Summer Is Here

As of yesterday summer is officially here in India. School is out and the roof swimming pool is full of water.

Saturday is C.'s birthday and so tomorrow we're going on a picnic with all our staff (60 people) to a "farm" that specializes in picnics. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon chai and have 2 swimming pools! Fun!

Yesterday I came upstairs and E. was asleep on my bed. I noticed G. (the 3 year old) scurrying around like a little worker ant placing individual articles of her clothing atop her sister.


Notice individual articles of clothing on sleeping E. in next shot. I assume that G. was placing her own pieces of clothing over her sister to keep her from feeling cold in the air conditioning.


Sadly, such an act of pure kindness toward her sister on G.'s part seems alien, unlikely, although - not impossible I suppose. It all just seemed devious to me somehow...

Bye

We gave our students their report cards today and from tonight they'll start heading home to their families til June.
We took this group shot this morning, all the students and some of the staff.
Bye.

Our Bible Students' Last Week

It just kind of hit me that our Bible students will all be going home for summer vacation this week. Tomorrow is the last exam and a few days after that they are free to go home.

I've spent the last couple days taking individual exit interviews with all of the students and it has been enlightening. There was so much about our students that I didn't know. One of the main questions I asked them was whether they were coming back to complete their 2nd/last year in June. Most are planning come back, only one was a definite No due to her poor health over the last year.

Some students were reluctant to come back because they are penniless and couldn't afford the nominal fees Yeah, I can solve that problem, it's nice when you're the one in charge. Other students (girls) were unsure whether they could come back because they were afraid their families might force them to marry when they go home and not allow them to come back. I spent some time on the phone to family members assuring them that we will take the responsibility of finding husbands for their girls. Another problem solved.

These are some of the things we face and its been a pleasure and a joy to be a part of these 25 students' lives since July. I'm going to miss them.

Today was their last day in church and they sang a special song and 5 students gave testimonies.

Some fun facts about our Bible students:

1. We have two Romeos, one Monalisa, and a Gandhi

2. One of our Romeos became a Christian and was baptized after attending our Bible College. He didn't even know where he was going when he got on the train from the Northeastern state of Assam to come all the way over to us.

Yeah, The Hot Is Here

There is a need inside me to communicate about The Hot here. To let you know, the faithful 8 people who follow my blog, that its hot here and I'm sweaty and salty all the time. I know. Unpleasant.

The Hot, is here.

Cold Turkey

I have no idea where the expression "cold turkey" came from, but that's what we say when you stop something without any prior weaning off. Right? Well, P. is being weaned. I've been on O. for a month to go away for a few days or something. He can't bear the crying. He finally decided today was the day we would wean so he's working all night in the office.


I haven't seen P. since this morning and she is apparently happy as a clam without me around. It's the seeing the mommy that starts off the awful "Mamaaa, mamaaa, mamaaa!" wining til she gets what she wants.


Great day.

P. No more dude (milk) for you.

Its Easter

What a day. We had a love feast after church so I started the day by cooking - lots.

I also must have been going through one of my creative fits because I taught and led a special song with our ladies choir and taught a skit to our Bible students. I had a great time but it stretched me. Always an opportunity to improve my Hindi and push me out of my boundaries.

At last I was in charge of getting the food served. Everyone ate. The only problem we faced was too much food! And I forgot my camera.

Overall I was really relaxed and had a wonderful day. Thank you Jesus. For everything.

Happy Easter everyone.

Another Busy Week

It's been busy since Palm Sunday (or before) with several guests coming in for training conferences (and staying at my house) and it being that Easter time of year.

I'm teaching a song for Easter to our church women and a skit to the Bible students. I'm wondering when I'll get them time. That and the stiff neck and all...

Stiff Neck

I developed a nasty stiff neck yesterday afternoon. Still sore.

Thank You Mrs. R. Temple-Wright

As I sort of promised yesterday, here is a excerpt from "Baker and Cook" by Mrs. R. Temple-Wright.

(Exactly as written, emphasis all hers):

"Why I make my own Bread.
Even at the risk of shocking you, I must not mince matters, but tell you my reasons in plain language. I saw one afternoon a baker's carrier bringing a basket of bread from the bazaar into the station; he was stopped by a purchaser, who findered every loaf before he decided which he would buy. That fastidious would-be purchaser was a -- leper!
I went to a baker's shop, and entered into a conversation with a boy who seemed to be in charge, but who, being unable to answer questions, called out to the baker who was making bread in the next room. The baker appeared with the dough stinking to his fingers and on seeing a lady, said he would wash his hands and return. He did so, and stood revealed as a miserable leper!
I have seen dirty sheets taken off the dirty body and used for tying up the atta with which next day's bread was to be made! My own eyes have beheld the family blanket pulled off the bed of sickness and of death, and used in the bazaar bakehouse to keep warm the dough which would presently appear in the form of bread for European consumption! I have seen far more than this, but I need not tell more. I feel sure you have already resolved, as I did years before, never to eat bazaar bread."

Mrs. R. Temple-Wright, thanks for not holding back or mincing matters.

atta = whole wheat flour