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PL792
16 June, 2019
We won't haul the word "hot" out again and drag it around like a thick blanket on an airless night, but yeah, it was hot again this week. Still, we at the mission are hearty adaptable people, for sure, and so we know how to beat the heat...or at least ignore it.
Our pool continues to be a source of great comfort on the most sweltering of days. And when it's clean (which is roughly every 3-4 days), the fresh cold water is the perfect tonic for the blistering air around it. For anyone struggling with high temperatures this time of year, here are a few images to cool you down. If you're south of the Equator, like our friends in Australia, this may help you dream of summer to come as your winter begins.
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It may be hard to see, but Raymond is riding on Jackie's back.
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Can you guess what this is?
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If you guessed Ajay the Water Peacock, you are right!
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The kids lined up for Uncle John to launch them into the air. Little Aaron Shipway set the height record, nearly vaulting into orbit.
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The older boys didn't get quite as high, but still found their own fun.
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When swimming time is over, traffic at the pool ladder gets congested.
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There were lots of other games this week, with competitions big and small helping to pass the time. Most activities take place during the cooler late afternoon hours, but some times the thrill of competition overrides any aversion to the summer sun. Football (soccer), kick ball, dodge ball and more were all on the agenda with kids young and old getting in on the action.
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You know that awkward moment where you and your team mate both think you're going to kick the next pitch. Shivani and Jared know it well.
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The kick ball pitcher is usually a position reserved for the youngest kids. Until Ajay insists on having a turn.
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Ram Pal aims for the boundary wall...and nearly took out the camera in the process.
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Not a particularly attractive picture of anyone, but Rohit is sending the ladybug ball for the ride of its life.
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Meanwhile, out on the football pitch, Rajesh drills a penalty kick.
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Moments after scoring an unstoppable goal, Ram Pal showboats.
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Some kids just came to cheer on the teams, even sporting a little face paint as rabid fans are prone to do.
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One activity some of the older girls always enjoy we called "Fashion Shoot" which really just turned into a a few snaps in the mango orchard. It wasn't exactly haute couture, but it was a chance to goof around and pose as if for the cover of Banbasa Vogue.
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Kelly opting for farm girl chic. Roma was suggesting poses off camera.
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Kushbu risking the shallows for her art.
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Jimika scanning the distance for fashion inspiration.
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Roma makes a guest appearance, even without a belt.
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Summer time is a time for vacations, and all of our 18+ kids are taking a week's holiday with friends or family outside the mission gates. Some return despondent, finding it hard to leave the fun of adventure, as many of us do on holiday. Others write often, saying how much they miss home here at the mission. But it's a great opportunity to explore the world and enjoy a bit of grown up life.
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Jessica's grandmother came to pick her up. Jess said she felt a bit famous at "home" as everyone wanted to meet and talk with her.
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The Nepali calendar is approximately 56 years and 8 months ahead of the India calendar, so it's no wonder Trudy's mother came to pick her up on the wrong date.
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Sonia (3rd from right) was returned to the farm by a big gaggle of assorted relatives.
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Speaking of returning, Clifton: our intrepid traveling leader, returned from an epic motorcycle adventure to Tibet and brought with him stories and pictures of another world. He unpacked more than 6000 photographs but we'll only include a smattering here to wet your appetite for his coffee table book that may one day be coming.
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On the Tibetian border after many long and dusty miles.
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This was not a casual Sunday ride across new tarmac.
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Much of the road was more like this.
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Or beautiful desolate landscapes like this.
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He was able to meet the King and Prince of the Forbidden Kingdom of LoManthang and participate in the annual Teeji Festival.
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Follow this link to ride with Clifton across this epic suspension bridge.
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And finally, sleep beneath a billion zillion stars.
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With Clifton now back safely within the fold, Rick has headed off to Africa to once again help our friends at Houses of Hope, Zimbabwe. This will be Rick's fourth time to HOH and over the next 3 weeks he will help them with a variety of different projects. While his internet connection there is pretty poor we will endeavour to update you on his progress each week. Godspeed Rick!
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Rick in Mumbai airport just about to jump on a plane to South Africa.
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We also had a visit from our friends at Global Giving. For anyone who's donated to us recenly, you may recognize this name, as they are now our platform for most all of our donations. Not only do they provide tax deductability for our US donors, they offer many tools and perks that help us be more efficient in our fund raising efforts.
Mansi Middha was our representative and she came for a few days to run through the numbers and offer tips to Clifton and John. Mansi fit right in and enjoyed her brief stay at the mission. Thanks, Global Giving for all that you do for us and for our kids.
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Honestly, this moment was posed. But work did get done.
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Mansi with a few kids on her last night.
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Walking off into the sunset with Gladys.
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Finally we'd like to end with a bit of awesome news. As we've been mentioning for the past few months, we have launched a campaign we're calling Mission: University. Our original goal was to enroll ten of our older kids into quality colleges around India.
Well, as of this week, we are happy to report that 6 our Mission U kids are officially in. Jessica will be attending Graphic Era Hill University to study Journalism & Mass Communications; Clifford will be attending Uttaranchal University to study B. Sc. (Hons) Biotechnology; Basanti will be heading off to Swastik Nursing College to get her nursing degree; Sonia will be working towards a Bachelors of Social Work at Himgiri Zee University along with Reeva who will be studying Travel and Tourism Management. And Kamal was just accepted at Jaspal Rana Sports College to get his Bachelors of Physical Education.
Job takes his entrance exam this week in Allahabad for Ewing Christian College, and Sunny's just waiting to hear back from the architecture schools he applied to.
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Jessica our new Journalism student.
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Basanti will be swinging into nursing soon.
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And so another week comes to an end. The heat, the games, the vacations and the work will all continue. And we'll continue to be grateful to God and to everyone who reads to this point each week. We so appreciate your support and your time and just making this weekly trip with us.
Blessing on you,
Rick, Clifton, Eugene, Priscilla & John
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For Those Who Pray:
- Please pray for good health for all of our staff and children.
- Pray for Rick as he heads back for his fourth trip to Africa.
- Pray for Auntie Josie who continues to struggle with weak legs and low energy.
- Pray for Job as he ventures to conquer his college entrance exam and Sunny as he waits to hear from colleges.
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