Franklin

Okay, I know I'm not suppose to bring anyone home but after you see this little face I think you could allow me. I met Franklin last December and just fell in love with this little guy! This trip was no different. His parents work at the Eureka Children's Home and he and his baby sister are the most beautiful children you can imagine. This trip he became so close to Leah and I that we became 'aunties'. Yesterday morning he awoke and informed his dad that he was going to see aunties and was our shadow the rest of the day. During our morning devotions on the balcony he would run from one auntie to the next telling us something in Tamil. "Auntie" he would say, and then he would rattle off something we couldn't understand. He even got the other children to call us by this endearing title. This is a picture of Franklin, little sister Shela and Auntie Leah as we watched (and laughed) as the children and adults danced. They were enjoying the suckers and ballonns given as gifts.

Mobile Clinic

Here's a shot from the Good Samaritan Mobile Clinic. You can see the medicines given and how the people gather around the table for treatment. I have some pictures of people getting shots but figured you didn't want to see that. :) I don't have any of me teaching but will have to get them from Leah.

Elijah

If I had just one moment in India to share with you it would have to be this one. During my lectures to the village healthcare workers on Friday, Mom and Sister Lee took a walk. They visited a neighbor's home who had just had a baby boy 3 weeks ago. When Leah & I finished our classes we joined the others in their walk to see the baby. We all held him and just spent time with the family which included Leah's first drink of coconut milk directly from the coconut freshly cut from the tree. As I held the baby, the family asked me to name him. I thought they must be kidding to let a stranger name their first-born son. (I had forgotten that this lady had attended one of my classes at the orphanage in December regarding nutrition during preganacy and infant feedings.) I couldn't help but name him Elijah. I had been studying the life of this Old Testiment prophet lately and this name seemed perfect. As the prophet Elijah climbed the mountain to the top of Mt Carmel for the great show-down between the false prophets, he had to pass all the pagan shrines scattered up the mountain. This reminds me of India and these mountains so much. He basically said to the world around him that he would stand for truth regardless of the circumstances. I pray this will be the attitute of our little Elijah.

Baby Diana

We just returned from the mobile clinic this afternoon. I love this set-up! We travel to the village and meet the people intheir own enviroment and at there needs. Throughout a month's time, 25 villages scattered throughout the mountains are visited with loving hands that provide not only medicines and recommendations but also Christ's love. Actually a minister will walk the village and round up the kids to tell them Bible stories and sing songs. It 'just so happened' that these last few days we were going to some of the same villages as I visited in December. This was great because I got to see if people had listened. Guess what? They did!!! One of my largest concerns from the last trip was a 15 mo old baby girl who had not began solid foods. She was lacking in zinc & iron as well as other vitamins/minerals. She was so depleted she couldn't walk. We entered our very last village for this trip and a beautiful woman came up to me. She said she knew me. I recognized the face but couldn't quite place her, then her baby came running up to her mommy! She was now eating solids and doing wonderfully. Baby Diana and her mother were such an encouragement to me.

My first official post from India

It's 7:45 p.m. here at Shady Grove Children's Home and we are hoping for a good night's rest before heading out to Eureka Children's home tomorrow and especially to the ground breaking ceremony of the Fair Haven Free Medical Clinic (Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!!) This ceremony, as well as this entire evangelistic trip to India, will be a life-changing experience for us all! GOD IS SO GOOD, GRACIOUS, AND MERCIFUL TO HIS PEOPLE ALL OVER THIS BEAUTIFUL WORLD!!!! Brother Guna and Sister Mary and the entire staff are so talented in running this establishment. The children are absolutely beautiful, joyful, full of life, and loving to a fault! They alL have captured our hearts and will forever remain there. Please continue to pray for our group "The Super Six" as we continue to strive to do God's work in the beautiful country of India. HE IS AN AWESOME GOD!!!!

In Christian Love,

Leah

Kitchen

The kitchen for 110 kids is up and coming. Here's what it looks like today but also here's what it's going to look like in a few months. The small area is the actual kitchen that will be run from gas appliances instead of a fire and pot. The opening will be place of tray service with the larger area as the dining area. Guna told me this was "Karen's Heart" kitchen. I know that will not be the offical name but oh how close he is!

Current Kitchen

Service Window Kitchen

Kitchen/dining area

Sitting with a Friend

Here with Surya as I catch-up with email. She has done a great job helping with lunch and now is spending time with me. We are at our destination and having a wonderful time with all the children!!!

Another fun picture

getting ready for India

Just sitting here with Karen as she helps me learn to "blog". Ten days and counting......
I'm so very excited and at the same time already missing the simple comforts of America (and we will leave it at that, so fill in the blanks - HA,HA!!!) Please continue to pray for our journey and the many preparations, both physical and spiritual.