Just because...

Pictures from the last couple days as I've enjoyed being out in the cooler weather! 

Sunset



Sunrise on a cloudy morning



Sunrise on a cloudy morning



Ruth's rose



Ruth's rose

 

Ruth's rose after some rain

Storm clouds



Grace - in every sense of the word!

We had an awesome afternoon rain that I just had to be in the middle of so I went to the roof as the storm was coming in! It was incredible!!! Beautiful clouds! The rain started and intensified at just the right moments as I was worshipping! Perfect!!!!

Then I had to go down the stairs...

These cement steps get really slick when wet and my shoes have NO traction on them! So I was taking it slow and stopped to talk to Ruth for a minute (she was on her way up to their house as I was on my way down to my room so we paused a moment just a few steps below their level). We said our good-byes and she headed into the house. I started down, again being careful, but it was no use. My feet went sliding right out from under me!!!

Thankfully, I managed to get both hands on the railing with a strong enough grip to keep from hitting the stairs and sliding to the next landing down. I sat on the step for a split second thinking first, "did that really just happen?" followed quickly by, "did anyone see that?" before continuing my way down, this time making it down without incident.

An "event"ful day

There was a team coming in from Germany this afternoon, so I planned to take a quick shower as soon as I got home from school.  However, true to form recently, I arrived back on campus to find that there were other plans for me.  I had just a few moments to change while Ruth was dropped off at our first event before my ride was back to pick me up.  This was a first for me as I was delivered to a home not too far away on the back of a motorcycle - riding side saddle!  It was fun, though I was a little nervous!  And I thought I got a lot of stares just walking down the street!!! 

So I was dropped off on a little dirt road surrounded by houses and followed the pastor that was waiting for me around one house with canopies up all around to find Ruth sitting in a plastic chair to the side of this huge red "throne" type arm chair!  She had me come up and sit on the chair beside the "throne" and explained we were there for a young girl's coming of age party.  The girl was being prepared - she had beautiful flowers in her hair that had to weigh a ton!!!  She came out and sat on the big red chair and we all stood around her to pray blessings over her.  We smiled for the camera and then said good-bye as we had to head to the next event. 

We walked along the dirt roads through the neighborhood until we came to another little house with a canopy.  Ruth explained that when a baby is about 6 months old, they have this type of dedication ceremony where the baby is fed it's first solid food (sweet rice) by the pastor and family members.  I've seen a couple of these events in the church, but this was my first to participate.  At the first event, I had asked Ruth if I was supposed to do anything or if I was just there, and she said I didn't have to do anything.  But apparently, that only applied to the first party, or she changed her mind because after her message, she asked me to come share greetings!!!  (What does the Bible say about being prepared in season and out?)  Following my greetings, Ruth called the family up, fed the baby, had me feed the baby (mind you we had to pause with the spoon in the child's mouth for photos), and then each of the family members fed the little girl!  Though Ruth tried to get away since we were expecting the German team's arrival for lunch, they insisted we eat a "little" before we went.  And I have to give them credit - it was a small serving for Indian standards!  We loaded up in an auto rickshaw (7 adults and a 3 year old + the driver) and headed back to campus where we waited about an hour for the team's arrival from Hyderabad.  I then ate my second lunch (harder to keep the portion size down with Ruth serving, but I managed) before retreating to my room for an hour nap. 

As I headed upstairs this evening to do some work with Prabhudas, I was told it was the girls' warden's birthday and they were preparing to do cake in the hall next to my room.  So shortly after I joined P & R upstairs, I was heading back down with Ruth for the celebration of Mary Rani's birthday.  After praying a blessing, Ruth helped her cut the cake and then fed her the first bite!  Then I was called to hand over my camera and come feed her a bite.  Yet another first!!! 

One of my favorite things...

I was just able to steal a little time with a handful of the Children's Home girls.  As I was heading to my room from lunch, they were coming home from school and invited me to their room.  I walked in with my camera which was quickly taken by one of the girls who took pictures of me with the other girls.  It was great to just be able to have some fun and put my arms around these beauties!!!

 

   



Me with the photographer!



God's funny little creatures!!!

So there was an outreach Tuesday night that I was supposed to go to and I decided to take a shower in the afternoon to get ready for it.  Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted movement in the small bathroom and just froze as I adjusted my eyes to find what had caught my attention.  Moving down the wall onto the door was a gecko!!!  I really don't mind these creatures running around on the walls and ceilings, but would prefer not to stare one down in the bathroom!  Thankfully, he got the message and retreated up into the far corner where he stayed put until I left! 

Since it is the rainy season, there are a lot of frogs around.  Many nights, as I come down from dinner, I have been startled by these creatures on the stairs!  It seems to be their Mt. Everest as there are different ones trying each night, some big, some small.  Actually went up again later one night and found that 3 frogs had made it to the balcony!  Not quite sure what their prize is, but they keep going for it!!!  At outreach tonight, I fought hard not to laugh hysterically as I watched this little bitty  frog.  I don't know if he was just young and unskilled, or if he was partially blind, or if he was just a little slow, but he kept going after this moth that was probably 1/5 his size.  He'd try so hard to catch it, but completely miss.  There were a few times it seemed he was actually chasing the bug's shadow and not the actual bug.  I forced my attention elsewhere and do not know what became of that little frog, but I'm afraid he went to bed hungry that night!!! 

Life as a missionary!!!

So school had been pretty crazy the last time I'd been there which had been almost a week since I'd been staying home to do office work with P.  But this morning was going well and I was really enjoying being with the kids again.  A little after 11, I was thinking, we are going to make it through this day without the chaos that's become the norm!  I was looking forward to sending the kids off to lunch and spending some time reading and journaling, either in the prayer room upstairs or alone in my room where I could enjoy the AC.  About that time, I look up to see Ruth walking through the door in another one of her beautiful dresses and I think to myself, what does this mean?  She greeted the children and had them sit back down (they stand up to salute and say "Good morning, Madam" whenever a teacher walks in) as she made her way up to me.  She told me that she was going to women's meeting in another village, the auto rickshaw was just outside and asked if I wanted to come?  My first thought was, now, right now?  I told her I was kind of gross from being at school but she said it did not matter and my dress was fine but that it was up to me.  However, her smile told me she really wanted me to come so about the time I expected to be curling up with my Bible (which was still at home) for some good reading, I found myself standing in front of 30+ women, 2 guys and a handful of kids sharing greetings! 

After Ruth finished teaching, they fed us lunch.  As is typical, I was the last one still eating and Ruth started teasing about leaving me there with Pranavi, one of the teachers from the school that lived in that village.  I responded that it would be fun to have a slumber party and Ruth said, "But this would be a winter party!"  We all were laughing as I explained what a slumber party is and how it had nothing to do with summer!!!  It was fun and I'm really glad I went with her!  Now I get to curl up in the air conditioning to read and journal for a bit! 

Vijayawada for the day!

I decided this morning to accompany Ruth and Prabhudas to the nearest city for the day.  We went to a restaurant called the Spice Inn where I had the spiciest meal I've ever had!  Didn't know your cheek and brow bones could sweat, but I'm pretty sure mine were before the meal was over.  Even Ruth had a hard time with the heat.  So she and I both enjoyed a bowl of ice cream to top off our lunch!  We dropped Ruth off to do some shopping while we ran a few errands in a different part of town.  After picking Ruth back up, we picked up the pastor of the church we'd gone to when Chris and Sharelee were here to go meet the landlady for the school the church used for meetings.  They worked everything out so the church could continue meeting in that building and we headed on.  Prabhudas had another meeting to go to so he dropped Ruth and I off at the grocery store to pick up supplies for the team that is coming in from Germany this week.  Before heading back home, we had one more stop to visit some of their friends.  We got in around 10pm instead of the originally scheduled 6pm, but I'm so glad I went with them.  I really enjoyed my time with them! 

Post-holiday week!

I enjoyed a pretty relaxed Saturday after getting in late from Hyderabad.  I sang in church Sunday morning, and went back to school on Monday.  It was such a small crowd that the classes were combined which made it a bit interesting!  The kids got backpacks before break and they proved to be such a distraction in class.  I introduced the flashcards which started out well, but by the time we hit "Hh" there were so many little conversations going on around the room about where each one should sit, who had who's pencil/book/bag and who knows what else.  So it got kind of crazy really fast with more of the same on Tuesday!!!  

It was decided Tuesday night that I would stay home from school on Wednesday to do some office work with Prabhudas before he had to go officiate another wedding.  As he headed out, Ruth and I were dropped off for women's meeting.  As we'd discussed the plan for my day the night before, Prabhudas had told me to "prepare a small sermon" which I took to mean be ready to share more than my customary greeting.  However, Ruth informed me on the way I was to be the main speaker!!!  I think I spoke all of 20 minutes (with translation) before I was finished and prayed for the ladies.  At the amen, Ruth confirmed I was done and then said she'd have to preach a while because it was not long enough!  =)  

With so much office work to do, I didn't go back to school the rest of the week.  Prabhudas and I worked in the office in the morning, had lunch and then went back to work.  On Thursday night, I went with him to a meeting in Khammam about an hour and a half away from here.  Once we got there, he asked me to share greetings which I was kind of expecting!  He didn't start preaching until 9pm and he went for 1 1/2 hours!  Then we were taken to a nearby home for dinner and we didn't get home until almost 2am.   

One evening, we went up to the roof for my sunset pictures and then went for a walk to the church which was really nice!  We went upstairs to the future school rooms and I took some more pictures.  On the way back to campus, we stopped at a home next to the Bible school for tea.  Before going inside, we went up onto the roof and looked out over the neighborhood where a lot of my students live.  I heard a lot of "Madam, madam, hi, madam" as we talked and waved and I clicked away on the camera.  The tea turned out to be coffee, but since it is mostly water buffalo milk and sugar, I was able to drink it.  They also served us a fried potato thing that was really very good.  It was a very nice evening!!! 

Hyderabad

I had a crazy morning at school Tuesday, October 12 as there had been a parent meeting in the morning so all the kids were in one classroom the first hour. Several of the Littles were wailing as I tried to find some way to control the chaos. We sang a few songs with parents peeking in at the windows and door which only increased the volume of some of the crying which increased the volume of some of the singing...it was crazy!!! After class, I had 30 minutes to clean up before the car arrived to take me to a "housewarming" where I was to join Prabhudas and Ruth for lunch.

Arriving back to campus after lunch, I had about 2 hours to finish packing and be ready to hit the road to Hyderabad. I think it was closer to 5pm by the time we pulled out, so we were running on Indian time, but that's okay! We arrived at Ruth's sister's house about 10pm where we had dinner and dropped off their mom. Then we headed to Ruth's brothers house where we stayed for a few nights. I was EXHAUSTED!!! I slept straight through until about 6:15am when I had to make some adjustments before laying back down for a little longer.

My first day in Hyderabad, we went to the Birla temple, planetarium and science museum before having lunch at the Chinese restaurant I'd been to the last time I was here. Then we headed to the Muslim district of Charminar to do some shopping. I really enjoyed my day with Das' family and Ruth's nieces. They took excellent care of me on the crowded streets as we wandered from shop to shop.

Birla Temple

Charminar

 

Shopping

Perfect end to a great day!!!

Thursday morning, Prabhudas had a wedding so I got to relax until he came back in the afternoon. After I'd eaten the McDonald's he brought me for lunch, we headed to Ramya's house where the whole family was gathered awaiting the arrival of the man she is going to marry and his family. I was only there a couple of hours before going into town to meet up with a friend I made last year in Kansas City. We had a great time getting caught up and I got to meet a couple of American at a small concert at her friend's house. It was a great night!!!  Sadly, I left the house without my camera and have no pictures of our time together!  But I hope to see her again before leaving!

Friday morning, 8 of us headed to Golconda Fort! It was quite impressive and we had a great time!!! It took us a little more than 2 hours to wander through the whole thing and the tour guide we'd hired had some interesting information along the way. It cracked me up because he would gather us in close and practically whisper like he didn't want any one else to hear and occassionally he'd spell out words - "Let's G-O, go!" Hilarious!!! There were some great views of the city from the top of the fort, but it was a very foggy/smoggy day so it's hard to tell in the pictures!

We stopped by Pizza Hut to pick up my lunch and then the rest of the gang had a snack at Hungry Jacks before we went back to the house where Prabhudas was waiting for us. After we'd all had lunch, we loaded up to head back to Chillakallu.

Ready to hit the road!!!

We made several stops on the way out of town looking for a gift which was finally purchased and amazingly fit into the back of the car like a puzzle piece with all the baggage that was already back there! It was pretty late when we got home and I was happy to crawl into bed!!!