Friday

Friday

In AM went to devotions at the main compound. There were attendees from all parts of the mission -- from the media center, the school, the eye hospital, the Oasis of Love etc. Rob gave a devotion. We were given the traditional marigold garlands. I think I had four garlands. It was warm in the room and by the time devotions were over I was pretty hot from them

After devotions we met with a group of ministers who wanted to give us their testimonies. Before they began those Mamma Pushpa asked for prayer for one of the men. He is abused at home His son in law? Is a drunkard and beats him. He has to walk with a walking stick. He sticks around the mission helping put where he can because he is loved here. They feed him something to eat at the mission but he doesn't take it home because he won't get to keep the food. We all laid our hands on him and prayed for him with Mamma P translating briefly after. He left then because it was difficult for him to sit as long as he'd be sitting.

Then each of the ministers gave their testimony. Mamma P had to start telling them to keep it short because we were supposed to go other places. They seemed to have trouble keeping it short. :-)

After this we went to see the Women's Rehabilitation Ministry. This ministry helps women who are widows or in other bad circumstances to learn to sew or knit on a machine to make things to sell and support themselves. It was there we met Mahini in person. We'd shown our VBS kids a video of Mahini. She's never been able to walk, and after her father died her brothers tried to poison her. Mamma Pushpa got her out of that situation. She had been taught to knit. She has been given a hand-pedaled tricycle. She has her own apt. now. I'd seen her story, but didn't stop to think I'd meet her. She has a big beautiful smile. Pushpa told us Mahini LOVES to pray. She asked to pray for US!! Her prayer was beautiful and she also prayed for our families back home who were alone while we are away. So humbling. Her sweaters are quite nice and heavy -- so hot here now it's hard to think about even wearing one! We hope to go back tomorrow, only this time have some rupees with us!! (I.e. SHOP!). Oh, by the way -- we got MORE marigold garlands here...

Then we saw some thing the Oasis of Love kids made. They make items to sell -- things like fans, Jacobs ladder puzzles, purses, jewelry. We met some of the kids who make these things. Then, we had to go around the building to enter Oasis of Love through their "real" entrance because they'd placed a welcome banner there. Again, MARIGOLD garlands. The kids at Oasis are mentally and/or physically challenged. They are normally throw away kids in India, but at Oasis are taught the most they can learn and loved. The kids put on a program for us. Several of them had dressed up as historical or Biblical characters. We "met" Ghandi, Neru, Joseph with the coat of many colors, Mary and Joseph, King Herod, an angel, and many other characters.

On a sad note, we meta worker there, 28 yr old woman whose husband died two weeks ago. He came home from work, got a chicken for his wife to prepare for supper, laid down to rest a bit, and never woke up again. He left his wife and two little children. We also met a woman whose mother had just died. We had prayer with them; everyone shed a few tears.

Then we attended a ceremony put on by the school children who attend the mission school on scholarship. There were songs, poems, prayers, and -- guess what??? -- MARIGOLD garlands. They presented each of us with a gift. I received a bracelet. The men got ties. Then we presented several of the scholarships ourselves before we had to leave.

Lunch.

Afternoon was spent at the media studio talking about mission needs. We also got pictures taken of our group presenting the studio with the professional video camera and tripod we delivered for Good News Productions.

Now we are on a break for about an hour u till supper at Mamma Pushpa's. I know now why everyone calls her that. She is just that -- a loving Mamma. David said some people actually call her the "Mother Teresa of Damoh". The younger children just call her Dadi (grandmother).

Then, if time allows tonight we will go to a service at a Hindu temple, being accompanied by the former assistant to the area or nation's (not sure which) Hindi highest priest. David called him equivalent to the Pope's next in line.

No clue what tomorrow will hold. Keep praying!

Jacque and all

PS. Please pardon any typos or poor grammar in these posts. I'm typing on a little touch pad with two fingers. That, and I'm always in a hurry and haven't taken time to edit. You are getting my memories and impressions as they occur!