June 20th --- Anyone familiar with Game of Thrones will have heard or read the phrase "Winter is coming" countless times. For India, I like to think that the equivalent is "Monsoon is coming"; and since my arrival people keep warning me that the rains are approaching. But in Game of Thrones, it seems like winter never actually arrives, and up until this week I was beginning to question if this "Monsoon Season" was just a myth. But when the winds of winter begin to stir, they are mighty enough to move mountains! Last night was a torrential downpour, and I was awoken at around 3AM by violent thunderclaps! I actually really enjoy the rain, but my opinion might diminish as the weather persists for the remainder of my stay.
As for now, it’s another busy week at work collecting data. My weekend was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the Indian folk-rock band I went to – the Raghu Dixit Project. The frontman Raghu has a very humbling origin story, having quit his successful career in microbiology in order to pursue his greater interest in music. My experience at church was also quite good, but at the same time very different from what I am used to, being a Catholic church. I still gained value from the message spoken, but I definitely miss my Pentecostal services back home!
June 23 --- I've made several friends now, many of which are open to talking about faith, relationships, family stuff, etc; मुझे यह बहुत पसंद है! (I like this a lot). Likewise I've started playing sports and going to the gym a few times a week which is another way I've met more people. I'm not too sure what will be on the agenda for this upcoming weekend, but I am meeting some friends tonight after work to discuss a potential overnight trip to somewhere in northern Maharashtra. Regardless, I'm sure I will find something enjoyable to do! Yesterday I got a lesson in Sanskrit, but I had no idea what to expect going in. It turns out that it was oriented towards people who already spoke an Indian language, preferably Hindi so I didn't end up learning very much! But I did learn that there will be some free Hindi courses for international students sometime mid-July, and for this I am very excited!
Easy to say, I'm loving life here in Mumbai. The culture, the food, and the people are all fantastic. Going forward I am going to try and move into a more intentional mindset to care and appreciate people here at a deeper level. I think that I am at a point in my familiarity with my surroundings where I can spend less attention trying to adjust to the culture shock, and really love and bless those around me. Prayer request for now: That people would see that I am both not ignorant to their culture, yet also live my life with an attractive mindset and purpose that they would be curious about my faith and beliefs. Also that my remaining time here would be productive in terms of developing friendships and bringing people closer to Christ.
As for now, it’s another busy week at work collecting data. My weekend was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the Indian folk-rock band I went to – the Raghu Dixit Project. The frontman Raghu has a very humbling origin story, having quit his successful career in microbiology in order to pursue his greater interest in music. My experience at church was also quite good, but at the same time very different from what I am used to, being a Catholic church. I still gained value from the message spoken, but I definitely miss my Pentecostal services back home!
June 23 --- I've made several friends now, many of which are open to talking about faith, relationships, family stuff, etc; मुझे यह बहुत पसंद है! (I like this a lot). Likewise I've started playing sports and going to the gym a few times a week which is another way I've met more people. I'm not too sure what will be on the agenda for this upcoming weekend, but I am meeting some friends tonight after work to discuss a potential overnight trip to somewhere in northern Maharashtra. Regardless, I'm sure I will find something enjoyable to do! Yesterday I got a lesson in Sanskrit, but I had no idea what to expect going in. It turns out that it was oriented towards people who already spoke an Indian language, preferably Hindi so I didn't end up learning very much! But I did learn that there will be some free Hindi courses for international students sometime mid-July, and for this I am very excited!
Easy to say, I'm loving life here in Mumbai. The culture, the food, and the people are all fantastic. Going forward I am going to try and move into a more intentional mindset to care and appreciate people here at a deeper level. I think that I am at a point in my familiarity with my surroundings where I can spend less attention trying to adjust to the culture shock, and really love and bless those around me. Prayer request for now: That people would see that I am both not ignorant to their culture, yet also live my life with an attractive mindset and purpose that they would be curious about my faith and beliefs. Also that my remaining time here would be productive in terms of developing friendships and bringing people closer to Christ.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
ISAIAH 55:10-11
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