http://www.flickr.com/photos/52906936@N08/
I opened an account so I can share some photos besides what I have on Facebook. My internet is very slow, so I will be lucky to upload one a day. If you check periodically, hopefully you will find some new ones!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
WFC/ Tuni
The last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. Two weeks ago, the team from Westside arrived in Trichy. It was so great to be there at the airport to receive them and greet both the familiar and new faces. Having them here with me was exactly like our mission trip last year, while at the same time, completely different. I experienced new things with different people, but God was as present as ever. With Father Dhana, the decision was made to get more involved in those villages and schools receiving water. The trip to Tuni only reinforced that decision as we went into the villages and saw how the people were filled up with the love of our Father. It was great to share in the experiences of dedicating wells provided by 4 different members from our trip. How cool to see the outcome from all their hard work and giving!
Seeing all the children at New Life and Light of Love again was incredible. Being there just two months before, it was a great feeling to have them all greet me by name and actually be able to name a few of them myself. Having Chinni, from Light of Love, run to me calling out “Hi, Mommy!” was definitely a highlight. I love the way she always finds me when I come and stays right by my side. It’s also pretty cool that after only 3 visits, the kids know exactly who to run and find for me when I show up.
One day of the trip, I was surprised to find we were basically running a youth conference. I love that anything can happen in India and the most you need is 30 seconds notice! When Viser asked who wanted to speak, Jesus volunteered me. I don’t know if I’ve ever been as scared as I was standing in front of over 100 young adults encouraging them to go where God leads them. I am incredibly thankful for Mike being right by my side and the rest of the team directly behind as support. God brought several teenagers to their knees that day, and I’m glad I could be there to stand by their side and pray for them, even if I couldn’t offer a word of encouragement in Telugu that they would understand.
The hardest part will always be saying goodbye. I thought I would be ok this time knowing I will return soon, but driving away from all those beautiful faces and my friends heading back to American was as difficult as ever.
The ending was bittersweet. After a week of traveling in cars and trains and hotel stays, it was nice to return to the place in India I now call home. I was proud to get every name correct in the swarm of children as we unloaded from the van at my school. As if I could forget them so quickly! Since then, I have enjoyed building even stronger bonds with all the kids. The more comfortable they become with me, the more I feel at home. It has also been fun introducing my mother to culture. She is picking up on things quickly and the kids love having her around. I am thankful for the English practice! Don’t know what I’ll do when I have to go back to speaking pure Tamil in one month.
BTW..prayer at my school is 30 minutes, so if you have any requests, please send them my way!
Seeing all the children at New Life and Light of Love again was incredible. Being there just two months before, it was a great feeling to have them all greet me by name and actually be able to name a few of them myself. Having Chinni, from Light of Love, run to me calling out “Hi, Mommy!” was definitely a highlight. I love the way she always finds me when I come and stays right by my side. It’s also pretty cool that after only 3 visits, the kids know exactly who to run and find for me when I show up.
One day of the trip, I was surprised to find we were basically running a youth conference. I love that anything can happen in India and the most you need is 30 seconds notice! When Viser asked who wanted to speak, Jesus volunteered me. I don’t know if I’ve ever been as scared as I was standing in front of over 100 young adults encouraging them to go where God leads them. I am incredibly thankful for Mike being right by my side and the rest of the team directly behind as support. God brought several teenagers to their knees that day, and I’m glad I could be there to stand by their side and pray for them, even if I couldn’t offer a word of encouragement in Telugu that they would understand.
The hardest part will always be saying goodbye. I thought I would be ok this time knowing I will return soon, but driving away from all those beautiful faces and my friends heading back to American was as difficult as ever.
The ending was bittersweet. After a week of traveling in cars and trains and hotel stays, it was nice to return to the place in India I now call home. I was proud to get every name correct in the swarm of children as we unloaded from the van at my school. As if I could forget them so quickly! Since then, I have enjoyed building even stronger bonds with all the kids. The more comfortable they become with me, the more I feel at home. It has also been fun introducing my mother to culture. She is picking up on things quickly and the kids love having her around. I am thankful for the English practice! Don’t know what I’ll do when I have to go back to speaking pure Tamil in one month.
BTW..prayer at my school is 30 minutes, so if you have any requests, please send them my way!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Daily Schedule
A few people have asked about a typical day here, so I thought I would give an update on the schedule.
*The morning details, I am just going from what they tell me, because I am not as quick out of bed in the morning and the children. Most of them wake up around five and have their bath and then go to study hall. At six they have morning prayer and usually I can hear the prayer song on the speakers from my room. Then, they go back to study hall until 7:15.
*All Primary and secondary students follow the same bell schedule.
7:15- Cleaning work (sweeping, trash dumping)
7:45- Breakfast
8:30- Classroom study hall (1st bus of village children arrives)
9:15- School prayer and national anthem
9:30- 1st period starts (2nd bus arrives)
10:20- 2nd period
11:00- 10 minute break (recess)
11:10- 3rd period
11:50- 4th period
12:40- Lunch
1:40- 5th period
2:20- 6th period
3:00- 10 minute break (recess)
3:10- 7th period
3:50- 8th period
4:30- Recreation time
5:30- Evening study hall
7:15- Evening prayer (Rosary)
7:45- Supper
8:15- Free time (I have agreed to 15 minutes with the girls and 15 minutes with the boys because it was the easiest way to please everyone)
8:45- Night study
9:30- Sleeping
They have school most Saturdays, so it's the same schedule. Sundays they have morning church and afternoon mass. The rest of the day is free for parents and family to come visit and many students take naps. There are still several hours for them to study though. This week every student has their big public exam, so there is more studying than usual. They are looking forward to the visit from Westside's team though with many dances planned. They also get a 3 day holiday to go home and rest from all the exams.
I am looking forward to seeing the team as well and will keep their safe travels in my prayer.
*The morning details, I am just going from what they tell me, because I am not as quick out of bed in the morning and the children. Most of them wake up around five and have their bath and then go to study hall. At six they have morning prayer and usually I can hear the prayer song on the speakers from my room. Then, they go back to study hall until 7:15.
*All Primary and secondary students follow the same bell schedule.
7:15- Cleaning work (sweeping, trash dumping)
7:45- Breakfast
8:30- Classroom study hall (1st bus of village children arrives)
9:15- School prayer and national anthem
9:30- 1st period starts (2nd bus arrives)
10:20- 2nd period
11:00- 10 minute break (recess)
11:10- 3rd period
11:50- 4th period
12:40- Lunch
1:40- 5th period
2:20- 6th period
3:00- 10 minute break (recess)
3:10- 7th period
3:50- 8th period
4:30- Recreation time
5:30- Evening study hall
7:15- Evening prayer (Rosary)
7:45- Supper
8:15- Free time (I have agreed to 15 minutes with the girls and 15 minutes with the boys because it was the easiest way to please everyone)
8:45- Night study
9:30- Sleeping
They have school most Saturdays, so it's the same schedule. Sundays they have morning church and afternoon mass. The rest of the day is free for parents and family to come visit and many students take naps. There are still several hours for them to study though. This week every student has their big public exam, so there is more studying than usual. They are looking forward to the visit from Westside's team though with many dances planned. They also get a 3 day holiday to go home and rest from all the exams.
I am looking forward to seeing the team as well and will keep their safe travels in my prayer.
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