Invitation to India

Since 2009 I have been shopping at OM supermarket in Soroti, and have become nicely acquainted with the shop keepers who own that business.  They are from Gujarat, India... and they are wonderful people.  Many months ago, Situ and Vibha started asking me and my friends to join him in India for his niece's wedding.  I was blown away by the invitation and excited to see his village.  So many of my Uganda friends want me to reach their village... so this time I extended my Ugandan relationships a little further to a different cultural village.

 We drank a lot of freshly squeezed sugar cane juice whenever we past this street vendor.

 I had to get a henna tattoo for the wedding.  It was a full day of ladies getting painted!!

 It's amazing how fast the artists can paint these intricate designs.

 Here is the bride, at home, before one of four days of celebrations. 

 The grooms party was day three, where we danced through the streets of Anand and finished the evening off with another delicious vegetarian buffet.

 The actual wedding day had enough food stations to easily serve 2000 guests.

 Three lines for the main course - on top of salads, desserts, fruit, panini, soup, and sweets counters.

 I love how many families I actually knew at the wedding... there are at least 16 families from Soroti and surrounding towns that I now have a deeper more open friendship with and I thank God for that opportunity.  Now when I drive around Soroti I see big smiles on their faces.

 Indians drink tiny cups of chai.  This is even two portions - served in a big cup... ha ha.

 A few of us were able to explore an old colonial town in Diu - with a cool old fort!

 This is probably my favourite Indian snack - loaded with honey!!

 Twice we went out for Thali... the servers keep refilling your bowls and plates until you tell them to stop.  A $4 meal.  Amazing!!

 Scarves in trees... so much symbolism, culture, tradition, and religion wrapped up in one.

 I got all dolled up for the party in the bride's village.

 Here I am at the beginning of the henna process.

 While my arms were drying the bride's mother fed me and gave me chai... quite humbling!

 Wedding night portrait. :)

 Beckie and I were hoping to spot Asiatic lions in Sasan Gir Forest... but this painted lion was the only one we found.

 At port in Mumbai

 The Tajmahal Palace in Mumbai

 And the Gateway to India

 I had fun with the Patel family during the Colour Festival...

 A whole day of paint powder, laughter, and water!!

 Sneaking on to the grooms carriage.

 Taking breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Always spicy, vegetarian, and adventurous.

 We found a Bible believing church in the area, and the worship leader was an Itesot Ugandan... I love how the Lord works.  We were able to bless this university student with gnuts and a newspaper from home, while he blessed us with hospitality and friendship.  Please pray for this tiny church in a culture where there are strong anti-conversion laws.

 Getting ready to dance the night away!!

 Welcome to the village celebration.

 And again, more dancing at the groom's party.

 Exploring the caves of Diu!

 Hatel and his lovely wife (left) were honored to have me at their daughters wedding, and Vibha and Situ (right) are glad we accepted the invitation!!  A blessing for everyone.

Rinali made a beautiful bride.

Hit and Rinali... may you have a wonderful marriage... thank you for sharing it with us.