USE DISCRETION: Pictures of dead rats are below. View at your own risk.
1. During our layover in Qatar, we were given a complimentary stay in the airport hotel. In all the rooms, there was an arrow on the ceiling that pointed to Mecca. This showed the Muslims which direction to pray towards.
2. Upon entering India, a few of us were questioned at Passport Control. I placed my passport on the counter only to have it thrown back at me. The man told me that the address on my immigration paper did not exist, and ushered me to the side. Obviously we got it figured out, but it was scary nonetheless.
3. We traveled in a Tuk Tuk/Auto/Mini-taxi for the month. We could fit our team of 6 people, two pastors, the driver, and 3 other people.
4. We started finding mouse feces around our things, but didn’t know if they were living with us in the sanctuary or not. After returning from ministry one night, we spotted EIGHT mice/rats within the first 30 seconds. They didn’t last long.
5. There isn’t a lot of freedom when it comes to wardrobe. Woman wear punjabis, so that’s what the girls on my team wore. Classy.
6. There is no trash system in India. There are no dumpsters or garbage trucks. If you have trash, you throw it outside on the ground. Trash was everywhere.
7. Pepsi cost $0.40 and Snickers cost $0.24. Glory.
8. Men and women sit on different sides of the church. The church service was usually 80% women, 10% men, and 10% children. Women covered their heads upon entering the sanctuary and while praying.
9. You’re supposed to take off your shoes before entering a house or church. Flip-flops were great.
10. The food wasn’t great. We often didn’t know what type of meat we were eating. Sometimes the food would be so disgusting that we would gag. So, my team and I made a code. If someone said “Bring the noise”, then someone needed to volunteer to eat their remaining food by saying “Bring the funk”. Good times, India. Good times.
11. At the beginning of the month, I was sure my word for the month would be discipline. Now that the month is over, I’m not exactly sure what my word was. God wrecked my world in India, and I didn’t even realize how much I learned until I started processing everything. Expect my next blog to be all about my experience in India.
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