Marching orders

 For about two weeks, we knew some changes were in the works for us but we weren't supposed to say much until there were some confirmed green lights set in place. This put us in a tough position, people would ask us for commitments to help with future events and we had to answer vaguely like, "hmm, we don't know for sure, can we get back to you on that?"

Figuratively and literally walking on eggshells.

Knowing our world was about to change made everything we did this week that much more poignant and special. Being with cherished friends during this time took on deeper meaning: 

The Convo Club

                 Our adopted sons- Akashb'gosh

and Poog

   Disclaimer: I'm not hugging these boys! I'm technically only touching Elder Dunlap who is. 

We finally had a street contact come to church

We had dinner guests not afraid to wear aprons 

  A blessed afternoon with the William Family

     A venture with them to nearby mountains

               (The soil was just like St George!)

                  And a beautiful Indian sunset

Then the official marching orders came. "It's time and there's no other options. We need to have you move to Bengaluru to take over the mission office duties for the couple whose visas expire October 6th and whose replacements have been indefinitely detained." Oh Captain, my Captain. Well...For now, we are only going there to train, then we'll come back one more time to Coimbatore to say our goodbyes, to pack up the senior apartment, move everything into storage, and wait for a few more clearances from the Foreign Relations Office before we make the permanent move back to Bengaluru.  As difficult as it is to halt our assignments, projects, and relationships midstream here in the beloved Toejam of India, we know we have to go and there is no protest involved. "We'll go where you need us to go, Dear Lord."

  On that long train ride, watching the miles go by, and furthering the distance...

So here we are once again at the mission headquarters, training with our friends and mentors, the Robinaughs who we'll soon have to say goodbye to as well. Once they go, there'll be only one other couple left in the mission and then they depart in November, leaving only us to tell the tale of the lone surviving American couple in India. (Sigh.) It's the reality of missionary life; Transfers, Releases, Travels and Departures. Ironically, that's what I'll be  trained to deal with. But the sad truth is our incomings are not keeping pace with our outgoings and our already sparse little army is slowly shrinking each month. I was about to say more but I was constrained by the Spirit. (Sound familiar?)

 Life in Karnataka's capital city is cleaner and quite swanky by comparison. Here we are in the fancy shmancy Metro Brigade lobby of the Mission Office

within walking distance of our cosmopolitan 17th floor Brigade highrise apartment. 

It's quite the contrast. It's also 20* cooler. But it's still got all the noise and feel of India and that's a strange comfort to us. 

One really, really happy piece of news came Friday afternoon. The Robinaughs FINALLY received word of their new assignment. (which, hoping and praying and fingers crossed, we'll be following suit right after when our time comes.) Drumroll.....They will be serving as temple missionaries in the brand new, yet to be dedicated, Bangkok Thailand Temple but ALSO helping the Bengaluru Mission with their English Connect Program. How ideal is that?? Can you imagine such a wonderful new assignment? To be in yet another exotic land of few but faithful saints (and delicious cuisine I might add), serving in the temple almost daily, yet still be able to maintain a connection to the missionaries of your first love? I think it sounds absolutely perfect! So we wish them God Speed. But as for us, even though we never desired to be office missionaries, we will do our darndest to support our beloved President Bushi and our dear missionaries to the best of our abilities. I may actually conquer my frustration with computers and my fear of sitting at a desk all day. (Pray for good ergonomics!) As for Elder Dunlap, I'm betting all my best rupees he will thrive handling the financials of the mission. He's a natural with whatever he sets his mind to. He's got this. We gotta think positively too, this merely allows us to expand our circle of people we'll love here in India. There is a whole new district-full of missionaries to love on, larger wards full of saints to serve, and millions more people on the streets to meet. We are determined to make the second half of our time here in India as fulfilling and joyful as the first half. 

 Can we ever forget our first love? Impossible! We will cherish Coimbatore forever. Was there ever such a match made in heaven? Surely not.  We are thoroughly convinced the Lord knew to put us there exactly. And we couldn't have don't it in the opposite order either. So as we move on, we want the true grittiness of Coimbatore's dust and soil and people to remain in our proverbial toes forever. That's true grit! And we assume that this next quarter phase of our mission will hold marvelous experiences and relationships too if we have any say in it. So sign us up for the Brigade Platoon! We are marching onward and upward! 

Onward Christian soldiers!

We are marching on to glory

To heaven we are bound

Each good act brings us nearer

To that home where we'll be crowned.

We are marching, marching onward

To that bright land afar

We will work for life eternal

It is our guiding star.

Hymn #225

Unity/Ootrimeh

 Sometimes the theme for this blog is unknown and the discovery of it elusive at the onset but it emerges in the very process of constructing it. I'm always blown away when the metaphor comes to me when I least expect it. But isn't that how personal revelation works? Yea, verily.

But this week, the theme was very clear and apparent. The Erode Branch invited us to attend their activity on Monday, (normally our p-day) and wanted us to speak on a specific topic- Unity or in Tamil- Ootrimeh.We pondered how to present this concept when we knew there would be youngsters and those young in the gospel present. This was no gospel doctrine setting with seasoned students. So we went with 3 concrete examples- one found in the Book of Mormon, one in our pioneer heritage in the practice of "circling the wagons", and one in a childhood game of Red Rover; teaching the concepts of fortification by uniting for protection against enemies who would destroy us, pairing weak with strong so all are strengthened, and a few other metaphoric teamwork building strategies.

*Disclaimer- No arms were broken in the playing of this game

                             Let's circle up.

But quite by accident, the most unification came when we all started dancing together. Who knew? Certainly not us. Because western style dancing is such a novel experience for all of them, they initially couldn't overcome the newness of it all; holding hands, (especially if they were of the opposite sex), visualizing the circular floor plan with two wheels going in opposite directions, all hindered by language barriers in our explanations made it a real challenge. There's always a point where we're ready to give up because they just aren't getting it and some are too shy to just let it happen and it looks completely hopeless. But mustering all our patience, once we practiced a few times and then added the music, the joy began to emerge, the smiles lit up their faces and the barriers between us all came a tumblin' down- both young/old, male/female and Indian/American. 

                                We got this! 

        Heel, toe, heel toe, slide slide slide slide

      Clap clap clap, slap slap slap, elbow swing-

       And now you have a brand new partner! 

By dancing with each other, suddenly we became best friends! We didn't know it would hold such power but it worked stronger miracles than the sermon. It was a beautiful thing to experience.

                           New found closeness

United sisters with much in common

Hearts knit together

          New investigator/ seasoned member

 Previously, all this month, we have been nourished every Sunday in the Marriage Relations class taught by Sister Punitha & Brother Ambrose. They too have been preaching Ootrimeh in our marriages through prayer, positive communication, forgiveness.

These are the wedding and courtship photos of our class. Check them out up close, they are really fun. 

 Punitha and Ambrose are tremendous teachers and role models. It has been a joy to have had this assignment with them, although they really do the bulk of the preparation and teaching. I am not exaggerating when I say we have witnessed the most masterful teaching here in Coimbatore than anywhere in our experience yet. These two and other teachers masterfully weave the truths of Christ's gospel seamlessly between two languages and we all are edified. Talk about the gift of tongues! We come away from Institute, from Young Women's classes, from Sunday School, and from this class too, absolutely inspired. 

Marriage 505

So to thank them for the many kindnesses they have shown us right from our very start, we invited them to help us celebrate our sealing anniversary by dining with us at The Welcome Hotel. It was a lovely atmosphere. The food was delicious, the conversation edifying, all while the singer was crooning familiar American love songs just for the occasion. We'll remember this night fondly for years to come. 

                Friends for life...and eternity

Weaving a tapestry of ootrimeh in our marriages and friendships.

We embrace this concept of Zion, becoming "of One heart and One mind" in this India experience and everywhere. There is only one possible unifying force that could possibly overcome all contention, strife, malice, and cultural differences in our marriages, families, friendships, congregations, and nations. Not politics. Not policies or laws or enforcements. May I boldly declare that it is only through Jesus Christ that true unity is possible . 

For now, we build and foster good will and openness with our Hindu, Moslem, and Christian friends, loving them right where they are in their life journey, but knowing most assuredly that one day all nations will bow and tongues confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the Savior of the World. He is the author of UNITY! He alone, with the help of his servants, has a plan to unite us all.

 Be ready!

"Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, must be born again; yea born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess before him...that he is God."

Mosiah 27: 25, 31

Veg/Non-Veg

After last week's flurry of travel, inspiration, and activity, we can sum up this week's work easily in 3 words and a smattering of photos. Wedding, English, and Cemeteries.

 We were invited to the wedding of a member's son so my good friend Punitha dolled me up in one of her saris and provided bling and bangles. There is no elastic waistband or fixtures of any kind, just a whole lotta folding and draping going on! Rob was glad for a reason to don his Indian vest, so we happily attended the event with them. It was held in a reception center and we witnessed only a small part of the multiple-day proceedings. After we took a customary photo with the new couple, we walked down a level where they fed the guests in a way that is unique to S. Indian cuisine and culture. Each person is given a large banana leaf as a placemat with "mix-ins" for their large helping of rice. As you may know, no utensils are necessary, all mixing is done by hand. I know, it looks a little odd to our way of eating but it was nonetheless delicious and they were more than happy to offer seconds on any blob you wanted more of. There are two main cuisines offered in Coimbatore-Veg and Non Veg. This could also be a metaphor for us, as I will describe.

(I was trying to disguise the fact that I was photographing the food, so oops, not very centered.)

Sari, not sorry

                         Yin/Yang Veg/Non-Veg

                      Ye are the branches 

 Mid-week, we held our English Conversation group. Our regulars invited another new attendee, which is a good sign that they like it and feel it's worth their while. These adorable young men, along with our young elders and a few of the young adult men in the branches, have become our favorite adopted sons to love and nurture. Some of them are living in a hostel while they attend college so we like to supply bread & butter, and lots of love and encouragement alongside their English lessons. This week, inspired by Elder and Sister Tai's challenge, we introduced them to the FamilySearch website. Along with some great church videos,  each one stood in front of the class individually and shared 3 personality and/or physical traits they felt they had inherited from each of their parents and a grandparent. It was a fun sharing activity and I think they were intrigued with the idea of family history if nothing else. We always walk home after these meetings so filled with happiness because of their sweetness and earnestness. There is real reason for hope in this rising generation.We're just blessed to know some of the cream of the crop!

        How could you possibly not love them?

   Petite Rithi came in late and cashed in on the zucchini bread, slathering on that butter. We're amazed that there were leftovers!  

So while we're kinda sorta on the subject of family history, I'm excited to say we've completely photographed one whole cemetery here in Coimbatore! That's nearly 2000 images, most of which contain multiple names. We started this project completely on faith, thinking that someday it might be helpful to even 1 lone soul looking for a long lost grandparent. Imagine, to our utter astonishment, the amazement we felt when we looked at our dashboard on the website to see this:

214 people helped! How is that even possible? We had no idea anyone was even interested in family history in India except maybe a few of our branch members. This was surely our payback for our efforts.

Now we know it's a miniscule drop in the bucket for a country with a population in the billions but our hope is that long after we are gone, we can inspire some of the locals to carry on in this project of photographing and transcribing gravestones to help people build their family trees.

So Friday we went searching for a new cemetery and met Shanthi. 

She looked like maybe she was in charge of the TELC, even though we found her napping on a cot. (I don't think she gets a ton of visitors, foreign or otherwise) But as a bonus, there were 5 graveyard puppies to play with. We liked this cemetery immediately! And it was definitely better kept than the previous one. Rob inadvertantly invented a new game there. While flinging a rubber tire into a garbage pile in the corner of the lot, it fell short and rung a tombstone!  It was a one in a million toss if he had been trying.

Score!!!

Sorry, back to the narrative, Shanthi gave us permission to take photos and without us even asking, she jumped right up to help us. She was a huge help! She came up with ingenious solutions off the top of her head to scrape off some of the paint, dirt, and crud in order to view many of the aging engravings with whatever happened to be laying about; green leaves or ashes for the washed out ones, bricks, rocks, and stiff, dried paintbrushes worked well too.  

We went back early the next day in the cool of the morning, before the sun's glare makes it too hard to see the gravestones, to perhaps finish the job from the day before. She wasn't available  to help us this time because she was helping a man build a coffin. What a plucky, industrious lady! To think, we had misjudged her as being lazy. She'll deserve a nap after today! Though she's Hindu, she said in her broken English that she reads the "Bible Studies" on the gravestones and likes them. So we left her a few "bible studies" pamphlets in Tamil for her to peruse in her leisure time.

What a friend we have in Shanthi

Now, whether we're talking about napping or family trees, it's a perfect segue way into our next topic-

Vegetation! 

Yes we've done plenty of it and seen plenty of it during our time here. There are many days we take advantage of the Senior Mission "napping caveat". For those of you who think you could never pull off the rigor of a mission, it's spelled out clearly in the job description that we aren't expected to keep the same pace as the young missionaries and thank goodness for that. But those of you who know Elder Rob well, know he is an Energizer Bunny type o' guy. So it's been a radical paradigm shift for him to not have his day jam-packed with work and projects, although he's most certainly happier when he has those kind of days. During our weeks and months here, we've had plenty of "vegging out" downtime. It's been a challenge but also a blessing to have time for personal and companion study, keyboard practice, reading, journal and blog writing, transcribing, and daily long walks. During this last cherished activity, over the 5 months we've been here, we've found some interesting vegetation and trees along our paths, many with a sermon built right into them or at least a metaphor or imaginative conjecture.

"Now it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard..wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad". Jacob 5:66

Once upon a time there was an elephant who turned into a tree...

He shall grow up before him as a tender plant and as a root out of dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness...

Isaiah 53:

This tree is good for you if ever your spleen gets enlorged

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. Isaiah 11:1

Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root they withered away.

Matthew 13:5-6 

                         A severed branch...

        yet a remnant shall return and bear fruit

         Here's a lovely tree-lined lane we walk 

              Sometimes they are Poo-scented

                  (er, flower-scented in Tamil!)

     We learned this because one time a stranger on the street kept saying, " poo, poo. " We looked at him quizzically. 🤨 He gestured for us to stay put. He returned with these lovely flowers as a gift.  Ah, Poo! Phew, we were so relieved! They smelled beautiful, by the way.😉 

  Lantana! A reminder of a favorite flower

 🌺 in St George 🌺

There is beauty all around!

In this mission, whether it be in our diet or our use of time, we are continually striving to find the

 veg/ non veg balance.