Saturday, August 16, 2014

We're going back!!

Greetings!
It's hard to believe that we are reactivating our Landow's India Adventure Blog because it seems like it wasn't that long ago since we were there, however on the other hand in the life of this ministry as well as in the lives within our family, there have been many changes which make it seem like ages since we've journeyed to India!  On that note we are excited to say...we're going back!!  Over the next few months as we prepare to go, we invite you to follow along; for those of you who have read our blog in the past and are familiar with the ministry, we say "welcome back"!  For those checking us out for the first time we encourage you to look back in the archives and see what this is all about!  For all of you, we encourage you to signup for the email updates (see the box on the right of your screen), as they will alert you to future postings.  We would also love for you to become a follower (also to the right) so that you can post comments as we go along.  Now on to what's happening...

Let's start with our family...Emma successfully completed her first year at Lakeland College and is looking forward to beginning her Sophomore year with many new and exciting responsibilities on her plate.  Johanna moved on from homeschooling to working full time at Paradise Garden Nursery where she enjoys working with the flowers, as well as helping with landscaping and tree removal jobs.  Olivia, who is still homeschooling has enjoyed working at the Kewaskum Library this past summer and looks forward to pursuing a job in the medical field.  Sophia, also still homeschooling and my primary sidekick with whatever we're doing likes to spend her free time drawing and working with duck tape. :)  On top of all the commitments and new directions the gals are heading to; they were all still pulled to return to India.  Needless to say, it made things a little more challenging when trying to find a time when it worked for all of us to go, but we managed...we'll be heading out after Christmas, just in time to ring in the New Year with our beloved Indian family!  Then there's "workin' 4 change", the business the gals and I came up with to raise money to pay for our trips; obviously with the majority of our crew working in other avenues towards other life goals it has changed the dynamics of things a bit, nevertheless we keep plugging away.  We all believe (yes, even Big Bob too) that we are being called to return to India, therefore we are trusting that everything will work out...one way or another! :)  We are also thrilled that the "HeadBucks" will be our traveling companions once again!!


My, how the gals have changed since our first post!!
Of course, Big Bob and I haven't one bit! :)

Alrighty enough about us,
 onto what's been happening in India since we've last been there...  
First off, there's the new dining hall 
that is in the process of being built behind the orphanage 
to accommodate all the hostel children 
as well as the lunch bunch kids during meal times.
We raised enough money at our 2013 India Gala to get the ball rolling 
and our hope is to raise the remainder of what is needed to complete this at this years Gala which will be held on Friday October 24.  If all goes as planned we'll be able to have a ribbon cutting ceremony when we go.  Here are a few pictures of building in progress...













Next up is the Light Center, a new building that has been added on to the Marshall School that houses the new computer lab, library and an area for adult education.  The first floor was completed in 2013.








Currently a second floor is being added on to accommodate a possible area for a water storage unit that could supply clean drinking water to the whole village of Madhavapatnam.  It will also have rooms that will be used by a college in a neighboring city as a satellite campus.  

Some of the boys from the orphanage are giving a hand.








The workers taking a break for lunch.


And last but not least, an area has been built to provide the students who bring their lunches from home, shelter from the elements as they eat.  


What a joy it is to know that not only is an education being offered 
to those who may not have had the opportunity otherwise, 
but also that  jobs are being provided for many of the men and women 
of Madhavapatnam as they help build and work within 
Joyful Journeys Ministry in India!

Thank you for taking the time to follow along, our hope is that you can be inspired by the photos and consider how you can "be the change you want to see in the world ~ Gandhi".

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can support this ministry, 
please check out the link to Joyful Journeys on the right side of this blog.

And...don't forget to signup to get email notifications so we can keep you updated to
The Landow's India Adventure!  

FYI...there is exciting news in our next post that you won't want to miss!!!!

Until next time...
Namaste'
~Jenny
Big Bob, Emma, Jo, Loobie, and Sophie too!