Monday, January 2, 2017

We made it...Happy 2017!!

Well, after 41 hours of traveling...WE MADE IT!!
However, Russ's luggage didn't. :(
But hey, if seeing Russ in the same outfit all week is the worst that can happen
I think we can handle that.  At least none of the Christmas greeting cards for the school children weren't in his luggage.  
Interesting fact: as we were patiently waiting to find out what was happening to Russ's luggage, the Hallelujah Chorus rang out through the Hyderabad Airport.  
What a joyful reminder of the reason for the season 
and for the real gift we are going to bring to India; LOVE. 
Pretty amazing all things considered.

So highlight photos from our travels thus far, besides missing luggage...
Excited travelers beginning their journey

New Year's Day in the Abu Dhabi Airport
$36 dollars for 3 waters and 3 chocolate chip croissants to share
(we splurged; it is New Year's Day after all) 

Good Gore, I ripped my skirt!! (and it kept getting worse as we traveled)
Quite embarrassing seeing as many of the women we are encountering through our travels don't even show there face. 

Morning devotion in our cubicle in Hyderabad airport.
Beautiful way to begin our day, even if it is a big snug in this room.
Thank you Emma for preparing this special daily time together.
Russ contemplating his lost luggage; or maybe simply taking a nap. :)

Last flight, almost there...

Yahoo; we made it!!
 Warm welcome by our beloved Indian family...

Bus ride to Madhavapatnam; seeing India for the first time 
through Hunters eyes as he sits in the front of the bus...




Finally arriving in the village and being greeted by the children...

A special welcoming ceremony...













Words can hardly describe the range of emotions we've experienced over the past few days;
being able to share this with the Demmons has brought back many memories from our first trip here...the intense culture shock of India to the overwhelming love we are greeted with; 
I am grateful for this opportunity and all who have shown their support along the way and feel blessed to be traveling was such an awesome group of
"shine brites"!!!!!!!!


Russ, Kaitlin and Hunter with the Valluri family
The Landowski and Valluri families
And now it is time to crawl into bed; we've got a full day ahead of us tomorrow
and I welcome it with great anticipation!!

Namaste'
~Jenny