Week 76: Needing to grow the teaching pool...

Namaste,

My area is tough but we just had Nisha confirmed yesterday and that was a big blessing. We have no more progressing investigators now so it's back to square one. As we are struggling a new goal that we have set for ourselves is to try our best to strengthen the member that we already have.

Today we had a zone activity in the space next to the mission office. I had a blast playing. It's been over a year since I've played. My team won all of their games. Afterwards we went into the chapel to play some games. Then everyone went to Vedantas (Famous Indian resturant among missionaries).

More finding is in store for me this week. Finding is actually my biggest weakness in missionary work so let's see how this goes.

Elder Dusara

Elder Armstrong and Dusara

Week 75: Nisha gets baptized

Hello all,

I was surprised to find out that I was staying in Pitampura with Elder Mani. Him and I get along well so it's not a bad thing at all. Nisha was baptized yesterday by me. It felt good to get back in the water. She can be a great help in the branch. Her English is pretty good and she has very good understanding once something is explained to her. Also, at church the is a student from BYU-Idaho that has been visiting our branch for the past 3 months and his name is Timothy. He gave his first talk in two years about complimenting others and how this can make someones day. That's something that I'm going to implement into my missionary work.

There is honestly only one area that we visit that has semi active members that we visit. It is sometimes rough for us because we find ourselves in the same routine. This week we are planning on contacting some referrals with our members. I'm back to being the district leader in Pitampura.

Nothing really exciting about this week. I'm sorry that this letter is pretty bland.

Go Hawks!

Elder Dusara

Nisha's baptism

Elder Basil and Dusara with Timothy

Week 74: Testimony grows each week, Chand's last p-day

Hello,

This past week we had to move Nisha's baptismal date because she is still working on breaking her tea habit. But she is back on track for this Sunday. This past week I really enjoyed our zone meeting. I took down some notes that I need to review so that I can better use the tools in my missionary work.

Elder Mani has adjusted to missionary life well. We finish our 12 week training this week. I'm glad that I had the chance to go through the program again.

I feel that my testimony grows every week whenever we have a guest speaker in our branch. Sister Hodges gave us some constructive feedback on how we can teach "Ye Shall Have My Word" better. With transfers this week I think I speak for everyone in the mission when I say that i'm excited and ambitious for what transfers has in store.

Last night for dinner I made hash browns and scrambled eggs. Who says I cant cook?

Last week after zone meeting we had some chilli soup that was made by Sister Adams. Then afterwards we went to Johnny Rockets for shakes. I ordered two large shakes... The waitresses had a lot of questions about our beliefs and we invited them to read the Book of Mormon. I never thought that, that would happen.

Today for Elder Chands last P-Day we went to an Indian restaurant. There was about 10 of us Elders. I had butter chicken and naan. I'm still not tired of that combination. Afterwards Elder and Sister Hubbard bought us ice cream.

Elder Dusara

Streets of Delhi

Breakfast is served

6 month remaining pant sacrifice

6 month burn

Week 73: Progress with Nisha, visit from and ex-pat

Helloo... it's me,

My family is doing well. They had the opportunity to visit Elder Chands family in Las Vegas this past week.

On Sunday Nisha was able to have her interview for her baptism next week. She requested that I baptize her. Elder Mani and I are very excited for her. Unfortunately we had to drop Gaurev because his family has some pretty strong feelings against Christians. After Church Sister Kartika (Branch Presidents wife) made us Elders some Nutella sandwiches.

This Tuesday we have our zone meeting and I'm excited to see everyone and get food after. Last night our landlord invited us downstairs for brownies (it was chocolate cake) and ice cream. He's such a nice guy. I also founf out that I put on about 3 pounds last month.

 In church we had Brother Tovey (Ex-Pat) visiting our branch. He bore an awesome testimony of how many people in India believe that ALL American families are strong in the Gospel. But He shared with us that 3/4 kids are in-active. His advice that he gave to the congregation was to love and pray for those to come back. That's all that we can do. His testimony really hit home for me. We will all know a friend or family member that chooses not to believe the church's' teachings anymore.

Elder Dusara

Teaching English class

New Delhi streets

The dump

Week 72: News on the Talwar's baptism

Hellooooo,

First off I have a quick 23rd birthday shout out to Sanjeev "Big Smooth" Dusara! Love you dude.

  We were able to set Sourev on date for baptism next month on the 25th. Nisha moved her date one week to the 11th. REMEMBER THE TALWARS?? I also found out that the Talwars were baptized earlier this month. We have some new people attending English class for this new cycle as well.

Today I traveled 1 hour and 30 minutes to try to finish my registration for being in India for my second year and they told me to come back on Friday. This was such a killer to my Monday.

While traveling back on the Metro today I met two Indian students that were from San Fransisco, but were in India visiting their grandparents. Sanjay was in school at Stanford (Genius). Then Sourev was in school at the University of Chicago. They knew a little about Mormons but I gave them a basic intro to what we do.

I had to give a talk in church yesterday. Even though I'm a missionary I still get nervous speaking in front of people. I spoke on loving one another. That's a topic that really hit home with me. This is something that I find myself working on everyday of my life. I know that If we do our best to love everyone that our Heavenly Father will bless us with having the spirit be with us to be able to positively effect those around us.

Elder Dusara