April 1973

Hi.

Greetings in Jesus' name from Nagpur, India ... and from me.

Yes I am still alive and well. No I have no aches and pains ... even though, I am unkindly, considered one, but only - by my friends. No, the sun didn't get me either. She tried hard enough though ... However I can't say whether or not it was only for my sake, but the temps went up to a 116.6° Fahrenheit. Did it feel hot? You can't be serious ... I think a trip to the Holy Land should be followed by a trip to Nagpur in the middle of summer to get a first hand experience of the fiery furnace in operation. No, I don't have an air conditioner or an air cooler, but there are ways and means to keep a room reasonably cool – 95° F. – 100° F. at night. I sprinkle lots of water on the floor and then I wet a bed sheet ... Oh no! That’s not what I meant ... I mean I soak a bed sheet in a basin full of water and hang it dripping wet over my mosquito net frame. The ceiling fan blows the air through it and keeps me comparatively cool. I have to get up twice during the night to repeat the process ... but that's life.

Many people drag their beds out on the sidewalk and sleep there. While driving through the city at night is like driving through somebody's bedroom, but that can't be helped either. Well from the looks of it we will go on a language survey in early June. We had some difficulties which interfered with our progress in that direction. The problems are far from being solved but we decided to move out anyhow. We are anxious to get to a tribe and start on our language analysis. Speaking about languages, did you know that India has about 1300 to 1500 of them? Of these 16 regional languages are found in the constitution. The official languages of India are however English and Hindi. Why English? I assure you it's not because they love the British ... only God and I can do that, and I have some good reason ...But for many Indians Hindi is just another regional language (about 32% speak it – so I was told), one out of many and some speakers of the other major tongues feel that there is no reason in the world why a person born in a Hindi speaking area should have an edge on them when it comes to getting a job with the central Government etc. As long as English remains everybody has an equal chance. The state Governments has their own regional language for administrative purposes. Out of the 16 recognized languages 9 have their own distinct script, which unfortunately complicates matters a bit. Does all this language business cause problems? What's that a question or a joke? You ever heard of this limerick?

"There once was a girl from Peru,
who 36 languages knew.
With 36 tongues and one pair of lungs
I don't wonder she is single...
Do you?”

Well India hasn't got that kind of a problem, but just think, India is host to about a dozen or so religions and many of those are world religions. Add to it the cast system. Plus the cultural divergences between the north and south etc. then top it of with 1300-1500 different languages and then you come to believe that the nation called India is a miracle. I don't have any proof from Scriptures, but sometimes I think the Tower of Babel must have stood in the center of India and when the Lord confused their speech most people were not willing to walk far and therefore settled in the neighborhood of the “old tower”, and that's where they still are. Well so much for languages. If you want to know more, please ask.

As I said before I am feeling fine. I lost a bit of weight during the last month and a half, but that was to be expected in this heat. Peter too is well and still enjoying life. Right now we are at the beginning of the Mango season. Wow! Are they ever good! We also have some delicious melons of different types. So living out here has its compensations. Apart from that I love India and wouldn't want to be anywhere else - even though I would love to bury my face in the snow for a change. Anyhow soon we will have the monsoon and then things will be a bit cooler.

My next letter won't be so long in coming as this. I promise!

Sincerely Yours in Christ

Frank.