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PL667
12th March 2017
This week started with an epic fire and rescue safety presentation by some local experts for our children and the whole Maxton Strong School students. It was an entire afternoon full of demonstrations, stretcher improvisation, safety tips, fire fighting and zip wire fun. Many of the farm kids got selected to take a ride from the top of our guest house to the monkey bars below, and though it was entirely safe, it was still a thrill. Hopefully, we'll never need to use any of the new skills that were taught, but just in case, it's nice to know a few tricks.
Here are just a few shots from an extremely photogenic day. Our thanks to the local emergency personnel for spending their time with us.
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A few of the festivities from the back of the crowd.
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One of the instructors, talking a little fire safety.
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Raju volunteering for a makeshift stretcher demo.
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Climbing to the top of the guest house for a trip on the zip wire.
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It wasn't a fast ride but everyone wanted to try.
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Kelly was excited after her turn to ride came up.
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The fire didn't last long, but it made for a momentary action shot.
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This week ended with Parent's Day, our twice yearly event where those kids with living parents or nearby relatives can spend a little time, connecting with their family. Less than half of our kids have no relatives but not all family visit either. It makes for a bitter sweet afternoon as some lucky children enjoy treats and toys from family members, while others look on, waiting, hoping, watching the gate for relatives who never come. Only 14 families turned up, so we offered snacks of consolation to the many disappointed hearts in the crowd.
In spite of the many mixed emotions, we encourage our kids to stay connected to family if they have them. There's certainly no denying the family resemblance that exists for many of them.
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Malika and Jyotika got to spend time with their Grandfather who came all the way from Calcutta to see them.
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No doubt, Kevin and Raymond share a certain family resemblance here.
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Roshni and her two younger sister who still live at home. Her family lives just across the rice field from the Mission.
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A few of the boys who did not have visitors. Raj (in the front) made no effort to hide his disappointment.
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There's been a lot of wind lately as winter turns over into summer. And one night was particularly blustery, covering the grounds with leaves. In preparation for Parent's Day, we sent the kids out as a group to clean up. With only so many brooms, many girls used their hands to sweep up leaves. The nursery kids bagged up the piles and used a push car to drive them to the fire pit. In no time, the work was done and the kids could get back to studying for final exams which are in full swing. Here are just a few images from the clean up crew.
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The nursery boys coming back from a push car/fire pit trip.
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Lisa doesn't need a broom when she has two perfectly good hands.
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Not exactly hard work for Shivani, but full-effort posing!
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To give you a little update on our latest fundraiser...the BATHROOM OF TERROR...we did it! In 5 days we raised the $5000 we needed from 50 donors. It never ceases to amaze us how supported and encouraged we are. God is certainly good.
We've decided to push on just a bit further to renovate the boy's bathroom which, while stinky, is really not all that bad. It needs a thorough cleaning, some new fixtures, some clean lines and new toilets, but otherwise, not a total overhaul. We're estimating it will cost $1200 of which we have $916 as of this writing. So only $284 left to go. If you were thinking about getting involved, there's still a little time to dive in. Thanks so much to everyone who helped make this campaign a success. The Big Girls are beyond thrilled to have this new space on the way.
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It's like a sequel. Click this image of the link below to get involved.
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We had to say good bye to a few old friends this week. Winston and Marilyn headed back to Australia. And Chris and Rohini flew back to America with their two kids Odelia and Seth. Before they left, we tried to get some group shots with the many young children that now scurry around the Mission, but that effort never produced a successful image that didn't involve at least two children crying. See you soon to everyone. You will be missed.
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Odelia was hard to pin down but this is pretty close.
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Seth flying high above his father Chris. See you both soon.
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Charity celebrated her 29th birthday this week and there are fewer kids more excited for their big day than this one. She came to breakfast, decked out in a vibrant yellow suit, fully made up and camera ready. Then, a few hours later, she emerged in this blue outfit, eager for a few more snaps. Charity is our oldest girl in the big girl's hostel and helps out in the laundry and with gardening as needed. Charity arrived at the farm as a newborn infant and does struggle with mental health issues. Still, when she is looking good and a camera is looking at her, all is right with the world. Happy Birthday, Charity!
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Charity rocking the sandals and socks combo.
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As a final glimpse into Mission life, here's a little work and play comparison. The first is the big boys preparing the dhal (lentils) by drying it in the sun. We've had a some rain lately so there's been a bit of back and forth with this crop, moving it under cover, then hauling it back into the warm light of day. It's just another harvest on Strong Farm.
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Prem, Anish and Naresh, dhaling it up.
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All the dhal we harvest we will eat throughout the year.
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An old favorite on the farm is a game called 7-Tiles. The way it works is: two teams take turns trying to knock a stack of blocks down from a short distance away. If one team knocks over the stack, the other team tries to hit someone with the ball before the blocks can be stacked back up again by the team that knocked them over. It's simple and fun and can be extremely intense. Bruises get handed out like popcorn at a movie theater. Today's game was no exception.
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Sereena smashing the piles with a thudnerous toss.
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Trudy stacks quickly before the ball is thrown her way.
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Dhiraj knows the ball is never far away.
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Rick is making slow improvement, though he is still experiencing intense pain from time to time. Please continue to send prayers his way, particularly directed towards his right eye. Auntie Josie has also been experiencing some eye pain lately and may need surgery. She could certainly use your prayers as well. We would also appreciate prayer for our kids as they go through their final exams; that they remember what they have learn over the year, that they stay calm in the face of nerves, and that they simply do their best.
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Blessing on you,
Rick, Clifton, Eugene, Priscilla & John
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