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The second week of December is upon us and it's a good time for a short PL. Clifton, our chief writer/editor/photographer is elbows deep in thousands of photographs from the National Geographic Photo Camp up in Rishikesh some 300 kms to the North West of here. Clifton is acting as the Technical Director for the Camp of 21 kids, who are all learning about photography and writing. More about that in our next PL. For now we'll relive a few Thanksgiving memories.
Thanksgiving at Strong Farm is a little different to what goes down in the USA. We celebrate the day on the Sunday following the last Thursday of November with our own take on this famous tradition. We wake up to a fairly normal Sunday, until you get to our meeting hall for our service and see the room transformed. Decorations are put together by the small girls and they use a variety of farm produce indicative of the bountiful blessings we have received throughout the passed year.
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'Pastor' Jack and the worship team leading us all in thankfulness for the year's blessings.
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Lively songs fill the air with thanks.
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One of our older boys Dhiraj has a wonderful gift of leading with his new guitar.
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The worship team after another successful service
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Produce that is on display has come from far and wide; sugar cane from our friends the Turners at Paynter Farm, chilies, vegetables and fruit from various farms and gardens around the mission and district.
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A great stew in the making here.
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Little Ruhani couldn't believe how heavy this pumpkin was!
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After the service, everyone is welcomed to attend the 'Barra Khanna" (Big Meal) that follows shortly after. There is a quick emptying of the room and tables and chairs are set up to feed the hungry hoard. It's a time for one and all to pitch in and set tables, serve out the food and check to make sure each table is ready. Once the piping hot food is tabled the bell is rung and the massive family gathers for another wonderful meal, this time cooked by Lucy.
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Priscilla serving out some rice, with Malik making sure Dylan doesn't get more than him
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Ajay is well into his meal of Chicken curry, home grown rice, salad and everyone's favorite: papadams...a flat slightly spicy crunchy delight!
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After a good work out in the worship team, Shane is more than ready for his meal.
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Jeffery and Jared are enjoying their meal too.
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Ok boys, you can start!
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This weeks "Birthday Girl" Joytika enjoyed her meal.
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As did Lisa with her beautiful eyes.
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Atalia and Niyati enjoyed their friendship too.
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One final photo of a few of our beautiful young ladies after their Thanksgiving meal.
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The photo camp is really going well. Clifton is being paid by National Geographic for his work there, a dream job for any photographer. He is working with our wonderful friend Kirsten Elstner, Director of NatGeo Photo Camps. Kirsten is the one responsible for the two photo camps we ran here on the mission previously and had given Clifton the job in Rishikesh. Also along for the camp as students are Kelly, Coreena, Jimika, Amos and Parwat from the mission. Here are a few behind the scenes shots Clifton managed to capture, we will share the kids work and their stories next week.
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Jimika, Coreena and Kelly, soon to be master photographers.
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Clifton teaching his lessons to attentive young students. This knowledge is then taken out into the field on assignment.
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An "editorial workshop" for the students.
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Students had to choose 5 photos from a collection to tell a specific story which they then presented to the group.
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Clifton and French photographer, Matthieu Paley teaching the photo camp students about low-light photography.
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Shooting a daily religious ceremony called Aarti on the banks of the Ganges river.
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The waiving of lighted lamps is done to honor the gods.
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Hundreds of dedicated Hindu believers turn up each night for Aarti.
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Our kids have been getting on really well with the other students. Here Coreena chats over dinner with another student.
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There certainly are a lot of mouths to feed!
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We love you so much Kirsten! Thank you!!!
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So that's the short PL for the week. As mentioned it will be back to normal for PL818. We want to again thank one and all of you for your support and prayers throughout the passed year. Each of you has given us one more reason to be thankful and wish you all
Blessing on you,
Rick, Clifton, Eugene & Priscilla
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For Those Who Pray:
- Please pray for continued good health for all of our staff and children, some coughs and colds are still in our midst.
- Pray for stamina and a good time of teaching and encouraging for Clifton and five of our children who are helping out at the NatGeo Photo Camp. They return home Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Please keep our Court cases in your prayers, although we have had major victories in the past we still have a couple of cases being heard in the High Court where our opposition are challenging our victories in the lower courts. Here too we await victory.
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