Sunday ~ "Measures up" to our expectations!

Today certainly didn't start off like our "typical Sunday"... 

On our way to church we made a quick stop at a local tailoring shop to get measured for our new outfits. This concept still amazes me, as this is "the norm" for many women living in the village. It's also that reassurance that there is still great importance and value in what's being offered at The Landowgals Fashion & Technology Institute. Teaching women a trade, that enables them to financially support themselves and their families is at the heart of our Women's Upliftment Programs. This particular seamstress is the sole provider in her home as her husband left her to raise their two children on her own. She is currently battling cancer, but is able to work around her treatments thanks to the flexibility of having her own Cutting and Tailoring shop.

What a great way to start the day! 💖

After our fitting, we headed over to church, which typically starts around 9am, however today began more around 10:30am...yes, they were waiting for us.🤦Another concept that boggles my mind, no one is upset because it's not starting "on time", people just keep singing until they're ready to begin, and even then, we weren't the last ones there.😏 

Not sure how well that would fly in our church back home!🤷😄

Sophie did a beautiful job of sharing her thoughts on being kind and generous; definitely a "step outside your comfort zone" for her! And I reflected on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, a time and season for everything under the heavens. Looking back over the past 6 years since the last time we traveled to India and all that's transpired during that time...new life and loved ones passing, personal tragedies and triumphs, COVID, and a messed up world longing for better days, all tied in to... A time to be born and a time to die. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time for war and a time for peace.

Following the service, we had the humble opportunity to offer a blessing on those interested in receiving one; these intimate moments are simply about showing loving kindness to others...

basically what Sophie had just talked about. 💞

We were excited to see more of our Joyful Journey family as the day moved on, but first Johanna literally "carried on" a treasured tradition...

Oh, for the thrill of it...

And, now as the sun sets on another day, I give thanks for a time to be awake and a time to sleep.

Namaste'

~Jenny

This Feels Odd...

 Today marked the final day of Pongal, a four day Hindu Harvest Festival, during which time schools and businesses are closed, and EVERYBODY is out and about celebrating. The Valluris took this opportunity to take us around to some of the touristy places in the area to experience this part of the culture, but first, lunch with beloved family members!

The crazy part of it all was that everywhere we went, the local people were obsessed with us. Coming from a country where currently there is so much tension between cultures and different races, it felt odd to have people treating us like celebrities simply because the color of our skin.  Having young and old alike approach you because they want their picture taken with you, or to shake your hand became overwhelming very quickly. It got to the point where Novahu joked and said if we start charging for "photo ops" we could raise money for Joyful Journeys! 😉📸 For those of you who know me, and know how passionate I am for what we are doing, the thought did have some initial appeal! 😎

But instead, we tried to carry on as best we could, smiling at everyone to show our appreciation for their welcomeness to us. Here are several photos from the places we stopped...

One of the activities include a ride in an old fishing boat, not OSHA approved I might add, but nevertheless a fun experience! 😁

Of course, a day out and about needs to include pictures from on the road...

And after a full day of being out and about, why not add some shopping in! 

Talk about overwhelming, although Karishma kept reminding us "this is fun"! 😬

We wrapped it all up with a little taste of home...pizza at Domino's!

 

And this concludes today's festivities! I'm pooped and tomorrow is church...

Giving thanks for our India family and the friendliness of locals! 

Good night. 💖