Monday, January 10, 2011
home
Just to let you know, Kimberly and myself arrived home in Peoria on Sunday about 2:00 in the afternoon. 2 1/2 days of travel later. Jet lag has affected me much more than going over. After a 2 hour nap today and 9 hours last night, I am still exhausted. I start work tomorrow....I'll try to stay awake. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I love you all Penny
Friday, January 7, 2011
friday morning
The festival for the children and widows from the village went very well. Instead of a meal te widows were given a banana and water. After the program they were each given their sari. Many were very old and using a stick to walk with. The teachers were given a ticket to invite 10 widows from their village. They all greet you with Namasta, and you can see a gleam in their eyes as we greeted them. We were introduced and treated as stars with our names written out on paper going across the stage. We then went up on the stage and Kusuma thanked us for coming and helping the children. Then the children performed some of their talents. After that the children distibuted the sari's to the elderly widows. After the husband dies a widow is not suppose to marry again. She is a widow til death. As the widows were leaving they greeted each of us and thanked us. Many touched our faces or kissed our hands. It is an amazing experience, and one that I never forget. It really makes you appreciate all that we have. It was so nice to see the children assisting the widows in getting around.
Some of the things we were able to do with the funding raised was the dental clinic. Dr Dan Rauk, whose mother helped start the orphange worked very hard doing the dental work for all of the children. We also were able to get all of the children's eye tested and new glasses. There was still a need for more sweaters, so we purchased more of those. The children were very appreciative for the sweaters we brought and for the new ones. Sandles were also purchased. This time of year most of them do not wear the shoes, but in feb. the summer heat will start and for several months the sand will be to hot to walk on. They will need the shoes at that time. Also the girls hostel is in much need of repair. They have a serious water leaking problem throughout the building. Which causes the building on te outside to look very bad. This is the most expensive problem right now, so much of our funding will be to put in new PVC pipe that will go throughout the building making it much easier to fix problems in the future. After the work is finished the building will be painted inside and out. This will be a major accomplishment when it is finished. Five years ago, Kimberly and myself were on a team that painted the entire inside of the building and we hired the outside done. It looked very nice then, but is in need of it being done again.
The last day at Reach Home we took the dental assistance out for dinner with us. They are nursing students that lived at Reach Home and grew up there. They had never eatin in a restaurant. Then we gave then a gift of a new chudidar and new shoes. They were very grateful and surprised. The evening was very nice and we ate outside in the patio of the restaurant. I ofcourse enjoyed a bottle of squirt.
The final day at the orphanage is a hard one as all of the children love the attention and hate for us to go. I became close with the 9th grade girl that we sponsor, so it was difficult to say goodbye. Lots of hugs and well wishes. I also was able to meet children of other people I know who sponsor a child here.
We probably have 5,000 pictures to share between all of the team. It will be fun to look at all of them. I'll select a few and not make family and friends view all 5,000. Ha.
At 11:20 PM it was off to the train station for the midnight train to Hyderabad. This is the worst part of the trip. The travel home. Many hours of rushing and waiting. When you board the train at night it is difficult to find your bunk. The stack them 3 high, and of course I got the top bunk. So you put all of your bags and belonging in the bunk with you and climb up.
Right now we are waiting in Hyderabad to catch our flight to Deli in the early morning.
We have a 15 hours lay over, so Pete arranged a tour for us to take up some time. Not much to do at the airport. Our plain home leaves around midnight for a 15 hour flight home. Actually because of the time difference it looks like it will only take 2 hours. We lose 13 or so hours someplace. It would be nice at this point to beam me up Scotti and take me home.
love to you all and see you soon.
Penny
Some of the things we were able to do with the funding raised was the dental clinic. Dr Dan Rauk, whose mother helped start the orphange worked very hard doing the dental work for all of the children. We also were able to get all of the children's eye tested and new glasses. There was still a need for more sweaters, so we purchased more of those. The children were very appreciative for the sweaters we brought and for the new ones. Sandles were also purchased. This time of year most of them do not wear the shoes, but in feb. the summer heat will start and for several months the sand will be to hot to walk on. They will need the shoes at that time. Also the girls hostel is in much need of repair. They have a serious water leaking problem throughout the building. Which causes the building on te outside to look very bad. This is the most expensive problem right now, so much of our funding will be to put in new PVC pipe that will go throughout the building making it much easier to fix problems in the future. After the work is finished the building will be painted inside and out. This will be a major accomplishment when it is finished. Five years ago, Kimberly and myself were on a team that painted the entire inside of the building and we hired the outside done. It looked very nice then, but is in need of it being done again.
The last day at Reach Home we took the dental assistance out for dinner with us. They are nursing students that lived at Reach Home and grew up there. They had never eatin in a restaurant. Then we gave then a gift of a new chudidar and new shoes. They were very grateful and surprised. The evening was very nice and we ate outside in the patio of the restaurant. I ofcourse enjoyed a bottle of squirt.
The final day at the orphanage is a hard one as all of the children love the attention and hate for us to go. I became close with the 9th grade girl that we sponsor, so it was difficult to say goodbye. Lots of hugs and well wishes. I also was able to meet children of other people I know who sponsor a child here.
We probably have 5,000 pictures to share between all of the team. It will be fun to look at all of them. I'll select a few and not make family and friends view all 5,000. Ha.
At 11:20 PM it was off to the train station for the midnight train to Hyderabad. This is the worst part of the trip. The travel home. Many hours of rushing and waiting. When you board the train at night it is difficult to find your bunk. The stack them 3 high, and of course I got the top bunk. So you put all of your bags and belonging in the bunk with you and climb up.
Right now we are waiting in Hyderabad to catch our flight to Deli in the early morning.
We have a 15 hours lay over, so Pete arranged a tour for us to take up some time. Not much to do at the airport. Our plain home leaves around midnight for a 15 hour flight home. Actually because of the time difference it looks like it will only take 2 hours. We lose 13 or so hours someplace. It would be nice at this point to beam me up Scotti and take me home.
love to you all and see you soon.
Penny
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
We have finsihed working on the list of current children here at Reach. Many are in need of sponsors. See item below. We are now getting ready for the big celebration were the children prepare a meal for 100 widows in the near by villages. They are each given a new Sari to wear. They are very grateful and this is an opportunity for the children to learn service and share Gods word. So... I have to get into my Sari and prepare for the children to entertain us and serve the needy.
Penny
sponsorship of chidren
To sponsor a chid at the Reach Home where we have been serving it is $365 per year. This will give food, shelter, clothing, and an education to te chidren.
If you are interested please send a payment to:
St. Mark's lutheran Church
C/O Sela Mogren
2499 N Helen
North St Paul, MN 55109
You will receive a picture and letter from a child. Please keep in mind that many of the chidldren are long term residents here. However because some children leave for a variety of reasons, at some time your child may change. Your donation helps all of the children. The funds are essential in the lives of the children to keep the Reach Home open. Plese open your hearts and pray for these beautiful children. If you are unable to sponsor a child, donations are very necessary and extremely appreciated.
In Christ
Penny
If you are interested please send a payment to:
St. Mark's lutheran Church
C/O Sela Mogren
2499 N Helen
North St Paul, MN 55109
You will receive a picture and letter from a child. Please keep in mind that many of the chidldren are long term residents here. However because some children leave for a variety of reasons, at some time your child may change. Your donation helps all of the children. The funds are essential in the lives of the children to keep the Reach Home open. Plese open your hearts and pray for these beautiful children. If you are unable to sponsor a child, donations are very necessary and extremely appreciated.
In Christ
Penny
Lots of work being done
Thanks to the help of Laxmi and Premalatha the dental work on everybody at REACH is almost done. We also have arranged for all the children to get eye exams. Several of them need glasses and they get to pick out whatever pair they want. We are waiting for the estimates to get the bus fixed and to repair the pipes at the girls home.
On Monday after school, several of the girls were teaching me Telugu. One girl named Anuja knows English very well, She taught me to write my name in Telugu and how to say the vowels and consonants. It was fun to learn. I need to have her write down the "This is the Day" song for me.
Yesterday we went to the leper colony, but I mostly stayed in the car because shortly after we got there I started not feeling well. I was sick all day yesterday and this morning, but now I am starting to feel better.
Tonight will be the celebration when we dress up in the saris Kusuma got for us. We have to pack all our things tonight so Kusuma can take them with her when she leaves early tomorrow morning. We will leave tomorrow on the 11:30 pm train. The plan is to sleep on the train, then shop in Hyderabad on Friday. On Saturday morning we leave to return home.
The time has gone by so quickly, but we have done so many good things here.
God Bless,
Kimberly
On Monday after school, several of the girls were teaching me Telugu. One girl named Anuja knows English very well, She taught me to write my name in Telugu and how to say the vowels and consonants. It was fun to learn. I need to have her write down the "This is the Day" song for me.
Yesterday we went to the leper colony, but I mostly stayed in the car because shortly after we got there I started not feeling well. I was sick all day yesterday and this morning, but now I am starting to feel better.
Tonight will be the celebration when we dress up in the saris Kusuma got for us. We have to pack all our things tonight so Kusuma can take them with her when she leaves early tomorrow morning. We will leave tomorrow on the 11:30 pm train. The plan is to sleep on the train, then shop in Hyderabad on Friday. On Saturday morning we leave to return home.
The time has gone by so quickly, but we have done so many good things here.
God Bless,
Kimberly
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sights and Sounds
Laxmi, Dan, Kimberly and Betty doing dental work.
The wonderful welcome we received upon our arrival to REACH.
Siri and Laxmi screening a girl's teeth for cavities.
The children practicing brushing their teeth.
The train to Bapatla.
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| The children eating lunch. |
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| Penny, Dan and Betty doing dental work. |
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| The bus is broken so this is how they get the village children to and from school. |
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| Siri, Kusuma, Mike, Leah upon arrival to Hyderabad. |
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| Siri, Dan and Sharon upon arrival at Hyderabad Airport. |
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| Morning assembly and prayer at the beginning of the school day. |
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| Picking out fabric for saris |
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| The sweaters collected from St. Mark's, Washington, IL. Those are boys wearing the turtleneck and pink |
Laxmi, Dan, Kimberly and Betty doing dental work.
The wonderful welcome we received upon our arrival to REACH.
Siri and Laxmi screening a girl's teeth for cavities.
The children practicing brushing their teeth.
The train to Bapatla.Saturday, January 1, 2011
A Trip to Town
During the afternoon Sharon, Lynn, Mom and I went to the girls' hostel to visit. I brought my guitar and some embroidery floss to make bracelets. We sang several songs with them. We took requests for songs that they might know. "This is the Day" they requested and then sang it in Telegu for us. I had Kusuma translate the songs that they didn't know because I wanted them to know the songs were about Jesus. I taught them the "Be Like Jesus" song I wrote and it is neat to hear them singing it after I walk away. After my fingers started hurting, I got out the thread and three of us passed it out to the girls to make bracelets. I was going to teach them, but they indicated they already knew how. I told them they could only have one each, but they girls would get one and then go to another line to get another. I was surprised how much thread was left over, so I gave it to Laxmi (one of the nursing students) to distribute it later.
Laxmi and Premalatha, and Pete helped Dan in the dental clinic. They also trained one of the older boys, Venkat, to sterilize the tools and he worked the list. All the staff who were here were screened and everyone but Kusuma had their teeth done.
Last night we had some free time and we wanted to go to town. Pete wanted to take a rickshaw, but Kusuma insisted we take the van. When we arrived the short distance to town, Pete told the drivers to leave and that we would get a rickshaw back to REACH. We walked and looked at the shops. I bought my daughter a beautiful pink traditional Indian outfit and some bangles. She will love them. When we decided it was time to go back Pete found us two rickshaws. The ride was a little scary, a couple times I had to tuck my feet in when another bicycle passed us. Mom was facing backwards and was quite intimidated by a bus that got rather close. I think next time she will insist we take the bus back! When we returned the van was missing, the drivers had waited for us downtown. So Baby (Kusuma's neice who helps run the home), had to call them back.
I figured out how to use Skype on Mom's netbook. This morning after breakfast we Skyped my husband and our virtual crew member, Joanie. The children were very excited to talk on Skype. I'm going to try to Skype church later this evening (which would be Sunday morning then). We will leave soon to go to the girls' hostel for worship. Oh, never mind, apparently the girls are coming here because I just saw them all pass by the door. After lunch we are trying to arrange a visit to the leper colony.
God Bless!
Laxmi and Premalatha, and Pete helped Dan in the dental clinic. They also trained one of the older boys, Venkat, to sterilize the tools and he worked the list. All the staff who were here were screened and everyone but Kusuma had their teeth done.
Last night we had some free time and we wanted to go to town. Pete wanted to take a rickshaw, but Kusuma insisted we take the van. When we arrived the short distance to town, Pete told the drivers to leave and that we would get a rickshaw back to REACH. We walked and looked at the shops. I bought my daughter a beautiful pink traditional Indian outfit and some bangles. She will love them. When we decided it was time to go back Pete found us two rickshaws. The ride was a little scary, a couple times I had to tuck my feet in when another bicycle passed us. Mom was facing backwards and was quite intimidated by a bus that got rather close. I think next time she will insist we take the bus back! When we returned the van was missing, the drivers had waited for us downtown. So Baby (Kusuma's neice who helps run the home), had to call them back.
I figured out how to use Skype on Mom's netbook. This morning after breakfast we Skyped my husband and our virtual crew member, Joanie. The children were very excited to talk on Skype. I'm going to try to Skype church later this evening (which would be Sunday morning then). We will leave soon to go to the girls' hostel for worship. Oh, never mind, apparently the girls are coming here because I just saw them all pass by the door. After lunch we are trying to arrange a visit to the leper colony.
God Bless!
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