ABOUT THIS BLOG

This blog is produced by the Shep Family... we post letters and photos that Kyle sends us from time to time...

A resident of Chennai is called a Chennaiite. As of 2001, Chennai city had a population of 4.34 million, while the total metropolitan population was 7.04 million. The estimated metropolitan population in 2006 is 4.5 million.In 2001, the population density in the city was 63,926 per mi, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The average literacy rate is 80.14%, much higher than the national average of 64.5%. The city has the fourth highest population of slum dwellers among major cities in India, with about 820,000 people (18.6% of its population) living in slum conditions. In 2005, the crime rate in the city was 313.3 per 100,000 people, accounting for 6.2% of all crimes reported in major cities in India. The number of crimes in the city showed a significant increase of 61.8% from 2004.

The majority of the population in Chennai are Tamilians. Tamil is the primary language spoken in Chennai. English is widely spoken especially in business, education and white collar professions.

According to the 2001 census, Hindus constitute about 81.27% of the city's population, and Muslims (9.37%), Christians (7.63%) and Jains (1.05%) are other major religious groups

Chennai is a major centre for music, art and culture in India.[77] The city is known for its classical dance shows and Hindu temples. Every December, Chennai holds a five-week long Music Season celebrating the 1927 opening of the Madras Music Academy


Among Chennai's festivals, Pongal is celebrated over five days in January, is the most important. Almost all major religious festivals such as Deepavali, Eid and Christmas are celebrated in Chennai. Tamil cuisine in Chennai includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Many of the city's restaurants offer light meals or tiffin, which usually include rice-based dishes like pongal, dosa, idli and vadai,


Climate

Chennai has a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet and dry climate. The city lies on the thermal equator and is also on the coast, which prevents extreme variation in seasonal temperature. The weather is hot and humid, for most of the year. The hottest part of the year is late May to early June, known locally as Agni Nakshatram ("fire star") or as Kathiri Veyyil,[32] with maximum temperatures around 38–42 °C (100–108 °F). The coolest part of the year is January, with minimum temperatures around 18–20 °C (64–68 °F). The lowest temperature recorded is 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) and highest 45 °C (113 °F). The average annual rainfall is about 51 in. The city gets most of its seasonal rainfall from the north-east monsoon winds, from mid-October to mid-December. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal sometimes hit the city. The highest annual rainfall recorded is 2,570 mm (101 in) in 2005.

Followers

Monday, July 19, 2010

July 15 2010


Wow!

It sounds like everyone has been having an exciting week.
I think I would have enjoyed seeing the Falls and Church History sites.
You also got to hear the mission president speak, huh? I imagine it may not have been significant or entertaining for my sisters, but I can see myself really enjoying hearing from him.
I'm glad that everyone is getting along and enjoying each other!

In Chennai we had a baptism! His name is Vikram. He is doing his fourth year of college and has been attending Church on and off since he was in 8th grade. His family is Hindu, and so was he, but his friend invited him to Church activities and he went with him, then Church. He soon became so involved with Church that he was spending his whole weekends there with activities, Church, and friends. His parents did not allow his baptism, but now, 7 years later he was referred over to us and was old enough and separated enough from his parents to decide to be baptized, just as he always wanted.

Well, wish granted. His friend couldn't come from Hyderabad to baptize him... so we made Elder Bennett do it! Yay! His first baptism on a mission. It was well done. He was nervous, but he did a great job.

We will have baptisms next week and then the next also.

Unfortunately....

I've been transferred.
My new assignment is Visakhapatnam.

I've thoroughly impressed President Funk and promptly been reassigned to Gajuwaka, a new branch on the outskirts of Visak.

I will be with Elder Powell, who was previously in my District in Hyderabad, and whose parents are good members of Chennai. I know them well. They are excited for me to go and serve with their son. I will again be the "petty cash custodian" and will be reviving the Branch

I'm sad to leave Chennai, but excited to work in Visak. I've visited there a few times before. It should be a fun city. My Zone Leaders are... Elder Mackay and Elder Cranney. I was, of course, Elder Mackay's companion and Elder Cranney's District Leader in Hyderabad. Actually, my District Leader is going to be Elder Lofgran... I was his District Leader in Hyderabad also. So, round circle. Looks like I've been given my opportunities to serve and will be doing my part. Okay. I told the Mission President that he could put me anywhere with anyone doing anything. He did.

I love you.

Father: I'm waiting on my list of online classes to approve. I've been sending you emails to edwin.shep@hotmail.com, but they aren't reaching you. Where should I send your emails.

Mom: Thanks for the thorough play-by-play of the week. People keep asking if your my sister in my family pictures I show them

Sisters: I love you

Kyle
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