Final Thoughts from Home

 There's no place like home, and we made it there!

From the time we left our hotel in Kakinada, to the time we reached our door step, it was roughly 48 hours! I don't think I need to elaborate on how good it felt to sleep in our own beds that night! 🥰😴

I've shared a lot of my own personal thoughts about this trip, and how impactful I believe this ministry is for the beautiful people of Madhavapatnam India, now as I wrap up the blog for the 2026 adventure, I'd like to share some highlights from my fellow travelers. But first, I must say what a pleasure it was to be on this journey with them as they each brought something special to the experience. I learned from each of them things that will forever shape who I am, and for that I am grateful. 💖💖💖

Thoughts from Alan...

Returning to India was important for Alan for various reasons, the primary being the boys dorm. When Al traveled with us to Madhavapatnam in 2020, he was made aware of the tight quarters that the boys and girls shared, and Novahu's desire to create separate spaces for the children. Sharing this information with supporters back home, Al was very instrumental in helping make this dream a reality! Construction on the third level of the school was completed back in 2021, the boys have called this space "home" ever since. What a joy it was for Al to see first hand the "fruits of his passion"; his investment in these children's lives will have returns that will far exceed what can ever be counted! 

And, of course, a trip to India with Alan wouldn't be complete without him breaking out into song at least once...

Thank you, Alan, for your commitment to Joyful Journeys and your help in caring for the wellbeing of the underprivileged kids in India! 

Well done thy good and faithful servant!💗

Thoughts from Sophie...

Sophie has literally been an active part of this ministry since she was 5 years old, helping her sisters raise money to purchase sewing machines for the Joyful Journeys Cutting and Tailoring Centers. With her first trip to India at the age of 11, and this being her 6th trek over, she has truly been immersed in the culture and people of Madhavapatnam practically her whole life. Her desire to return is one as an ambassador of this ministry so that she can maintain the connections between supporters here in the U.S. and those affiliated with Joyful Journeys in the village, as well as to see the beloved people she's grown up with and meet the new family members. 

Some of the highlights for Sophie were offering encouraging words and handing out Certificates of Completion to the women graduating from The Landowgals Fashion Technology Institute and feeling grateful to have been a part of getting this program up and running. She also was amazed as she walked through the Science Exhibition and listened to the students explain their various projects, in English. Communication certainly has gotten easier since the first trip over! And speaking of communication, simply being able to have conversations with the kids at the Marshall School was appreciated both by both parties! 

And certainly a trip to India for Sophie wouldn't be complete without "Sophie Sweet Treats", playing games, and dancing with the hostel children!

 Thank you, Sophie, for shining the Light of Love so brightly;

your presence was a gift to us all!💝

And now, words from Johanna...

Reflecting back on this trip to Madhavapatnam brings lots of different emotions for me. 

JOY, that we got to see friends and family that we have not seen in many years, as well as meet new additions. 

SADNESS, in that this was our first trip back without my dad and grieving his loss with our friends in India. 

ACCOMPLISHMENT, to my fellow travelers and me...

we did it! 

And, HOPEFULNESS, for the future of this ministry.

That being said, it has been 6 years since our last trip and things have definitely changed from the first time we went to this most recent trip. From a one room structure in the middle of nowhere, to a much larger expanding airport, we witnessed progress from the moment we got off the plane. 

Roads connecting the villages to the bigger cities that were previously dirt, are slowly being transformed to paved highways.

The land behind the hostel that originally was nothing but peanut fields and mango trees, now shows how the village is growing with homes built of solid foundations and not just palm frond huts.

The view from on top of the Joyful Journeys Hostel looking over to the Marshall School used to consist of trees, now there are houses lining the road.

Obtaining water used to mean pumping from the well, now there are multiple water towers making that resource much more accessible.

Although open markets and shops on the streets are still everywhere, there now is also a 5 story shopping mall in the middle of Kakinada, the city where we stay during our visits. 

Now, specifically the changes within Joyful Journeys are incredibly amazing too! From the first one room school house to a multi-level structure, the Marshall School is educating hundreds of students.

Recalling a time when some kids went hungry to now having our Lunch Bunch program to insure all the students are getting a hot meal during the day is such a great feeling!

Remembering back to earlier times when my sisters and I would knit scarves and sew bags to raise money to purchase sewing machines to get the Cutting and Tailoring program going, and now seeing the changes from treadle peddle machines to electric is exciting!

But for me, the biggest changes are the "friendships" that have grown into "family", I am grateful for them all.

As I wrap up my portion of this post, I can say even in the sadness, we could find joy in sharing memories of those who are not with us, and making fresh memories with the new family members that have been added along the way. I'm so grateful to be part of such an amazing ministry that has been changing lives for the past 20 years! I don't know what the future holds for this ministry or myself, but I do know wherever life takes me I have forever been changed by what we have done and continue to do for our friends in Madhavapatnam, India. 

~Jo 💜

Thank you, Jo, for your heart of kindness and your spirit of caring,

the emotion you shared within this post as well as what you brought to our trip was a blessing.

Shine Brite, Shine Far, Johanna! 💖

Final words from Jenny...

If you've made it this far, I'd like to say "thank you" for sticking with us, not only in reading this post, but in traveling along with us via this blog, it means a lot that you'd take the time to follow. 🥰

Now, my heartfelt prayer is that if what you've been reading has tugged at your heart even a bit, that you'll consider joining us on our joyful journey in helping those whose circumstances have made life much more challenging than you or I will ever experience. It is only by working together, the generosity of many, and keeping the spirit of love at the heart of what we are doing, will we be able to be the change we wish to see in this world. You never know, this may just be the change you need in your life as well, for when you do for others, what you get in return may surprise you. 💞

Namaste'

~Jenny

FYI…

Student sponsorship - $25/month

Lunch Bunch - $15/month

House Pastor - $35/month

In Kindness donation - grateful for gifts of any amount