I wanted to write to you briefly about village life in India. We have made several trips to the village since I have been here, and the experience is remarkably different from what you would experience in the city. People are very friendly and hospitable. They always want to give you what they have regardless of the fact that they don't have much. One of the problems I face in the village if I visit several people's homes is that I don't have enough room in my stomach to eat all they want to serve me. Their food is always so good. In the village, most people are farmers so they have places for their livestock to stay. Many times the livestock live in very close proximity to the homes. Life is quiet and peaceful. It is very simple without all of the hustle and bustle. It is a great place to practice language because people continue to make the effort to speak to you. You don't feel like you are an outsider even if there is a language barrier because people treat you as part of their family. In fact, if they know you through a friend, they will often call you brother, or the children will call you uncle. It's a very warm environment. Most homes only consist of one bedroom where the parents and children sleep together. They will often have lots of room outside for guests to sit. If people are well off, they will have more than one room in their house. Sometimes it is very difficult to drive out in the village because the roads are so narrow. Oftentimes you will be overtaken by tractors or big trucks. When the rain comes, the roads flood alot and the ground is often very muddy. It is a very simple life, and it helps remind how simple life can be. We distract ourselves with sin and complicate things, but really the Father just demands for us simple obedience. People of humble means can easily understand this. They are willing to give their all to Him!
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