Ancient Kings, Golconda Forts, and 500 year old Tombs

Last week on Monday, we went as a whole zone to go visit this place called Golconda Fortress which was the capital of a 14th century kingdom. It was built for like an army and battles and stuff over 600 years ago. It was so cool. After that, we visited the actual tombs of where they buried the kings of that kingdom. There were 7 kings and they each had a big huge Muslim tomb building built where they were buried. They were so cool. After some arguing with the other missionaries in my zone on whether to pay for a tour guide or not, I finally talked everyone into it and we all chipped in our 30 rupees(40 cents) each to pay for our tour of the tombs. Let me tell you, it was totally worth it. We learned some super cool things about the architecture and how they built these amazing structures over 500 years ago. Also, we learned that there is still an underground tunnel from the tombs to the forts but they wouldn't let us go inside the tunnel. At that time, the closest and most trusted person in the kingdom was the King's barber. He was the only one trusted enough to be that close to the king with a knife because everyone wanted to kill the king then. Crazy stuff and super cool buildings!

One day this week, we had to cancel some of our plans because we had to travel across town to conduct a baptism interview for another ward. I was happy to go conduct a baptism interview, don't get me wrong, that's totally awesome but we had to cancel some stuff because we were told last minute about it. We prayed that God could place some people in our path to meet and talk with as we traveled there and back. The travel is about an hour and a half there and another hour and a half back. We met an investigator that was taught before by the Elders before me and got to talk with him on the way there. As we got to the metro station, we met a member on the metro and talked with him. After we did the baptism interview and went out, a member from the other ward was going to the metro so we traveled with him. As we talked with him, turns out his relatives live in our area and he gave us a referral to go and teach them. Finally as we get out of the metro and we are going to get an auto, we met another investigator that we have been trying to meet with. We got to set and appointment with him to meet this week. It was awesome! Even though we thought we had to change our plans, I think God had a plan all along. 

Well, Bashira was interviewed for baptism this week and obviously passed with flying colors. She is doing amazing. She even came to our District Council this week just because she wanted to. Everything is coming together so nicely with her journey in the gospel. She is studying the Book of Bormon daily and loves it more and more each day. Similarly like I have felt, she also has felt from the inmost part of her heart that the gospel is true and there is nothing that will change her mind or stop her from living it. Even her parents are starting to support her and her decision to be baptized which is a big change from when they first found out about her learning about Jesus Christ. We are planning to do her baptism in the next two weeks. She has invited all of her friends.

I totally love my companion right now. His name is Elder Gaddala. He is from Mumbai and he is a stud!! We are doing great together. Elder Gaddala is super nice. When I was sick, he made me breakfast and lunch. We have too much fun as we are out finding and roaming he streets of India. Hahah we also had a great time today playing basketball. I don't have much time to write but I'll add more pictures this week!

Love you guys!!

Love, Elder Baker 

                                                     Bashira with us at district council

    Some good food that someone made for us. It's a chapati and curries and some pulav rice.

            I just got a new mattress this week luckily, but this was my old mattress, what the!!?

                                                           Ice cream is my favorite 

                                      This is called Chicken Mandi and it was soo good.

                        The Chief Minister was in Hyderabad and there was so many people.

                                                   Nenu inca na prema Elder Gaddala

 This was just a beautiful cloud one day we saw and took a pic. the silver lining and sun rays. 

                   THIS is Varghese, the legend we found last week with the crazy miracle.

             Elder Gaddala and I sitting on the couch. the dad of this house loves photography.

                             Bashira treated us to some ice cream after our lesson with her.

            This cake wasn't actually for me but it was my 18th month mark so I cut it and ate it.

                                       Some arches at Golconda forts. This pic is so sweet

                The main tomb of the king. His body was buried directly under this huge tomb.

                                                            Smaller Muslim buildings 

   This is another huge tomb. We actually went inside this one and saw where the body is buried.

           This is the Taj Mahal. Hahah just kidding I wish, just another tomb but it is still sick!!

 Some of us Elders sitting together in the top of the fort 

 The view of the city from almost the top of the forts. they are built on a mountain.

 Elder Gaddala and I rocking the matching kurta's.

Some big rocks at the top of the mountain

 This is at the top of the fort. I pictured it where like the guys stick their bow and arrows in the gaps and shoot their arrows through. 

This is inside one of the buildings. It was all white and would've been a fun place to go paintballing. 

 We were taking a picture in the arch at the top and this worker just stayed with us. He was chill though. 

This is the view from the bottom of the forts looking up.

The workers in the arch doing their thing

 Me in my kurta in this sick corridor 

 This is the building from the outsides with the cool arches. Inside those pillars are the sweet arch corridor looking thing. They made this huge building out of these huge stones 500 years ago!