Gifts All Around

Weather Report: HOT! 

Days of Rain: 11 of 21

Days left in India: 7

The older kids playing the game.

Today was a little different.  My day started with me playing with Princy, Prakash's youngest daughter. Apparently she has been a bit afraid of me this whole time so I decided to try and change that. I have a lot cross necklace crafts bags left to I did it with her.  Also brought stuff to do some other necklaces and/or brackets with me, so I made her a bracelet. That seemed to do the trick because all of a sudden she wanted to study her English with me after lunch. So while I waited for her to finish I found some free online English as a Second Language (ESL) games for us to play.  She seemed to enjoy herself though she had a little trouble with handling the mouse on the laptop.  A little bit later Clarence came in with a friend and I brought up a math game for them to play. They kind of fought over who could play when and a little bit about the right answers but I could tell they were having fun.  But the fun had to come to an end as it was time to leave.

Before we left Prakash told me that he was a little tired because he had gone to two different wedding today.  They would have taken me if it was cooler but with it being so hot they decide that it would be better for me to stay back and wait.

One of the ladies working on a bag.

So several things happened today.  First, I was taken to the sowing facility (that is what they were calling it).  It is not very big.  The ladies here were making bags that will be sent to be sold in the states.  I am told each bag sells for just over $1 and they make 200 each day per person.  They make 2 different kinds.  One that is a little fancier than the other but both about the same size.  After taking a quick 

The handing out of clothing.

tour of the place the talking started, but as I looked around I found that I was kind of amazed that the women were able to make so many bags in one day despite the small size of the building.  First Prakash and then me.  Prakash tells me that this is the second building for them to be in.  The first building they were in was being leased and the landlord for a reason not given to me kicked them out.  So now they are here but he is hope to be able to build a new location on the site of a new orphanage (to be talked about) so they can expand and get more girls doing work that keeps them safe.  After the talks where done we handed out Punjabis and Saris to the ladies.  There ended up being an extra Punjabi and so Prakash decided it was for me from the ladies.  We also gave the two men that help them some clothing as well.  Then everyone got an apple and the ladies gave me a bag to keep before I left.

The welcome.

Next we went over to were the new orphanage will be and where the current one is (a little confusing I know but I will explain).  The lot is set up with a patch of ground in front with an old building in the back.  The building in the back is where the current orphanage is and the ground in front is where the new one will be built. Prakash has big plans for this land over a course of time he has been able to buy this

The group.

and the lot next to it and hopes that in the future will be able to buy another lot that is next to what he already has so he will be able to build a big facility that will house the children as well as the women that will sow in the sowing facility.

A lot that happened here today.  First I was welcomed with flowers.  Then we gathered for a group photo before we celebrated a

Feeding of cake tradition.  Me feeding Sonny.

birthday.  Today is one of my translators, Sonny, birthday.  Sonny is a couple years younger than me and is currently going through collage.  Prakash asked if he would do some translating for while I was here.  It was supposed to be just in the beginning and just a couple days but he enjoyed himself so he kept coming.  So to celebrate his birthday we had cake and sang him happy birthday.  But before cake

Me and the boy that got the bike.

Prakash said a few words and I was asked to pray for Sonny.

After cake it was time to give a gift, but not to the birthday boy.  A couple, Tracey and Robert Wiltse, from the states has graciously donated a bike to a child in the orphanage.  I was able to present the bike to the boy as the Wiltse's were not there to do it themselves.

Laying of a foundation stone.

Next to happen is to lay the foundation stones for the new building.  After a digging and some mixing of cement they laid some cement in the hole and I was to lay the first two stones. down.  Next was a pastor, Sonny's parents, and Prakash's wife.  In case you are wondering about Prakash himself, well he handled that laying of cement.  We also prayed for the building and I said a few words.  

Handing out coloring books and crayons.

Those that took part in the laying of the stones also put some oil on them to bless them.  After all this was done it was time for dinner.  All the kids went and ate while I helped pass out the cake.  Also while they were eating I passed out a small coloring book and a 4-pack of canyons to each kid.  Once the kids were done eating with what light was left we attempted to do the cross necklace craft.  Some of the

Doing the craft.

kids got it but others found it to be hard.  I thought the craft was easy but it turns out to quite hard, well lessons learned...I need an easier craft.  With the craft done it was time to leave.