Salutations to each one,                                                                                                       October 19, 2013

    After a long absence… we again bring news of what has, is, and Lord willing, what is going to be happening in our lives.

     What HAS happened… The end of July, my brother Jon Barnhart, wife, Traci and oldest daughter Crystal came to India for two weeks. In that time they visited several Homes, held our first conference for the Home director’s, their wives and any staff that could attend. (  Which by God’s grace and your unfailing prayers was a wonderful time.)  The day after the conference we all left for the USA! Since our anniversary was only a few days away and we were able to… we came home by way of France.  Although France was wonderful and so full of history and we enjoyed it so much, we headed HOME to where my heart was longing to be. After six months I was very ready to wrap numerous family and friends in long awaited hugs! =)  We were greeted at the airport by Westin & Jayme!!! What a beautiful reunion!! Thanks again for picking us up, you two!!!

     We were home for the months of August and September, two months spent loving up, catching up, trying to pick back up, clearing up, putting up and then on October 10, again giving up, yes, I think this is by far the hardest part for us. This time was really hard for me, I guess in part because I didn’t feel like I had enough quality time with my family and friends before it was time to leave again. So, God and I worked on some attitude adjustment lessons. With His help and His strength it is going better. I CAN do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me!!  Hallelujah!!  Thanks sooo very much to EACH of you for your prayers!! I cannot begin to tell you how much that means to each of us, and the difference we know your loving intercession makes!!

      We had a non-eventful flight over ( when flying, non-eventful is fabulous!! =)  )  We praise God everything went so smoothly. When flying into Bhubaneswar the wind had picked up and it was a little blustery. Chintu and Pastor Suresh, who were there to pick us up, informed us we had flown in on the last flight, ahead of a cyclone, which was whipping in from the Indian Ocean!!!  Wow!!  What timing!! Only our God!!  We arrived at our apartment 30 hrs. after leaving our home in SC. We quickly made two calls to let family know that we had safely arrived and to pass it to the rest of family & friends and to please be praying about the incoming cyclone and safety through it! Praise the Lord we were only without electricity for two days and internet… well, it just came back yesterday!  It reminded us of at home when a hurricane hits the coast… winds and gusts of approx. 50-60 mph. & lots of rain.  Other places still have no electricity and much wind and water damage!! Keep them in your prayers.

      That is a fairly quick tour of what ‘has happened’ since I last wrote on the blog. Sorry folks, those few months went zoom and were gone. I will now try to keep up and post regularly. I know it makes a huge difference in feeling connected when you can read and see a few pictures fairly frequently!!

       Now, what IS happening since we have arrived… a cyclone, no electricity, no internet, so that leaves Louis very unable to keep in touch with USA home and the Homes. We went to Susanna Digal, Veronica’s very good friend, and David Brown’s wedding, left the 15^th & returned the 17^th . Our dear Nana Elaine fell and seriously hurt her back. Yesterday, Louis, Chris and Chintu carried her down their stairs in a sheet and took in Chintu’s car to get x-ray and sonogram. We have been daily visiting and praying with her & her family. Last even. Her daughter came and told us the Dr. found no broken or fractured bones on the x-ray!!! What rejoicing!! To God be the Glory!! She has been in terrible pain though, so please pray that God will bring continued and rapid healing!! On the 18^th  Susanna and David had a reception here in Cuttack, so we attended that. Veronica has been busily scrubbing clothes, and cooking some delicious meals, and has visited with Nana. Chris and Louis got the bicycle serviced and fixed a few issues it was having. Right now, Louis and Chintu are out trying to get Christmas cards printed for all the children in the Homes. Each child will write a little and maybe draw something, some are such amazing artists!  Then we will have them translated and send to CAM, from there they will send to the children’s sponsors. Last Sunday we attended church at Nirman Home, tomorrow we will probably attend at Love- Charity Home also in Cuttack.

     What you can be praying for in the near future… we badly need to visit most of the Homes and update the children’s records for CAM. We are hoping to start on a round of Homes within the next 2-3 wks. We do not know how long it will take at each Home to get new photo and update each child and any changes. This looks quite big actually!  We also will soon need to do Christmas shopping for each Home. Usually clothes, coats, and practical needs etc. are met as Christmas gifts. The one Home that is about 18 hrs. away, and we have never visited, we want to try to do that within the next month or so. Also the land that was purchased just before we left in July, they want to get a boundary wall put up soon and of course start on the house… sometime =).  The house could and probably will be in 2014. So dear ones, although this is all contained in one paragraph, it is probably the next 2-3 months of our lives. =). 

     Thanks again for “stopping by” and caring and sharing with us in the work that God has called us to!! We earnestly need and covet your prayers on ours and the many beautiful people and children’s behalf.

                                                                             Our Love and Prayers Also,

                                                                                 Melody for The Hege Bunch