So, other than being sick for the past ten days, what have I been up to this month?
Good question.
We live together in two rooms with restrooms. I set up my tent in the room as a mosquito net; I haven’t been able to avoid them otherwise. Everyone is tired here, probably because we’re all working hard, but we’ve also been dealing with heat and sickness. I don’t even notice the heat, but it is really hot (100s F) – especially with so much clothing. While I was sick I had to pour water on myself to cool off. And we all keep taking turns being sick. I haven’t had any intestinal issues (just the virus), but everyone else has; the spices don’t agree with some people.
This month we were getting up later because our work starts and ends so late. There is time to yourself if you get up early or stay up late. Breakfast is around 9am before office work or random chores from 10am – 1pm. I usually helped Anna with odd jobs like making posters, washing walls, and running errands. Then time for lunch and free time till 3pm. I often ate and chatted with Kira. Then, my favorite!, working with the kids on the roof from 3-6pm. A couple of days I got to work with them morning and afternoon.
Audra and I worked with Nikky, Torrie, and their eight kids up on the roof (check out SCHIndia.com). We each got to work especially with two kids. Audra had Sundar and Prenathy, and I had Tullucy and Dhonna. I love those girls so much! I worked with each of them for 45min. and some days I also got to work with Lata. Then with the rest of the time we would go around and spend time with whomever needed it. Meanwhile the physical therapist worked one on one with each of the kids (especially Malatie), and Nikky and Torrie worked with Nagesh, Vagnesh, and Lata.
Dhonna and I spent time walking on the patio outside their room, climbing the stairs, and standing up from a sitting position. She needs to strengthen her legs so we encourage her to stand holding onto a crib or something as long as she can. We also had eye exercises (she has roving eye) to strengthen her eye muscles. And then we also had tasks of using her right hand to accomplish things instead of just fidgeting. This included playing with play-dough, rolling a ball, and helping her learn to feed herself.
Tullucy and I also walked the stairs and around the building. We also tried to jump on a mini trampoline and ride a tricycle. She loved to sit and listen to me read stories to her – especially stories with noise words and rhyme or rhythm. We also tried to work on commands like putting items in a box.
Some days the exercises were very easy for them and they enjoyed it, but other days they weren’t in the mood. That was tougher because you wanted them to know you loved them (letting them do what they wanted). Yet the exercises, that were even difficult for me to want to do, were so important for them that it actually took great love to patiently work with them. Every little accomplishment brought a heavy rain of praise. There was praise over simply attempting to improve. There had to be. The result of years of minute accomplishments was impressive and humbling.
Each of them has the most beautiful smile ever and they are so adorable. Dhonna is spunky and likes to see that you will stick with what you say and then she is fine with it and trusts you. Tullucy loves being held and spun around and she is very aware of what’s going on. They each have such distinct, complicated, God-given, precious, delightful personalities; I treasured each moment with them. It was such a blessing to be there helping and getting to know those kids (and Nikky and Torrie). And I am not just saying that! I went from being a bit more awkward and scared and drained than I care to admit. But after only a day of throwing myself into the work, I saw what a privilege it was to be up there on the roof-top.
I thought resting and listening to God was the peak of my experience in India, but maybe it was the actions and what most drained me which most challenged and grew me. Maybe it was spinning myself dizzy to see Tullucy’s smile, maybe it was getting rice smeared into my pants to help Dhonna feed herself, maybe it was hugging and loving them regardless of ringworm or lice or sickness. Maybe it was catching the desire, and actually beginning, to emulate Christ’s love for us and finding rich blessings as a result.
May God Bless you richly too!
Please pray I have time and opportunity to share a lot more soon. Ministry here, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, starts Monday. We are working with a ministry to people involved in the sex industry. All prayers are appreciated! For us to be protected and not drained so we can be helpful, for us to look to Jesus for everything, and especially for more and more love for each other, for those running the industry, for those stuck or choosing this life … everyone. Also please pray for wisdom, courage, words, and actions from God to form connections (very hard here) and impart hope.
I also pinched a nerve in my back, so please pray I continue to heal up well from it and that my back realigns properly.
Thank you so much!!!
Love you,
Meredith
