I love him. Basically, he is awesome. In America, I would estimate that 99.99% of people do not have the pleasure of having a watchman at their place of residence, but in India it is quite common... and it is lovely, especially if you are a weirdo like me who likes to muse about these kinds of things and make connections to life and love and God from the simplest of realities. And I really do.
We can't really communicate that well... or can we? My night watchman works from I think around 7pm to 7am. He speaks Marathi and Hindi, and I well... don't. I do speak a little Hindi actually... I studied it in college... but I have pretty much exhausted the BICS conversations with him (if you are an ESL teacher reading this, you just really appreciated that reference, so you are welcome). [BICS= Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills]
Anyways, I diverge. He is the sweetest man ever and takes his job very seriously. Each night when I come home, he eagerly jumps up from his chair, smiles and waves, and runs into the foyer to press the elevator button and hold the door open for me. This is a glorious moment I cherish each evening. How wonderful to have this man waiting for me, eager to invite me home and ensure my safety. He always says hello and I make the grandest effort to infuse my smile and simple greeting with as much respect and honour and friendliness as I can muster.
The other night something amazing happened: he offered me some of his evening meal. He motioned for me to walk over saying, "Come, come." He pointed to his bowl and said, "Chawal," which means "Rice." He handed me a piece of his chapati (bread) and motioned for me to dip it in his rice and vegetable soup. I gratefully did, knowing that this was a gesture of friendliness and community. I asked him how he was as I sat on the floor next to him, and he smiled and nodded. I said, "Ye khana bahut acha hei" (This food is really good.) He smiled and said again, "Chawal," wanting me to take more rice.
It seems I have a new friend. He loves that I try to speak Hindi to him... I honestly cannot WAIT to give him his Diwali present next week. (It is customary here to give a monetary gift for the holiday.) My roommate made him a Diwali lamp, and I'm going to bring him a Marathi Bible since I know he recently visited a new church and I don't think he has one in his mother language (it's a surprise... don't tell him!). :-)
I have a new understanding of the Scripture that says that the Lord watches over our "going out and coming in". We have 24 hour protection, someone looking out for us while we are far away asleep. No need to worry... "Daddy don't sleep... Daddy don't slumber..." Rest and know you are welcome home, nothing will hurt you tonight. God bless, dear ones.
