We went to Dr. Roy's house for a huge breakfast. He told us about other ministries Priority One has in other parts of the country. Some missionaries get sued by extremist groups, and some get martyred.
There's religious freedom where we were, but if someone claimed you used bribery to convert people you could end up in court. So Vacation Bible School is plainly labeled and parents pay to send their kids. There's no doubt they know what it is.
After breakfast Shajy, an assistant pastor, showed us around the campus. He pointed out some rubber trees they grow on the property. They plan to make rubber and sell it. Between that and teaching, they're trying to make the ministry self-sustaining. "I don't make much money," Shajy joked at one point. "I'm in ministry."
Dr. Roy made a similar joke when he mentioned bribery. What would he bribe people with?
I thought how we were asked to help teach V.B.S. the following day. I decided I'd try not to bribe anyone.
Westernization is happening here, so some traditions are changing. The divorce rate is rising. However, Dr. Roy didn't completely blame Westernization. Getting a job right out of college and supporting oneself is easy nowadays. So divorce is rising.
Arranged marriages are still prevalent. Due to this even seminary and college students are discouraged from mixing. Boys and girls don't talk together much.
Parents research potential spouses for their children, searching back several generations. They often weigh in jobs as well; many couples here work together. Having the same job isn't required, but it helps.
The American in me cringes a bit at the thought of that much parental involvement, but the parents here take great care with it. In a way, it's kind of sweet.
Beka counted how many rupees we had left that evening. One thousand, or just under fifty bucks. That's what most teachers make in a month. And according to Dr. Roy, teachers make a good salary. It still amazes me how little we actually need.
We met some of the seminary teachers at a restaurant for dinner. We listened as they ordered using three different languages. Everyone knew English, and many knew Hindi.
But people come from different states, and each state has its own local language. Ordering food can be confusing.
In the end we got everything we ordered. At least I think we did.
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