lately

Wow! I can not believe over a week has passed since I arrived here. I have learned so much and am enjoying my time here a ton. One of the things we did was visit the largest Hindu Temple in India. It was really interesting to see, but so incredibly sad. These people spend their whole lives in fear that they aren't doing enough to please their gods and that the gods will take out their wrath on the people. I could just feel the devil lurking in there. It seems like what they believe is so difficult, when believing in the God who created the universe, and loves us and wants to give us a life of freedom could be so much better for them. I also learned that near an Indian family from the states is donating money to build a temple that requires human sacrifices near our village. Again, its hard for me to grasp why these people would ever want to live a life of fear, and requirements, when they could live a life of freedom and joy. While we were at the temple, we visited the holy cows and also the elephant. The elephant was cool, but again the holy cow thing is a bit weird to me. Thomas told me that these people value the cows so much that they will drink and eat the waste. That actually may have been the grossest thing I have ever learned. We also made the local newspaper for being the only white people around. Kind of strange :) A couple of days ago we also did a medical clinic in one of the villages. It is absolutely amazing to me how the people here live. For the most part they all live in grass huts, but if someone is wealthy they will have a concrete house and if they are really wealthy than they will have a painted concrete house. It gets a bit awkward when we go out in public just because everyone stares due to the fact that there are a couple of Americans.  We also got the opportunity to do a little bit of farming on the new land. On the way back, I rode in the open back of the truck with the older boys and they were trying to teach me telugu and would just laugh and laugh at how I said the words. I have enjoyed getting to know the kids better. Sundays are always fun because thats the only day they do not have school so after church we just get to hang out. Some of the stories of where they came from are almost unbelievable unless you were to hear it first hand. These kids have seen and dealt with more than anyone, but especially a child should have to go through. And somehow in the midst of it they still have so much joy. I came here hoping to be a blessing and a light unto these kids, but I think they have been a far greater blessing to me than I have been to them. Even at such young ages the way they handle the situations they have been dealt are ways that I hope I handle in the same way. I can honestly say that I have never felt so full and so blessed in my entire life than when I am with these sweet kids. I love them all dearly and am already dreading having to say good bye in three short weeks.