Extra, Extra! Read all about it!

 We never imagined in our wildest dreams we could do anything noteworthy in India to land us in the news. But word got out that there were two wacky Americans picking up trash regularly around the Race Course, and a freelance journalist from the Kovai Herald asked us if she could do a human interest piece on us. We consented, hoping it would shed light on our real purpose here for the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As it was, with certain laws in effect, a veiled reference to the church was mentioned in the article, but not enough to be effective in arousing any curiosity in it. Still, what's the adage, there's no such thing as bad publicity? We made a good friend of the journalist, and we were able to give her the full disclosure bulletin about the Indian Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One more person has a clue now why we're here!

You can click on the photo to enlarge the text if interested to read the article but if not, you get the gist. (Do we have to be called Senior Citizens yet?) 

We must say that the contacts we've made from this unusual "service project"of ours, outside of the members themselves, have been some of our most treasured relationships. All of our English Conversation friends we've met this way. And just this week we met another dear woman who I hope and pray will be a member someday, in the Lord's timing. Vadivu was in a police uniform when she approached us so I was immediately nervous that we had done something wrong. Many people (not her) have said to us we shouldn't address this garbage issue, this is the government's problem, it is beneath us, we should just issue a complaint.  Hmm...How's that worked so far? 

Our brush with the law

As it turned out, she's only a volunteer warden wolunteering as a school traffic guard but her real job was running an "old folks home" and she really wanted us to come see it. Talk about parallel lives! I was a crossing guard once with a uniform and everything! And having been in the Senior Housing Industry myself in earlier days, I was very curious to see what this looked like in India. So the very next day she took us to her own home and we met 5 of the sweetest, gentlest ladies. Each one hugged me so warmly and tightly, I instantly felt loved by them.

Vadivu+2 of the 5 residents on her front porch

She proceeded to literally feed us (by hand) the most delicious foods we'd never had before.

After this tray, she brought out 3 whole fried fish. Rob was not interested at all as he has never been a fish "afishionado". I found them delicious but, noticing I was gingerly picking at them and nervous of the bones and what parts were edible, she proceeded to hand-feed it to me like a little child or dare I say, like a "senior citizen". No utensil either, I mean "by hand". I've seen this done enough that it didn't weird me out and actually found it very loving and bonding. I know, it's strange to imagine that I, a grown woman, could accept this unusual practice. But it made me love her all the more. Her English wasn't the most proficient but her daughter "Mag" was on hand to translate everything. 

Mother/daughter good vibes

They both got the idea they wanted to dress me in a sari. Why not?  A new cultural experience! There was yards of material involved and folds and tucks. Plus jewelry and bindis. Eek. 

           Princess for a 5 minute photo shoot

This visit was one of the sweetest experiences for me and she begged us to come back so you can bet we will, hoping she'll let us be on the giving end next time. We have such a gift to offer her and her daughter and those angel ladies if any are prepared to receive it. I've been advised to take it slow and keep building the relationship first. I tend to rush things, wanting to be a bold proclaimer of truth. (Thanks Punitha for the advice!) 

Another exciting opportunity came our way this week. President Gutty, the Area Seventy, asked us if we'd facilitate an Emotional Resilience course on Zoom nationwide to all the interested YAs as a follow-up to the Young Adult Conference held in January that we missed out on. We told him we'd love to but were nervous about the technology end of it. Enter amazing and wonderful Brother Bunga who will be holding our hand for a couple of weeks and has made it all so user friendly, we will not surely fail. We start this adwenture tonight so we'll report next week how it goes. What a great chance to meet wonderful young adults from way up north all the way down to the southern tip of India where we are. It also amazes us that Brother and Sister Nolte in our St George ward thought it would be an excellent opportunity for us to take this course prior to leaving for our mission, saying "you never know when you might use this". What prophesy!

We spent this week's Sabbath in Semmedu, coined Xanadu, for the soothing effect it has on us to get away to the quiet of country life. Sister Glory asked us to present a Temple Preparation workshop, as so many members in this branch are preparing to go to the temple for the first time in the coming year when they can get their passports and funding ready. Her family is so strong and stalwart, they had us to their home for lunch in between meetings and we saw firsthand a simple home they had dedicated into a sanctuary of faith. Her sister had given birth to a baby just 2 weeks before and the Spirit those babies bring to earth having been so recently in Heavenly Father's presence was palpable. I felt angels and holiness all around me. 

                       fresh from Heaven

                       A Forever Family

At chuch, the Relief Society teacher was about 10 days away from her due date and had to keep sitting down. I smiled as it was a visual reminder of my own daughter Rachel, who's also due any day now. The days are accomplished that they should soon deliver their first borns!

      Swollen feet, swollen belly but still smiling 

We stayed even later to see a fully functioning branch council meeting and that was impressive. They are such committed and believing covenant saints! They are indeed temple ready!

It was after dark by the time the right bus came to return us home. Many members stopped to have a chat with us at the bus stop while we waited. Photo op. Usually there are 4-5 people on a scooter, counting mom and baby. This was a light load.

                      Rats, missed that bus!

Last major event of the week-Two of our dear local young adults asked us if we would come to the blessing of their plot. Again, the clueless Americans said "we'd love to!" Their family bought some land and they wanted us to see it and be a part of an event before the building began. We were honored to be in attendance, but had no idea Elder Dunlap would be asked to give the prayer, but ever on the spot, humbly he asked the Almighty to bless this hard-working family, the land, the weather, the elements, and all the workers in the construction of this new home. We thought maybe this was unique to India until we thought about temple groundbreaking ceremonies. Well of course...Once again a delicious Indian breakfast was catered for us, this time out of the back of their car.

     Rithi, Pugal and their parents on their land

Also in attendance was former Branch President Amalraj and his wife Punitha. We're sure they would've asked him to pray had he been wearing a white shirt! They are true stalwarts of the church in this area. They drove us home but first invited us to their lovely home that we found again to be a sanctuary of faith, centered on the Savior. This deeply devoted couple splits their time between India and the US as their two sons and their families live in Utah, so we hope this is a friendship we'll be able to continue post-mission. Their English is outstanding too, by the way.

Remember them from the mosquito netting? They are still ministering to us. 

And that's the good report for this week! Along with District Meetings with the Stripling Warrior Elders and our English Group (with 3 new attendees) and all the weekly regular stuff that's getting to be old news. The gospel of Jesus Christ truly is the "Good News" we want to proclaim to the people of Tamil Nadu. Hear all about it!

"Finally...whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Philippians 4:8