Dear Family and Friends,
November 24, 2013
Happy
Thanksgiving to each of you!! Although
we have festivals and ‘events’ happening all the time. Thanksgiving is not an
Indian holiday. So we will try to make every day a day of thanksgiving and
think of you all gathered with family and friends and enjoying all the
delicious foods that are made for this special day!! Believe me, that is a beautiful thought
picture!! So truthfully… here is to
really missing ya’ll during this time. Veronica has this liking of Ham for the
holidays, sooo I packed this little canned ham.
Hmmm, will have to see how it tastes!
( A side note…
I just have a great appreciation for a dear husband who brings me a bowl
of homemade french-fries that are made and salted to perfection!! =)
November… a
month, it seems, just started, yet now almost gone. I don’t know why it still
surprises me how quickly time goes by.
Nov. 2, We were invited to Nirman Home for a ‘welcome back supper’ . This
had been postponed due to the flooding that took place after the cyclone. We of
course had a great time and a delicious meal. Nov. 3, We attended church
service at Nirman. I always love when one of the little ones make their way
into my lap. =) Nov. 4 In the afternoon we went to Bhubaneswar to
Mercy Home. We had a program and snacks with the children. Afterwards, we were
invited to stay for supper. While it was being prepared we were able to show
photo album and play some games with the children. Nov. 5, I’m still trying to get over nasty
cough, a.k.a. pneumonia, praise the Lord we can get antibiotics very cheaply
here! So I am taking a rest day . In the afternoon the weather is sooo
beautiful that I went on the rooftop and decided to get some sunshine and dig
in the dirt. Always has a way of making me feel better!! Our landlords kindly
gave us permission to use the flowerpots on the roof. So we weeded them and got out the seeds that
we brought from home and planted our little “veggie garden”!!! Picture following! Can’t wait until we can have fresh lettuce
salad!!!! Our next test will be… will we
be the ones to eat our goodies OR the monkeys ?? Our neighbors have a beautiful eggplant and
the monkeys faithfully eat each eggplant. Warning Monkeys!! Stay away, Far
away!!
Nov. 6 Today our
dear neighbors started our language lessons!! Nana Elaine and her daughter Mrs.
Esther come every evening 7-8 pm. , when we are home. We are in 1st
grade again, learning another alphabet and it’s sounds. Prayers would be
greatly appreciated! Also attended a birthday celebration for a couples
son. There was a little service and food
following, was a nice evening. There was a festival going on for one of the
gods so getting to the party and home again is a story in itself!! We
eventually arrived home and thanked God again for his protection that surrounds
us so beautifully! Nov. 7, Veronica did wash today, actually she tries to do it
every day, then it does not become mountainous. Chris rode bike to Nirman and
spent the afternoon helping Bapi do some painting. Louis & I tried to get
the Oriya alphabet stuck in our noggins. Veronica is excelling in this part!
And Chris can now hold small conversations, something the rest of us are
longing to do also. Nov. 8, Veronica is feeling “under the weather” today, her
sinus’ are acting up. Louis took bike and got groceries and then Chris went
back to Nirman to help Bapi again. I also got another wash lady hired today,
the one we had last time was not available, with help of a neighbor
interpreting. So although we all love the way Veronica washes and gets them so
clean, this will give her 3 days a week break.
( I can hear “why is it just
Veronica washing?” well, I decided if we
came back I wanted a washing machine, and Veronica says there is not room, she
will do the laundry, forget the washer. I actually do help some, o.k. a little
=), just not when I have this cough, ) Oriya
lesson. Nov. 9, a day at home, probably
a visit from Nana Elaine, she is so funny, she has adopted us. I guess because
she is almost 73 she doesn’t have much of an appetite and especially for spicy
foods. Well, she has “fallen in love” with Veronica’s Chai ( hot tea) and my
potato soup. So most every day finds her here for the above and fellowship. This
is the same lady who fell and hurt her hip so badly. God has healed so
wonderfully, that daily she is climbing three flights of stairs ( 35 to be
exact, she has counted = ) Praise The Lord!! She still has some pain in her
hip, especially when she sits. She’s a blessing from God and quite a ‘character’.
Nov.10, Sunday at Nirman, Louis had youth Bible Study in afternoon. Wrapped a
gift all pretty with nothing inside ~
challenging lesson for us all! Nov. 11 Today it’s get all wash finished
and start packing for an 8 day trip which will include four Homes. Nov.12, We
start with a birthday party at Bubaneshwar Mercy Home, for the Director’s twin
granddaughters, their 1st birthday!! Went on that evening partway to
Mohana Home. Stopped for the night at Baramaphor, and went to wholesale fabric
store to buy material for Christmas clothes for each of the Mohana children. (
Ladies who sew and Quilt this place is a dream come true, and the prices amazing
also!! Come for a visit and we will see
what we can do = ) WOW Three stories of
material!! Nov. 13,14,15, spent enjoying the children and mountains of Mohana,
games,program, snacks, climbing a mountain. Great times!! Nov. 15, When
children left for school at 10am. We left for next Home about 4hrs. away,
Parlakamundi, and Peace Life Home. Met for supper and short program in evening.
Got to see Auntie, who has been struggling with liver cancer. So good to see
her again yet so sad to see the difference since July. Always a blessing and
joy to reunite with the children!! Nov.
15 even. 16, 17, spent at this Home. Here we had to take new photos of all 50
some children and get some info on each one. This we tackled on Sat. Of course
took time to play games with children, handed out bookmarkers to use in their
Bibles, and of course chocolates, which in India, is candy of any kind. Each
day ended with prayer for Auntie, with the family. Nov. 18, Met with Binay and
went to Mercy Home #2 . He is Director of two Homes. Kasinagar is about 45min. from Parlakamundi. And praises be, the roads are very good!!
Which can be said of very few roads in Odisha!
Time at this Home is always too short! There are no Hotels in the
village, so it’s usually only one day. We try to make the most of the time we
have but it always seems rushed and not enough. There are twenty beautiful
children here, we enjoyed a program, lunch, games and a special snack before
having to say our farewells. Nov. 19, We
are to stop in for tea ( which turned into a breakfast feast) at Peace Life
Home. The children are leaving for school so we say our good-byes and hand out
chocolates and hugs. We are so glad we had the time we did with Auntie here
also. When we arrived this morning they had her sitting in a chair on the
porch, enjoying the sunshine and having her hair combed. (And on Saturday
Nov.23, 2:00pm. The family called saying she had passed away. Please keep the
Bardhan family in your prayers!! ) We arrived home in Cuttack at 6:30pm. Always
thanking God for His miracle of keeping us and others unharmed as we travel.
Nov. 20, We are all weary and worn, Louis is suffering from cough, sinus and fever.
Chris is also coughing, but Veronica’s sinus’ seem to be better PTL. After
putting a large tub of wash out for the wash lady, from the mountain of dirty
clothes that always collects on a trip, we are taking an easy, down-time day.
Tonite we do have language, so homework and study will ensue this afternoon. Chris
and Chintu went in evening to special program the children were giving at
Nirman. Louis, Veronica and I stayed home to take language. Nov. 21, I’ve got
some of my energy back, Hallelujah, Thank You Jesus!! So today I got two tubs
of laundry done and the “mountain of clothes” is diminished, but not gone. By
the way, the weather in Cuttack is gorgeous, low 80’s during day and cooler at
night. Great for drying clothes =) We had delicious pancakes and chicken gravy
for brunch. Nana is glad we are back and stopped by and enjoyed Chai and a
pancake with us. Nov.22, Got word today that Auntie Bardhan was taken to
Medical and not doing well at all. Our hearts are heavy for Santa Murty ( her
husband) and the children. Today is spent with them in our thots and prayers.
After an afternoon of intense alphabet study, we did pretty good with our
language this evening. Now on to sounding out small words. Nov.23, Went to
Nirman Home in afternoon and took photo updates of all the children. Louis and
Chris left a little early, as they are still feeling “below par”. Veronica and
I were in girl’s devotion time and ended up staying for supper as well. Then
because of a festival going on in town and auto-taxi’s not going into “the
thick of it” Veronica and I got to experience our first “side-saddle”
motorcycle ride, THRU the “thick of it”!! I was very glad I did not know at the
time the motorcycle I was on has NO working brakes!! Yikes! Bapi did an awesome
job I must say, after reassuring me not to be afraid, that he would drive
slowly. ~ Got word today that Auntie has been healed for
all eternity. Nov.24, Went to Love
Charity Home for church today. We enjoyed it very much!! Nov.25, We will be in Cuttack, again getting
packed and ready for next visit… to Home above Delhi. Our train is scheduled to leave Nov.28th
we will arrive in Delhi 24hrs. later and then have a 4-5hr. bus ride above
that. We will return to Cuttack, Lord willing Dec.6th. We truly
covet and desire your prayers. Thanks
for all the prayers you are already faithfully sending on our behalf!!! We are grateful to all for prayers and
support, may God richly bless.
For His Kingdom and His Glory,
Melody and
the Heges
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| Laundry day |
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| Our new garden |
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| Lettuce, Radish, Squash |
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| Fries :) |
