Hey Everyone! This is an entry just because I've yet to post anything on the blog and Mom was worried people will start to think I'm dead! Well, let your worries rest because I am more alive than ever. So far, being here in India, has been better than I could ever imagine. The first week was extremely difficult and, truthfully, I was convinced I was going to die in India and Marie, Mom and Ashley would have to throw my body into the Ganges River. It was hot, the job was hard, the streets smelled and I just didn't think I'd make it! But, by the grace of God, here I am. Now, early into our third(ish?) week here I am way more comfortable! I love working with the girls at Shanti Dan and I can walk down the streets WITHOUT gagging! Sadly though the heat still hasn't slacked off and the humidity has gotten worse, but hey ya can't get everything all the time!
Working at Shanti Dan has really been a blessing. I'm experiencing a love from these girls that I've never felt before and giving a love that I've never been able to give. Its really nothing short of a miracle. Being with these girls each and everyday is something I've really grown to love, getting to know these girls and their names and their personalities is seriously something special and I'd love to give you a run down of each of the girls' names and characteristics but that would take ages so I'm just gonna tell about the few I've grown closest to!
Maria Usha (Rani) - Rani is wheelchair bound because of her physical disabilities but she is so so smart. She loves to write simple sentences with blocks such as: I love you. I love Jesus. I am happy. I am sad. etc. She loves the rain and today I secretly "stole" her from the room and we practiced writing and spelling outside in a place where she could see the rain and could reach out and feel it anytime she wanted.
Rosa - Rosa is mentally challenged but physically able to complete tasks. She doesn't speak but her bright eyes and her sweet smile do all of the talking for her. She is very sleepy all the time and in a way she reminds me of a sloth. If you've ever seen Jeff Gorwin and the content sloth you'll understand what I mean!
Monjurie (Monju) - Think of a lanky baby gazelle and that is closest to how I am able to describe this girl! Spunky and silly with skinny lanky arms! Monju is physically able but mentally challenged. She does understand simple commands like : "Get your hands outta your mouth!" and "Feet off the table" but spelling and math are out of her ability range. She loves to say "Haaallooooo" and "Halle-LOO-yah" to which I always respond "Amen Girl!"
Sheela - Physically able but mentally challenged. So sweet and beautiful and always ready for lunch! Any new volunteer is sure to be fooled by her and give in to her sweet babbles to go for a walk... TO THE LUNCH ROOM way before lunch is scheduled! She understands things like "where are your eyes? and nose?" etc.
Rina - Just like Sheela in capabilities and looks! One would think they were sisters or cousins if you didn't know better! Rina loves to stick her tongue out at you and giggles so hard when you stick yours out back at her, she also loves for you to lay on her bed with her and pat her back as she falls asleep!
Bani - Bani is physically challenged with a lame leg but she is smart. She can add and hold conversations in Hindi and English, you just have to be patient in figuring out what she is trying to say because of her speech impediment.
There are many MANY more girls that I've grown to love but these were just the few I felt like I could do a decent job explaining!
We've got to do a TON of sight-seeing here in Kolkata, which I'm sure you've read about in Maire's blog and Mom's posts! Today we went to a Christian Cemetery in the middle of the city and it was like went traveled to the jungle! There were giant tombstones\ monuments covered in moss and trees with vines hanging, it was breathtaking!! On each of the monuments there were inscriptions of the dates and ages of the people who had passed away. Some of the inscriptions were very vague like :"Here lieth the earthly remains of Ebeneser Jones who died in his 29th year." and others had elaborate poems and memoirs. It was certainly one of the coolest places that we've been!!
And on our way back to our hotel we got to stop at McDonald's:) Yum!! I got a Grilled McChicken Burger and a butterscotch McSwirl and I do have to admit it was the best McDonald's meal I've possibly ever had!
So that was our day in a nutshell! There will be more posts to come from me later! I hope everyone is doing well and basking in the Love of our Lord! I love you all, God Bless!! :))
Working at Shanti Dan has really been a blessing. I'm experiencing a love from these girls that I've never felt before and giving a love that I've never been able to give. Its really nothing short of a miracle. Being with these girls each and everyday is something I've really grown to love, getting to know these girls and their names and their personalities is seriously something special and I'd love to give you a run down of each of the girls' names and characteristics but that would take ages so I'm just gonna tell about the few I've grown closest to!
Maria Usha (Rani) - Rani is wheelchair bound because of her physical disabilities but she is so so smart. She loves to write simple sentences with blocks such as: I love you. I love Jesus. I am happy. I am sad. etc. She loves the rain and today I secretly "stole" her from the room and we practiced writing and spelling outside in a place where she could see the rain and could reach out and feel it anytime she wanted.
Rosa - Rosa is mentally challenged but physically able to complete tasks. She doesn't speak but her bright eyes and her sweet smile do all of the talking for her. She is very sleepy all the time and in a way she reminds me of a sloth. If you've ever seen Jeff Gorwin and the content sloth you'll understand what I mean!
Monjurie (Monju) - Think of a lanky baby gazelle and that is closest to how I am able to describe this girl! Spunky and silly with skinny lanky arms! Monju is physically able but mentally challenged. She does understand simple commands like : "Get your hands outta your mouth!" and "Feet off the table" but spelling and math are out of her ability range. She loves to say "Haaallooooo" and "Halle-LOO-yah" to which I always respond "Amen Girl!"
Sheela - Physically able but mentally challenged. So sweet and beautiful and always ready for lunch! Any new volunteer is sure to be fooled by her and give in to her sweet babbles to go for a walk... TO THE LUNCH ROOM way before lunch is scheduled! She understands things like "where are your eyes? and nose?" etc.
Rina - Just like Sheela in capabilities and looks! One would think they were sisters or cousins if you didn't know better! Rina loves to stick her tongue out at you and giggles so hard when you stick yours out back at her, she also loves for you to lay on her bed with her and pat her back as she falls asleep!
Bani - Bani is physically challenged with a lame leg but she is smart. She can add and hold conversations in Hindi and English, you just have to be patient in figuring out what she is trying to say because of her speech impediment.
There are many MANY more girls that I've grown to love but these were just the few I felt like I could do a decent job explaining!
We've got to do a TON of sight-seeing here in Kolkata, which I'm sure you've read about in Maire's blog and Mom's posts! Today we went to a Christian Cemetery in the middle of the city and it was like went traveled to the jungle! There were giant tombstones\ monuments covered in moss and trees with vines hanging, it was breathtaking!! On each of the monuments there were inscriptions of the dates and ages of the people who had passed away. Some of the inscriptions were very vague like :"Here lieth the earthly remains of Ebeneser Jones who died in his 29th year." and others had elaborate poems and memoirs. It was certainly one of the coolest places that we've been!!
And on our way back to our hotel we got to stop at McDonald's:) Yum!! I got a Grilled McChicken Burger and a butterscotch McSwirl and I do have to admit it was the best McDonald's meal I've possibly ever had!
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