Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Big Celebration Day...

Today was our last full day in Madhavapatnam and that meant a day full of celebrations!  It started with a special lunch for all the students from the Marshall School.  Feeding 450 children within an hours time took a great deal of effort; the words I use to best describe that process would be "organized chaos"! But many hands kept things flowing, as they needed to eat in shifts, so eventually the children were all fed and sent home for the afternoon so the teachers could also enjoy the meal.
Everyone washed their hands before they ate.



It's amazing how patient these children are!

Grateful children!!
Students shoes left outside the dining area...it's amazing that they all find theirs when they're done.

Next crew of  wait staff.
Jo and the head chef.

Marshall School teachers
During that time, Olivia, Shekinah and I worked on handing out the remaining goodies and getting the last of the pictures taken for the student sponsors.  This has been a long process, one that we started at the beginning of our trip; hopefully we didn't miss anyone!

How would you like to wash these pots?!?
Following lunch we had time to rest and interact with the hostel children. We had picked up some henna and brought along cleansing face masks from home; what a great afternoon!








 



I was so tired and kept nodding off when this sweet little girl said to me, "it's okay auntie, you just take a sleep and I'll make your hands pretty".  So I did. :)





While the girls had fun applying the henna, the boys were really helpful in cleaning the "paste" off.

Meanwhile, Jordan was being pampered in a different way...



Fun with photo chopping...

Johanna had sponsored Sasikanth while he attended Marshall School, through our numerous trips to India the two of them became good friends.

 It was finally time to put on our new traditional outfits and go to the program.  But of course not before we had a chance to take some photos.




As always, the final celebration is one of great excitement and emotion. Being honored as representatives of Joyful Journeys Ministry on behalf of Immanuel Church is always a very heartwarming experience. We recognize that there are many individuals who give generously in support of JJM and that only by working together can we make a positive difference. Thank you for your support!! 



So I was just mentioning to some of the hostel girls yesterday how I never see the moon when I'm here, then tonight when Novahu was giving a brief synopsis of the ministry and remembering Terri Tybring for her initial work within the organization, I looked up and look what I saw... I do believe she was smiling down on the good works being done here!


 As you will see below, we were each brought forward to receive a garland and shawl from a different group within JJM...











After I gave words of love and encouragement, incorporating the washcloths once again into my message, and Jordan gave words of thanks, we then heard from one of the Marshall School teachers, a couple of students and a Cutting and Tailoring student. It was truly amazing to hear how JJM has impacted their lives!!





Finally it was time for the dancing to begin...






All the kids are incredible dancers!!



After a long day it was time to say goodnight to our precious hostel children...

I've really enjoyed reconnecting with some of the hostel children who I've met on previous trips, plus getting to know the newer children; once again, they have embedded their love into my heart; it will certainly be sad to say good-bye tomorrow!

As always, I will go to sleep counting my blessings!
Namaste'
~Jenny