Let the transition begin! We arrived in India! A new month in a new country with new food, friends and festivities! We celebrated as a squad during our few days of debrief! New Year's Eve we worshipped together, had a comedy and talent show night and gave Christmas gifts to our secret Santa. Locals shot off fireworks which we were able to enjoy on the rooftop of our hostel! India! Let the new month, new year and the new ministry ring in with blessings, laughter and many more adventures!
We are living life at a orphanage, the catch is its not really an orphanage but a house. A home none the less, a safe haven for children of all ages, a place where they all live together as family! These kids are all so precious, such different personalities, funny senses of humor and they come from all different backgrounds. All 52 kids have a wonderful form of unity together because they are a family!
There are ten women who run the household! They work together, eat together, sleep together, live life and love each other well together. All day everyday they get the kids up, dressed, fed and off to school they also do all the cooking, cleaning, laundry and disciplining. My mom has said before that there is never ending dirty dishes at our house, well that statement truly takes on a whole meaning here! When you think all the pots, plates and cups are clean and washed they immediately start piling back up! I've been able to help wash dishes a few times but they want to bless us with no chores- they have finally within the last week have started to get that we WANT to help! Blessings to them and blessings to us!
When Jesus fed 5,000 I bet he served rice! It seems to multiply and stretch and feed empty bellies so well! I know this for a fact! I am not lying when I say I have ONLY been hungry three times during my stay here in India! Rice fills you up! Feeding 65 + people at every meal is indeed a chore. Chopping veggies, snapping peas, pealing garlic, making and kneeding dough are just a few of the many meal preparations that get started three, four or five plus hours before hand! A typical dinner consists of rice, dahl, chapati and a vegetable curry! It is always delicious, full of flavor and spicy to some degree! My very first meal at the house was a spicy scrambled egg curry that made my lips tingle and put a burning fire in my mouth! I know for a fact that my taste buds have a new acclimated love and taste for spice! I love curry! Praise The Lord!
Making meals for all the children is a lot of work but it's necessary! One giant pot of rice, pots of curry and plates of chapati are eaten at lunch and dinner! Chai tea is a typical and traditional drink for breakfast and is served and multiple points throughout the day! Tea with biscuits is a tasty breakfast for the kids! I've learned how to make chapati which is like a tortilla! Can't wait to make it at home!
Speaking of food and meal time, I eat on the floor and use my hands! Yes, you heard me correctly or should I say read me correctly! I eat all meals on the floor! Criss cross apple sauce! To be precise it's actually Indian style, after 21 years of my life I finally realized why they call it indian style, its because this is how the Indians really sit! Gathered in the living room, we all sit on the tile floor facing a friend during dinner! It's such a wonderful bonding experience as we laugh together, eat together and share stories together!
India, you have blessed me beyond what words can express!
Hugs from the Future!
Love ya,
Kale
