Recent Growth

Recently there was some success and real growth in Erode.

I will edit and add more names when I can.

 Elder Sharma, one of the Assistants to the President, beside the Church sign in Tamil.

 Elder Sharma and company

 There were 13 people baptized this day in Erode, Tamil Nadu.

The Elders doing the ordinances were: (front, left to rt.) Elder Smoot, Elder Aruldoss, Elder Jurial, Elder N. Massey, Elder R. Kumar, Elder D. Hodgson (back 2nd from rt), Elder Ram (back right)

 What an exciting and spiritual day!

 Such a nice looking group.

 President Watson was visiting.  He is the president in the Asia Area Presidency.

 What a wonderful experience!

What a sweet family!  Welcome into the Church!

And Growth in Goa!

The Elders have done some baptizing in Goa, as well!

 I don't yet know the names of the people who joined the Church, but the Elder in white is Elder Miniyappa and his companion on the right is Elder Randall.

 Elder Worton (left) and Elder Miniyappa.

One day there was no water for the font, I believe.  They had to go to the ocean for the baptism.

 Elder Nelapati, Elder Worton, , Elder Randall, , Elder Miniyappa.

 How exciting this must have been for them.

 President Funk watches on.

 It doesn't look very warm, but they said the water wasn't cold.

 It is great that both President and Sister Funk could be there to view these 2 baptisms.

 In order to witness the baptisms properly, the other 2 Elders had to go out into the water, as well.

How wonderful is this?  It's so amazing!

There is real growth happening in the Church in India!  It's amazing to see!

Bhanu & John go to Hong Kong

It is wonderful for our friends Bhanu and Vaibhav to go to be sealed in the Hong Kong Temple.

They said I could post some of their photos that they took while in HK.

 They arrived on Monday, the same as we did when we went to the HK Temple.

 It's nice to have a few casual photos.

 This is the sealing day.

 This is so gorgeous.

 This is my favourite shot. I love how Bhanu is holding on tight to his hand!

 Here are 2 senior missionary couples who are serving in Hong Kong.

 This is a good shot in front of the Temple with the fading light.

 They did a little sight seeing around Hong Kong.

 It is so fun to see them at the Temple and so happy!

 Now, keep that happiness and love alive throughout time & all eternity!

Shankar's Birthday

As is the normal tradition, we had lunch together upstairs, supplied by the person having the birthday.  It's a little like giving other people a gift on your birthday!

 Chicken Biryani is the local favorite which comes with chicken & boiled eggs, extra masala in the middle yellow bowl and raita (buttermilk with onion & tomatoes) in the yellow bowl to the far right.

 President William, my boss, the Indian Society manager, joins us.

 Shankar, the birthday boy!

 This is Prem, Shankar and Sundar.  

 Shankar and Sundar are twins, each with the shaved head!

 Satish & Prem

 President Mudumala on the far right.  We are also joined by Sam and Jonas, good friends of ours.

 President William digs in, watched by Rebecca, the Service Center secretary.

 And Sunil also comes for lunch.

The ladies, Rebecca and Judy watch on, waiting patiently to begin lunch.  It was a fun day.

Bits & Pieces

I just wanted to tie up some loose ends and so decided to post "Bits & Pieces".

Brother & Sister Kumar came over for lunch on Saturday.  I made Indian food for them and it turned out wonderful.  I made Veg Biryani and Chicken Tikka Masala.  We also had Dahl and Rotis which Kannagi had made the day before.  They loved the food, so I was glad.

By the time I remembered my camera, Milsha was asleep.

My Friend

This week, Jasmin, a sweet sister from our Branch, got her mission call.  She has been called to serve in the India New Delhi Mission.  This is the first time a sister missionary has been called to serve in India in many years.  It's wonderful for her to be able to prepare for her Philippines MTC date in Dec!  Good for you, Jasmin!  We love you!  You will do wonderfully!

Independence Day in India

 These musicians came playing and singing outside our window late in the day.

 They looked very festive and it was fun to see and hear them.

Of course, they are looking to be paid for their performance.  It's a little hard to pay from the 3rd floor.

These guys were putting a double ladder up into the tree in front of the Office.  I never found out why.  Some men came along and pitched in to help so it got done.

The ladder looked a little rickety and I never saw if anyone actually went up.

Elder Wigg and I watched the little parade.  The steps and railings were decorated for the day.

 This band was going past the front of the Office so we went down to watch and listen.

 Not only was it a celebration of Independence Day, but it was a political rally in support on a candidate, as well.

 This is a new companionship in our Branch, Indiranagar Branch. Elder Henrie and Elder P. Kumar.

Brother Rajan Tewari (formerly Elder Tewari) has returned to India for a month visit.  He's looking so good.  It's good to see you, brother!

Rajan Tewari with Mike (Bhuvanesh)

Sometimes I'll get pictures from other people which were taken a long time ago.  Rather than go back and find that blog, I just thought I would add in a couple random shots here.
This is Usha and myself with Julie, all from the old 1st Branch.  Photo taken at YW Camp.

 These photos were given to me by the Kumar's, taken in Hong Kong. I always want to have my backpack with my camera, water, sun glasses, money, id, all my necessary stuff!

This shot is a little blurry, but I wanted to prove the progress made with the Kumar children.
Milsha is actually holding my hand!  That is real progress!