June 2016 in Rajahmundry

Rajahmundry is in the State of Andhra Pradesh. This is its symbol.

Sunset from our apartment complex.

Most mornings we walk from our neighborhood over to a park to visit and walk with our friends. On this day we discovered another friend...a cow patiently waiting for her breakfast at a gate...

A family of monkeys on a yard wall--mom grooming her little ones, dad catching a cat (monkey) nap...

Over at the park, a lizard gives us a frozen stare-down as we walk the cobble trail.

In early June we trained the Elders on basic health and care issues.

First in Rajahmundry.

And then in Hyderabad...

We enjoy being with the Elders!

The Hyderabad Stake presented a Family Discovery Day.

Members learned about how to research family history, prepare names for the Temple and how to be more self-reliant.

L to R: Shekar Alamury, Board Member Dr. Assuntha Yeruva,
Sister & Elder Newton, and Director Suresh Singareddy 

While in Hyderabad, we visited with the Director and Board Member of One Child at a Time Foundation. Their Mission Statement includes the following:

"To restore childhood, protect the rights of marginalized children, end all forms of child labor and insure children grow up in a healthy environment of love and freedom."

A quote posted on the OCAT office wall sums it up with:

"All that is not given is lost"

On our way home from visiting Bibi Nagar Village we stopped for lunch at a new restaurant called "Chef's Miracle". Here are photos of their specialty dish:

"Special Chicken Biryani"--a deep-fried whole spiced chicken topped with chicken biryani on a giant platter. It feeds six people.

At our apartment building we marvel at the women digging two five foot deep holes to accommodate electrical power coming into our building for new retail sales on the first floor. Notice the baby hanging in a sling just inside the parking garage. No-doubt, his mom is one of the laborers.

 About once each week Raju, Sudhira and their two children, Nichol and Jessy, come and make lunch/ dinner for us. Sister Newton is learning to cook Indian--Look out family, here comes the hot stuff!!

Later in the week we came out front to find these men relaying sand and gravel up to the second level of our  building for the construction.

Those pans are very heavy! It takes two people to lift and relay each load.

Monday, July 13th was the "One Year to Go" for us date. We celebrated together with lunch at Deccan Fried Chicken (DFC)--sort of KFC for India.
The chicken is a little spicy no matter how you order it. Fries are good and Diet Coke is REALLY GOOD!

Sister Newton decided it was time to get her hair chopped off! Much too hot to have long hair. Sister Injeti, a member, has a hair salon just two blocks from our house. We did not know that until we asked if she would consider doing the job! Who knew?!
Ahhhhh....much cooler!

On June 15th, Nichol--Raju's oldest--turned 11 years old. We went to their home and had cake and dinner.

It is traditional for Indians to feed each other birthday cake.

Such a lovely young lady!

Elder Doyle completed his mission this week. Here is his farewell. It is a separate meeting in the evening where people come and say nice things about the leaving missionary, he is given a nice flower lei and bears his testimony one last time. It is a time for everyone to visit and appreciate one another.

Elders Monk and Peter...

Two missionaries outstanding in their field...

While walking one morning we discovered three little pigs...

I guess they were taking a break from building their houses.

Checking the availability of food in the hood... 

We also found this Indian phone booth on our walk.

Elder Newton decided to make a call.

Trouble is, he forgot nobody can understand his English 'cause it is American with a Utah accent, not British English. 

Oh, that's not it...they just don't understand English--only Telugu.

Dang.

Home Evening with the Young Single Adults.

We had a lesson on humility...then it was time to play--

This time it was Uno and Liar Liar.

Lots of fun!

Living in a half-million people village like Rajahmundry can have its challenges finding a variety of foods to eat.

So...it's Amazon.IN to the rescue!

We received a package of Old El Paso salsa and cooked up some sliced chicken strips (both spicy and not) with green peppers and onions--added some roti bread to substitute for tortillas--and KOWABUNGA!! Fajitas Indian Style!!!!

We had District Conference on June 18th and 19th. It was very nice. Elder Robert K. William of the Seventy and President Berrett presided.

We expect Rajahmundry to be designated a Stake by next November.

On June 27th all the senior missionaries met with President and Sister Berrett for a devotional and dinner at the Marriott as the Berretts finished their 38 month service.

Our objective in meeting with Hyderabad political leaders is to seek out the needs of the city--where the Church has an established, strong stake--so that we might meet some of the needs and help the political leaders better understand the objectives, operations and functions of LDSC and help bring the Church out of obscurity in India.

On June 29th President Mekala, of the Hyderabad Stake Presidency, made arrangements for us to visit the Hyderabad Deputy Chief Education Minister--Kadiam Srihari. Mr. Srihari is on Sister Newton's left. Next to Mr. Srihari is Chief Corporator for the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, Golluri Anjaiah. Next to Mr Anjaiah is President Mekela.




We found out that Hyderabad government schools needed better quality water, not more toilets, like we thought.

Later, we went to City Chief Corporator Golluri Anjiah's office, where he had invited members of the press to come and take photos for a newspaper story regarding LDSC's objectives to help people of Hyderabad City.

Here is the story in the local newspaper called the Deccan News.

Later in the day--at about 6:30 p.m.--we were able to meet with His Worship, the Mayor of Hyderabad City.

The Mayor--Bonthu Rammohan--came back from a meeting with the Chief Minister to meet with us.




Shown here are L to R: City Chief Engineer, Subash Singh; Jitender Kumar Sanayi, Hyderabad Stake High Council member for Public Relations; Sean Levy, a civil engineer and soilets/toilets consultant visiting from the U.S.; Mayor Rammohan; President Mekela; Sister Newton; and Elder Newton.

Hyderabad R.O. Clean Water---Next Set of Four--total of 39 of 70 Villages--30 Jun 2016

On Thursday, June 30,  2016 we traveled to four villages:
-Mannevaripampu
-Chimaravulaeally
-Pochampally Town
-Kanumukkula
Here are villagers meeting our group with smiles and anticipation of using their new clean drinking and cooking water.

Ribbons are cut...


The Reverse Osmosis filtration systems are turned on...


And


Clean Water flows...

A curious, sweet face appears at the window of the building housing the RO system.


She is happy to know her family will have water that will not make them sick in the coming years.

The people are always so thankful for the clean water.

The elderly women remember the years they have had to carry bad water for 5 Km twice each day to their homes...



Their faces and their deteriorating bones and teeth tell the story of their lives.

Mothers are eager to bring their water pots and fill them with the new fresh, clean drinking water.



Smiles despite the heavy loads...

















Sister Newton is invited to heft a pot full of water...

"Oh, my gosh!

This IS HEAVY!!"

Children's Book Distribution--10 May 2016

Several months ago a member of the Hyderabad Stake, Shekar Alamury, provided LDS Charities with over 2,000 children’s books. These are Indian fables, written in English and very well illustrated.

The Rajahmundry 3rd Branch, along with LDS Charities, sponsored a book distribution.  It was held on Friday and Saturday nights. The first night very few people came but on the second night the word had gotten out and we had many more children who came to get their book.

The purpose of this activity was to let people in the community know who we are and mingle with our members. Some who came asked questions about our Church and the members gladly answered their questions.  There were a few who gave their phone numbers to the members.  After the children received their books there was a little refreshment served.

The children were sooo excited to get a book of their very own.

The Elders were excited to meet the kids and new potential investigators.

A great time was had by all; especially Elder Newton who enjoyed reading to some of the children.

A few weeks later we did the same thing at Kakinada Branch--located about an hour north by car from Rajahmundry.

One young man--about 18 years old--was so intrigued about these Indian Fable books written in English, that he learned a Primary song so that Sister Newton would give him a book!

He ended up reading all six volumes to decide which book he wanted...we gave him a full set!!

The children--as well as the adults--had fun looking at the books, reading and visiting together.

We had a great time!

Sewing Machines in Bibi Nagar--Completed 6 Jun 2016

On June 6, 2016 we celebrated the beginning of a new sewing training center for the women of Bibi Nagar Village.
Ten Singer sewing machines--with electric motors and treadles--were brought from Hyderabad.

After several delays, the machines, work tables and stools are loaded...

the tables and machines are set up in the classrooms...

ribbons and decorations are in place...

and the banner of appreciation is hung, saying (in Telugu):

"With the help of Bhongin M.L.A.
P. Shekar Reddy and L.D.S. Charities free Training Sewing Machines"

Together, Sister Newton and 
P. Swarupa, Sarpanch (President) of Bibi Nagar, cut the ribbon, while Member of State Legislative Assembly P. Shekar Reddy looks on!



At first glance one might think this was a small insignificant project. What impact could ten sewing machines make in a village of over 8,000 people? A small group of ten ladies asked for the machines and said that others, maybe 40 or 50 women, would learn to sew. When the machines were delivered, the women had found a small two-room building to put the machines and work tables in.  They have designated this as a training center and many, many more women, all those who have a desire, will learn to sew. The Rural Development Office will send two teachers to the village. Forty women will take the course. When the course is finished they will start a new class--and on and on the teaching will go.

The people listened intently as President John Gutty, Hyderabad Stake President and Self-reliance Director for India, spoke to them.  He talked to them about the great opportunity that was being given to them, to learn a new skill that they could use to improve their lives and their families.  After the ceremony, several women approached Pres. Gutty and asked more questions. They also asked if he would have time to help them understand how to go about starting a business.  Pres. Gutty and one of his counselors, Pres. Mekala, who was also in attendance, will be returning to Bibi Nagar to help them in this effort.

Mr. Reddy also encouraged the women to take advantage of this opportunity.  He talked about families and making things better for their children.  Then Mr. Reddy surprised us.  He made a commitment to these women, that those who finish the course and want to continue sewing will receive from him a sewing machine for their home.  This is a kindness out of his own pocket.  He said, “The kindness of LDS Charities has made me want to help my people more.”  He and Pres. Gutty also had a long and meaningful exchange.

The Women said,” We are so happy to have these sewing machines.’
“This is one way to bring us out of our homes to do something good for our family and community…to show our capabilities.”



This project, with very little money, had GREAT results!