|
|
|
|
PL664
Dated: 19 February 2017
This Prayer Letter really begins with a prayer request as we've had an unexpected health issue this week. As many of you may have heard on Facebook or in our emergency PL we sent mid-week, Rick has had a incredibly nasty outbreak of shingles that has knocked the man of perpetual motion flat on his back.
Shingles is the adult version of chicken pox, and it can be extremely painful and long-lasting. On the face, as Rick has it, aside from detracting from his usually handsome features, there is also real danger of losing eyesight should the virus travel in that direction. For this reason, and to return him to his always-active feet as soon as possible, we ask that you join us in a prayer for Rick Shipway's heath.
|
|
|
|
He has been on the mend lately, so let's keep it going. Thanks for your support.
|
|
In happier news, this week, as the world celebrated Valentine's Day, we also had a small celebration here at the mission. It was thrown by Malika's sponsor Marty Coulter from the USA who funded the event for the small girls. What started out as a big dinner party ended up morphing into a heart-filled affair with twinkle lights and candles and jazz tunes wafting through the air. Add fried chicken and chicken fried rice and dumplings along with cake and ice cream and juice and lots of laughter and you'll get the idea.
The small girls did all the work, from decorating to preparing the food. They also did most of the eating and laughing, along with Clifton, Priscilla and their boys as well as Uncle John. Though it was short on the romance that this holiday is so famous for, it was a night of special food and fun the small girls will never forget.
|
|
|
|
Clifton and Priscilla shared a rare quiet moment to celebrate the holiday.
|
|
|
|
Jess, April, Kelly and Jimika preparing the piles of fried chicken.
|
|
|
|
A few of the girls posing by candlelight before the meal.
|
|
|
|
Anthea making a wish on one of Auntie Violet's donated candles.
|
|
|
|
Getting ready to start the eating. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
|
|
|
This week was also voting week here in our state of Uttarakhand and all eligible voters made their selections. Many old farm kids returned for the day to cast their ballots. In India, after you vote, the polling people take some indelible ink and stain your left index finger. It can take days of scrubbing to get this black mark off, but it does succeed in identifying those who have already voted.
|
|
|
|
Black fingers mean successful voters. Nice job, ladies.
|
|
|
We had a few days off from school this week for election day and for another of the many festivals we celebrate over here, so it's always a good time to take a walk in the jungle and go exploring. The weather is very mild, about as good as it gets over here, and it was fun to skip stones, search for heart-shaped rocks and just spend a little time wandering around outside the gate.
|
|
|
|
Clifton leading the trek down the overgrown jungle path.
|
|
|
|
Ayushi and her entry in the best heart rock contest. Competition was fierce as chocolate was up for grabs.
|
|
|
|
Jotika with her little heart of stone.
|
|
|
|
Jessica skipping stones across the river like a pro.
|
|
|
|
No trip to the jungle is complete without Raju catching some fish.
|
|
|
Our mustard crop has turned out to be a great one and so it's time to haul it in once again. All the cooking oil pressed from these plants will be used on the farm. The process involves hand cutting the plants, then stacking them and hoisting them onto the trolley. With the afternoon sun high overhead, our bigger boys are definitely earning their keep these days.
|
|
|
|
Sylvester driving the tractor while Naresh walks to keep stacking.
|
|
|
|
Some of the mustard seed pods. The seeds inside will be taken to town to be pressed.
|
|
|
|
Naresh launching another big bundle.
|
|
|
|
The field with bundles awaiting pick up. Take your time, boys and drink water.
|
|
As part of a blog post Uncle John wrote this week, he enlisted some of the nursery boys to reenact some battlefield scenes. It was to help compare war heroes with orphan care champions. It's a great read and you can take a look HERE. But here are the enhanced shots that put some of our boys right into the trenches of World War II.
As John says at the end of his blog: No children were hurt in the shooting of these images.
|
|
|
|
Ram Pal plays the hero who bravely runs into the smoke-filled battle zone.
|
|
|
|
Rampal, Amos and Rajesh preparing for battle.
|
|
|
|
Ram Pal rescues Kevin who's trying hard not to smile in this shot.
|
|
|
|
Ram Pal prepares to drag all his fallen comrades to safety. What a hero!
|
|
Rochelle returned from Australia this week and she brought her sister Rohini, her husband Chris and their two children Odelia and Seth from the USA. It's so great to have them all back with us.
We also celebrated the arrival of a fantastic crew of new friends from S. Group in Tasmania. This leading architectural/design company has decided to partner with us in an upcoming project that we are very excited about. Four of the S. Group team members are here with us to connect, to get inspired, and to prepare for the effort ahead, more on that later.
|
|
|
|
The S. Group team visiting the Ganges River on their way here from Delhi.
|
|
|
So it's been a busy week, but we end as we began. Please keep Rick in your thoughts and prayers this week. He's showing signs of improvement but we're not taking any chances. We need his energy, his compassion and his smile back around the Mission as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone for your emails, Facebook comments and Instagram notes, we know they mean a lot to him.
|
|
Blessing on you,
Rick, Clifton, Eugene, Priscilla & John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
