Dinner Guests

We had a family from church over for dinner last night. Brian and the husband have gotten to be good friends and we just met his wife last Sunday for the first time. I would like to share some things about them to give a glimpse of life here for so many people. They are by far not the poorest of the poor. I think they might be considered lower middle class. But still, compared to most Americans they struggle financially. They said they would like to invite us over for dinner but their home is so small and they don't have a dining room table. They were laughing as they said this so I just laughed along but afterwards I felt bad that I did. I don't ever want them to think we wouldn't go to their house b/c they don't have a table!!

Mohan works for the state as an auditor and was hired b/c he is a good soccer player:) There's a state team that has a quota to fill spots on the team with good athletes therefore giving them day jobs to be able to play on the team. He is looking for a part time night job in addition to his day job and soccer schedule. His job doesn't start til 10:00 am but he has to leave at 7:30 to get his wife and daughter to school on their motorcycle. This is a common thing in India for families to ride on motorcycles when they can't afford a car. We've seen a family of 5 before!Judy is a kindergarten teacher who wakes up at 4:30 am to make homemade lunches for her family (rice, gravy, flat bread, etc) and get she and her daughter dressed. She works 24 kilometers out of town ( i don't know how many miles that is maybe around 18.) Her husband drops her off at a relatives house, she then rides a bike about 2 km to school and rides it back after school for her husband to pick her up. When they get home she cooks and cleans until bed time.

Their sweet daughter is in third grade and has a beautiful smile.

The amazing thing is that they brought this huge fruit basket with candy bars and fresh strawberries. I know to them that was an expensive gift to give. Judy also wants to make us a beef roast since we don't get to eat much beef here...in her spare time?

The hard part about having guests over is we live in a nice apartment--i'm learning that what most americans would consider to be an average apt. is considered luxerious here in India. It's hard when people are embarrassed of their small homes b/c ours is 1200 square feet. And it's hard when they think we are so rich and have left a life of luxery to come and live here. Ofcourse, compared to India standards we are rich, but we don't want anyone to put us on a pedastal in their mind--which it seems like most people here do with westerners. We'd love to just be on even turf--no money involved--but i'm sure that's impossible for us americans to acheive--there is definitely an image and stereotype of america--and it's called wealth.