A Church's Grand Opening

Weather Report: HOT but in the evening it turned to rain.

Days of rain: 11 of 17

The first church's pastor and his family.

Today was spent at base till about 4:30 or so.  I spent most of the day in my room writing my message for Wednesday.  But shortly after 4 it was time to get ready to leave.  It had not started to rain yet but you could tell it was coming.  When we left we first went to pick up Princy (I think that is how you spell her name), Prakash's youngest daughter, from school.  This is when it started to rain.

The plaque for the church.

From there we went on and made a quick stop at a church.  This church has a foundation, a floor, and a roof but no walls.  They do not yet have the funds to build the walls but the church still meets here.  After a quick prayer went went on our true destination, a church that has been newly completed with the help of Collision Church (aka the church I belong to).

The pastor and wife putting the shawl on me.

 The church is located in a primarily Hindu village and I am told that this village is also filled with the poor.  When we got close to the destination we had to walk in due to the fact that some tree branches fell on the road.  It was still raining but very hard.

The street that you have to go down to get to the church ended up having a big mud puddle in it.

Light on group picture.

 So they helped me across which made me feel silly.  They way they act when I have to cross a little water or in this case mud makes me think that they think I am going to break.  With growing up in the desert and the outdoors in general means I am not afraid to get dirty.  Water is just water and mud well that washes off.  It is no big deal and if I fall, then I fall and I can bet you that I will be laughing the whole time. I know they do it because they do not want me to get dirty or hurt and I appreciate the effort.  But any way, it was still raining so we kind of rushed the ribbon cutting so everyone could get into the church.  Because of the rain the power was but that was okay.  Everything was kind of disorganized because of the rain.  I still unveiled the plaque that stated it was dedicated by by and was sponsored by Collision Church.  We ended up getting a group picture in front of the church at one point but it was still raining so everyone gathered under the eves. The pastor of the church and his wife honored me with a shawl.  I still have the saw I got when I came to India the last time.  This was so very unexpected that I was completely shocked and I am very grateful.  Just after the pastor and his wife put the shawl around me the power came on for a little bit.  With the lights back on we gathered to take another group picture.  After the picture, I spoke to the church.  Before we left several people prayed and a Indian sweet was passed out to everyone.  Just as they started to pass out the sweet the power went out again.

On the way back we had another lighting show.  We were later than we normally are so we stopped for dinner.  Well I had dinner when we got back because everything at the restaurant was way too spicy for me.  They felt bad but it was no big deal for me.  We finally got back to the house around 9pm.  I did not seem to do much but it sure tired me out.  The plan for tomorrow will be found out tomorrow though I am hopping that I will be able to sleep in a little bit.

Message

Weather Report: Very hot but cooled off in the evening.  Rained around us but no rain here so it does not count.

Days of Rain: 10 of 16

Me giving message with interpreter.

The day started with me giving the message at church.  It was a short and simple message.  I must have done pretty well since everyone is telling me a did a good job.  On the other hand I felt I did okay.  My content was good but my delivery not so much.  I am not use to giving a message with a passes for translation.  In class we practice as for when we are speaking to an English speaking audience.  

Posing as we give medication.

When speaking to your native tongue you simply glance at your notes and go all the way through.  But when speaking with a translator you have to break it up into transcribe sections.  This lead me to reading my message rather then telling my message.  I do not think any one mind as I did make sure to do as much eye contact as I could manage as I spoke.  The key will be finding a way to structure my notes in such a way that I can read them and know what I am saying by a simple glance while making sure to not lose my place in between the breaks for translation.

After church there was a time to rest before leaving shortly after 4.  We went to a what is known as an untouchable village.  This is a village that is completely made up of untouchables, or the castles.  Because of their statues they are very poor.  Many of the kids here are the kids that I am teaching when I teach at the school.  We came here to do a free medical clinic.  Again because of the their statues and where the village is located they do not have ready access to a doctor or proper medical care.  

One of the kids with their meds.

Something as simple as cut can end up being a big deal because they do not have any access to antibacterial cream such as the neosporin that we have at home.  The are also suffer from a lot of stomach problem because they do not always have access to clean water.  So people like Prakash makes the effort to make sure that a doctor can come and give medical care to these people.  Today this clinic was made possible by Gary, Leo, and Ronnie Plante.  Before the clinic started I was shown around a part of the village.  They made sure to point out how small the houses were and the fact that a whole family lives in such a small house.  I did not speak as the people very much just wanted to see the doctors so they could get the medication that would help them feel better.  I did pose for a couple of pictures though.

Once the doctors were done seeing everyone we moved into a small building that housed a small church.  Here I gave a quick talk about

Me helping serve their dinner.

how we have homeless in the states and they are helped and how my wish was that more people in India could see them a the people they are rather than cast.  I also made sure to tell them that they are loved by God for God sees them as the mighty people that they are.  I believe you can never tell them enough that they are loved.  After the talking was done a prayer was said and then people asked us to prayer over them.

Part of the show.

Then food was passed given out.  A meal was prepared for them to eat and I helped severe it.  The meal was paid for by Prakash the Principal of the school and James, Prakash's son. From what I remember they feed the people a meal every Sunday.

On the way home we got a wonder lighting show.  The show continued till long after we got back so I was able to try and attempt to try and capture a strike.  Tomorrow I am told that a church is opening and I am to there to open it.

Change of Plans

Weather Report: It seemed to have rained some time last night which brought cooler temps but the humidity was high.

Days of Rain: 10 of 15

The sunset.

Today started with children from a school coming to visit the old age home.  I learned that the school is starting a new program.  Every Thursday the children as to bring in rice and vegetables that they will then give to the elderly in the home.  They want to teach the children that the elderly took care of them when they were small before they became elderly and now that they need help it is our turn to take care of them.  I love that this school is doing this.  Maybe these children will be the ones to change the minds of the others that say it is okay to abandoned their parents after they become old.  I have great hopes for these kids.  The kids were only for here a little bit before going back to school and back to class with them. 

The plan for today was to go over to the school that I normally go to and pass out chocolates to the young ones while I did the cross necklace with the older children.  Problem was that Prakash had the car and he did not show up till around 3 and school was to let out at 3:30.  So the plan changed to me sitting down and concentrating on writing a couple messages till 5.  I am to give the message tomorrow at church and on August 2 I am going to be talking at a woman's conference.  I have been working on both for the past couple days but this time allowed me to put the finishing touches on my

A water buffalo at the "river".

sermon for tomorrow and find new ideas for my talk at the conference as they changed my topic a little bit on me today.

At 5, I left on a real Indian adventure.  I rode on the back of a motorcycle. My first time ever to this.  I am not going to lie I was a little nervous as here in India they wear no safety gear.

The "river".

You might see some in the city with helmets but not out here in the country where I am.  The nervousness never really went away but it did not stop me from enjoying myself.  They took me to see the river, or at least it is a river during the raining season and more like big puddles during the summer.  Either way it was pretty and fun.  We were out for about an hour.

The road we had to take to get to the river.  Now leaving.

When we got back it was time for a quick dinner as it is Sunday night and that means at 8:30 the prayer meeting down stairs is to start.  Prakash's wife gave the message again tonight and once again did not understand a single word.

Tomorrow is church and as I said I am to give the message after that I am not sure what will be going on.

Mercy Ministry

Weather Report: Hot but not to bad in the shade.  No rain though the weather app said there could be some latter tonight.

Days of Rain: 9 of 14 (if there is rain after posting it will show in tomorrows post)

Me talking to the kids.

Today started off a bit confusing.  I was told that around 1:30 we were going to leave to go

Kids doing the craft.

The cross necklace. 

somewhere.  Problem was everyone apparently was napping at that time and so what every we were going to do today got changed.  I am still a little confused on what exactly was going on but all well on to what we did do.  After everyone eat we left to go to a school. This is not the same school I have been teaching at but rather one that is a bit further away.  This school is for the poorest of the poor.  Not everything was set up when we arrived so they had me sit in the shade till they were ready.  The kids came out of the classrooms to sit on the ground of the courtyard.  The principal (or at least I think he was the principal) said a few

One of the kids with final product.

word before Prakash said some.  After Prakash spoke it was my turn.  I told them that they were loved by God and shared my testimony with them.  I then passed out the materials for a craft.  After passing it out I walked them though how to make a cross necklace.  Not all the kids got it but they seemed to have fun and enjoy it either way.  After the craft, with some help I passed out some food.  Everyone got a hard boiled egg and one sweet.  The staff was a little worried with me handing out the food as they felt it might to much for me, but I

The group.

reassured them that I was okay and kept handing out the food.  We all gathered together in front of the banner to take a group picture and then I passed out pomegranates to all of them before they left to go home.

After the children left I sat down with some of

the staff of the school.  They told me how they wish they could have a dorm for the children to stay in where they could provide them with food and lodging.  The children come from places where they do not have a lot and sometimes they are unable to get food and it sound like some are not able to have a proper home.  They ask for prayers that they may find a benefactor that can help them fill the need of theses children.

English Lesson

Weather Report: No surprise another hot day.  No rain.

Days of Rain: 9 of 13

I found out that they are not having me do a couple different events because they worry about the heat getting to me.  They understand that the heat here can be to much for me as sometimes it can be too much for them.  My health is their number one propriety and they would rather not risk my health in the heat.  I can understand the way they feel but I told them if possible I would still like to do these events and they said okay.  After all I do not mind the drives to and from the events.  I am accustomed to traveling roads that can be very bumpy due to them not being paved (In fact I have done things they would think would be crazy so no problem with simple dirt road.).  If the drive is a long one that is fine too as I can take a nap if I am tired and I do not mind watching the countryside go by while I am awake.  So hopefully they will be taking me more places.

Today though after lunch I went over to the school again.  When we got there it was almost time for their break so I went in with the lower kindergarten class which were watching some short movies.  The movies went over the English ABC's as well as the phonetics.  When the rang for the break we went to the office till it was over and then went up the stairs as I was going to go the 5th grade class.  Before I could get tot he 5th grade class the 7th graders very eagerly asked me to teach their class English.  It was hard to say no to them so that is

Me with the 7th grade class.

what I did.  We did opposites at first.  I would write a word on the board and they would have to come up and write an opposite of the word this way I could also test their spelling at the same time.  But did you know that it is hard to come up with word that have an opposite right off the top of your head in the moment!  SO after a little bit we went back to the missing letters in a word and then I came across a list of glossary words that they were to know along with their definition.  So I asked them to match the word with the definition, which I quickly realized I need to have the words on the board.  After putting the words on the board they could easily tell me which word match the definition.  I then proceeded to challenge their spelling.  One by one they would come up and I would give them a word they had to spell.  Most of the time they had no problem but every once in awhile they would not understand which word I was for.  After me saying it a couple time either they got it or on of their classmates understood and told them.  These are some smart kids.  It was not long before our time was up and school was out which meant we all went home.

Tomorrow plans are to be found out then. 

Old Age Home

Weather Report: It was hot but once again cooler then it has been.  In the afternoon it tried to rain but nothing really heavy just a couple drops.

Days of Rain: 9 of 12 (counting to day because water did drop from the sky)

The group.

Me handing out the bananas.

Today was a slow start as nothing was really planned till later in the afternoon.  I ended up being really tired so I took a nap.  I was woken up to be told that we were going down stairs and I was meeting the elderly that stay in the old age home that is on the same property as the house.  Down stairs they had a nice little set up with most of the elderly in chairs some sitting on the a tap they had laid on the ground.  Prakask started out speaking about the relationship between them that our church Collision.  After he finished I talked to them and tried to encourage them to be strong and happy.  These people are such big prayer warriors.  They

Me being hugged by one of the ladies.

without fail pray every day three times a day.  I felt like they should be encouraging me not me encouraging them.  After I talked we gathered together and took a big group photo.  I then handed each person 2 bananas.  They then went over to the home and a sat down.  I the proceeded to hand each person a pomegranate.  A couple of the ladies, after I gave them the pomegranate they insisted on giving me a hug.  Once everyone had their pomegranate I prayed over the entire house and then prayed for a couple of the people that asked for prayers.

Me handing out a pomegranate.

These people come to here because they have no where else to go.  I am told some of them would have committed suicide because they would not have been able to feed themselves and would rather kill themselves than to starve to death.  There is one man in the home that is blind and another women and is mentally handicapped.  Others were dropped off here by their children because they were no longer wanted.  I hope that even if they are not loved by their family that they are loved very much by God.  To endure after going through so much life to just be thrown away by your own family is just outrageous to me.  There is no words I can say to describe how irritated I am with the families that do this.  They may not be able to help by bringing in money but these men and women have so much love to give.  They have lived to much life that they could help with advise but yet this is not seen as valuable here.  It saddens me that this is so.  May they forever know that they are loved and forgive those that have pushed them aside.

The plan for to tomorrow will be found out tomorrow.  Till them everyone back home have a good day.

More Teaching

Weather Report: It was hot but not as hot as it was. There was no rain today.

Days of rain: 8 of 11.

Today tired me out.  I went back to the school and taught the children.  I worked with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders.  I started with the 2nd graders.  We worked on so math.  They are learning how to write out numbers like 456 and 749.  I also worked with them on some simple subtraction.  While working with them on subtraction I found it interesting but I think they are not taught the same we are taught.  Many of the used their finger which is normal but when I asked a question like 15 - 4 they would start looking at their toes and using their toes to help them with the problem.  Seeing them do this I stayed with numbers that were 20 and under as I was sure asking them to do more would be problematic.  When it was time to go on to a new subject I changed classes.

The next grade I went to was the 3rd graders.  Here I worked with them on English.  It was nothing very difficult.  They handed me a book with the word that they should know.  I would pick a word and then writing it on the board I would leave one or two letter missing.  For example, if the word was "Railway"  I would write it on the board as such: "R_il_ay".  They would raise their hand and fill in the missing letter(s).  They seemed to enjoy this as they were all very eager to show me who had the correct answer.  I was having to tell them to sit down because they all wanted to jump up and write the answer.  I left them once it was time for lunch.

For lunch I went across the street to the house of the principal, which if you remember is also an orphanage.  They made me french toast to eat instead of eating the food that they had prepared for the children of the orphanage and themselves as it was way to spicy for me.  After eating I had the option of either resting more in the house or going back and teaching.  I am there to work with the kids so I choose to go back and teach.

I worked with the 1st graders now.  This class is broken up into two classes as they have that many kids that are attending the school for that grade.  I would with one half for a time and then the other class.  With both classes I worked with them on their English.  I would ask them a word from their book that they should know and they came up to write it on the board.  I would later go one to do the missing letters with them as well.  The seconded group seemed to have some smarter kids in it as more of the class seemed to have the answers.  The first group it tended to be the same boys over and over again that knew the answers.  In the seconded group I ended up working on more then just the vocabulary words with them I started to work with them on words like "the", "they", "and", "am", etc.  After working with them for a time the chime rang and it was time for a short break.  The kids went out to play and I went out to rest a little.  I thought I would be going back to teach another class after the break was over but instead it was time for me to come back to the house.

It was a long day but a great day.  While I was there I was told that the school has open air room on the seconded story because they do not have the funds to build walls.  Their wish is to be able to at the very least have 8 walls to help separate the class room which would cast around $1,500.  The money would not give them finished rooms but walls to help define learning spaces.  Please pray that they are able to get these funds so the children may have a more conducive learning space.

I am not sure what I am doing tomorrow.  We will have to wait and see what happens.

*No pictures were taken today*

Another Wedding

Weather Report:  No surprise, it was another hot day.  It tried to rain in the afternoon but it did not come till the evening and it only rained for a little bit.

Days of rain: 8 of 10. 

Praying a blessing over the couple.

Today we traveled about an hour times out to go to another wedding.  The farther of the groom is a pastor that is friends with Prakash.  I am tome that the farther was very insistent with Prakash that I come to his son's wedding.  We had the time so we went.  It was another beautiful Indian wedding.  Like before I now nothing about the couple.  I sat up front and when everyone was praying a blessing over the couple, once again, I joined in.  What was different this time was that right after the ceremony the couple left to go get changed.  

Cutting of the cake.

While they changed I spoke a few words about my hopes and prayers for the marriage.  Prakash spoke after me and then we waited for the couple to come back.  When they came back it was time to cut the cake.  It seemed strange to me but I "helped" cut the cake.  I then feed both the bride and groom.  It was wired but it was nice.  After that it was time for us to eat lunch.  Once again I stuck with the foods that were there that had very little to no spice which wasn't much.

Boats in the harbor.

After eating we left.  We were close to the shore line so on the way home we stopped at a harbor.  Along the route was fish hatcheries and people laying fish out to dry.  There were big piles of dried fish all along the route.  The harbor is along a river that enters the sea.  This was wired at the same time was not.  We tend to make our sea harbors along the ocean coast but we make sure they are safe for the boats.  For them the safe place for the boats was in land a little bit.  There the boats are safe from the crashing seas.  The smell her was very

Some people working with the dried fish.

different than at home.  At home you smell the salt water her you smell something.  I not sure what the smell is but what I do know is that it smells really bad.  After that we started to
home and stopped to do a little shopping along the way since we would be going through a large town.  Along the way it would try to rain on us and at one point it did but it might of only lasted 5 minutes if that.

Not sure what the plan is for tomorrow but Prakash is asking for prayer.  They have identified 3 to 4 new areas in need of a bore well but he does not currently have the funds to drill them.  He asks for prayers (and possibly a donation or two or three) that they will get the funds to help the people get clean water.

Sadness and Hope

Weather Report: A very hot day.  In the 90's but felt like over 100.  It rained a little bit in the evening.

Days of rain: 7 out of 9

A calf at the farm

Today started off with me walking around the area.  I went over to the dairy farm that is right across

 the street.  My guide around was telling different this about the area and a little bit about the water buffaloes that were in the farm.  At 11:30 we went to church, where Prakash joined a little late.  I gave a simple greeting to the church before Prakash gave a short message and we left.

The plaque in front of the well.

Me pumping water with Prakash beside me

We went to pay our respects to a family that had lost their child to suicide.  The boy was 22 and the family is considered Untouchable.  He hung himself on a tree just outside the families home.  It sadness me that he felt that the only choice he had was to end his life.  I wish I could have meet him before he made this decision so I could have shared me story with him and gave him hope.  Maybe then he would have chosen to live and face his demons with the Lord at his side.  Because the family is uncountable they are poor and to pay for a proper burial is costly, so Prakash helped them.  He paid for the casket and also we gave them money to help pay for the burial.  My hope and prayer is that the family will be able to find peace as they go through this difficult time.  Please pray for this family. (Out of respect to the family I will not be posting any pictures of my time with them.)

After we left the family we went to dedicate a bore well.  This well will bring clean water to many families in the area.  With clean water the people will be able to live healthier lives as they will no longer be getting sick from contaminated water.  The well is in an area were there are many poor families as well as untouchables.  Theses people do not get help often so they are very thankful for the well.  The well was made possible by the help of a women named Barbara Ward.  The people there wanted me to make sure that she knows that they are very thankful for the help she has given in sponsoring the well.  I gave few words of blessing on the people their before

Me posing with some of the women.

cutting the ribbon to signify that the well is now open to give water.  After cutting I went up and pumped the well a few times and took some pictures with the people there.  Afterwords I gave some candy out to the people but unfortunately the heat got to me and we had to cut the candy giving short.  Once I started to feel unwell the Good Samaritan Mission (G.S.M.) crew took me straight to the car and the A.C turned on high.  After drinking water and eating a little snack I felt much better.

Me with one of the Buffaloes that Collision donated.

A couple hours after getting back Prakash tool me around the farm and was telling more about who.  He should me the cows that he was able to buy with the money that Collision was able to provide.  Prakash told me about how with he help of Collision and a few others he was able to buy the land and start the farm.  They now are able to grow the farm and start the process of becoming a bit self-sufficient. 

Tomorrow there is a plan for me to go out and do some things during the day and if I heard correctly they will be taking me to a harbor just before dark.

Evening Prayer

I thought my day was over but to my surprise it was not.  Around 8:30 pm we went downstairs (the main living area is on the second floor) to a big room and had "evening prayer" as they call it.  Basically it was a night church service similar to the one I attended when I was in Hyderabad last week.  This time though Prakash was not here to give the message so his wife gave it.  I also did not give my testimony for, as I found out, my translator gets stage fright.  He is okay on a one on one basis, but when it comes to translating for me to groups he will not be the person for the job.  At the end, I prayed over some of the attendees before going back upstairs to the living area.  Now it is time to wind down for the night and go to bed.

*No pictures were taken this evening*

A New Bundle of Joy

Weather Report: Another hot day with the no rain.  The weather app on my phone says that it was in the 90's today with the humidity around 50%

Days of rain: 6 out of 8

The new bundle of joy

I have been in India now for a full week.  During that time I have meet many people from young to old.  But today I got to meet the youngest person yet.  I got to meet a newborn baby boy.  There were many people that had gathered together to meet the newborn and to bless/pray over him.  I got to hold him for a little bit and I think the women gathered there could tell that I am quite inexperienced when it come to holding babies.  Of course it didn't help that he was being a little fussy at the time.  While everyone was gathered there we also

Me holding him

had lunch, although my lunch was apples because all the food that was prepared that day was all too spicy for me.  After I had lunch I played a blessing over the child and took a couple pictures with the parents.  Afterwords we came back to the house.

Some might be wondering why I would be meeting all these people and how it could be mission work.  Well first they are all apart of the local Christian community here.  Next, because I am an American the people here consider me to be a very important person.  They would rather I sit in a chair then on the floor with them.  They would rather I pray for them rather then pray for me despite them probably being bigger prayer worriers than me.  They feel that the prayer I say and the blessing I give is more important than the fellow communities.  That is why I am being invited to meet all these people.  This is why I took part in a wedding in which I knew nothing about the bride or the groom other than they were getting married.  This is a different kind of mission work.  I am working in the community to help them fell hopeful.  Although I may feel that my prayer and blessing may not be as big as they see it as I will stay

Me praying a blessing over him

pray for them and bless them as it will help bolster their hope and their faith.

Tomorrow is Sunday for me which means that we should be going to church.  Not sure if there is anything else planned for the day or not.

Teaching

Rain Report: The streak has been broken!  Unfortunately that meant that it was very hot today. 

Days of rain: 6 out of 7

Me with the 1st graders.

I should start off by saying I was feeling much better today then I was yesterday.  The day started out slow as it didn't really start till after lunch.  Apparently the plan was for them to take me to the Beach but Prakash evened up having to take care of other business.  So after lunch I was taken over to the school where I got to teach two classes.  It is a little wired because I feel like I am intruding on the day the teachers had planned to do but they say nothing and allow me to teach.  But perhaps teach is the wrong word, it is more like I am review what they have already learned.  

I started off with the 1st graders.  We went through some multiplications together as well as some addition.  In the states when we learn how to multiply was start from 0 and go up from there: 0x1, 1x1, 2x2, and so on.  But here they have skipped past the multiples of 1 and started with the the multiples of 2.  This was very wired to me but it is what it is so I stuck with the other multiples.

Me with the 7th graders teaching the wrong thing.

After the kids had a break I went to a new class.  This time I went to the 7th grade.  I attempted to teach math but I ended up trying to teach them the wrong thing so we just went to English.  It ended up almost turning into a game.  They were all excited and we had fun.  It was long before school was over and it was time to come home.

The Wedding

The Bride and Groom.

Rain Report: The rain streak continues.  I rained for a short time today luckily it did not interfere with the festivities.

We are praying/blessing the couple.

Today started of on a not so good note.  I didn't feel very well which means I didn't eat very much a breakfast which of course worried everyone.  But after a little rest I was able to feel well enough to go out.  We went to the wedding.  I was told that we were late as it was to start at 11:30 and it was already past that.  Despite being late we made in time to witness the ceremony. It was very different then ceremonies in the US but I could tell there were still similar parts as well.  To start with the crowd that was gathered if the approved of the marriage and then the bride and groom were asked if the too approved.  In a way it reminded me of the part when we are asked to "speak now or forever hold your peace."  They exchanged necklaces rather then rings, well in a way they are just really big rings.  At the end the people are given dry rice and put it on the bride and groom as a blessing.  I was asked to blessed

Me with the Newlyweds.

them and the marriage, so I said a simple blessing.  After that, the feast was happening and of course we joined.  Though I was still not feeling 100% so I did not eat much.

After eating we left and I was taken to go shopping for some food for me to eat.  I tried a couple different sweets and got all kinds of snacks.  We also got some fruit for me.  They have hard time understanding that I can not have milk because of being Lactose-Intolerant.  They keep asking if I want cereal (Why get it if I cant put in milk), ice cream, and what they call curd which the a drinkable yogurt.

While being out they got me a coke and when I finished it I handed it off thinking they were going to put it somewhere till we get to a place were they can recycle it since it was a can.  That was a BIG FAT NOPE.  They started laughing and saying that in India you just throw it out the window, which is what they did.  I told that if they did in the US they could get a big ticket, which was all I could think about.  Once we were done shopping we came back to the house.

School Time

I want to start off with saying that there was no post yesterday because I had nothing to post other the fact that it rained most of the day.  Today was actually hot.  The sun came out and for a moment I though it was not going to rain but I was wrong.  About an hour or two after we got back it started to rain.  So the streak of rain everyday continues.

The bride in the middle.

People eating.

Today I did a couple things.  Before leaving I showed a couple people how to use my camera so they could take pictures of me while I did things (all the pictures below were taken by them). Around lunch time we left and went to a betrothal ceremony.  This ceremony takes place on the eve of the wedding.  The bride was there all dressed up in a beautiful Sari.  People were giving money to the bride, I imagine as a type of weeding present.  While there they were severing lunch to all the people and so we sat down to eat.  Most of the food as way to spicy for me so I only had what they call sweet rice and also what looked and tasted like rice chips.  They also had what I am told was fried banana but to me it just tasted like bread.

The kids throwing petals at me.

Me saying hi to the lower kindergarten class.

After I prayed over the bride we left to go to a school.  The school is for the low cast and goes through preschool through 7th grade though they do this a little differently than we do at home.  First off the preschool children are called the nursery and they have upper and lower kindergarten verses just our one kindergarten.  After all the kids throw flowers at me I went a visited each class room.  They all had a hard time figuring out how to pronounce my name.  I am told that I will be teaching some of the classes while I am here.  They asked if there was any particular subject I wanted to teach I the first thing I though of was math.  I know I should be teaching English but I am worried about teaching the older kids English due to my Dyslexia.  I will probably be okay with teaching the younger children English dues tot he fact that it is usually small words that I will have to spell and also less grammar that I will end up mussing up.  I got to work with the lower kindergarten today.  They were going over some English words and pronunciation.  They had words like Apple, Boy, Girl, and Zip (for zipper).

Afterwords I went over the principals house, which was across the street.  I sat with her and a couple other people and talked with them.  The principal knows English very well.  She and her husband also in charge of an orphanage.  The kids that are in the orphanage also go to the school.

More Travel

Today was a slow day. We didn't really get moving till the afternoon when we went out and did a small amount of shopping. I got the 3 punjabis (a type of Indian clothing). After that we took off to get to Prakash's home, which will be my home away from home. The drive was long but I slept most of the way.
It has rained everyday I have been here but this is the first day it had rained all day long. The picture is what some the streets looked like in Hyderabad due to the amount of rain.
Tomorrow I am told it will be a day for me to rest.

2 Churchs

Today I was woken up by loud music from outside. Apparently today and tomorrow are Hindu festival days. They will sacrifice animals in belief that doing this will take way their sins for the year.
After breakfast we went to a big church for a Sunday service. They had communion and I gave my testimony after they prayer over me. After me Prakash got up and gave his testimony. When the pastor got up to speak he spoke about how the church will be celebrating 25 years and that they will have a celebration on August 9 (I was later invited to go).  It is anticipated that there will be 10,000 people there come from all over.
After the service we sat down for lunch. They had made me pepper mutton, pepper goat, which was very good. After eating I sat down with the pastor for a short time.
Next we went to another church. This one was much smaller. I once again gave my testimony and Prakash spoke a message in Telugu. I also got to hear the testimony of one of the women in attendance. Once that was done I took pictures with many people.
Once the place had cleared out we left to go to someone's home. While there I took the time to rest while everyone else had dinner. During this time the power went out due to the rain. I am told that this is a common thing to have happen as they cut the power to the powerlines when It rains. Why?...I have not a clue.
With that the long day was over and we went to where we will be staying for the night. With me being so tired I am sure I will sleep very soundly. Tomorrow I have heard that we are traveling out of Hyderabad and over to Prakash's village.

The First Adventure

So after we had some lunch we went out. I got to meet a lot of wonderful people that are working wonders in the ministry. Before dinner we took a long drive (I mostly slept) out of town where a small church service was being held.  I told my testimony and got to hear others testimony. Also, Prakash gave a lesson. Not sure what was said as it was in Telugu but I still enjoyed myself. Afterwords I got meet some the people that were there.  Right before I was to get dinner it started to rain but it quickly died down so I could go in to eat. After all that we are back for the night. I am told tomorrow we will be going to church.

I Made It!

I am in India. The flight out of Dubai ended up being 30 minutes late leaving due to a "push car" having problems.  When I got to India, I had to go through Immigration and with the e-visa that I have that went very well after I figured out where I needed to go. I had part was getting the three bags that I brought with me. I had to wait till the very end which was over an hour before I found all of them.  Just as I went out of the airport I see a sign with my name on it. It was Prakash and family. And to my surprise they gave me a beautiful flowers. 

I am currently at there house I will be staying in for the duration of my trip and have been told that I am to think of it as my second home. The plan for the rest of the day (it's morning here) they will let me rest till the afternoon when they plan to take me out. I am not sure where I am going to be going later but I can't wait.

Almost There

I have made it to Dubai. It is just after 8:30 pm (Pacific Time) here when I am writing this post. The next flight is to Hyderabad which is set to leave at 10pm (Dubai Time) But my journey does not end there I still have the several hours in the car before I get to where I am staying.

Sitting in the Airport

I have made it through security and am waiting to get on the plane. As of right now the flight is on time.

Leaving today!

I am leaving for India today!  The part 1 flight is to leave at 4:40 pm.  I will try and keep everyone updated through post on here. I will be writing and posting pictures.  The idea is to have a post for everyday but we will see how it will all work out when I get there.

Thank you to all my supports that helped me get to this point and all those that are prying for me.