Annual Hindu Offering Day to Prepare for Their Fishing Season.

My surf / fishing friends invited me to go with them to make and present their offerings to their Hindu gods in preparation for their upcoming fishing season.  I know you might be thinking "Cody did WHAT!" but for them to invite me is an unheard of honoring privilege.  The time spent with them and all the things I learned about what they believe was super imperative to our relationships and my influence.  It's been awesome seeing what just good ol fashion time spent together does for building solid relationships.  

So The day started off at 6am as we all loaded in to the back of a u-haul Aka "sauna on wheels" and drove 2 hours to "one of the most "powerful temples."  I couldn't figure out why we were passing tons of temples but they said if they were going to have a good fishing season they had to go to this specific temple.  We spent the rest of the morning preparing the offering which consisted of hand grating 50+ coconuts, peeling and cutting bags and bags of fruit,  making a huge pan of milk rice, pitting 6lbs of dates, and making coconut milk.  I helped with all of this and even got to share my life story with one of the guys while we grated coconuts.  When it was time for them to go offer it to their gods they showed me great respect by telling me they understood even before I said I wouldn't be participating in the offering part of the day.  During this 2 hour period I took the opportunity to pray for each one of the boys specifically and by name.  I asked tons of questions that led into some great discussions about religion.  At the end of the day this was an awesome divine opportunity that broke down walls, erased rumors, and strengthened our friendships.