Celebration...

and good-byes.

It's hard to believe that today is our last day to spend in Madhavapatnam;

our time here has gone by so quickly!  

After getting picked up this morning we had some errands to run so we split up and the gals got to go for a stroll around "central park" in Kakinada.

 

Yep, that's a water snake!

Pretty color green, just not when it comes to water.

When we arrived in the village, preparations had begun

for the big Celebration and Talent Show!

Part of the Celebration came in the form of a lunch

which was served to over 575 students, teachers and JJM staff.

It was wonderful to see how the older kids helped dish out the food

and clean up for the next crew to come through.

Heading from the school to the Dining Hall,

look out for the cows! :)

Patiently waiting for their turn.

Big Bob delivers another jug from

Lora's Living Water

to serve for lunch.

There was actually some food left over so Novahu invited these girls

from the local government school, who had been hanging out watching

all morning, to enjoy some lunch too.

 

Following lunch there was time for practicing dances

for the evenings performance...

There was also time for snuggling, 

as emotions were beginning to stir

in anticipation for later good-byes.

The children had been working hard on their routines

since before we got here and they were all thrilled to finally

start the show...but first, as is customary within this culture,

we were presented floral garlands and shawls...

There are three boys in the school that are very good artists,

so Sophie wanted to present them each with a sketching pad

and colored pencils.

We were then moved down into the audience 

so we'd have a better view of the dances.

The program was delightfully entertaining

with traditional songs and dances from India...

as well as yellin' "Timber" with the Landowgals...

A few of the male teachers and older students had a special dance

that eventually pulled Big Bob into the mix!

I don't believe I've ever seen him move like that!!

Well, you know what they say;

"When in India..."

Before you know it, they had pulled us all up onto the stage!

They closed out the show with a little

Gangnam Style...

What a fantastic evening; our cheeks were sore from smiling

and our ears were ringing from the hootin' and hollerin'!!

We couldn't have asked for a better send off!!

But then it was time for good-byes.

For some of the hostel children it was their third time 

going through this with us and it was just as

heart wrenching as the first time.

Then there were those who we just met; i don't think they had 

any idea it would be this difficult.

Sometimes life can be so hard!

How many hours later as I'm writing this, I'm still teary eyed;

and I can't quite find the words to convey what is in my heart.

For ten days there is a physical love that is shared which

is so intense sometimes you need to step back just to breathe,

and then just like that the physical becomes a mere memory.

1 Corinthians 13:13 says

And now these three remain, faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.

As I comforted my own weeping children when we returned to the

hotel tonight, that motherly instinct in me so wanted to hold the other 

27 children who I left crying at the hostel.  And now as I look at my daughters laying peacefully in bed I can only pray the other children are as well,

fully knowing how much they are loved.

The only thing I can do right now is to reflect back on the events of this trip and what a profound impact this ministry is having on so many 

and give thanks that I can be a part of it.

I am humbled that I have had the opportunity to represent so many

who are committed to improving the lives here and I hope

that through these posts you have been able to see the positive difference

that's being made in India.

As for right now, it's hard to know what exactly lies ahead for us;

but if you ask my family they will tell you...

"we will return"!

Thanks for your love and support, and for following along with us!

Although we begin our journey home tomorrow, there are still

some things we'd like to post that we didn't have time to share with you,

so please continue to follow along as we do so.

Namaste'

~Jenny