As we prepare to leave the land of peacocks, cows, and
smiling children, I reflect on what a great month this has been. We had the
privilege to be around 33 loving kids this month who are prayer warriors,
worshipers, and wonderful children of God. Asha Mission Children Home, “Asha”
meaning hope, is a home founded by Bobby John and his wife Lijy who now reside
in Florida. There are three Asha Mission Children Homes in India; we worked and
ministered with the home located in New Delhi, India. The caretakers at the
orphanage are Sharma (Uncle) and Gracie (Auntie) who have two kids of their
own. Also there are two ladies, Roma and Mena, who help and cook at the
orphanage. This was a great place to spend month 5 of the World Race.
As I early stated, India is the land of peacocks (which is
their national bird) and it can be heard every morning and at evening time. You
have cows that walk in the middle of the streets, monkeys climbing the roof
tops at night. I had the fortunate experience of being chased by one and
apparently monkeys can be very dangerous. This is the hottest time of the year
to be in India with temps averaging about 110 degree each day; boy did my whole
team sweat a lot. Unfortunately it is just the beginning of the hot season for
the people that live here in New Delhi. In the area of New Delhi were our
ministry took place we were stared at and greeted by so many people. They do
not see many foreigners in this country. During the day you were attacked by flies
and at night mosquitos were your enemy. As you see India is definitely an
interesting place, a place where my comfort zone was challenged without air
conditioner in extreme heat and learning that everything is not always greener
on the other side. I was bitten 56 times by mosquitos and felt sweaty and sucky
all day long, but the children would brighten your day with their smiles and
Godly hearts. God definitely helped me realize that every creation of His, even
with challenges, has a very meaningful purpose for life.
This month our role was to basically show love and support
to the kids at Asha, help with everyday chores, help them with their homework,
and teach them new worship songs, bible stories, memory verses, and such. The
children’s day started at 5am each day getting ready for school, prayer time,
eating breakfast and doing morning chores before leaving for school. We had the
privilege to walk them to the school bus station every morning. To see the
kid’s faces as they waved bye while the school bus drove off is a memory of
India I will always treasure.
A couple of the kids are not old enough to go to school so
while the other children were at school, we played with the kids and helped Auntie,
Roma, and Mena do daily chores. Boy I
wish I had as much energy as these children.
Once the older kids came home from school, they had prayer
time, lunch, and then rest time. I enjoyed rest time also after a busy day.
After rest time we helped with homework, the kids usually didn’t have much
homework, but reviewed over what they learned in school that day.
Snack time and play time was next on the agenda for the day.
Most of this time was spent playing on the roof top of the orphanage where they
loved tag and Uno. Also during this time I had the honor in helping Roma and
Mena prepare supper. I now know how to make chapatti, which is like a tortilla
shell. It was a great time to minister and serve with these two ladies.
Just before dinner we had worship and prayer time. The
children could dance and sing like no other, a beautiful time to watch and
listen to God’s voice work through them. During this time we would start with
singing worship songs like “I have Joy down in my heart” and “Peace like a
river” to name a few. After singing my team took turns telling the kids bible
stories. Each week the kids learned a new memory verse so every night during
this time they would recite the verse out loud. Then we would end with prayer, I wish you
could have heard the prayers of these children. They spoke loud and proud that
they were talking to God; you definitely could feel the Holy Spirit come into
the room.
Next was supper time after which the boys and girls divided
into separate groups to have bible study before bed. This was the usual
schedule for Monday through Saturday of each week. Then on Sundays we would
have church at the orphanage starting with Sunday school, were they would do a
craft, sing worship songs, hear a bible story, and pray. Next was regular
church service were they would sing songs, recite their weekly bible verse,
hear a sermon, and pray.
One Sunday our team helped the children make crowns for
their craft. Earlier in the week my team and I prayed and prophesied over the
children. During the church service we crowned the children as Queen and Kings
of God and gave them the prophecy we had for them. It was a great ceremony for
the kids and they were very proud of the prophecy.
While here at the orphanage some of the kids went on their
summer break to family members. This children’s home also houses kids whose
families cannot support their needs. Asha missions supports all their needs by
providing school, food, clothing, other necessities and most importantly a
Christian environment. It was different seeing the kids say bye to us instead
of us leaving and saying bye. Several of the children were able to attend a
Vacation Bible School at a local international church. We went along with them
and a volunteered where needed.
Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the VBS except for
the last day. As you may know I fell and hurt my right leg. After going to the
doctor I was on 48 hour bed rest. So while they were at VBS I had to relax. Through
this injury, I definitely learned the power of prayer through my team and the
children. We all prayed for my leg and in a matter of days I was back where I
could walk. It was an amazing feeling having the kids pray over my leg and
witness God’s healing power at work through them.
Through some people Uncle knows we were able to attend a
basketball ministry with sulum children. We went a play basketball and minister
to these young teenagers while we were there. It was a great way to reach out
to other people in the New Delhi area.
We were also able to go to a leper Colony here in New Delhi,
while there we prayed over the sick, gave them fruit, drawings and loved on the
kids, women and men. This was a very humbling experience to see how these
people live every day with the disadvantages they face doing everyday tasks.
Yet another memory of this trip I will treasure.
On our last Sunday at the mission home we put on a carnival
for the children. We played water balloons, egg rely, balloon pop, bowling,
ball tossing, bobbing for apples, made crafts, and facing painting. It was a
day of laughter and joy with the children and so much fun.
At the end of the week, before leaving the orphanage we were
able with the help from our friends back home to take donations for the mission
home to buy some much needed supplies. It was great to be able to give back to
a place that has blessed each one of us this month. If you would like to donate
to Asha and help meet some of their needs, go to this blog to see how you can
help (at link to blog site)
A few other things we were able to do while staying at the
orphanage: cook American meals for everyone, such as, grilled cheese and tomato
soup, French toast and honey, Spaghetti and garlic toast, and Mac and Cheese
and green beans. We also treated them to popcorn and a movie at the orphanage
and ice cream with m & m toppings. It was a great way to serve the kids and
adults at the orphanage.
For a little fun and to explore the history of India we were
able to go to the Taj Mahal. It was a very hot and interesting day. I never
knew I would be a celebrity and ask to get my picture taking with so many
strangers. It was a gorgeous .
India– another great
month with bright smiling and big hearted children. God was definitely present
all through the month. Now we are off to Nepal for Month 6. I am now half way
through the race which is hard to believe. Check out my recap video to be
posted later.
Until next time… take care and God Bless.
