Campmeeting in the hills

We may have skipped the country but are still taking in the local church functions and enjoying our status as members of a worldwide family. On Sabbath Gina and I melted into the group, as much as possible, at the 52nd Garo Annual Meeting. It was so liberating to be part of an event that would happen exactly the same whether we were present or not. We did cause a small stir and a unique photographic opportunity. Some people just had to take pictures with us.









The nightly meetings were cold. Gina dressed warm. One evening after the meeting was over a cow wandered in. I had go up and say hello.







My favorite person in the whole meeting was this old man who always had the biggest smile on his face. he seemed to be alone but always made you feel like you were part of his world.









This is my favorite picture, a child with the sun shining across his face. The second runner up.... well there were many.
























The meetings began Wednesday night but because of work responsibilities I had to wait till sabbath to take pictures during the day. There where thousands of people, many traveled several hours from their remote villages to attend the meetings. This annual meeting means more to the Garo people than just getting together once a year. There aren't enough churches and pastors to go around so believers bring their tithes and offerings to the meetings. Pastors take the opportunity while everyone is together to conduct mass baptisms and weddings. We got the rare opportunity, as foreigners, to be present during the baptisms. The last picture is a mass wedding. Fourteen couples were in attendence.