Heading home

We went to a Chinese restaurant in Hyderabad our last night in India. We spent the night in town, had the morning to do a little shopping and then headed to the airport. We flew to Delhi on Thursday afternoon where we had a lay over until just after midnight Good Friday. Our route home took us up over the North Pole which was pretty cool. After hours of flying, we entered the Central Time Zone at 11:30 pm on Thursday -how's that for going back in time!!!!

Saying goodbye

The day our journey home began, I was decorated by a young lady from the children's home. They use henna and draw flowers and other designs on the hands and arms. I was also blessed with a gift of earrings from the girls of the Children's Home. Wearing my punjabi, I left as Indian as I could get!


It was a sad, tearful time as we pulled away after a very drawn out time of saying good-bye to the kids. I can't wait to get back!!!

Free day

Tuesday was our "tourist" day. We went to a nearby Hindu temple where we walked down a ton of steps to the river, and watched a bunch of monkeys.

We left the temple and caught a ferry across the river to go to a nearby village. We met a Christian woman who invited us to her home. When her friends and family had all gathered, we were able to pray for them. Many of the village children walked us back to the river and stayed with us until we loaded back onto the ferry.

One last day trip

Monday morning, we loaded up into the van once again and headed to another little village where the people gathered for a one-day seminar. In every church we went to, we were all asked to offer greetings to the people. Public speaking has never been my favorite thing, but it was a privilege to be able to honor these people who so honor us! This was our last trip out to a village church. In every village, we were served a wonderful meal before heading home. We got a bunch of the people together just outside the church for pictures just before leaving!

Walking tour

On Sunday evening, we walked around the neighborhood next to the children's home where a once nomadic tribe now lives - many in tents like the one above. We drew a crowd of children that called out "Photo! One more photo!!!" with every step we took.

As we walked around town we had several opportunities to stop and pray for various people. The two men pictured below received healing in their arms as we prayed. In the first picture, the man is shaking hands with his left hand (which is not usually acceptable in their culture as the left hand is considered defiled) to show that strength has returned and the pain he had after having his shoulder dislocated by thieves was completely gone!!! The older man's right arm was locked in a specific position with weakness/paralysis on that side of his body following a stroke. The shoulder gave way and he received more mobility in his arm as we prayed!!! He also felt strengthened to the point that he circled the chair unaided with arms raised in praise after we prayed!!!

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, everyone decorates palm branches with little flowers and carries them to church with them. These are some pictures of the Children's Home children lining up to head to the church with their branches.

When they arrive, they hang the branches up around the church - in the windows, doorways and on the gate.

The church was packed out so several rows of people from the front were brought up onto the platform with us to make more room!

It was an incredible time and we got to be a part of a baptism following the service. It hit me during worship that it was our last Sunday which made it difficult not to cry the rest of the day!

"Hard" work

Part of the work I was able to help with was translating letters from the children's home to their sponsors. We also worked on translating some of the script on the pictures the kids drew during the children's conference. I was also able to spend some time playing with the girls from the children's home. I was severely beaten multiple times in thumb war, won a few games of hot potato, and watched a great skit a few of the girls put together. They are always up for a song and a game. It was a lot of fun! I can't wait to really get to know these girls!!!