Week 27: New missionaries, answers to questions from conference

This past week has been very busy. We had conference over the weekend and transfer meeting last week. At transfer meeting I met two missionaries that are fresh to the mission field and they said that they knew "The Elder Sanjeev Dusara". It brought a lot of joy to my heart to hear them say that.

If everything goes as planned for this week we will be having a baptism this week for Shreya and another one next week for brother Kohli. We have 1 more lesson with Shreya tonight and two more with brother Kholi and they should be set. 

I met a missionary by the name of Elder Pedly and he's from Hyderbad. He did one semester of school at BYU-I and he's basically an American. His english is perfect and he knows about the treasures that wait in store at Red Robin, Costco, and The Cheesecake Factory. 

Conference was great and I loved all the talks. I had a lot of my questions answered and I finally have that clarity that I have been searching for. I'm excited for the what is waiting to come this week.

Elder Dusara

With Elder Savage

Home cookin Delhi style

Week 26: The 6 month mark is here - Two investigators

If I was a sister missionary I'd be 1/3 of the way done, but I'm not so I'm 1/4 of the way done. This has been the fastest 6 months of my life. The next time I blink I'll be back in Washington.

So this past week we have been teaching two investigators that have baptismal dates. One of them is named Kohli. He has a wife that is a member. This is his 3rd round for taking the missionary lessons. But during the second lesson he told us that this was the first time that he has had a desire to read and pray. He also is secretly taking the lessons without his wife knowing. he doesn't want to tell her until a day before his baptism. The other person that has been progressing is named Shreya. She is living with the Massey family in the branch and she has been reading and is understanding everything that we say. 

Transfers are this week and I will be with Elder Jalagam this transfer. So we are both staying in the same area. Him and I are stoked because this transfer has a lot in store. We have two investigators with baptismal dates for the 18th of October. Also this transfer 4 American missionaries are going home. I going to miss all of them so much. They are one of my few connections back to the US.

I'm excited to be able to watch conference this week. We have a couple set appointments for each day this week. Plus on Saturday we are having dinner with the ambassador of Mali. So a lot of things to look forward to this week. 

I think I've set a new record of laziness. I went out and bought paper plates so I wouldn't have to do any dishes. I also have lasted 6 weeks in India and havn't cooked anything from scratch yet. I love you all so very much. I'm entering into the second quarter of my mission and I'm going to hit the ground running. Also there's only 83 days left until christmas... but who's counting?

Elder Dusara

A little background on the photos below. Ajay attended a grand opening event for H&M where he saw a few Bollywood celebrities.  The second photo is of the CEO of H & M department store. Ajay saw him in the mall liked way he carried himself.  Ajay went up and met him and introduced himself to him. During the course of the conversation, he found out the role this man plays in the organization.  Missionaries are required to be in casual clothes on P-day and are not asked to wear their name tags which is why he was in street clothes. 

Fashion Show

H & M CEO for grnad opening

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