Wednesday, June 27

Today we were up early again and heading to the New Hope School to help teach the kids.  We once again worked with the little guys on numbers and counting, ABCs, body parts, and anything else we could think of.  We also sang songs with them - My God is so Big, If Your Happy and You Know It, The Hokey Pokey!  For craft we worked with them to create picture frames that said "Jesus Loves Me" and had their name on it.  The frames turned out really cute and then we left the pictures for Rudra and Mita to put in the frames.  It was so much fun!  When classes were over for the little guys, we had a time of devotional.  Christy told the story of Jesus' birth to the kids while Mita translated.  Then we sang Go Tell It on the Mountain.  As the little kids leave each day, there is a snack that is handed out.  Monday's snack was a banana and cookies...not bad.  Today, it was 2 pieces of bread and one small jelly packet.  I was able to stand to hand out the snack and smile at each child.  When the little kids were gone, I passed out the bread and jelly to the older students.  I was amazed as I watched some of them put either their bread or their jelly packet into their backpack so they would have something to eat later.  Wow!  Then, Santu and Raju (the teachers) offered snacks to us.  I took one piece of bread and one jelly packet.  As I spread out my jelly, I caught myself wishing I could put another packet of jelly on the bread b/c there wasn't as much as I am used to.  Then it hit me....  What a spoiled little girl I am!  These children are more than grateful, even saving for later, their 2 pieces of bread and one jelly packet and I am sitting here wishing for more!  God, change my heart I cried!  Then in my brokenness I happily ate my one piece of bread with one packet of jelly spread on it.  I didn't take more... it could be given to someone in the village that wouldn't eat otherwise. 

The rest of the morning was spent teaching the older children.  Today they were working on learning different kinds of flowers and how to spell them.  We did the frames with these kids too and then sang songs with them.  The general favorite is the Hokey Pokey among both groups!  All too soon it was time to say goodbye to the kids and head for lunch.  We went to the mall we had been to on Monday again.  This time we took Mita, Santu, Raju, Mamata, and SM with us to eat.  We ate a really good Chinese restaurant again today.  It was a great time of fellowship.

  Doing the Hokey Pokey!

Picture frames the kids made...such sweet faces!

Riding the escalator to lunch

When we got back to the school it was time for sewing.  The few women who hadn't completed their bags finished sewing those and the rest of the time women spent working on their baskets.  They were beautiful once they were done (but I don't think we have any pictures of the completed ones).  I tried to work on mine, but my fingers were so sweaty that I couldn't get the needle to work...so I just sat and enjoyed the women's company instead.  Before long it was time to tell these women goodbye also.

Then Cheryl lead a henna party with several of the women in the village.  A couple of sweet J-gals (Melinda and Sarah) came to help out.  They presented the story of the woman at the well.  Then the women went to work applying the story with the henna to each other's hands.  They were beautiful!  Cheryl ended by telling the woman that although the henna will fade, Jesus' love will never fade.  How cool is that!?  

Village woman showing off her henna

While Cheryl held the henna party, the rest of us started setting up for the medical clinic.  This was to be the final clinic.  The "check-in team" started checking in patients outside while the henna party wrapped up.  Then after a short "program" and prayer we started the clinic.  This night I saw about 40 patients!  Once again we were very thankful for Amy's help.  I don't know if we could have done the clinic without her there.  She did many blood pressures for us as our automatic cuffs were not reliable.  The highlight of this night was being able to diagnose and treat a woman.  She was almost in tears she was so grateful! 

A., Bill, and Melinda checking people in for clinic



Either SM or PM (I can't tell which) giving a short program before the clinic starts.

We finished clinic around 9pm tonight.  We left quickly and took Amy home.  After running in to use the restroom there, we headed back to BMS for a quick dinner and bed.  It was a full and fulfilling day!  I am in love with the children at the school, and with those who work there!  I know I will return home a different person!

Up tomorrow - Shopping at a Bazaar, prayer walk through the Udayan Pally Village, prayer time at several different sites in New Town, and dinner at Rudra and Mita's house.