Week one...check!

Well, we are on now on our last stretch of being in India. As we drove into our new destination today, we are realizing how lucky we have been the past week. The traffic was horrendous...imagine the worst traffic jam you have ever been in and multiple it by a hundred. Well, honestly, the traffic jam probably wasn't the worst of it. It is the fact that all the cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, etc, in India don't have much for exhaust pipes and I'm not sure many of them ever get an oil change....or at least not every 3000 miles. The pollution, the smog, the exhaust, was almost unbearable. In fact, a couple people got a bit nauseous, most of us put on masks to breathe, the backs of our throats were sore, and our faces had a layer of dirt from all the dirt and dust. It was quite an experience. We quickly realized how awesome our accommodations were last week and how much cleaner and less congested it was there. I never thought I would say that in India....it actually didn't even feel like India last week.

I'm not sure there are quite words to describe this past week, but I feel as though we all have a knowing that we touched people's lives this week and each one of our lives have been touched. We provided almost 800 physicals in 4 days...simply amazing!! We also had the opportunity to see so many other areas of India in need and areas in which TEAM India can focus our mission and efforts. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Tim and Karla....they are doing amazing work here in India!!

We finished up the physicals yesterday so we didn't have to see any children today for physicals. However, we did head back to the school to finish filling the prescriptions and the staff and children at the school wanted to do a program for us. Tim and Karla both stated it would be a "short" program and we would be leaving the center around 1ish to get on the road to travel to our next destination. Well, two things... 1. We didn't leave the center until about 2:30. 2. I hope when we host guests in America, they feel as important and appreciated as much as I did today. As I sat there and looked at the clock and noticed this program was now going on for over a hour, I found myself a bit irritated and my stomach was growling because well, it was about 12:30 and it seems as though all we have done the past week is eat. (Yes, I know, we come to a developing country where people are starving everywhere and we gain weight...I didn't think it was possible) Anyways, I sat back and brought myself back to reality. First, I wasn't experiencing real hunger...the children we helped this week have all experienced real hunger pains. Many of them told us they had terrible headaches and stomachaches on Saturday and Sunday....well, that happens when you don't eat all day and you only eat at school. Second, I realized how much time and effort the children and teachers put into this program. How precious this time was that myself and our team were being honored and blessed for the time we had spent there this week and our efforts. They were showing us their gratitude through songs, skits, and dances. All for us.....they planned a whole program for us. Needless to say, I sat back in my chair, clapped to the rhythm of the songs, admired all the children and teachers in the audience, and soaked it all up!!

As we waved goodbye to all the children, many of them gathered around us to shake our hands to say goodbye. They just want to touch our hands. They want to speak what little English they know to us. They want to know our names. They want to look us in the eye. They just want to be close to us. They just want to be noticed. When you say their name, they blush, they look down, and shy away, but are SO excited you honored them by knowing their name. When you ask them what they want to do when they grow up, they give the standard answer, but you can see the yearning in their eyes, the curiosity spinning in their minds, and the burning desire to tell you more...but their is this language barrier. Even though we couldn't always understand the words they say, we understand their hearts and to the best of our ability we tried to touch each one of their hearts this week. It was simply amazing.

We have been blessed...and we still have 6 more days to go. Tomorrow we get to celebrate Sthuthi's 1st birthday at the orphanage. It will be great to see the kids again this year and give them all lots and lots of love! Again, we appreciate your support and prayers....each day we extend your love and hearts....some many children in India have been blessed because of your support. AND the 10 people on this team have been blessed a million times over because of you....thank you!

Katie