Enough meds ready to pack to fill a clinic! Malaria tablet regime begun. Spoke to Pastor Prince this week - it seems we're all excited about our trip. Hoping we can can get internet access easily at the hotel and will keep you uptodate with our trip.
Looking forward to following your every move!! X
ReplyDeleteDay 1 in Goa. Hot and humid. Spent a wonderful afternoon at Care & Compassion Home, showing them booklet and photos of Malden Parochial School, admired pictures and caught up with the lives of these amazing children. Ajith has come 2nd in the school, Priyanka Snr has a place at college to do a 1-year hospitality diploma, Shilpa and Priyanka (new) are settling in well, Soniya is "captain" at school in charge of disciplining younger ones.....Sudhir has now left the Home, is back living with Mum and is apprentice helper to an electrician. Met Rocky, the 3 week old puppy and Mickey the cat. Ian's table football game is hugely popular and very competitive. Tomorrow we're off to get rupees, gifts and Robert's going to teach them Origami and then we'll spend time with Pastor Prince and Sujatha sharing and encouraging them in this excellent work.
ReplyDeleteDay 2 in Goa. Even hotter and more humid! Robert was thrashed at chess by Ajith; I was on a winner with Kieran playing Monopoly (Indian version) and Origami Samurai hats and paper planes very popular. Robert doing final prep for 2 sermons (one via interpreter) tomorrow morning (and temperature due to be going up and up). Find out that I'm to do 2 songs at church (a capella) so accessing words on internet but not sure people in next bedroom will want to hear me practising at this time!
ReplyDeleteDay 3 in Goa. Wonderful welcome at Panjim Church including bouquets of flowers. The young people led worship. Robert preached on "I am the light of the world". I sang "Jesus, hope of the nations". Straight to Vasco slum church for further welcome. Same sermon (abbreviated) via interpreter! Shared communion together. Very humbling to be asked to pray with the folk there including a lady with Aids and another who had burnt her arm. Back to the Home for Lunch (and for those who know me well will be impressed that I've drunk tea and had chicken curry during my visit) and back to hotel to shower and laze for the evening.
ReplyDeleteCurry? Raja and Sara will be happy.
ReplyDeleteDay 4 in Goa. Went to final day of children's workshop, mainly about first aid, sexual awareness and "stranger/danger" run by a local voluntary Christian Group, Udant. Trafficking is a real issue in India. The organisation commented how well they had interacted on these topics. In the evening we treated them to pizza - good old Domino's! - and were entertained with songs and jokes. This included several Sikh jokes (equivalent to our Irish jokes) and in fact we had been set homework by the children to tell them jokes in return tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteDay 5 in Goa. Lunch with Pastor Prince and Sujatha (Goan fare) and time to catch up with their vision, hopes and dreams for the work. Last day of the holidays for the children and a visit to the Science Centre followed by time on Mirimar beach. All the usual stuff - sandcastles, cricket, football, paddling, relaxing as sun was setting. Early evening snacks afterwards and everyone, staff and other adults included, all tired after a wonderful afternoon.
ReplyDeleteDay 6 in Goa. Pastor Prince's birthday. Celebrations at the Home involving a special lunch. Entertainment by the children including songs, break dancing, skits and jokes plus sweets and snacks. Mozzies have finally found me so glad we have supplies of anthisan, deet spray and piriton! First day of term so left the children with the prospect of at least 2 hours homework.
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