This week I was in the education group twice, Monday and Thursday. Education days are usually pretty uneventful because we spend the whole day on the Rising Star Campus. Monday was a little unusual though because the kids didn't have school due to a holiday but they still had tutoring, which made it quite difficult for us (the tutors) because the kids wanted to be there even less than usual. I can't say I blame them though... I wouldn't want to be there either if I were supposed to be on holiday. It was quite a patience-tester for me because I hadn't been feeling well and all of the kids were super antsy and lacking in focus. Although it wasn't as bad as it could have been because we had more breaks than usual, it was still hard because I had to read the same book with different kids. Reading a book about a pterodactyl multiple times is almost cause to get someone admitted. I will admit though that it was pretty hilarious watching all the kids try to pronounce pterodactyl. :) After tutoring on both Monday and Thursday we just hung out with the kids at play time and family time. I had a wonderful time with one of the girls, Sudha, at play time on Monday. She is in the 'family' I've been assigned to so I have been able to spend a lot of time with her and get to know her pretty well. She is super spunky and extremely adorable, I so wish I could just take her home with me and keep her forever! I've also had the chance to get to know a few other kids pretty well... I just wish I had more time to develop real relationships with them.
Tuesday was construction again...yay! Construction can be really tough when we're all working hard in 100 degree weather and wicked humidity. But luckily we have a great group and we always make it fun. Plus, all the hard work and sweat is worth every single smile we get from the grateful tenants of the colony who are getting new toilets out of our hard work. This week wasn't quite as difficult as last week however. It seemed we had a lot more down time in between jobs whereas last week we had almost no down time. We had a great time singing and whistling while we worked and also relaxing in the dirt in between jobs. :) This weeks jobs consisted of filling in old latrines and digging holes for the new latrines... not exactly the greatest job, but like I said, we make it fun and the people are ecstatic. I love it when the people come out of their humble huts to watch us work and offer us a place to rest. Those that are able even offer us a coconut that they have cut open for us to drink out of. It's amazing to see these people that seem to have nothing still find something to offer us out of gratitude and pure love. When our work was finished for the day we were starving!! So our awesome construction coordinator took us to a place where we could get some delicious Indian food...that wasn't rice and curry. We stopped at an interesting little shack and had some delicious paratha, which is just amazing Indian flat bread.
This is little Sudha... I promise she has a beautiful smile, she just keeps it hidden sometimes.
Navetha is in the pink and I'm embarrassed to say I don't know the other girl's name... I can't pronounce it. She's a cutie though
That's the face I love so much ;)
Pavithra is sweet, but definitely has an angry side... can ya tell?
Me with my amazing paratha and super sugary orange soda
Wednesday was by far my favorite day of the week. It was medical day!! I was worried about how I would handle the medical side of things here because I've never been really good at it... but I absolutely adore medical days. I love serving the people and seeing the light in their eyes. I'd like to think that that light is attributed to the work and service provided by rising star and I'm sure a small part of it is, but looking into their eyes it is impossible to deny that that light is the light of God. These people show so much strength and courage that can make a heart swell so much it hurts. I see so much goodness in them and pray that I can be even just a small fraction as strong as they are. I feel so close to the savior as I sit and wash their feet and feel their love emanates from them. For me washing their feet is a small service to give... but them it is everything.
The world he lives in gives him every reason to frown... but look at the gigantic smile!!! :)
The most strongest man I've ever seen... I am washing what is left of this man's leg, it is cut off just under the knee.
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