Lions, Tigers and Bears...oh my!

Crocs keepin' it cool.

Zoo day!  Or should I say lots of walking on hot dusty trails to find a few animals day.  I shouldn't complain, we did have fun.  I thought of my little niece and nephews and how they would have enjoyed seeing all the wild animals.  The best part were the snakes hanging from the trees surrounded by low fences and even lower security.  The whole place was something from one of those Asian game shows where the contestants compete by sticking their hands into the lion's cage until someone loses a limb.  The railings were knee high and you could have easily ventured into the exhibits with these ferocious animals. We were told there are never any accidents but I question: would they admit it?

Lurking in murky waters

 

$5 if you can spot the tiger
We thought of putting up a sign that read "Rare white American tourists" and charging our own fee.  I'm not sure who was photographed more - us or the tigers. 

My beautiful friends, I missed them so much!

Ria calling to the tigers to come 

It worked

So regal 

These tourists stink

The best part of the day for me (other than the hilarity of all the potential danger) was a young guy we met.  We were the first Americans he'd ever met.  He asked us for a coin, so Courtney gave him a quarter and a dollar bill.  His face lit up and he couldn't believe it.  He exclaimed "This is the best day of my life"
I'd like to think meeting us would be.  

Feeding the poor

We were blessed to be part of a weekly happening here with our Visag friends. Feeding the poor takes place each Tuesday and these pictures don't do it justice.  First, the prep work.  As you can see, that's quite the task.  Eggs, onions, tomatoes, garlic, coconut, ginger, spices and rice are just a few of the yummy ingredients used.  This food is being prepared with the greatest care and love for those most in need.  Approximately 300 will be fed by this giant meal.  

The chickens were working overtime today

The smells are incredible!

Scooping the rice into individual packets

These will be sealed into personal sized portions

Praying over the day

Beginning thedistributions

How can you truly explain what this does to your heart & spirit? 

Sharing the good news and asking about health needs

The people joining in prayer.  We were told they rarely see the same people twice, especially the children since they are sold and exchanged for food and begging etc.  Daily life on the streets. 

Praying for this man's foot

The team is so fired up and delivers a prompt, direct and powerful word before the police come

Eager ears

 Although I was mainly behind the lens, I also helped with the distribution.  I prayed over each package of food handed out believing that it's recipients would find the living water that would never cause them to thirst again.  If you don't find something scripture based to stand on you WILL be crippled by compassion.  It is extremely overwhelming especially when you realize that the supply is now running low and there will not be enough for the large crowds rapidly gathering.  I choked back tears when that truth hit me and just in time, we were asked to quickly return to our vehicles.

The fact is, there isn't enough money to reach all of India.  There isn't enough food or medical supplies or even time.  The ONLY resource powerful enough to make a difference is the HOLY power of Jesus.  We had to believe that each transference of our hand to theirs accompanied by preaching and praying the word of God will indeed make a difference in their lost lives.

Train Travel

While we're sad to be leaving the children and our new friends we made in Ongole, we're excited for the new adventures that await us in Visag.  

A 12 hour train ride calls for some Phase 10 and make shift card tables.  We were blessed to be sharing our booth with a friendly elderly couple who's son lives in Arizona.  The husband spoke nearly perfect English and offered us some of his wife's homemade snacks - a kind gesture that almost made up for his incessant snoring.   Every person who walked by had to do their 45 second stare (that's an average we've come up with) of course it can range to minutes on end accompanied by sneaky mobile pics and even stalking. 

 It's pretty tight on board, but such a great experience, so when you come, make sure you travel by train at least once.  Poor Courtney was a little scrunched but she didn't complain.  We have a way of making things fun and finding the humor in anything.  Like the passenger who was opposite Grace.  He boarded at 2am and we were thinking his bunk was empty.  We had stored and locked up all our bags and then had to rearrange everything to fit whilst half asleep.  Never a dull moment!

We arrived in Visag at 4am and were greeted by our beautiful friends!  So wonderful to see familiar faces again after 2 years!  We're looking forward to what God has for us on our next leg of this adventure! 

SCH wrap up

We have had such a wonderful 9 days at Sarah's Covenant Home in Ongole.  Each day was a gift in itself and we were met with surprises at every turn. I didn't know what to expect coming into this part of my journey and was blown away by the blessings that poured out.  Our hearts were touched and our lives forever changed.  Thank you to all the full-timers who shared their love, tears, stories and time with us.  We will always admire your hard work, diligence and obedience in serving Him.

Here are some of my fond memories from time spent at SCH.

These 4 young ladies prayed for our future husbands to come after we agreed with them for theirs.  It was precious and I will never forget that prayer. (They said next year, so stay posted)

We were fortunate to visit the older girl's who stay in an apartment with Patty.  They were a blast and we had fun singing songs and taking pictures.

The Aya's (the ladies who work and live at SCH with the children) dressed us up in their own sari's.  It was so much fun!

We got to take 4 of the girl's on an outing in town.  It was so hard to chose.  Can you see the excitement BEAMING from their faces?!

We went to Ramya's Sweet Shoppe for Ice cream

Chocolate for Rebekah

...and for Grace

Wendy was loving it!

So was Ruthie

She couldn't get enough!
It was such a thrill to treat these deserving girls.  They were hugging us and smiling big the entire time.  People were looking at us like we had two heads.  3 white girls with 4 Indian children isn't a daily occurance, so we just smiled and waved like we owned the place. 
 This is Aloe.  She is a little princess and by little I mean teeny-tiny.  But, she knows what she wants in a BIG way!  She has been lovingly called "Mighty -Mouse" and is just precious.  We bonded right away and I couldn't wait to see her each day.  

Courtney & Aloe

She loves pushing her chair around

Mighty Mouse!!

She loves seeing herself in the mirror

In closing, one of my most favorite relationships I formed was with Erin.  This woman is just amazing, plain and simple.  In fact, she deserves an entire blog entry but I know she would never have it that way.  She walks a humble, serving, giving, loving and compassionate life.  She moved to India several years ago and pours her heart out at SCH.  Her sidekick is Cassie (unfortunately, I didn't get a shot of her) the two of them blow my mind.  We connected in a wonderful way and I am honored to have served alongside them.

Erin braving it on her wild ride in India!

Job Description?

I do not have a medical degree.  I can not diagnose or start an iv. But, what I CAN do, I'm good at- loving and caring for those in need. Maybe you're reading thinking, "I don't know if I could go to India and do that stuff".  We had a conversation last night during our debrief wondering how these full time volunteers do this day in and day out.  The needs are so vast and if you looked with your natural eye, you'd see a big, black, bottomless hole. We were 'forewarned' of this in our orientation and after a week, we're finally seeing why.  But, we're also seeing that each team member and anyone who dare make a step of faith to venture here, functions in their specific role. Each one has a part to play and something unique to offer.  We are just mere (wo)men and our abilities are limited, our skills are meager BUT our hearts are eager.

What we've come to do is NOT sit in pity, or be stunned by the overwhelming details.  We carry a light.  We carry a truth.  We stand fast in what we believe and we know the difference we can make.  The power we function in trumps all other seemingly needed qualifications and we move forward confidently in this.  Every hand we hold, every smile we show, each prayer we pray with power and each word we give in truth, breaks the chains and frees those around us.

So, what IS our job description?  What are we doing here? Because of the joy set before us, the following have become our daily acts of service.

Loving on  babies

Spending time with children

Comforting those in need

Playing games & bringing laughter

Putting band-aids on boo-boo's...

...BUT praying first. 

....and bringing joy!

cutting hair with dull scissors... 

and wiggly toddlers.

Clipping finger & toe nails 

Sharing the GOOD news

Bringing energy and encouragement to others 

 Here we are with Betty, a wonderful lady who has been serving full time in one of the girl's homes. We were so blessed to have met her and hear her story about coming to India on a short trip which then turned into a 3 month stay.  She left the comforts of her New Hampshire life and moved into a 3rd floor apartment with 10 girls (4 of whom are blind).  She cares for these girls night and day.  None of the children or helpers speak very much English and have various health needs. They have no refrigerator, no stove and barely enough room.  What they do have is joy, love and laughter.  Betty has seen the Lord fulfill her needs while here in India.  She teaches the girls English and life skills. We were able to offer her some encouragement and support.  Sometimes when you're homesick all you need is to be understood.  She has been a huge inspiration to us all and we're blessed to co-labor together.