An "event"ful day

There was a team coming in from Germany this afternoon, so I planned to take a quick shower as soon as I got home from school.  However, true to form recently, I arrived back on campus to find that there were other plans for me.  I had just a few moments to change while Ruth was dropped off at our first event before my ride was back to pick me up.  This was a first for me as I was delivered to a home not too far away on the back of a motorcycle - riding side saddle!  It was fun, though I was a little nervous!  And I thought I got a lot of stares just walking down the street!!! 

So I was dropped off on a little dirt road surrounded by houses and followed the pastor that was waiting for me around one house with canopies up all around to find Ruth sitting in a plastic chair to the side of this huge red "throne" type arm chair!  She had me come up and sit on the chair beside the "throne" and explained we were there for a young girl's coming of age party.  The girl was being prepared - she had beautiful flowers in her hair that had to weigh a ton!!!  She came out and sat on the big red chair and we all stood around her to pray blessings over her.  We smiled for the camera and then said good-bye as we had to head to the next event. 

We walked along the dirt roads through the neighborhood until we came to another little house with a canopy.  Ruth explained that when a baby is about 6 months old, they have this type of dedication ceremony where the baby is fed it's first solid food (sweet rice) by the pastor and family members.  I've seen a couple of these events in the church, but this was my first to participate.  At the first event, I had asked Ruth if I was supposed to do anything or if I was just there, and she said I didn't have to do anything.  But apparently, that only applied to the first party, or she changed her mind because after her message, she asked me to come share greetings!!!  (What does the Bible say about being prepared in season and out?)  Following my greetings, Ruth called the family up, fed the baby, had me feed the baby (mind you we had to pause with the spoon in the child's mouth for photos), and then each of the family members fed the little girl!  Though Ruth tried to get away since we were expecting the German team's arrival for lunch, they insisted we eat a "little" before we went.  And I have to give them credit - it was a small serving for Indian standards!  We loaded up in an auto rickshaw (7 adults and a 3 year old + the driver) and headed back to campus where we waited about an hour for the team's arrival from Hyderabad.  I then ate my second lunch (harder to keep the portion size down with Ruth serving, but I managed) before retreating to my room for an hour nap. 

As I headed upstairs this evening to do some work with Prabhudas, I was told it was the girls' warden's birthday and they were preparing to do cake in the hall next to my room.  So shortly after I joined P & R upstairs, I was heading back down with Ruth for the celebration of Mary Rani's birthday.  After praying a blessing, Ruth helped her cut the cake and then fed her the first bite!  Then I was called to hand over my camera and come feed her a bite.  Yet another first!!!