Some of "our" branch 2 young men whitewashing a small Methodist church--the water went clear up to the roof!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Jack and about 60 Priesthood holders from the 4 Bangalore Branches were involved in a large humanitarian aid project for flood victims in the middle of the country. There was a lot of monsoon rain, which was more than a dam was able to hold, the government had to let out the excess water or lose the dam. The people were warned to evacuate (stories vary on how much time they were given), the villages downstream were destroyed by water. The water level reach the roof of schools and churches. Most homes were made of mud so they just dissolved. The branches here prepared 900 sacks of food (rice, wheat, oil, etc. hygiene kits, blankets, buckets, etc). It was was hauled on a huge truck and a van of members went ahead of the buses of members to set up the distribution lines. They went from home to home and gave a ticket to each household, without the ticket you could not receive the aid. They also whitewashed a small Methodist church, gave some of the food supplies to an orphanage where the children cried because they had been eating spoilt food for a month and a half. So now you know where some of your humanitarian funds have gone :) and it was a huge project and a village of 700 people received enough to keep them going for a week. this activity also was a "first" for the members in India. They do small 1/2 day projects in their area but this was a large scale, massive planning, involving the priesthood. This will be a major way for the future leaders to learn and grow in helping themselves and their people. I think 20-30 years from now, they will look back on this as a turning point in learning self-reliance, etc.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
This young man is Rakesh Prasad. He is wearing the traditional men's wear for a wedding. He is Shilpa's brother.
Shilpa Prasad (my twin). We bought my sari from her Mother's store. She was soo excited that i had chosen the same material - she wanted us to dress alike for the wedding-notice that the saris are wrapped different in front. You purchase a BIG piece of fabric. The blouse material is attached to the end of the fabric. The "taylor" then makes the blouse to fit (she was perplexed that i insisted that my blouse go all the way down to my waist--a true sari has just a short blouse-you are suppose to show your waist!)
This is David Micheal (he was baptized while we were here--his daughter Rita and family--they also have been baptized. Jennifer was first, then Mom and brother. We now home teach this family and giving the new member discussions. Peter is the Dad (he was not attending the reception).
Bride and Groom coming into reception-over hour late!!-per custom. She is now wearing all her gold (dowry) and a wedding sari.
They are placing garlands around each other's neck--this is part of the "government" wedding ceremony. It is done after the church ceremony. He ties a gold medallion attached to many gold threads around her neck - instead of a wedding band.
Here Violet is coming into the chapel for her wedding. That is her Mother walking beside her. We could take pictures because the chapel is also dedicated as a cultural hall. Violet is a PEF student who finished her schooling in nursing. This couple will now be part Branch 2 Bangalore.Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Branch 2: 3 couples who have been sealed in the temple-and all three married for love (not the traditional arranged marriages). Srilatha & Jayaraj Sarita & Pinto Sonia and BobbieThis is Pinto and Sarita's 1st wedding anniversay-they are leaving to go to the Hong Kong temple on Sunday night-so they can be sealed on tuesday. We taught them the temple prep lessons. All 3 couples have been married 1 year or less. We attended Srilatha & Jayaraj wedding reception.
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