Fun with Hannah and Stacey!

Today is Sunday. We have several English visitors here at the moment and everyone planned to have an English church service at the ICM (India Christian Ministries) building. I really wanted to go to the Indian church though. I love the worship there, I love the people and even though I cannot understand what is being said, I really enjoy going to the Indian service. I decided it was a perfect opportunity to bring a couple of the SCH kiddos out to experience a different Telugu service. So, I took a Rickshaw over to Victory Home and decided to take Hannah and Stacey. I wish I could have taken many more kiddos with me but I didn't feel up to running all over town with more than 2 kids to myself.

This past week I have spent a LOT of time doing administrative stuff. Working on kids files, etc. You know me, I love my hands on kids time so I was really looking forward to getting to the home! I asked my Rickshaw driver to wait and while the girls got ready, I played with, hugged, and kissed several kiddos. Amulya came all the way down the stairs for her hug (not an easy task for her) and Michael threw his head back and laughed as I hugged him and kissed his forehead! Michael is autistic and I've found a quick, easy way to put a smile on his face is with a hug and a kiss!

When we climbed in the Rickshaw to go, Hannah and Stacey were sooo excited! Hannah is taking English tutorials and she kept saying church sister? church sister? You, me, Stacey church? When I would say yes, she and Stacey would giggle and clap their hands! It was really very cute.

When we got to the church and the worship began, both girls totally enjoyed singing, clapping, dancing, and praising God. It was such fun to watch them. When the teaching started, Hannah listened very intently. I was impressed. Stacey got a little bored but that is normal for a child her age.

After the service, we grabbed another rickshaw and I took the girls to lunch at a local restaurant. They were so excited to be there. Stacey was pointing out everything she saw - the salt and pepper shakers, the cups, the water bottles, everything! It took a couple of tries to get her picture because she was so beside herself that she kept throwing her hands over her face and laughing!



Three tries later, I finally got one with her hands down! Hehe.



I ordered Thali's for each of us. A Thali is a traditional Indian meal with different types of curries, rice, and poori (fried, thin, Indian bread). It looks just like this... (this isn't my picture, I got it from Google pictures!)



It's my favorite Indian meal because it has my favorite Dahl (lentils) and Sambar (vegetables in a spicy soup) AND I love it because it's the cheapest meal on the menu =)

Here is Hannah waiting patiently for her meal here. I was practicing English with her. She is picking up English fast! I told her she did a great job on her recent grades and progress report and I asked her to tell Stacey the same. They both made A's!!! Such smart girls!

Isn't Hannah beautiful!?



Stacey asked me to take a picture with her and I am making a goofy face but isn't she cute!?



The girls were curious and excited about all the choices on their plate when they got their meal. They tried the all the different curries and bread, had seconds on several of the curries and ate everything! I mean EVERYTHING! Stacey had 2 glasses of grape juice and Nancy had 2 cups of curd. They each found their favorites among their choices and both of them really loved the poori.

When the girls finished their meals, I ordered Ice Cream for them. Boy were they happy about the ICE CREAM!!!





When we were finished, I ordered a chicken, vegetable, and rice meal and a bottle of water to go. I explained to Hannah that we were going to take the food to a little old woman who lives on the side of the road. I asked her if she would translate for me and if she and Stacey would help me to pray for the woman. This is the same little lady I told you about in a previous post. I can't take a photo of her because she is not fully clothed and she's just so doggone pitiful. I think even if she were clothed, I would not feel right about putting a photo of her on the internet. She is a precious child of God and she deserves her privacy and dignity.

I stopped the rickshaw driver in front of the woman's little box and the girls and I got out. Hannah was so sweet, explaining to the woman in Telegu "Amma, we brought you food". I had Hannah tell the woman that Jesus, the one and only true God loves her so very much. Hannah and Stacey and I prayed for her and then we got back in the rickshaw and left.

The girls were suddenly silent. Smiling, but silent. I think God was using that experience to touch their own hearts with compassion for people. At least I pray that's what was happening in them. Who knows the multitude of lives they themselves will touch one day?

It was a truly wonderful day with two very precious girls. I pray that this day leaves them feeling closer to God, knowing His love for them in a new and deeper way. I feel so blessed that I got to have this day with them.