Snapshots

I don't have the picture skills that the other computer geeks have so for the moment these snapshots will have to do! (The pink Indian suit is very comfortable; it's like wearing pajamas in the middle of the day. The sari on the other hand is a glorified toga that is impossible to walk in and the most uncomfortable - and unflattering - garment ever made.)

In Transit

I should have posted when I cleared passport control in India, when I landed in London or even yesterday. I didn't, I'm sorry, but I'm doing so now. Obviously I made it through security although it did take some time. They completely unpacked my suitcase and emptied the contents, completely without care, and rather than repack the opened toiletries and many of the clothes strewn about the room I left them there on the floor. I have been changed but some things are till the same - I was annoyed and needed to react in someway. One would think that leaving a mess of my personal items in their security room would have been enough. But if you really know me you know that it takes a bit longer for me to regain composure. After going through the gate with your boarding pass there is yet another security check no more than 10 feet from the door of the plane. Every passenger was again having their carry on luggage searched and going through the metal detector. Everyone except the first class passengers. I was accompanied still by an FBI agent and an Indian official. After a few were simply waved through my irritation was evident and I couldn't help my self. I had to comment on being able to buy your way past security. The agent could see it coming from the attitude I was giving and couldn't help but smile. Graciously I was waved through the checkpoint and let onto the plane. So goodbye to India.

London was great. I slept and didn't get up till 12 hours later. I have a few key words - toilet paper, potable running water for brushing your teeth, consistent electricity, diversity of food and availability, clean air. I more than used my allotted quantity of hot water. When I finally did get up Monday, it was to just walk the city. It is decorated for Christmas, had the winter wet look from the morning rain and was a complete contrast to the dry dusty landscape of India. I wish I could tell you I did something wonderful. I walked, that's all, but if you've been to London you'll understand. There's so much to just look at and walking unaccompanied allows you time to simple be with your thoughts. I revisited the faces and voices, the lessons learned and tried to find where along the way things became different. Patti talked about it being a journey and seeing a transformation. I tried to find that moment, to see the moment that marked the change. I didn't find it but I can feel it.

The stories are impressions are fresh but the rest will take time. There are no words that can tell you how much I felt your prayers, depended on your blog comments, and treasure your friendship. I'm leaving London now and will be home in 17 hours. Tomorrow there's laundry to do, grocery shopping, clothes to find for Joey's Christmas program and a job hunt to begin. I can't wait to start.

A few loose ends

I realize the past few days have been a bit vague. I'm into a routine and have forgotten what I've explained and what I haven't.

There are only 7 true orphans here. There are 40 from the maneuvers state which has suffered for years from civil war among the tribes. Many of these children have seen there fathers murdered, mothers raped and sibling butchered as punishment. There are a few others who's parents are lepers and 7 who have HIV. Some of them have been deserted while others have families who cannot support them or their disease. While they have contact with their families it is usually only over the summer when they go home for 6 weeks or the intermittent phone calls. There are those who are products of the sex trade and are generally seen as full orphans as well, receiving virtually no contact or support from their families. They too visit their families but the situation a home is often overbearing and they hate to leave Agnel's. I'm not real clear on why the home empties out in the summer except that school is out, the temperature can reach over 110 with little to no power, and the location is far from the city. Agnel's also has a school, a very expensive private school in two different locations where the kids attend as well so they are receiving a top rated education While there is a stigma, (note children's home not orphanage), the degree of education and opportunities provided them will place them ahead of many "average" public school students.

The kids hate Hindi because it is a legal form of torture. Based on sandskrit, it does not use a roman alphabet. They speak, read, write and think in English. Most everything is dubbed in English and while not everyone on the street speaks it you will have no problem finding someone that does. So why are they learning it? Oh., by the way, they take sandskrit too - because two languages based on dots and titles in a country specializing in IT and communications needs to teach the half of it's population receiving an education to communicate with the ancient and outdated. (Sorry, haven't been able to use sarcasm or multi-syllabic words for quite some time.)

Last night I was showered with notes and a few prized trinkets before tucking everyone in far into the night. The class 5 younger girls slept on the floor of my room to "help me pack". I had to pack three times and finally take my suitcase downstairs before bed so we could finally go to bed. They helped to lighten my load by taking every travel bag and toiletry I didn't hide in my pocket. (I still have a layover in London and need my toothbrush!) I have no socks, half of my shirts have been left behind and even a pair of pants was begged for. It was most welcome because I may have enjoyed the market a bit too much. The fabric is gorgeous, it is so difficult to choose, and unbelievable affordable that you find yourself saying "I'll take both!" and spending less than the cost of stop at Panera. (I miss salads. They don,t eat lettuce at all and most vegetables are cooked to with in an inch of being mush.)

So a local Al Queda cell planned an attack against an outbound US flight from Delhi last week. The airport is crawling with FBI agents. Didn't know this or I may have panicked. Now that I'm sitting in the security manager's office while they look into my ticket I wish I had paid more attention to the outside world. I'm holding a US passport and my final destination is listed as London. My ticket is booked in two separate legs but when I applied for my Visa I never mentioned going to London because I didn't know which flight I would be taking and never imagined the ticket would be booked this way. They did finally bring an agent in to speak to me and he understands, checked my connecting flight out of London and seemed happy with my explanation. There is such a hierarchy of management here it will take forever to find the top boss to say ok but he assured me I'll make my flight. Still he has someone just outside the office and has come back once already to say the Indian official is just waiting to see his superior but is clear on the situation. I asked if I should be worried and he said no, it is just formalities. So, really looking forward to coming home now!

I'll post later, Lord willing. Miss everyone and will see you soon!

The Kingdom of Heaven

I knew this day was going to come, so did the kids. So why is it I was up before the sun, dreading the sound of the morning wake up call and the start of my last day? Why did the first words this morning have to be "don't leave us"? Why do I have to choose? I understand now what Leslie meant when she said she would like to live in both worlds - the mission field and at home with her family. So I'll echo her question, can't I have my cake and eat it too?

This facility is nothing like that from which Leslie returned last spring. Still, their need for love, and Christ, are the same. There is such a mixing of faiths here between the cultural Hindu of their heritage and the Catholic sects that govern their facility that the message of Christ's love seems lost - lost in the message of His love it being the only focus, if that's even possible to understand. There is a gulf between our modern day philosophy of basic child rearing psychology and the expectation that "I said do it" and public shaming should be enough to shape a child. Practical application of faith outside of loving others is non-existent. And hugs are just as few and far between.

But it is time and I am surprisingly at peace with it. If I could fit Pratiksha in my suitcase she would be coming with me, but so would a dozen others for various reasons. So today we played dress up. Lets dress up Maam Kim in an Indian suit. Let's dress up Maam Kim in a sari. Let's hold on to every moment while saying goodbye. Having someone visit is a new experience for them so this is a bit hard. None of them are up for adoption so this home is a known future for the time being. Father Bento will find places for them to continue their education or develop marketable skills when it is time for them to leave. The first class will be leaving this March and it will be a wake up call for many that this safe and securely ordered life is not without end.

But is this not what Christ warns us about, complacency? That which He has given is not assured to last forever, but that which He offers is eternal. We too are so blinded by the here and now we often miss the promise of His Kingdom because we become comfortable in the safe cocoon He has provided.

I am comfortable in my comfortable home in the US, and I'm not giving it up. I don't think He has called me to that end. I do think He has called me to live with purpose,far more purpose than I have been.

I've seen breathtaking wonders here; tombs and palaces that have stood through wars and dynasties and still retain their grace and beauty. But I've seen a glimpse of Heaven in these children and it far outweighs the sights in my memories. It could be the whole-hearted way they love God or the way they worship His holiness when they sing. Whatever it is, it showed me the Christ of my heart and reminded me how simple it is to live for His glory and let that be enough.

Sunaina & Bharti

Sunaina is one of the funniest people I've ever meet. (Leslie, she has you quip humor and can turn the most mundane thing into the biggest farce.) Her favorite color is blue. She likes to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. She likes to eat chow mein and drink coca-cola. Her favorite subject is English and she hates Hindi and science. She wants to be an Air Hostess when she grows up.

Bharti is petite and is full of questions. Her favorite colors are blue. She likes to draw. Her favorite subject is English and she hates General Knowledge class. Her favorite actor is Sharukhan. When she grows up she wants to be an Air Hostess.

Soihemlui & Pinky

Soihemlui's likes the color blue. Her favorite subject is English and she hates math. She likes to sing, listen to music, cycling, and play gfames on the computer. She liked to play with her sister and brother. She has a friends in the US who's name is Emily. She meet Emily in Sunday class.(Emily Rush - Soihemlui says hello to you because you share her friends name who she misses very much.) When she grows yp, Soihemlui wants to be an IAS officer (Indian Administrative Service.)

Pinky reminds me of a pacman character. Her favorite colors are pink and purple. Her favorite subject is Hindi and math. Her hobbies are singing and she loves to play with her little brother who is in class 1st (kindergarten). Her best friend is Margot and Rudolph from France. She loves to attend Mass on Sunday. Her favorite teachers are Shadha Singh and Preety Nanda. When she grows up she wants to be a nun or a doctor.

Kushboo & Ruth

Kushboo is 10 years and likes the color blue. Her favorite subject is English and hates the subject Hindi. She is carefree and loves to laugh and spontaneously dance. When she groes up she wants to be an artist.

Ruth has the biggest smile and is always laughing! Her favorite subject is math and she hates Hindi. Her favorite color is blue and she wants to be a singer when she grows yp.

Martina & Rosy

Martina is the top student here at Agnel's with a 90.91% (an almost unheard of accomplishment - 40% is passing with 60% being high marks). Her favorite subject is math and she hates science and Hindi. Her favorite color is blue and she loves to sing. When she grows up she want to be an IAS officer (Indian Administrative Service).

Rosy is 10 years old and loves to sing. Her favorite subjects are computer and English and she hates Hindi! Her favorite colors are blue and red and she wants to be a singer when she grows up.

Jamuna & Sunita

Jamuna loves the color pink and loves to dance. Her favorite subject is English and hates the subjects Hindi and science! She wants to visit the USA and be a doctor someday.

Sunita loves the color red. Her favorite subject is arts & crafts. She wants to go to France and visit her friend Margot someday. When she groes up she wants to be in the Air Force Army.