Glimpse of my first few weeks in India:
The first thing I noticed about India is that it is HOT! I thought being raised in Florida would prepare me, but it is seriously like living inside an oven. There are also a ton of people...everywhere! I spent my first week conquering jet lag and getting accustomed to living in India. I have a wonderful host family, the Watts', who have already taught me so much about India. I moved in at the KCH Children's Home almost two weeks ago. Basically, whatever the kids do throughout the day, I am there too. There is some free time during the afternoon where I organize the activities. It has been wonderful bonding with the girls.
A typical day will start at 5:00 or 5:30 in the morning (extremely early for me!) with devotions. The children have devotions every morning and evening. The rest of the morning consists of going to a park, breakfast, getting ready, cleaning, and music lessons. They love music lessons! Some are learning guitar, drums, and the bongos. After music lessons, they would work on homework or help with the Sunday School office. Lunch is at 1, and then from 2-4 it is nap time. I am a glorious nap taker, so this part of the day brings joy to my heart! 4-6 is free time, which I am in charge of. After free time, they girls will either make chipati (bread) for supper or ride their bicycles. The boys and girls alternate each day between the two. The evening devotions are from 7-8, and then supper is at 8. After supper, there is a little bit of cleaning and then the children will get ready for bed! It's a very action packed packed day!
What about school you ask? Right now the kids are on chuti (holiday). At the end of June, they will return to school and the days will look much different. I have spent my time so far getting to know the girls. Their names are: Dolli, Shivani, Pryanka-A, Pryanka-B, Simron, Stooti, Ankita, Prya, Joti, Hebsabah, and Meeni. They are all so beautiful! I found out that we all share a love for chocolate....like any normal girls! They all dream to be a pastor, teacher, or doctor! We are working on their English too, which is very great! They love teaching me words in Hindi. I have started writing down things they tell me so I can better learn the language.
I would love to share each moment of my time here so far, but I only have time to share my favorites. Enjoy! :)
One afternoon, we were talking about food. I told my them favorites were pizza, pasta, ice cream, peanut butter, etc. I asked them if they like Pizza Hut, McDonald's, KFC, or where else. Their beautiful eyes lit up when I mentioned KFC. They told me how they have been there 2 times and Mark English took them there for the first time ever. I told them how Mark English is my pastor, and they couldn't believe it! At that moment, I decided that we have to go to KFC this summer! It is such a special treat for them.
I mentioned they loved chocolate right? I had picked up some chocolate candy bars (5 Star) from a market. I saved it to give to the girls and boys during free time. We were sitting in a circle, and I brought them out and they were so happy! 5 Star, or really any chocolate is a favorite! We proceeded to eat tell a little about ourselves and our dreams. The afternoon ended with dancing to praise and worship music!
I eat all my meals with the children...that's a lot of Indian food! For the first few meals, the cook left out the chili in my portion. I finally told them that I was going to eat what everyone else was eating and not to fix me anything special! It wasn't very spicy, but then I found out it didn't even have the chili in it! The boys made this potato thing....it sorta looked like mashed potatoes. I tried it and it was very hot....because it had chili in it! It's going to be a fun summer. :) I like the chipati!
I have never liked hard boiled eggs...I have had two in the past week. You know you are called when...
They girls call me CaraDeDe, or just DeDe. I hear this thousands of times in a day!
Simron makes Chai every morning....so so good, but I miss coffee!
I saw monkeys! Once. And a camel.
There are cows everywhere...on the side of the road or just walking down the streets.
The days are difficult, but they are allowing me to build relationships with theses girls. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Chelsea moved in this past week...yay!!!! I'm incredibly glad she is here too. We have a lot of exciting things planned with the girls. A team comes this week to do a summer camp. The next week, we are able to start one on one times with the girls to give them more individual attention. And the week after, we will take a few girls each night to get pizza from dominos!!!! We are going to be doing dances, art, crafts, lessons about devotions, and so much more!
My first night at the home, I woke up around 1 am. I went to the bathroom and noticed a albino looking lizard sitting on the trashcan. He was staring at me. Of course, I screamed a little and jumped away from it. I was paranoid it would come in the room and crawl on me that night. The next day, it was still in my bathroom. I have developed a habit of opening the door, reading my hand in and turning on the light, then walking in, and finally glancing over the bathroom to find the lizard. He lives in there. I spot him most times. Last night, he was in my shower. I was so tired from the day. I just wanted to take a shower and go to sleep! But I was not going to with him in the shower. There were several attempts of scaring him away, but they ended with me screaming and running back into the room. He eventually disappeared, but I saw him this morning. His name is Raj. I also found out he could really be a gecko.
Raj still lives in our bathroom, but he hides when we are in there. Third roommate.
There is nothing better than doing what Jesus has called you to do.
The first thing I noticed about India is that it is HOT! I thought being raised in Florida would prepare me, but it is seriously like living inside an oven. There are also a ton of people...everywhere! I spent my first week conquering jet lag and getting accustomed to living in India. I have a wonderful host family, the Watts', who have already taught me so much about India. I moved in at the KCH Children's Home almost two weeks ago. Basically, whatever the kids do throughout the day, I am there too. There is some free time during the afternoon where I organize the activities. It has been wonderful bonding with the girls.
A typical day will start at 5:00 or 5:30 in the morning (extremely early for me!) with devotions. The children have devotions every morning and evening. The rest of the morning consists of going to a park, breakfast, getting ready, cleaning, and music lessons. They love music lessons! Some are learning guitar, drums, and the bongos. After music lessons, they would work on homework or help with the Sunday School office. Lunch is at 1, and then from 2-4 it is nap time. I am a glorious nap taker, so this part of the day brings joy to my heart! 4-6 is free time, which I am in charge of. After free time, they girls will either make chipati (bread) for supper or ride their bicycles. The boys and girls alternate each day between the two. The evening devotions are from 7-8, and then supper is at 8. After supper, there is a little bit of cleaning and then the children will get ready for bed! It's a very action packed packed day!
What about school you ask? Right now the kids are on chuti (holiday). At the end of June, they will return to school and the days will look much different. I have spent my time so far getting to know the girls. Their names are: Dolli, Shivani, Pryanka-A, Pryanka-B, Simron, Stooti, Ankita, Prya, Joti, Hebsabah, and Meeni. They are all so beautiful! I found out that we all share a love for chocolate....like any normal girls! They all dream to be a pastor, teacher, or doctor! We are working on their English too, which is very great! They love teaching me words in Hindi. I have started writing down things they tell me so I can better learn the language.
I would love to share each moment of my time here so far, but I only have time to share my favorites. Enjoy! :)
One afternoon, we were talking about food. I told my them favorites were pizza, pasta, ice cream, peanut butter, etc. I asked them if they like Pizza Hut, McDonald's, KFC, or where else. Their beautiful eyes lit up when I mentioned KFC. They told me how they have been there 2 times and Mark English took them there for the first time ever. I told them how Mark English is my pastor, and they couldn't believe it! At that moment, I decided that we have to go to KFC this summer! It is such a special treat for them.
I mentioned they loved chocolate right? I had picked up some chocolate candy bars (5 Star) from a market. I saved it to give to the girls and boys during free time. We were sitting in a circle, and I brought them out and they were so happy! 5 Star, or really any chocolate is a favorite! We proceeded to eat tell a little about ourselves and our dreams. The afternoon ended with dancing to praise and worship music!
I eat all my meals with the children...that's a lot of Indian food! For the first few meals, the cook left out the chili in my portion. I finally told them that I was going to eat what everyone else was eating and not to fix me anything special! It wasn't very spicy, but then I found out it didn't even have the chili in it! The boys made this potato thing....it sorta looked like mashed potatoes. I tried it and it was very hot....because it had chili in it! It's going to be a fun summer. :) I like the chipati!
I have never liked hard boiled eggs...I have had two in the past week. You know you are called when...
They girls call me CaraDeDe, or just DeDe. I hear this thousands of times in a day!
Simron makes Chai every morning....so so good, but I miss coffee!
I saw monkeys! Once. And a camel.
There are cows everywhere...on the side of the road or just walking down the streets.
The days are difficult, but they are allowing me to build relationships with theses girls. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Chelsea moved in this past week...yay!!!! I'm incredibly glad she is here too. We have a lot of exciting things planned with the girls. A team comes this week to do a summer camp. The next week, we are able to start one on one times with the girls to give them more individual attention. And the week after, we will take a few girls each night to get pizza from dominos!!!! We are going to be doing dances, art, crafts, lessons about devotions, and so much more!
My first night at the home, I woke up around 1 am. I went to the bathroom and noticed a albino looking lizard sitting on the trashcan. He was staring at me. Of course, I screamed a little and jumped away from it. I was paranoid it would come in the room and crawl on me that night. The next day, it was still in my bathroom. I have developed a habit of opening the door, reading my hand in and turning on the light, then walking in, and finally glancing over the bathroom to find the lizard. He lives in there. I spot him most times. Last night, he was in my shower. I was so tired from the day. I just wanted to take a shower and go to sleep! But I was not going to with him in the shower. There were several attempts of scaring him away, but they ended with me screaming and running back into the room. He eventually disappeared, but I saw him this morning. His name is Raj. I also found out he could really be a gecko.
Raj still lives in our bathroom, but he hides when we are in there. Third roommate.
There is nothing better than doing what Jesus has called you to do.
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