Traveling was an unforgettable experience. It started with us staying the night at the airport in Bucharest, Romania followed by me getting fully patted down at security. And let me tell you they were serious about searching you. Then we arrived in Moscow for our 7 hour layover that turned into a 10 hour layover because of plane malfunctions. When we finally arrived in India we took a metro to New Delhi to catch our train to Ongole. First, let me tell you that they had airport type security at the metro and the train station. You were patted down by military people and there were others standing around with guns. Wow. I really didn’t see all of this coming. Everywhere we went people stared. I mean REALLY stared. As in stand in front of you while you are sitting and dead on stare. Creepy.
We were all pretty tired and ready for some sleep by the time we got to our train. As we were boarded the train our dreams of sleeping the most of the time quickly went down the drain. Our sleeper carts were just beds that we got but with open area to everyone else. There was no door for privacy or security. The entire train ride we had beggars coming through every couple of minutes. People walking back and forth while others sat there starring at us. It was boiling hot and dirty as well. We tried taking shifts of sleeping so we had someone watching our stuff, but for the most part we slept with our valuables. Don’t get me wrong we met a couple of nice people. The people here are very warm and friendly it was just a lot to take in at once. After 3 or 4 days of travel we arrive in Ongole at the bus station. As our contact takes the first group back to the house we wait there for him. Immediately, people (mainly men) had stopped to stare at us. Then the next thing we know we are completely surrounded, I mean a full circle around us, by these people. They are taking pictures, videoing, and asking us a ton of questions. Many girls were told how pretty they were, if they were married, if they could give them a kiss and so on. Ha ha. But there were also a lot of questions of why we were there and what our purpose was. These people are just so darn curious! Once we got to our house we were very thankful to finally have a shower. I have NEVER been that greasy or dirty in my life.
Now that we have arrived in Ongole, India let me tell you what ministry I get to part take in this month! Team Sozo is helping out at Sarah’s Covenant Home for special need children. These kids are rescued from state orphanages so that they can receive the love and care that they need. A lot of time when they arrive here they are in poor shape, but they quickly turn around. There are women, named ayahs, who live there who are assigned three kids to take care of. I don’t know how these women do it. They just sleep here and there because the kids are up and down. Amazing. Some of the children who are able to attend school with other children and are learning so much. I am so thankful and blessed to be able to love on these kids for this month. Every time I go there my heart is filled and broken all at the same time. Check these kiddos out on http://sarahscovenanthomes.blogspot.com/ . You can sponsor, donate, or ADOPT!!!
This is our sleeper cart…very private.
Oh how we are popular. I just got done with lots of questions…more continued.
One of the ayahs with one of her kids. 🙂
