How to Have Fun in India!

Get a shave with a straight razor

Feed lollipops to a monkey

Play in a field of drying red chilies

Pretend to win (or lose!) the Sport's Day

event at Ibrahimpatnam School

Cram into an autocab for an exciting ride

Visit the giant Hanuman (monkey god)

statue near the school

Ride on a bull cart

Dance in the street to a drum

band with a village elder

Hug an adorable baby

Get locked in a 14th century jail

Hang out on 14th century

fort palace ruins

Happy 18th Birthday, Leigh!

On January 27th, our Leigh turned 18! She wore a beautiful new sari to the meeting, and the whole congregation sang "Happy Birthday" to her!

Our guys bought balloons, a hat, a cake, a funky lotus candle that opens and plays a song, and a birthday poster. We toasted her with Appy Fizz (like sparkling cider). Welcome to adulthood, Leigh! God bless you!

Indian Village Parade!

Chevitikallu is deep in the rural farming area. We passed fields of corn and maize, cotton and red chilies. Once in the village, we were again given flower garlands, and paraded like royalty through the entire village to the beat of a very loud, large drum band! We visited throughout the village--a big crowd, as it is Republic Day--a national holiday like our 4th of July. (We all sported Indian lapel flag pins). The church here is very big, and was built by Maranatha about 10 years ago. They are in the process of redoing the stone floor that had been ruined by the annual monsoon flooding, so the inside of the church had a sand floor right now. They served is a huge lunch there! if it hadn't been a church, we could have played beach volleyball!

Riding on a Bull Cart!

We drove about 45 minutes on a rough road through fields of tobacco, cotton and newly sprouted grain to S. Amaravarum. They met us on the outskirts of the village with garlands and two decorated bull carts! We were then carried into the village on the carts to the beat of a drum and much fanfare! That's not something that happens often in Maine!!



This small village is about 70% Adventist, and needs a Bible worker home built next to the church. We plan to do this as part of this year's project. The homes are not visible from the road--low, thatched roof "porches" in front hide them. It was a bit tricky for our tall guys to stoop low enough to go in!

The other photos are of us passing out Beanie Babies in the church and praying with the people in their homes.

"Hello India!"

"Hell-o-o-o-o India", Josh shouts! "Hello America", the crowd hollers back! This is his signature greeting, and the villagers love it! So began Josh's original sermon on God's ten blessings--the ten commandments. He did a great job! As you can see from the photo, the people pack into the autocabs to and from the meetings. The kids love it when the girls sit with them in the audience!

Visiting in Damuluru and Chilukuru

It has been quite an experience visiting in the villages. Some of the homes in these villages are the poorest we've seen this year--dried dung floors, tarps covering a frame of sticks. One hut was about 40 square feet and the entrance so low, you could hardly enter. One family of 15 lived in two rooms! The children followed us around from place to place as usual. In Chilikuru, they led us into the village while they threw flower petals on us! We have eaten lunch in the villages every day--it's a cultural, gastronomical bonanza!

Heartstring Tuggers!

If ever there were kids that tugged on your heartstrings, these are they! As Harry was having worship with the boys hostel at the school one morning, the dean told him about three boys sponsored who were very poor. Sponsorship covers only tuition, food and housing. Joshua, Arvin and Anil Kumar own no long pants, have no uniform for school, and no shoes. Arvin and Anil Kumar also have no sandals and have to walk everywhere barefoot. Joshua shares his pair with a younger brother! Their parents are unable to provide even these bare necessities. Needless to say, our friend's remaining $40 went to buy uniforms, shoes and sandals for 2 of the boys. We covered the third. And we think we are hard put not to have something we think we need!!