So India

I look forward to going to the leprosy colonies on my days off.  When I say a day off, it is due to a Hindu holiday usually. On this particular day I went to one of my favorite colonies and got to see beautiful Maria and her son.  Last year I wrote about her.  She is the grandmother of Bujji, my sponsor daughter.  Her father remembered me and was so welcoming.  She said she recognized my voice.  I was so happy to see them.  Bujji’s dad came by while we were working to show me pictures of his family. I took pictures of them so I could show Bujji later.  I was so happy that they remembered me.  Maria calls me family because I am so good to her granddaughter.  I love this little lady.  Her condition has worsened.  Her feet have become smaller and today was very painful.  She had a huge ulcer on the bottom of her foot that was painful.

 She tried to get out of getting it taken care of but with the coaxing of me and Poongadi, the nurse she agreed to do it.  I sat by her through most of the process.  There were many tears shed as the process was painful.  She also had an ulcer on her paw.  She has no hands anymore.  My heart went out to her.  After I helped her put her little shoes on, I walked her back to her humble, little home.  She has become so unsteady on her little feet.  I am so grateful I got to connect with her and her son again.  I enjoy helping these people.  This little colony is full of poverty but the strength of these patients is amazing.   They have so many challenges but continue to stay faithful. The gratitude on their part is abundant.  The gratitude I feel for them is the same.  Although life is difficult they get on with life.  So India.

After we were done at the colony, we went out for pizza.  I am not usually a pizza eater, but in India I jumped at the chance.  Sarah and I shared one together and also forced Anandan to accept a piece.  I love to share with him.  He does so much for others.  He is a fine example of the Indian spirit as he shows kindness and shares what little he has with others.  People in India greet you with the word Vanakkum.  It means hello but also have you had enough to eat.  So India.

After this Anandon took us to a Hindu temple.  It was a great opportunity to do this on a Hindu holiday too.  This was so cool.  Some random children joined us as we walked up a huge concrete staircase to eventually reach the destination.  The view was so impressive.  What I noticed was how peaceful it felt.  I could have sat up there for hours taking in the tranquility.  The people in India are very faithful.  They also are very accepting of other people’s faiths.  There are many religions practiced in this country and the people respect that. Although, in regards to marriage, they prefer people to be of the same faith.  I like the deep faith people show here.  There isn’t a lot of tearing down of other religions visible here.  America could learn from that.  When we got to the temple a priest let us in and put a marking on our forehead and blessed us.  He was an old, beardy, pot bellied guy who humored us by letting us take lots of corny pictures with him.  He finger kissed me on the cheek afterwards.  It was cute.  On the property we did a few yoga poses.  I avoided tipping over and killing myself.  You can’t go to a temple without performing yoga.  So India.

A week prior Anandan had shared some coconut cookies with some volunteers.  They loved them and wanted to buy some more.  He promised to get some but the store he bought them from was out of them.  He was determined to get them for us.  He was going to deliver on this promise.  With his connections, he took us to the actual place they make them.  It was in the back of a small hut in a large shack.  We walked back there and some men and their kids had the racks out full of cookies in the making.  It was pretty rough, flies all around, guys looking sweaty in their lunges (a wrap skirt for a man).  The kids were fascinated by us.  They took pictures with us.  My camera was in the van.  Darn.  In America this place would never make the health code.  In India it just doesn’t matter.  They offered us a sample.  The cookies were delicious.  The experience was raw and memorable.  A family making a living.  I bought a bag of them.  I ate every one and was perfectly fine.  Things I would be picky about just don’t really bother me here.  It is about the experience.  So India.

I came home to Rising Star feeling happy and blessed to experience this trip across the world.  I may miss my family but I am happy I have one to return to.  I am so blessed to meet wonderful people along the way.  I am so blessed to have my faith in God and know that through him he will bless these people I am serving and serve me daily.  I felt peace and tranquility.  So India.