India-pendence Day

 In a gracious act of inclusion, we Americans were welcomed to join in on the celebration of India's Independence Day on August 15th and it was an unforgettable day! The festive feeling started even as we walked out our door:

Children had decorated the apartment landings and streets with colored sand pictures of the flag and national bird. At the church grounds, a flag "hosting" was held in the cool early hours of the morning. Flower petals were inserted into the folding of the flag so that when it was hoisted and reached the top of the pole, all the petals came a-fluttering down. Very pretty! All the Indian citizens saluted as they sang their national anthem. Just like we do! It must be a God-given innate feeling for all people to love the land of their birth, and although we love America and miss it, for that day we were so happy to be in India and feel the love they have for their country. We love it too, mostly because we love so many of its people.

                          Hosting the hoisting

Brother Amalraj was an officer in the Indian army for many years so he came dressed in his uniform decorated with medals and gave a short speech. Treats and photo sessions ensued for a lovely memorial. 

                Brother Ambrose & Sister Punitha

The next activity was a day-long Young Adult gathering. Workshops on missionary preparation, testimony building, and career planning were held. What a marathon! What made this day most thrilling for us was because one of our young college student contacts who attends our English group, joined us for the whole day. He was there almost from the start and stayed for all the workshops, lunch, 4- Square, and all the riotous fun activities we had after lunch, including more American folk dancing. (What's more Indian than the Virginia Reel?) Even after the official activity was over, he stayed on and played cricket with the guys. We could tell he felt happy to be there and fitting in like one of the gang. Everyone was marvelously friendly to him. He had come to church on Sunday completely on his own, not with his English class buddies, which we thought was especially brave. I just hope and pray he is one whose heart is humble and prepared to accept the true gospel of Christ. The missionaries have not started teaching him officially but I am so very hopeful he is our golden contact. 

                        Our golden boy out front

.          Ramanathapuram Branch- The Rams!

Now, the branch that we've had the least contact with in our district is Tiruppur. They've had some real challenges since we've been here. First the missionaries were removed from their area and then they switched them to online meetings since they were using rented space in a hotel for their church meetings. But this undaunted little "twig" came down to Coimbatore to use the church building here to have their Independence Day celebration. They are a close-knit bunch who are determined to stay strong. We were able to teach them a pioneer circle dance and have some great fun with them too. 

                Double timing with Tiruppur

                             A Tirappur tiny tot

As if the day wasn't full enough, the Ram branch proceeded to hold an EQ/RS party with more food, fun and hilarity. We literally laughed until our sides ached at this one too! I'm so glad they hadn't put us in charge of activities because we never could have come up with the funny ones they did! There was such a feeling of camaraderie and love in the air after it was all done. Whew! By the time we flopped on our beds it had been a 12 hour non-stop day but one we'll never forget.    India, we salute you!

Another noteworthy event happened this week that I'd like to include. There is a wonderful family of brothers in the "Ram" branch. They were all raised in an orphanage. The youngest brother is currently serving a mission. The oldest brother Mani, is married to Katie. Katie is an American from Utah who came as a young woman and worked in their orphanage. They all joined the church, I'm sure as a result of her good influence. Mani served a mission for the Church (so did Nagaraj) and it was after Mani completed his that Katie came back to India and they fell in love and were married. Such a happy story! We had them all over for a Family Home Evening, starting with an American meal of barbeque chicken, baked potatoes, cole slaw, with brownies and ice cream for dessert. They have had American food before and so they were not weirded out one bit, but gobbled up everything veg and non-veg in sight, except for Katie who is eating only veg. Katie gave a great  lesson on the Epistle of Paul to the Ramanathapuriams. Hah! We played Books of the New Testament Memory game and just had an overall wonderful time, even found many commonalities with them, not the least being Pete's Dragon and Charles Dickens.

                      Katie and the brothers

                            Jeeva and Nagaraj

  (Elder Dunlap is eating again, glad to report.)

 

I guess we can honestly say we feel some dual citizenship in our hearts. Our love for the people of India is growing with each new shared experience. They have accepted us into their circle of unity, symbolized by the blue circle on the flag. Their saffron courage, their white peaceful ways and the green verdant growth of their land has been symbolically evidenced in the true colors of their people. 

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God"

Ephesians 2:19