I couldn't have asked for a better host family. They have shown me so much love, patience and grace as I acclimate to life here in India.
P.C. Varghese, my host father and initial contact, is not, here much, but when he is home we have good conversation. He often asks me about my church, San Francisco Christian Center, where he s friends with my Bishop. I can tell by the looks on his face he enjoys seeing me enjoy his cultures media, cuisine, and everyday life.
My host mom, Remani, is a very sweet lady and an amazing cook! I already know if I don't work out I'm am going to gain some serious weight out here! When I don't go to the school I spend a good amount of time with her. She asks me questions about myself and teaches me what different food is and how to say and eat it correctly. She is also a woman of God which I consider a blessing straight from heaven.
Maria is my host sister who I spend a lot of time with when she isn't busy working. She has exposed me to public transportation and shopping and often shares stories about her life and has quickly and easily become my role model here. Just like at home, I am so grateful for the women God has put in my life to be the older sisters I never had.
Life here in general has been good. The driving here is like a hybrid between NASCAR racing and the game of chicken (the car version not the pool version.) The roads are narrow and windy, which is fine. The killer is the fast speeds they whip around the corners, while honking the horns to let people know they're coming, switching gears (they drive stick shift here), and swerving around the slower cars in front of them by moving into the lane of opposing traffic. I swear I'm going to have a heart attack in the car!!
A lot of people have been asking me if I have started to learn the language. The answer is a shameful "no." The language is called Malayalam. It is primarily spoken in Kerala, the state I am in. Let me say there is nothing worse than being in a country and not knowing the language. For my studies I am required to read a book called "Gracias!" The book is the published journal of Henri Nouwen, a priest who spent 6 months in Bolivia and Peru. So far his journal entires have articulated so well how I have been feeling for the past week and a half. Regarding not knowing the language he writes, "The in ability to express ourselves in words as well as the realization that everyone around us seems to understand life much better than we do, puts us in a situation quite similar to that of a child who has to struggle through a world of adults" (16). Well he's 100% correct. I feel like a child who has to be dependent on my hosts family for food, shelter, transportation, and translation. So far it's been my greatest struggle and blessing. On one hand, I never know what's going on! On the other hand I am learning to spend time with Abba because he's the only one who can really understand me and I him.
As of today I have set a new record for how long I have been in another country. The reality of how long 5.5 months is has set in and without a doubt I know I am ready for it!! Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I appreciate them more than you know!!
Love you all!!
PS. If you want to Skype me my Skype name is alyssakats.
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