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

Packed and ready to go...

We gathered with the Demmon family the other night for a "packing party", 

these are some of the goodies that went into our bags..

Sweet treats for all to enjoy...

Bracelets for all the Marshall students...

Christmas greetings from all the sponsors...

A bountiful selection of Beanie Babies for the orphans...

An assortment of knit items from the Prayer Shawl Ladies at Immanuel Church...

And we can't forget journals for all the travelers
(it's the homeschooling mom in me) :)

 Then Sophie brought out the duct tape so she could wrap our handles 

for easy detection when claiming our luggage...

Of course we had to weigh everything to make sure we weren't over our limit...

And then we made one last attempt to try to bring Mary along with us...

And finally Big Bob and Russ practiced holding hands;

after all, when in India...

By this time tomorrow, you'll have already rung in the New Year and we will be

somewhere in the air singing "Auld Lang Syne" as we pass the cup of kindness.

Wishing you joy, peace and good health in the 2017!!

Namaste'

~Jenny