India

I had an opportunity to take a trip to India with a group of 10 people who I didn't really know. Seems like my cup of tea!

[We left Wed. March 3, and made it to Chennai late Friday night]

This is the train we would be traveling in for the next 14 hours to Visakhapatnam, India, where we will be working for the next 7 days.


Villages along the train tracks. Very impoverished.



el bano. lovely.


Villages along the train tracks. Very impoverished.


Our cozy cabin. Anita, Catherine, Denyse.


It was fascinating to see the country roll by on the train ride, watching the many, many people doing their daily activities: riding to work, washing laundry, working the fields, repairing the tracks, selling goods.


Another village with wild water buffalo.


a boy filling up a jug of water.


Families live under these bridges.


Working.


We made it to Visakhapatnam in good time. An 'auto' rickshaw.


two boys waiting for their father.


We went to church Sunday morning in 'the slums.'


Pinky playing the hand drums!



the church service


We had the rest of the day to do whatever we wanted. A few of us traveled up a hill to see these gods, Shiva and Parvathi


Denyse, Catherine and I overlooking the city.


Visakhapatnam


We then took a trip down to the beach to say we waded in the Bay of Bengal



just another day at the beach!


Two boys selling sea shells


We made it to our post for the week. Our group would be teaching Vacation Bible School to more than 500 kids! 120 of them live there in the Children's Home/Orphanage, while the rest are able to go home.


Today's Memory Verse



smart kids!


Bruce with some girls.


Arjuna (the director) with his girls.


Denyse with her new friends


Sruthi and me. She was attached to my hip the whole week! Cutie.


Prishanti and Sruthi


Raji and me. (Arjuna's wife and the mother of my good friend in Seattle, Archana!)



The kids sang this song for us almost every day. We love it!
"The tree that was planted in the middle of the field..."


You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around....


Prasad


Kusama, Ramadevi, Sei, Devi - I love these girls!!



A beautiful Hindi dance
(boys will always be boys!)


hanging out during play time.


Sei, Sruthi and me in our 'secret spot.'


the older girls jump roping


Sruthi, Prishanti, and Sei in their bedroom


Kamala Priya. She will be going on to Junior College next year, and eventually a 4 year college to study nursing! Brooke and I have signed on to support her to continue her education. The more children who have this support to continue, the more opportunities to break the cycle of poverty in this country. What a great opportunity. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact me!


On the last day the teachers of the schools, along with all the kids, presented us with these beautiful flower necklaces!...what a gift!!!


colorful tapestries


children outside the school


The kitchen and cafeteria at sunset.
The last day we attended the graduation for the Masters of Theology school that shares the campus with the children's home.


Driving in India is nuts! The lines are merely suggestions, and it is perfectly acceptable to drive within 2 inches of another car/motorcycle/rickshaw/bus/truck, and to use your horn every 30 seconds. who knew?



A taxi ride in Chennai
(accompanied by the driver's sweet music)


The streets of Chennai .



Our final drive in India concluded with a crammed rickshaw along the streets of Chennai, back to the airport.
India...you are so beautiful. In many different ways.
Now back to America.


First....a quick stop in Singapore to unwind for a day. Much needed!

Thank you to everyone who supported me prayerfully and financially for this trip! It has definitely changed my view on life and has made me especially grateful for all that I have.

And thank you to all you beautiful children at the home. I will never forget the memories, joy, and laughter we shared. You have changed my heart in so many ways.

That they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified!
Isaiah 61:3