Mud Hut Village Feeding

We found ourselves yet again at this Mud Hut Village. During my first visit to India we headed down here for a Medical camp. A medical camp is a bus type vehicle and several amazing doctors who head into the slums and do work for a day. They were checking peoples eyes, pulling peoples teeth (with no pain meds) and giving people check ups. Since our last visit here there has been quite a change. There are still tons of mud huts but now you see lots of one room brick buildings being built up. This means that the area is "thriving." Still no electricity but there are 3 pumping wells that are giving off good drinking water. There is little to no green, the plants that are there only thrive nearest the wells or if the people water them. It is dusty and hot, and dry as can be.

This year we found ourselves walking from hut to hut to witness a feeding at one of Redemption Ministry's church plants.  Before the feeding, the children sing songs in the church, and learn a little about Jesus. Today I got to share a bible story and Courtney shared a little too. They sang beautifully and listened carefully. They get so distracted and excited to see American and there smiles light up the room. It will never get old!

The feeding happens at 6/7 and is available for the children. It happens 6 days out of the week and they get a huge pile of rice with some chicken curry. Many of the small children didn't eat the chicken they would just eat their 3 or so cups of rice (about enough to feed me for like 4 meals, at least). We then dug into the same food, chicken and rice, said a prayer of blessing over the people, the children, and the land then into the car we went to a bumpy ride home.

It was a warm evening, spent in a dirty, poor, poor place but when you leave you walk away with a new perspective. Your spirit turns into a spirit of thanksgiving, and every time I am here I feel like they teach me, more then I can ever teach or share with them. And it is always in ten fold when you go to the least of them, when you go to the place that is dirty and poor.

- Carissa

Children's Ministry In Mud Hut Village

This morning we got to relax. I had an opportunity to reply to some emails and get a gallery up for a perfectly patient client. I so appreciate everyone patience as we are far away. It is a challenge to be working here and then to try and remember everything about home and business. Yesterday we hit our 4 week mark… 4 more weeks and we'll be home. I'm not quite ready yet. I will be honest though and tell you I have been dreaming of my feather bed comforter at home…

When the afternoon hit we got in the cars and headed for a hut village. A hut village is a large piece of land that the communist party has given to the people of India to make their homes on. This was a small one and a newer one. It was full of little huts made of leaves, and scraps, they have a small amount of electricity and they had quite a few green plants and vines which adds life to the area. 

Today's entertainment was the children's team. This team of 3-5 men travel to different villages and put on quite the show. The program consists of songs (today's was in English), magic tricks with a biblical lesson, games, a puppet show and even a movie at the end about how Jesus died for our sins. At the end they all get little chocolates. The kids love it and sit for over an hour watching and listening. 

We arrived an hour or so before the sun set and our presence there caused quite the distraction. Everyone gets excited to see Americans and always want to try out their English on us. Most of them only know "what is your name", "how are you" or "I am fine". But the Pastors reigned them in and the show began. We walked around and took pictures, and video of their activities. There were about 50 adults standing and sitting watching eagerly. They seemed to enjoy it and laugh as much as the kids did. The village is mostly Hindu, I did see a Muslim man watching for a time and then he left, only to return with his two children to watch the finally of the show. Typically when we go in to these poor communities they welcome anyone who will do something for them so it is a wonderful ministry opportunity. I have to admit even though I understand no Telegu the show had me laughing, and even just watching the pure amusement on the kids faces is enough to bring a smile to your face. 

- Carissa

Children's Homes Visits

I write again from the comfort of my bed. Fan blowing and smokey air, from the cooking fire below, blowing into the window. We just got home from a full day spent with two out of the many of children's home Redemption Ministry supports. A children's home is typically a three bedroom building with a kitchen nook outside. It is (typically) filled with up to 6 girls on one side, a pastor, his wife and kids in the middle and up to 6 boys on the other side. These children's are orphans, for most their parents have both died or abandoned them and they have no family who would take them in. Without these homes these children would be left to fend for themselves.

In these homes these children's get fed, get new clothing, go to school, have daily duties, learn about Jesus and if they want to go to college, fully paid for. When we visit they stand, tell us their name, school year, favorite subject and favorite activity. Then they sing us a song and will recite the Bible verses they know by heart (in Telegu) one at a time. They do so good. Some even know them in English.

Today we visited a home that I visited my first year here. The kids have grown SO much and it was such a blessing to see them. The young girl above I had  taken a photo of when I was here last and have had it on my bulletin board at my desk since. She stole my heart then and again today. The two girls below are sisters and they had just been taken in by the home the first year. They were all smiles and hugs today. We got to watch them skip rope and play their favorite activities. 

After lunch we headed to our second home and got a second welcome. Both homes welcomed us by singing as we walked through the tunnel of them throwing flowers. They offered us a delicious platter of fruit : bananas, grapes, pomegranate, apples and oranges along with soda. Just to spend time with the kids is enough to make it a good day and it is my favorite kind of day. 

- Carissa

Meet Ramah

Meet Ramah, she is 11 years old. Her father died and her mother abandoned her. She lives in one of the Children's homes in Nellore. She gets clothing, food, education, goes to the local church and knows songs about Jesus in Telegu and English. She was the sweetest, and so compassionate. Always sharing her sweets and treats with others. I saw her as she worshiped with her eyes closed, and her voice raised. When they would be led into prayer she would be praying her own prayer. B caught her on film at one of the meetings, eyes closed tight, praying fervently with tears coming down her cheeks. I have fallen in love, I want to take her home to love on her.

- Carissa

Trip To Nellore

I write from our bedroom, as a lie on my belly with the fan on full blast above me, and the windows open with a slight breeze coming in. We have a little down time, so I wanted to write a little while it is still fresh on my mind. We returned from our four day trip to Nellore. After a four hour long and windy car ride we arrived to a chicken curry lunch and then headed to a hotel. Hotels in villages of India are not like hotels in America. There isn't any pastel pictures framed hanging above your large comfy beds, things are just a bit dirtier and for lack of a better word simpler. We got towels brought up to us, with two tiny rolls of toilet paper. Let me clarify that this was a nice hotel, and a blessing. No bugs, hot water from 7am-10am, AC in each room, foam mattress' and western toilets!

We had a little time to get comfy and get ready for our evening meeting. Then off to a small village church for some India worship - think any indian music you have then take the high female voice add drums, piano and put that volume as high as it can go! I will have to post a video sometime so you can hear it for yourself. Worship was followed by a little preaching - we have some guests from the State here as well, and they shared. Followed by prayer for blessings, healings, and family. After praying for so many, I think I usually feel more blessed then they do. When all is done we eat. If it is 9pm we eat, if it is 11pm we eat, if it is 1am we eat. No matter we eat and it is chicken curry, with rice and usually (not always) a vegetable delight. Then back to the hotel for sleep. 

The next couple of nights were about the same. Getting home late and then waking up for breakfast in the morning. The first morning we got a little coffee delivered to the room (water, goats milk, sugar plus instant coffee), it was good. Our afternoons were filled with visiting churches around the city (anywhere from thirty minutes - a couple of hours away), praying, saying a word and fellowship-ing. It is so refreshing to see what God is doing in such a tangible way. One of the churches we visited lies on the shores of the Bay of Bangel. We got to walk to the shore, found some pretty shells, dipped our toes in the water and saw and talked with the fishermen. 

Our last morning before heading home, to Guntur, we went to the pastor's house for breakfast. We had a delicious breakfast of chicken curry, curry gravy, mashed potatoes and a fried egg. Three meals of chicken curry is a lot for this American girl but it was their blessing to us, so we eat happily. Then into the jeeps we pile for our ride home. As B and I walked up the stairs to our "apartment" I turned and said "it is good to be home". Oh, the irony in this statement... that only a few days makes this place already home. This is where our stuff hides, where we don't have to live out of a piece of luggage.

Being here causes my heart to be full of so much thankfulness. For our home in America, for the over abundance of blessings that God has given us.
- Carissa 

A Birthday Party

A birthday party... how very exciting. So below (the little boy hiding) was the birthday boy. He turned five. And let us just say that the party itself was very interesting and quite the cultural experience. It was basically a meeting. In the street (a dead end street) was a stage with seats on it and a table. They sang worship for 1-2 hours, then had a scripture reading, a short message, a long message from Harley, a cake cutting (with Ben and my help) and then the poor kid had to eat cake from every family member there AND wait as the photographer took the picture. He looked a bit miserable. After all that we had a couple people do thank you's and then two prayers to end the service at 10:00 pm. With a chicken curry dinner to follow, oh my! Like I had said it was a interesting experience and left us belly full and dog tired!

A poster in their living area, X is for Xmas tree. Had to share it!

The cute neighbor girl who wanted to come say hello. She was too cute!

Plans For A New Well

When we went out on a drive to take pictures we came upon the little place below. It is a piece of land that has been here for a while, with mostly mud huts on it. There was just a few brick homes, no school in the area and just some tiny hut shops. The people were so welcoming. We decided to get out of the car to walk the streets to shoot some video and when we got back to the car where Jan & Harley were it was covered by people. He started talking to them, with the help of Kumar. And found out that none of the wells in the village work, and that the closest water source is a stream (which needless to say is not fresh water or clean). It was so dry there, the sun was so strong! By the end of our time we had walked to the center of town where Redemption will put in a new well. And the plans for the kid's club to do some little visits. It is amazing how God guides you to the places in need. We will be doing the well dedication, God willing, before we leave. So stay tuned!

The village from the main road.

Walking from far away with water on her head.

They asked for prayer, they had no idea who we were they just assumed.

A worn out well that hasn't been used in a very long time. | The communist flag, because it is land given from them to the people.

Ben and I walked away from the car and within a minute it was covered in people! | The new site of the well, center of town.

View from the car, one last picture.

Taken from the car window.

Children's School

We spent our Thursday with a bunch of kid's at a village school. We got to interact, capture, and give them some shoes. It was a wonderful day spent with beautiful little kiddo's. The school is right next to one of our children's homes and we got to see all of those kids as well, which was such a joy.  I do tend to gravitate towards certain kids with my camera. Typically it is the kids who seem to by shyer and take a little work to get smile and or laugh. Today's was the little boy in this first picture. He stayed by us even after all the other kids went over to do other stuff. He was the only one, other then our children's home kids, who came over to the car to wave good bye to us. I just thought who was way to cute!

Markings on her face are from a Hindu temple, which she most likely visited right before school.

This is Jimmy, the dog that lives at the children's home.