Week 25: Performing a confirmation, food is tasting better too

This past week we spend most of our week in the hospital. One of the other elders was in our apartment had his appendix burst so we were there for him in shifts. The first night that I was there I had to sleep on some rock solid chairs in the waiting room. It was full of people and EVERYONE was snoring and I barely got any sleep. The elder that had surgery is recovering well. He will be staying in the mission home until he feels better.

Yesterday I confirmed the girl that I baptized last week. It was my first time doing it so I was kind of nervous. I've been amazed on my mission by the members that say that us elders "bring a good spirit" into their home. I guess it's a feeling that I've been so used to. The members in this branch are awesome. They all love joking around with the missionaries. Each week is better and better. We had 70 people at church yesterday as well.

I'm getting better and better each day with dealing with the food. I found that alternating Indian food and then to American food is a good combo. Speaking of food I ordered McDonalds 3 times this week and I went to Carls Jr. once.  There are 4 American missionaries that are leaving in a week and I'm going to miss all of them. They are all awesome individuals.

Peace Out 

Elder Dusara

Hanging out at hospital...waiting

Broken window from cricket

Week 24: Playing Cricket, breaking a window

So I tried playing Cricket the other day at an investigators home and on my first hit I hit the ball over the fence into the neighbors yard. No big deal right? WRONG! The ball had a ton of air beneath it so I hit the house. But I didn't just hit a house I shattered their bathroom window. I had never heard glass shatter like that in my entire life. I went over to apologize and the owner was very kind. He said it was okay and that he wanted it fixed. So I'll be getting a bill in the near future to repair the damages.

But on the bright side of this week I was asked to baptize someone. The baptism took place yesterday and it went well. There was 4 baptisms in my branch yesterday. This ward is continuing to grow and flourish. Also the youth in this was is awesome too. They are all a ton of fun and love the missionaries. There was 80 people at church as well. 

I hear that member referrals from members are basically guaranteed baptisms. That's how 4 baptisms happened yesterday. I was able to baptize one of them yesterday. We are supposed to do 2 hours of finding everyday. But,  we only do like 1 or 2 days a week. 

Elder Jalagam is great and he and I are having a blast this transfer. I get along really well with almost all of the Americans in the mission. Today there was 10 of us Americans that went out to eat at Johnny Rockets. It was so refreshing to be around people that speak my language.

Camel ride

Eating with his hands

Week 23: Meeting an Ambassador of Mali

My area is actually being covered by my tripan and by another set of elders as well as a set of sisters as well. Two days ago we met an ambassador of Mali. His name is Niankoro Yeah Samake. He was the runner up in the presidency elections back in 2013. Him and his wife and two kids were the only members in Mali. They got relocated to New Delhi about 3 weeks ago. He's a very humble family man.

The house that he is staying in has a huge entry gate with a round about driveway. His house was probably about 6,000 or 7,000 sq ft. When we pulled up to the house I honestly didn't think I was in India anymore. I thought I was back in California. He was very grateful to be part of our branch.

Elder Jalagam has converted me to Hindi music as well as street bikes. Elder Roberts is the type of person that will put his head down and go to work and not stop until the job is done.

So two weeks ago we had 70 members at church and this past Sunday we hit 90. Progress is being made and our branch President is really happy. 

We attended a birthday party a few nights ago for a member. They had it on a roof top and there was photographers, catering, and good music. The first song that they played was by 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifa. Then every song after that was in Hindi. 

Today for P-Day I rode a camel named Mukesh. He was a very valiant camel.

A Valiant camel

Always making friends

Alley near his house

Week 22: Recap from New Delhi

We got his letter a day later than usual so here is his most recent letter from New Delhi.

It is starting to cool down this week which is great. If I can just make it one more month than I think I should be able to manage this climate. I still have no idea how to make my way around the town. The address system here is so confusing. I'm literally just a follower in my companionship. Wherever my companions go I follow.

People here still approach me and talk to me in Hindi. Just to mess with them my response is "No Hablo Espanol". Then they are the ones that are standing there confused. You won't be seeing any pictures from me this week because during emails yesterday about 400 pictures got deleted so I'm pretty salty right now.

Elder Jalagam is probably my favorite companion that I've ever had. He translates everything for me so the people here can understand me. In return I help him with any English. Then he also informs me of the names of all the big Bollywood stars so I can feel more a part of this country. 

This past week we've had some really great lessons where we've invited people to be baptized and they've accepted. Then just a couple days ago we taught a woman named Marry and she told us that she had been wanting to join a Christian church but she just didn't know which one to choose. She said that both of her parents went to two different churches growing up and it really confused her with the different things that the pastors were teaching. We taught her and her husband The Restoration and challenged her and her husband to read The Book of Mormon. They accepted and were very happy that we stopped buy unannounced.

We don't really do any service projects here so I'll just tell you what I ate. I had McDonalds delivery this past week along with Dominos and Krispy Kreme. Then I had Chillis yesterday.

Where does Elder Dusara live?

I live in an area called Shivalik. (very similar to my father's name and the company I work for today called Shavlik.) The airport is about a 30 minute drive away. The mission home is about 20 minutes away by driving. 

What does he live in?

My apartment is an apartment. It's pretty basic. There isn't any bugs so that's nice. We have hot water and AC.

Who is his companion?

I have two companions. Elder Jalagam who is from Hyderbad and Elder Roberts who is from Wisconsin. Elder Jalagam is honestly my favorite companion ever. 

What do you really want/need?

The American missionaries that I've talked too don't get packages. Yes I've found tooth paste and toothbrushes. But I can't find any roll on deodorant. I NEED my old spice. I'm on my last stick.  

Do you see any Bollywood actors?

Yes,  I'm trying to get all the famous Bollywood actors and actresses down. Elder Jalagam is helping me out with that. Elder Jalagam goes home in 5 months and plans on going to BYU Idaho. 

Go GP. I'm a 10-15 walk away from our chapel

Dusara out

New friend

Nike fan-boy

Hard Rock New Delhi

What a surprise

McDs delivery boy