Move Madness (Part 1)
Movie nights at Jireh Home are so much fun. One particular night, we came over but the power was out. However, a local evangelist who planned to speak the following day at VBS was there. So we were able to listen to him teach for a few minutes. As I sat between my little Indian friends, I felt Teadarshang grab my arm, which was behind her, and she placed it around her shoulders. I’ve been here for a week and a half, and the trust and love these kids have with us “Aunties”, is immeasurable. I giggled quietly as I placed her more securely in my arms. As we listened to Uncle Stephen, I feel her head slowly get heavy. At one point she looks up to me and says, “Auntie, put your head on top of mine”. So of course, I tuck her head under my chin and simply hold this beautiful daughter of the Lord.
Movie Madness (part 2)
On our last Friday night in India, we invited the kids over, once again for a movie. But this time we included pizza. However, just as we were starting the movie and waiting on the food to be delivered, we had another episode of rolling blackouts. Having no power makes it difficult to continue watching a movie. So we patiently waited (one just happened now as I type this…it’s become pretty normal to us), anxiously awaiting the delicious pizza. “Aunty Chelsea, come over here”, I hear one of the girls say. I walk over to her, and lie down on the cool tile floor. As I lie there, one of the boys joins us. We lie there, and she starts singing one of the songs we taught them the previous week in VBS. “Clap your hands and sing to the Lord, Allelu, Allelu, Alleluia…” We quickly went into a rendition of “Jesus Loves Me”, after that. These kids, even though young have such sweet, tender spirits. Eventually the power did turn back on, just as the pizza arrived. At the end of the night, I received hugs from everyone. “Thanks Aunty, for the pizza”, was heard from each of them. But their hugs were a little stronger than previous hugs. They know we leave very, very soon. These precious faces have stolen my heart.
Please pray for this incredible ministry. Jireh Children’s Home is looking for ministry partners to help fund these beautiful kids. Message me for more information.
Mahinde Makeovers
Sitting on the floor, in Jireh Home, I sit as a little one decides to give me a Mahinde (Henna) tattoo. I watch as she delicately tries to mimic the older girls as they apply the ink to my teammates arms. As this young girl applies ink to my arm, I listen intently as she tells me of something exciting that happened with her and her friends earlier that day. By the end of it, I had a lovely elaborate design on my fingers and the words, “I love Chelsea”. Some of the other girls looked at my arm, some apologetically, others in somewhat horror. True it wasn’t the most professional artwork. But, who can say no to such young faces? What some see as ugly or sloppy, I saw as beautiful and done with so much love.
