"First, this day is not typical--but then no day is typical. Nothing was planned for this day but to get some language work hopefully done, and Jonathan watched. But even this was unsure, as we're never quite sure when Kissan will be turning up. Our primary goal for any day is to do the will of God and to rejoice in His love. We are learning to obey His Voice.
6:30 a.m. I awoke this morning at 5:30. My first thoughts were prayers and gratitudes for these people and the fact that Jesus, lived, suffered bled, died, rose and lives again for these very Tharus. They are His already.
Then I listened to the dawn awakening, It sounded much as though I were in the middle of an aviary with thousands of birds singing--and each a different song. It reminded me a bit of C.S. Lewis's story of creation in The Magician's Nephew. Absolutely lovely. Soon other sounds are added: the tireless sound of the water pump, the necessary chopping of wood, the crying of children and soon the shouts and talk of the village people...which brings me back to bed, my thoughts and the sounds from the next room:
"Mommy." (Intentional silence follows.)
"Mommy." (with a little more emphasis.)
"Mommy!" (this time with great impatience, as tho he were dying.)
"Yes, Jon."
"Mommy, nice slee." (No "p" yet). Ths means he wants to get up and make mischief. He also adds another word: "achi," which means he has a mess in his diapers and doesn't like it.
After some necessary frolicking, we are all up, dressed and about. I have no sooner come downstairs with Jon when I hear the familiar, "Boji," which is my name and means sister-in-law (Bill is their adopted brother). This is repeated several times and I soon discovered the village at our doorstep. Why? Because the village water pump is broken and Bill knows how to fix it. How do I know this? Because this has happened for the last three mornings. We hope they will get the mistiries (workmen) who will fix it once and for all. Anyway, Bill is outside trying to help and to explain.
Inside, our "milkmaid" has just delivered our fresh quart of buffalo milk, boiled and ready to drink. Somiya, our landlord's daughter and present house-help, is here watching Jon a bit until there is water to wash clothes. It is now 7 a.m. The day is well under way.
7:30 a.m. We just had another visit--this time Kissan and several friends who are all eagerly discussing our newly put-up bulletin board with all the pictures of our village friends. (Each time we take a picture of someone, we will give them one, and put on on the board.) Kissan also came to discuss hours, saying he could come at 9 like we wanted, but this would be difficult. So instead he will come at 11 with one of his sisters, and I will make the "final" check on the basic list of 1000 Tharu words for the phonology analysis. And then Kissan wanted to borrow my bicycle again. We've been giving bike lessons to him as well as to a few others. The problem now created is that our bike is out more than in. So this a.m. we are establishing a new policy--no bike riding unless an emergency, or a lesson.
8:30 a.m. This last hour has been a more or less chore hour. Bill's been fixing things such as electric lights--a real luxury for the tribe (we had a 300 watt generator that provided us and others light). Then there's the water filter, which needs cleaning and filling and was forgotten yesterday so there's no sterile water today. So we wait.
My tasks include cleaning up, getting Jon dressed and happy (when possible), getting the clothes ready for Somiya to wash in the pump that is now fixed (by Bill) outside, and now I hope to do all my baking for the day. This will hopefully include bread and some cookies.
Jon too is sick with a chest infection, with the worst cough he's ever had. We started him on penicillin last night, as his fever was back up. Even tho he is sick he remains active and almost impossible to keep track of! Bill has built him a sandbox in the back, but he would much rather be out chasing pigs, sheep, or buffalo, or begging for rice from somebody' else's dinner. Even so, we are thankful for his energy and curiosity--most of the time!
Meanwhile Bill is burying trash, hauling water, and Jon is crying because he's ready for a nap and won't admit it. And I must hang up clothes while Somiya prepares our a.m. daal bhaat meal. We've adjust out eating schedule to that of the Tharus and now we eat 2 meals a day: one at about 9:30 and the evening meal at 6:00. Our morning meal is Tharu style and the evening is American (like food with noodles or breads and meat) --as much as I can make it so. We've also begun eating as they do--with the fingers of the right hand. It may sound crude, but it does make the rice and vegetables taste better!
10:30 a.m. The last entry was two hours ago. During this time, Somiya did not make daal bhaat. Instead, her husband came (she was married a few weeks ago) and so she is supposed to leave for his village for 2 months. This was the first we knew. Her mother finished the clothes and I just hung them up. Making cookies never materialized, as neither did the time. Bill watched Jon. Then Tariya (Somiya's sister) came to prepare the meal which we are about to eat: rice and vegetables, which include unpealed potatoes cut up. I had trained Somiya to peel potatoes, but Tariya didn't know how to do this. There are so many little things that make a difference!
The next hour Jon will hopefully take a rest, and we will have some quiet time. Oops! Here come the mistiries--the carpenters. We never know. For two days now we haven't seen them. They should finish the work on this place, and our furniture within a week--if they come regularly.
12:00 noon: The last while has been spent in Job, Corinthians and with the dishes. Tariya washes them at the pump and then I rinse them with boiling water, dry them and put them away. I want to learn the fullness of Brother Laurence's experience--the continual practice and presence of God, and to be at prayer continually. He is my Teacher.
Bill has been resting and is now going to work with Kissan, while I write letters and take care of Jon when he wakes. I appreciate the rest, as the conclusion at hand is that I am pregnant again. Joy!
1:30: While Bill worked with Kissan, I stepped outside with notebook and pencil and was soon surrounded by 30 (I counted) women and children, some eater to teach their language, most eager to laugh at this stranger who tries to speak their kura (language). So we learned. Then Jon woke, and all of Kissan's family came and are now sitting here trying to elicit the English names for private parts. I'm trying to overcome my embarrassment, and to learn. There are at least 20 people inside our house right now, waiting for bits of knowledge. Bill is going into our bazaar town on errands, so Jon and I will play for the next hour or so. Somiya was here for a few minutes, appeared very sad, stole some curtain ties from the simple window curtains I had made, and left.
2:30: p.m A game of kickball in the back and more looks at the scrapbooks of Life in America, and the picture board of Tharu people. Kissan is so delighted with this picture display, that he would like me to make him one from the few picture we've given to him!
3:30: A rousing hour of bicycle teaching in the mango grove. They just don't get the hang of balance, and I'm worn out from holding them up.
If the carpenters weren't working inside, we could now go and rest by our favorite riverside sight--lots of green grass, a few trees, and a beautiful river. Maybe later. The next two hours will be mostly chores--folding clothes, getting supper ready (spaghetti with fresh bread) and getting Jon off to bed. The latter is usually the most difficult and time consuming.
I just saw Somiya inside a neighboring house and was planning to ask for my curtain ties back, but she was sobbing her heart out with dozens of other girls trying to console her. Going to live with your husband is quite a traumatic thing, since the marriages are often arranged when you are a baby, and you usually don't know the fellow; and the girls are 14-15 when they go to live with their husbands.
7:30: After supper the procession began to march Somiya off to her husband's house, where, I just learned she will spend the nights and return home for during the day hours (for two months this goes on). This way marriage is a gradual thing. I should mention Somiya didn't march off--she was carried off sobbing. She wouldn't budge. So her best friend carried her on her back to her new home, with the crowd of us tagging behind, and the husband leading the way. The crying is ritual; you have to be sad to leave your parents. Mom has to cry too. Sometimes of course it's also real.
When when we were just ready for a drink of coffee and coco, another dozen Tharus descended on our house, sat down on our kitchen floor, and talked for 1 1/2 hours--trying hard to teach us. I think they're attracted partly because of the electricity and partly because they're the teachers, and we the ignorant and needy.
The rest of the evening will hopefully be spent quietly--mostly sleeping and not listening to Jon's painful cough. he should soon be better. The day is at an end, and sleep is very welcome. It's been a good day, though tiring. We've learned much. God is very good to us."
Kissan and Bill hard at work:
7:30 a.m. We just had another visit--this time Kissan and several friends who are all eagerly discussing our newly put-up bulletin board with all the pictures of our village friends. (Each time we take a picture of someone, we will give them one, and put on on the board.) Kissan also came to discuss hours, saying he could come at 9 like we wanted, but this would be difficult. So instead he will come at 11 with one of his sisters, and I will make the "final" check on the basic list of 1000 Tharu words for the phonology analysis. And then Kissan wanted to borrow my bicycle again. We've been giving bike lessons to him as well as to a few others. The problem now created is that our bike is out more than in. So this a.m. we are establishing a new policy--no bike riding unless an emergency, or a lesson.
8:30 a.m. This last hour has been a more or less chore hour. Bill's been fixing things such as electric lights--a real luxury for the tribe (we had a 300 watt generator that provided us and others light). Then there's the water filter, which needs cleaning and filling and was forgotten yesterday so there's no sterile water today. So we wait.
My tasks include cleaning up, getting Jon dressed and happy (when possible), getting the clothes ready for Somiya to wash in the pump that is now fixed (by Bill) outside, and now I hope to do all my baking for the day. This will hopefully include bread and some cookies.
Jon too is sick with a chest infection, with the worst cough he's ever had. We started him on penicillin last night, as his fever was back up. Even tho he is sick he remains active and almost impossible to keep track of! Bill has built him a sandbox in the back, but he would much rather be out chasing pigs, sheep, or buffalo, or begging for rice from somebody' else's dinner. Even so, we are thankful for his energy and curiosity--most of the time!
Meanwhile Bill is burying trash, hauling water, and Jon is crying because he's ready for a nap and won't admit it. And I must hang up clothes while Somiya prepares our a.m. daal bhaat meal. We've adjust out eating schedule to that of the Tharus and now we eat 2 meals a day: one at about 9:30 and the evening meal at 6:00. Our morning meal is Tharu style and the evening is American (like food with noodles or breads and meat) --as much as I can make it so. We've also begun eating as they do--with the fingers of the right hand. It may sound crude, but it does make the rice and vegetables taste better!
10:30 a.m. The last entry was two hours ago. During this time, Somiya did not make daal bhaat. Instead, her husband came (she was married a few weeks ago) and so she is supposed to leave for his village for 2 months. This was the first we knew. Her mother finished the clothes and I just hung them up. Making cookies never materialized, as neither did the time. Bill watched Jon. Then Tariya (Somiya's sister) came to prepare the meal which we are about to eat: rice and vegetables, which include unpealed potatoes cut up. I had trained Somiya to peel potatoes, but Tariya didn't know how to do this. There are so many little things that make a difference!
The next hour Jon will hopefully take a rest, and we will have some quiet time. Oops! Here come the mistiries--the carpenters. We never know. For two days now we haven't seen them. They should finish the work on this place, and our furniture within a week--if they come regularly.
12:00 noon: The last while has been spent in Job, Corinthians and with the dishes. Tariya washes them at the pump and then I rinse them with boiling water, dry them and put them away. I want to learn the fullness of Brother Laurence's experience--the continual practice and presence of God, and to be at prayer continually. He is my Teacher.
Bill has been resting and is now going to work with Kissan, while I write letters and take care of Jon when he wakes. I appreciate the rest, as the conclusion at hand is that I am pregnant again. Joy!
1:30: While Bill worked with Kissan, I stepped outside with notebook and pencil and was soon surrounded by 30 (I counted) women and children, some eater to teach their language, most eager to laugh at this stranger who tries to speak their kura (language). So we learned. Then Jon woke, and all of Kissan's family came and are now sitting here trying to elicit the English names for private parts. I'm trying to overcome my embarrassment, and to learn. There are at least 20 people inside our house right now, waiting for bits of knowledge. Bill is going into our bazaar town on errands, so Jon and I will play for the next hour or so. Somiya was here for a few minutes, appeared very sad, stole some curtain ties from the simple window curtains I had made, and left.
2:30: p.m A game of kickball in the back and more looks at the scrapbooks of Life in America, and the picture board of Tharu people. Kissan is so delighted with this picture display, that he would like me to make him one from the few picture we've given to him!
3:30: A rousing hour of bicycle teaching in the mango grove. They just don't get the hang of balance, and I'm worn out from holding them up.
If the carpenters weren't working inside, we could now go and rest by our favorite riverside sight--lots of green grass, a few trees, and a beautiful river. Maybe later. The next two hours will be mostly chores--folding clothes, getting supper ready (spaghetti with fresh bread) and getting Jon off to bed. The latter is usually the most difficult and time consuming.
I just saw Somiya inside a neighboring house and was planning to ask for my curtain ties back, but she was sobbing her heart out with dozens of other girls trying to console her. Going to live with your husband is quite a traumatic thing, since the marriages are often arranged when you are a baby, and you usually don't know the fellow; and the girls are 14-15 when they go to live with their husbands.
7:30: After supper the procession began to march Somiya off to her husband's house, where, I just learned she will spend the nights and return home for during the day hours (for two months this goes on). This way marriage is a gradual thing. I should mention Somiya didn't march off--she was carried off sobbing. She wouldn't budge. So her best friend carried her on her back to her new home, with the crowd of us tagging behind, and the husband leading the way. The crying is ritual; you have to be sad to leave your parents. Mom has to cry too. Sometimes of course it's also real.
When when we were just ready for a drink of coffee and coco, another dozen Tharus descended on our house, sat down on our kitchen floor, and talked for 1 1/2 hours--trying hard to teach us. I think they're attracted partly because of the electricity and partly because they're the teachers, and we the ignorant and needy.
The rest of the evening will hopefully be spent quietly--mostly sleeping and not listening to Jon's painful cough. he should soon be better. The day is at an end, and sleep is very welcome. It's been a good day, though tiring. We've learned much. God is very good to us."
Kissan and Bill hard at work:
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