Wednesday, December 31, 2014

New Years Eve in India...

Happy New Year!
What a beautiful experience it was to celebrate New Year’s Eve with our family in India, quite different then how one would celebrate in America.  After resting a bit from our very busy day, we came back to Novahu’s house for a beautiful service or prayer and remembrance of everything that took place in 2014.  Family members and people from the village alike got up and shared with us their joys and their sorrows from the past year and some of the hostel children sang songs for us.  I was blessed with the opportunity to share some words during their sermon time and was able to talk about God’s unending blessings in the previous year and his unending love or each of us.  The service was very eclectic, for along with the very serious prayers we sang songs (my mom’s favorite was “Put a Little Love in Your Heart”J).  We also shared jokes and stories, at midnight we all ran outside to light fireworks.  After the fireworks, more songs were sung and cake was shared with all.  When I say shared, I mean we cut the cake into small pieces and put the cake into each other’s mouths, wishing them a “Happy New Year”.  Of course, when you do not use any plates or forks, food fights our bound to happen!  Overall, it was a very special night to be a part of and I am so grateful for my time here as I am enjoying every moment of it!! 
God has blessed us with another year, may each of you use it to love and serve in any way we can!  
God Bless,

Emma  


It's customary to decorate the slab in front of your house with chalk
on New Year's Eve.










So much happening...

In and around Marshall School...
Today was a very busy day at the Marshall School 
where we were greeted once again with warm welcomes!!




We had the opportunity to visit each class "room", although not all can truly be called a "room" because some of the classes are held outside as there is simply not enough indoor space available. All the children were so eager to tell me what they were learning and wish us a Happy New Year!






It is so amazing to see how hungry these kids are to get an education
and how content they are to sit either on the floor 
or in tight quarters for approx 8 hours a day.

Jo, Loobie and Sophie had participated in a play last
year through "Homegrown Theater"; a Xerox copy machine
was purchased for the Marshall School from money collected
through this fundraiser!



The latest addition to the school holds a water purification system 
that was donated by the Kakinada Rotary Club. They chose our 
building to house this over other areas within the village which
truly says a lot about the reputation and reliability of the
Marshall School as a vital part of the community. We are 
thrilled to learn that everyone within the village has affordable 
access to clean drinking water now.



In honor of Lora Buck's involvement within the West Bend Rotary 
and her commitment to Joyful Journeys Ministry,
Novahu named it
Lora's Living Water.


These type of jugs can be filled for less than $1. :)


These are the two men who operate and distribute the water...

Plans for possible future construction were discussed; 
Loobie said she would help carry bricks to keep the cost down!


The possibilities are endless!!


A break for fun and games with the hostel children...






Time for lunch, come and get it!!


It was a glorious day for the cooks, hostel children and lunch bunch kids
as it was the first time eating in "Terri's Dining Hall"...




The kids gave it a "two thumbs up"!


Patiently wait in line.

Helping hands cleaning up at the well...

Our afternoon was spent passing out greeting cards and
taking pictures of the school children; but you'll have to wait
to see those posted on the wall at church! :)

So, when we use the term "orphanage" it doesn't necessarily mean
that all the kids who live there don't have any parents. Some of them don't
but many of them simply can't be cared for by their mother, father or guardian. This is the case of the two sisters who's family we had the opportunity to visit tonight; their father had acid thrown on his head and
arm many years ago and was so seriously injured that he could no longer 
provide for his family.  Out of desperation for his children he turned them over to Novahu to give them a hopeful life.  We were welcomed into their 
Palm Fran Hut as they expressed their gratitude with 
handshakes, flowers, and a coke. 
It's hard to put this all into words as I can't imagine being in their shoes.



Many neighbors came out to say 'Happy New Year"
and greet us.



I will close with this for now as we will be heading back
to celebrate New Year's Eve with Novahu shortly.
All I can say is, hug your loved ones, count your blessings,
and be grateful for the life you have...

Namaste' 
~Jenny