveling to and from these areas will be a large part of our assignment. Gratefully we have the most humble, sweet, and accommodating driver who knows India roads and traffic like nobody's business. He also speaks great English. He and Rob like to talk trucking.  What would we do without Brother Augustine? He helped us with the Herculean task of buying a new phone, which we simply couldn't have done on our own. 

                     Ach, du Lieber Augustine! 

Despite calling this an English speaking mission, the only place we see it spoken well is at church with the members. We are at a definite disadvantage not knowing the local tongue. Still the Lord provides saintly help at every turn. Just tonight after Saturday General Conference. Punitha and Ambrose, two wonderful members with outstanding English, knew of a specialty shop with mosquito netting and took us there to buy it and then out to eat afterwards. Bless them too!

                   There are angels among us

We have fallen completely in love with all the Indian saints! We knew we would. They have such beautiful and kind personalities, how could you not?  They have reached out to us and have made us feel so at home. They said they have been praying us here. We're still learning all their names so a disclaimer: these might not be their actual names or spellings.

The Erode Branch President Gilbert and his wife Joseline, winning the Beautiful People Award. They are simply radiant! 

the Tirrapur Branch President, his wife, and their RM son fed us the most delicious meal. When the last shall be first, these humble but loving folks will be leading the procession. 

Power couple Richard and Jennifer Paul, Gandhipuram Branch President and YW President.  Shiny happy people! 

Semmadu Branch President Rajesh Kumar far left and assorted handsome male members of all ages

Semmadu primary girls. We sang I am a Child of God together and became insta-friends 

 Mother/ daughters Sarah, Sarita, Starla

             Sisters Lakshmi Priya and Ranjani

Last of all, we are completely smitten with our little band of Coimbatore stripling warriors. They are so darling, so friendly, so skinny! Both they and the sister missionaries are the elect spirits saved for The Last Days, the Saturday's Warriors, simply the best of the best!

                    Ye slender Elders of israel

                  O, beautiful daughters of Zion 

                    Oduri, Singh and Thananki

Our little sons- Elder Mehta from Delhi and Elder Adhikari from Nepal

Eating on banana leaves, no plates necessary. Though they're small in stature, they are actually ravenous wolves and metabolize well. 

And abounding in brotherly love

"Master, it is good for us to be here"

Mark 9:5