Week ending 03 June 2018

Religious Pluralism, including The Indian  Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We are beginning to get a glimpse of the magnitude of this country, its diversity and challenges.  It is clear that we are no longer in “Kansas” nor in the simple, laid-back cultures of the islands.  And we are just starting to scratch the surface.  There are likely more people in a half mile radius of our flat than there are in all of Guam and the Federated States of Micronesia combined.  While we are beginning to see some baby steps that we can take in following up with prior public-affair contacts, our vision has yet to focus. 

Monday we once again visited Old Delhi.  Fascinating place though this week it is much subdued compared to last due to the beginning of Ramadan.  The young Elders took us under their wings as we visited the spice market.  Its the largest in Asia.  

We followed them through a dark passage, nearly choking on the fine dust of chili that filled the air, and up a narrow stairway to the to top of the buildings behind the market for a view of the city.

 Spices drying on the rooftops.

Looking down at the back of the Spice Market.  These British buildings date from the turn of the last century.

Looking down on Delhites at work.

 Views of a mosque on the other side of the market

 Sikh man near the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib (Sikh Temple)

 Jama  Masjid Market, busy for Ramadan

Friday evening we visited the Judah Hyam Synagogue near the Kahn Market.  There are only about 7-8 Jewish families who are long-term residents of the area. (Many left for Israel after India gained independence in 1949.) In addition, Judah Hyam Synagogue is the primary place of worship in New Delhi for Jewish diplomats, business people, artisans and others from around the world who are based in India's capital city.  It is what remains of the Jewish community that has existed here for hundreds of years.  Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar is an amazing man who keeps the synagogue going and is renowned for his interfaith work in Delhi.  We were two of the five who attended evening services but it was a beautiful experience, especially the prayer sung to the open door inviting the Sabbath in.  

This is the Delhi version of a pubic drinking fountain found all around the city.  This one is near the Kahn Market.  The pots are filled daily with fresh water and have a ladle for drinking.

 On Saturday these two returned missionaries from the ward came over for English lessons.

Bishop Gupta has asked me to help with the Primary.  The children are bright and beautiful.  Their favorite song?  "Popcorn popping on the Apricot Tree" of course!  The two little boys on the left of the front row and the little girl second from the left on the back row were all baptized last week.

 Brother and Sister Massey were baptized today in our rooftop font.  They were so excited that they brought refreshments for the whole ward to enjoy afterwards.

 We have a darling set of sisters missionaries in our ward.