Amazing! So, myself and about 8 others headed off to Little India, Chicago on Saturday morning – it was pretty much an all day trip. We arrived at a place called the friendship house:

Friendship center

Here, we were welcomed with a hot cup of Chai tea, which I am picking up that in India, they have this about every 1.5 hours. . . . random knowledge moment. . . here it goes – in order for India to all be on the same time zone (which is something the government wanted) they actually are 10.5 hours ahead of us!

Ok – back to the good stuff. . . we met with Mark for about an hour, where he shared some of the work that the Friendship center does there amidst the Hindu and Muslim culture (i.e., ESL, tutoring, host cricket TV times, bookstore, etc…) – fascinating stuff!

Then we met Suunita (sp?). . . . . . . . . wow!. . . . tough to describe this litte power-packed-5’1″ – 60 year old. . . . . except for – she spoke with a true sense of humility, gratitude, wisdom, and authority. . . one of those people I could have listened to for hours!! (Reminded me a lot of my Grandmother – Ferne Baldwin). She spoke of some of her past in India, with an emphasis on helping understand more of Hindu culture and the religion itself – very helpful. I really felt the presence of the holy spirit with her. . . .seriously. . . she was amazing – constantly addressing differences between us, and simultaneously passionately expressing our underlying similarities as human beings!. . .  Here she is (I squatted down a bit   ).

Suunita (sp?)

After both presentations, we went out onto Devon (sp?) street, and ate lunch at the Indian Garden . . . . The best way I can describe the cuisine is. . . . there was a lot going on in my mouth! – spicy – but not in a really “hot” way, just. . . . well. . . there was a lot going on inside of my mouth   and it was good!

my plate

 

and remember – no using utensils , and no using your left hand!! I feel like I can now rival my 18 month old on eating with my hands!

 

As we walked around during the rest of the afternoon – we really got a beginner’s sense of what Indian culture will be like, it was a great way to bond with each other and become prepared for what is to come. . . . . . . . . God is awesome!