India: Day 10-12 - part 1

Friday from 10am to 1pm was the graduation/commissioning of the missionary trainees. We got an invitation as special guests (not sure why) but we were happy to go. There were a lot of “important” people there with the organization. And since we had the “nice” house on the campus they were using it for them. We just tried to stay away for the morning to give them peace and quiet. The graduation started with all of the graduates walking into the building singing a hymn – “Stand Up, Stand Up, for Jesus.” It was a LONG service. We brought some books for the boys to look at. I was really proud of them for sitting still without complaining (mostly) for the entire 3 hours. Sora wasn’t so good, but I ended up sitting in the back with her and she finally gave in and just sat and sucked her thumb. It was such an exciting time to be there and I so enjoyed being a part of the commissioning. 


We decided to go to Bangalore for the weekend. Since this was our first time in India, we didn't want to spend our entire trip out in the middle of nowhere, and not see a little bit more of the country. It was so great to see two different aspects of the India – remote villages and a HUGE city. Bangalore has almost 6 million people. Since one of the men from the workshop was going there as well, we decided to brave the bus. It was definitely interesting. First, we had to get to the bus. We were dropped off about 15 minutes away from the center. The thing is, you get get dropped off at the bus pick up because you have to cross a small river; but the bridge was so old they had to destroy it and rebuild a new one which is still in progress. So we have to walk across a narrow small walking bridge (with motorbikes trying to zoom by) while everyone stares at these crazy white Americans with their 3 kids. We had decided to take this bus to a bigger bus station(by station I mean dirt parking lot where a bunch of buses line up) to get on a nicer air conditioned bus. So we get off, get on the other bus, but find out about 5 minutes later that it’s broken and not going anywhere. So we find another bus (one of the cheaper regular buses; the same type we were on initially). I found the entire drive humorous. It was crazy bumpy driving on the dirt and pit-filled roads. We were the entertainment for the entire bus - they stared at us the whole time we were on it. They touched and kissed the kids more than usual and one guy even tried to hold Orin although Orin wasn't really up for that. Thankfully our Indian friend told him to stop. It was entertaining at each stop as we saw people jump off and on. Basically the bus just sort of came to a rolling stop and you had about 10 seconds at the most (some stops were only a few seconds) to get on or off. So when it was our time we were prepared. With 6 of us having to get off we weren't sure if we would make it. Sure enough, I was the last one and it was starting to go. We took an Auto Rickshaw to the hotel – and got a nice tour of the area on the way since he couldn’t find it. It was so nice to have a hot shower, bed that didn't feel like a piece of plywood, and INTERNET! 

Some sweet ladies who were being commissioned.

The graduates singing as they walked into the chapel.

A little boy who was running beside our bus for a while. It was cute.

I just love the bakery with all of the motorbikes.

The boys being silly on the bus.

This is what happens with they do serious smiles. Who are these kids?

Crazy bus drivers trying to pass our bus.

 "Follow Lane Discipline." I thought it was funny because I had never seen a sign like that before. And it was also funny because I don't think I saw one person stay in their lane the entire 19 days we were there!

Finally relaxing at the hotel!

Our hotel. It was so cute on the outside.

Even cuter with this crazy child in the picture.

I love looking at the newspapers whenever we're in a new country.