Thursday Already

Stayed up to late once again but what can I say I am making memorize to last a lifetime. I was excited to go to education today.  Because of my last experience with education I have found a more intense love and appreciation for the tutoring.

Today seemed to go extra well in tutoring. The kids seemed to be reading so much better and the math seemed to go better for the kids and me as well. All the kids seemed to be a little more focused and maybe even trying a little harder. I have also found a way to motivate the kids. Each child is motivated by different things but I think I've got them figured out. Of course I would on the last day I get to tutor them, right?

Each moment today has seemed to be extra special and emotional. We had a water fight with the kids. It started out with water balloons and ended with buckets of water and even some sand... What a blast. I think everyone had a great time and it was a marvelous way to get our attention off of us leaving.

 

Dinner time was especially emotional. I see everyone getting sad and I cant fix it.  I know its just going to get worse tomorrow. We are enjoying every moment we have, but anytime you aren't working or playing you have time to think, which brings the gloom.

Amy taught me how to make memory boxes out of Popsicle sticks so that's what we did for talent class. Its amazing how quickly all those hands can move when they see something they want. It took us a second to get the kids calm enough to show and explain what we were doing. Once we showed them they all went crazy building them. They soon realized they needed help. All I heard for twenty minutes was, "Auntie, Auntie, it's my turn, help me". I was trying to help as fast as I could because each child made me feel like it was urgent I get theirs done immediately. Kala even made one which always makes me smile when she participates.

                                    

For some reason Kala didn't seem as worried about the kids getting to bed on time or us leaving on time which was really nice. Our activity took a long time so even though we should've come back to the hostel we stayed a little longer. I just had to read the kids a couple stories before I left.. I cant believe this was the last time, for this trip, that I would get to lay with them and put them to bed...

Well it is storming outside and we once again stood out and played in the rain. Everyone else is outside still watching the lightning and thunder storm. I watched it from the window while I updated my blog but now I am going to go join the others outside!

Medical 3 days left

We left at 8:30 a.m. to go to the hospital in Chennai. Once every week the medical team takes people from the colony's to the hospital to get the medical care they need. They also take any of the kids from Rising Star that need to go to the doctor.

Today Steven needed to go to the doctor so he got to ride with us which I thought was awesome. When we got to the hospital we each got paired up with a patient and assigned where to take them. The reason we go with these patients is because of the stigma Leprosy still has. We want people to see us with these people and let them see there is nothing to be scared of. We also want to make sure the patients get the care they need and in a timely manner.

I got paired with a guy that luckily for me knew exactly where he needed to go. He was being seen for his vision problems. He spoke only a couple words of English but he made me feel like he was taking care of me instead of the other way around. When he would get up someone would take his seat so I would stand so he could sit and he would always make people move over so there was room for me. The looks people gave made me wonder what they were thinking.

Watching the process of how patients get seen was a joke. You don't get your name on a waiting list you have a chart you bring with you which I guess has your medical history on it. You get in a line(line being used loosely in this case) and hand the nurse your chart. People cut in front of you to hand in there chart almost constantly. Then depending on who asks to be seen the most that seems to be how they choose which person goes next. The man I was with (I don't know how to spell his name or I would refer to him by his name) made sure he was asking about being seen.

During our time there he was seen 5 different times sometimes by the same person sometimes by a new person. The 2nd to last person he waited to see was the actual doctor and apparently she had stepped away for awhile so we had to just wait for her to return. The hospital/doctors offices where nothing like you would think an establishment like that would look.  In the part of the hospital we were in the walls and floors seemed really dirty. I think sitting on the floor would have been more comfortable than the benches they had. They only had fans to keep the area I was in cool. The light seemed to be very dim. The room they took you in for exam had a doorway but no door. The patient was easily seen by all. Doctors, nurses and other patients would walk in the room and talk while the patient was being seen. Most of the nurses and doctors looked to be between 16-21. I asked one of the girls her age and she said 19...

I took a few pictures so I could use those to  try and explain what I saw. The pictures don't do justice to the actual atmosphere but here they are anyway.

                                                          I love the outfits they wear and the hats!

We only played for a short time today because they celebrated all the August birthdays today. They had a party. The kids with birthdays stood by the cake while everyone else sang happy birthday.

                                                                  Sagayamarry

                                 Of course what party would be complete without a cake fight!

Family time was again split between between Kala's house and going to see Steven. Danny was telling a story to our boys so they were all piled up on top of each other.

 

After the story the boys were sprawled out all over. It was rainy and a little colder than normal so the boys got there blankets out.

                                          Looking at there precious faces how can my heart not ache when I leave here...

Kim, Amy, Carl and I went up on the roof and talked for a while. It was nice and peaceful. I saw a firefly for the first time and I was amazed by it.

We probably stayed up to late but with our time here coming to a close its hard not to try to squeeze every second out of the time we have left here.

Medical only 4 Days left

I didn't want to wake up today for some reason I was super tired but I wanted to be able to catch my blog up. After talking to my beautiful kids and mother I was ready to start the day. When I got to morning conclave instead of going to construction which again was the plan we were all going to medical. We are going to the Colony that I went to my first day on medical which will be great to go back and see them.

The colony was super. Amy, Annie and I went around with a translator and got some of the colony members stories. I noticed one of  the ladies I blogged about my first time there was missing. I asked where she was and they told me she was still in her home because the construction they were doing was in the way of the path the wheel chair would take to get her to where we were. The translator offered to take us to her house and we excepted.

When we arrived she was sleeping but she woke up quickly and just like before she had a lot of stories to tell us. She is 75 the oldest one in the colony and one of the first members. She

She cries a lot one because she is in pain often and two because when she sees the volunteers it makes her so happy.

Tender Mercies/Steven

Today I was supposed to go to construction but it didn't turn out that way. Kim was sick and wasn't able to go out so our group split and some went to medical and some went to education. I really wanted to go to medical but Derek asked for volunteers for education nobody was volunteering so I found myself raising my hand.

Right before I left for education I found out a family that I am really close to was moving away and I was so upset. I felt bad for being upset because of all I had seen the people of India having to give up and worrying about my friends moving away seemed kinda silly. Even with these mixed emotions my

friendship and love for this family took over and I was upset. I walked over to education feeling sick and sad.

When the first group of kids came in I tried to put a smile on and get to work. At break time I was still feeling ill but I went out to play. I saw the boys from my house and they ran up and told me they missed me and asked how Delhi was. I broke down into tears because I had missed them so much. Steven came up to me but wouldn't talk to me. I just put my arms around him told him I loved him and it was okay if he didn't want to talk to me. I was still crying I guess because some of the older girls that I don't know very well asked Auntie why are you crying. At this point I wasn't exactly sure so I said I didn't

know. They asked again no why are you crying I said it was because I was sad to leave.

 I was over joyed with tears walking back into education. I felt so lucky that I got to be there and helping those kids. If I wasn't there then one less kid every class hour would not get the help they needed. How lucky and blessed was I to be there. We didn't get to tutor math because they were testing. Someone donated enough money for all the kids to get new shoes so we went and measured all the kids feet

instead..

                                      

When it was Stevens classes turn he put a sticky note on my shirt that said "I am sorry I wouldn't talk to you". Then he put another saying "I love you". God has shown me so much while I have been here and this single act was one of the best so far.

The kids are getting ready for independence day so before playtime we watched them do there march.

 

The day just continued to get better. At play time Steven invited me to play tennis with him. We played in the rain which was fun and beautiful. It started to rain hard so we went in and played connect four. Then I went out and played soccer.

At family time Steven had asked me to come to his family time. Because of some misbehavior Steven was no longer in Kalas family. I was torn knowing I only had a few more days with my family. I wasn't sure if I should leave them and go with Steven or stay and read my boys stories. I arrived at our room and decided I was going to read my boys a story first and then I would go see Steven. When I sat on the

floor Steven immediately came in and said your late, Late for what I replied you are the guest of honor everyone is waiting... I was confused. I asked Carl to read our boys a story while I went with Steven. When I arrived in the room his mother said you must be Ashley... I said yes

and she smiled. Steven had gathered 10 or so of the boys in his room and had prepared a talent show. There where boys that told stories in Tamil and sang songs of Jesus in Tamil, stories in English, songs in English , dancing. Then Steven sang three songs he wrote. He was so happy and I was so happy watching him. He then pulled out a little piano that you had to blow into to get it to play. He tried to teach me it was very cute.

I went back down to tell my boys goodnight but the little ones where all asleep wait to go Carl. I think only one time before had we gotten them all to sleep before it was time for us to leave. Kala and Danny invited Carl and I in her room and we talked and ate a mango. I talked to Danny

and Kala about our trip and about Danny leaving for his mission. I so wish I could be here when he leaves next week so Kala could have someone

there for her.

As we were leaving Steven came and stuck a few more notes on my shirt telling me to have sweet dreams.

My heart breaks that this is another day coming to an end... But what a wonderful day it was.

Dehli Day 3

Today we got up and got ready to travel back to Chennai. This was bitter sweet because the sight seeing had been so much fun but I was excited to get back to see the kiddos.

We started our bus ride back and I just stared out the window trying to fight back tears from the realization this was my last week in India. While deep in thought I realized the bus was stopped and had been for 5 or so minutes. Traffic was moving around us so I know there must be a problem. Sure enough the bus was broke. Normally in this situation my husband or step dad would come save the day. This was not the case so there we all sat wondering what was wrong.

One of the girls had to pee really bad so I got of the bus with her in search for a bathroom. I wasn't nervous at all looking back maybe I should have been. We found someone who understood that we were looking for a bathroom and they pointed us in the right direction. I didn't go in but the girl explained the bathroom was super nasty.

After going back to the bus we noticed it was surrounded by people begging for money, selling corn and just showing off tryingto get our attention. There was a lady asking me for money for food. She tugged on my pants and said something about me being from America. I felt if I gave her money more people would show up. I didn't know how long we would be there so I decided that was a bad idea.

On the bus it was very hot. Our windows didn't open and there was no a/c. The lady begging for money was persistent in pounding on the bus trying to get money. We had some of the guys fighting in the road showing there muscles trying to get us to like them. Hand gestures are universal and they made a few disgusting ones. 

I finally asked again what was wrong with the bus, they said a gas line had broke. A guy came to the bus and started fixing it right there. It was getting really hot by this point and we had already made another trip to the bathroom. I tried to stay positive during this time and reflect. Here are some of my thoughts.

1. If I was hungry or had kids that were hungry I would pound on the bus just as hard if not harder than the lady was so I wasn't bothered by the noise.

2. I am lucky that when my car brakes someone comes and gets me and takes me home.

3. I am lucky that when my car brakes my husband fixes it and I don't have to worry.

4. I am lucky that when its hot I can turn on the a/c. most of these people don't have that convenience in there lives at home or in there mode of transportation.

After a little over 2 hours we were on the road again. We arrived at a place that had animals you could ride. This was exciting especially for Amy when we woke up the first thing she said was " we get to ride and elephant today"...  I was pretty psyched to see and ride on the animals as well.

We didn't have time to make anymore stops because of the bus breaking down see we just drove straight to the airport. On the flight home we where watching the sunset which lite up the sky like it was on fire. It then started lightning which made the scenery even more stunning.

The bus ride home was also a treat. Derek and I chatted about India and how amazing it is. His love for these kids just is so remarkable. I don't think there is anything hes not willing to do to try and help them. We looked up and there where fire works going off outside. They were celebrating some of the gods and I guess fireworks are one of the things they use to celebrate. Each moment on this trip taught me something and each moment made the trip more memorable.

                                            This picture doesn't do the sunset justice but...     

                  

Delhi Day 2

I was so excited about breakfast which is odd for me because I am not a breakfast person.

Taj Mahal here we come. We were going to go to the Taj Mahal for the sunrise but it had rained and was cloudy.

 When we arrived I was in shock, I couldn't believe where I was. As you entered into the grounds of the Taj Mahal everywhere you looked was exquisite.

The Taj Mahal was built by  Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen.

I cant find the words to explain this incredible experience so I am just going to post a lot of pictures. It rained here and it made the experience even more memorable.

                                                                 This guy asked us to take a picture with him and his baby! 

                                                                They make you feel like a celebrity.

 

Playing in the rain in India is so much fun. I took so many pictures and I will treasure them forever.

We left the Taj Mahal sopping wet and went to the Red Fort. Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort. It is rumored that Shah Jahan died in Musamman Burj,  a tower with a marble balcony with a view of the Taj Mahal.

                                                                                 This staircase was hard to see and we tried to go up it but the guards said we couldn't.

 

After the Red Fort we went to lunch at another fantastic restaurant.

I loved the doorman's outfit at the restaurant we went to, I just had to get a picture with him.

After lunch we went to a rug store and watch them make rugs by hand. I will never look at hand made rugs the same way again. It takes months for one person to make a little rug and years for the larger ones...