Reflection and goodbye for now India

 

Our going to India was because of a relationship with Prahbu Kiran who we took into our lives when he had nowhere to live for a few months

This has now led to other relationships and friendship with his large family here.

Karen's brother Robert is a friend of Premod who has looked after since our arrival in Kerala. We knew him briefly before coming here, yet he has taken and blessed us with hospitality, love and generosity, providing  for  us in  many many ways.

I guess what I am trying to say is that we never know where the investment of  what we say, and do will lead us. 

 Into worlds we would never have gone without it.

Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom of God or the rule of God,or the way  God works is like....

It seems we have experienced something of this.

 There have been a lot of special moments while being here , the four Tumeric ceremonies, the wedding, an engagement. Plus plus plus.

Magical Memories : sitting drinking tea on the house boat  and two kids  on the bank with a spear  catching their breakfast, freshwater crayfish.

Magical memories : Ikshejavadi the elephant,  also the wild elephants.          

 

Lotus flowers and a farmer washing his cow.

Magical moment: the smell  of the jasmine in  the garlands we were given. Seeing it worn in the hair, when it was given  to Karen and Tuiana to wear.

Colourful people who live with so little, colourful trucks and three wheeled autos.

Travel: Initially  I thought there were no road rules however, road negotiation does take place.  There is a whole language of honk, I'm here, I'm passing, honk, thanks, honk give me space., honk, I'm coming through.

At night, all that seemed to be done with high-beam low beam light  flashing communication.

Karen after watching the traffic, decided the space in the middle is negotiable,so driving down the middle towards oncoming traffic is ok.

A bit like life we are heading somewhere, lets  all move dodge around,negotiate and  keep moving to our destination.

Thank you India for welcoming us it was hot and spicy and exciting and magical. It is a great country on the move , sure there is poverty and things which are changing, they are getting on and doing it.

There was a lot for us learn. 

God bless,

Arohanui

Ian, Ksaren , Joel and Tuiana

Elephants,Election and Excitement

 After landing at Kochi ariport we headed for the hill country, tiger country elephant country a day and most of a night travelling with Pramud and five minders.  

One who we called ' Blue Shiirt', a man from elelphant country who could speak the language of those in forest.

It was an exciting trip through the evening  towns and people living by the road all the way.  Always something  to see.

that day the  new Prime Ministers  Narencdra Modi was sworn so there were a lot  of celebrations' the roads . Loud speakers on trucks motor bikes  doing `wheelies' singing and dancing.

`

We are sad to be leaving today .

God bless 

Arohanui

Ian ,Karen ,Joel, and Tuiana

Engagement Celebration & Market Madness

Joseph who works with Karen and drove Tuian and Joel to Hyderabad, invited us to his sister Joy,  and Vikas her boyfriend,engagement celebration on  Saturday.

I thought it woulbe just a small gathering but in a cikty of six million nothing is small. Half of the large Weslyan church was full pluss the paparatzi of photographers.

 

Part way through the three hour service of affirmation  of each of the families and Vikas and Joy gifts were given and when the  couple went to get changed. 

Hymns were sung and people got up and sang. Joseph asked us to sing so `Von Davidson Family Singers', sang ` Light of the World'.which was well recieved.

Joel played the guitar which the music leader handed to him. 

When we farwelled Prabhu's family we sang as family in  Maori, that too was appreciated as we have grown very close during the past week. Their hospitality, friendship,warmth and love has been very special.  

 

Viijay,Karen and Joseph the Anyginini Mob.

Spot Tuiana and Joel crossing the road in market area Hyderabad.

Never a dull moment here what privilge to experience this here we are truly blessed.

God bless

Arohanui

Ian, Karen, Joel and Tuiana

Life In the Fast Lane

At times our hearts are in our mouths.The near misses are many and with seemingly noe rules no give way,just my way.

Today I saw a herd of cattle walking in the middle of heavy traffic it, seems the cows rule the roads, I wast quick enough to capture the excitement.

I have a `snap,  as they say here for photo of a couple on a side street which wasn't so busy.

Arun Prabhus brother  escorted us out of town on his motor bike. He has done a fine job of  looking after us.  

The other morning  Joel and myself  went for a walk we wondering which direction to go next when Arun turned up on his motorbike he took us on his bike , to a driver and Sinnod who has worked in America and Australia so his english is very good , to guide us to a get the things we were looking for.                                  

This  Arun  waving  us goodbye as we head off to Hyderabad.

Vijay and Joseph who both work with Karen in  Australia took us and our bags in two cars.      

               

   

       

Motorbikes, buses, cars, autos efficient( three wheeled yellow trasporters 200cc   are very efficient and carry   many people and  great loads .. Camels, pushbikes ,street stall on wheels, tractors,, scooters and people walking. 

All go to put on a spectacular performance of movement , sight and sound.

God bless

Arohanui

Ian, Karen Joel and Tuiana

Wonderful Wedding

Everyone dressed in  their best go to wedding clothes , beautiful sari's and jewelery bangles. Karen and Tuiana looked lovely she had 46 bangles she had been given on her arms.

Joel and myself were resplenant in Indian clothes down to the white and gold curled up toed shoes.  I jusdt needed a lamp to rub and I would have been Ali Baba.

Prabhu and Neetha  a magnificant couple. 

A long church service with special songs and drumming, prayers,greetings messages ,vows culminatining in parents and Prahbu and Neetha joining eight hand together while a special prayer was said .

Today we are going to Hyderabad.

Every moment here is memorable.

A wonderful celebration.

God Bless

Aroahanui

Ian, Karen, Joel, and Tuianan 

Henna Party plus more Tumeric

 

Here are a few pictures of some other Tumeric celebrations and Karen and Tuiana getting their arms and hands ready for the wedding Today.

The garlic peelers in action while Tuiana gets her arms painted.

 

Under the great Banyan tree an tree which spreads out over 3km.

God bless

Arohanui

Ian Karen Joel and Tuiana

Wonderful Welcome to India

Prabhu was there in th early morning hour, along with his brother and six others holding a big welcome sign.

Scented fower garlands were put around our necks,others  in the airport at Hyderabad looked on wondering what all the excitement and commotion was about.

Great happiness and laughter amd joy. To be here to celebrate with Neetha and Prabhu at this time of their marriage.

It was an exciting drive through all the night time truck traffic to Mahabubnagar arriving here at 3am.amzingly decorate heavenly loaded trucks. 

Psalm 139 says 

If I flew away to the East

Or lived in the farthest plast in the  West

You Lord would be there to guide me

You would be there to bless me

How true  that is  about the journey of our lives .

God bless

Arohanui

Ian, Karen,Joel, and  Tuiana

Love languages

   

My take on the Tumeric ceremony which we were privililged in being part of last night is that it is an enactment of love languages. 

Gift giving, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service and physical touch.

All those were seen and experienced last night with Prabhu being the centre of attention.

Prayers were prayed, hymns were sung , gifts were given , words were said and  tmeric rice and sandlewood touched , massaged onto Prabhu. He was s feed sweet delicacies. 

All this festivity flowed out into those there, and tumeric was put  on our faces too. Karen and Tuiana had special treatement of their feet being massaged with tumeric and sandle wood  put on the sides of their faces and sweet smelling flowers for their hair.

All this was followed up with fireworks and food, we were too tired to stay for the dancing.

 It was a moving, exciting experience we will treasure, being  treated and accepted as part of Prabhu's family.

Like family,we had our food with them,after the visitors.

 

What a wonderful experience. I will try to post this and go scrub my jaudiced looking face!

God Bless

Aroahanui

Ian, Karen Joel and Tuiana