Memories for a Lifetime

I woke up extremely tired on April 3, 2012 from a rough night's sleep. It was very hot that night and I was thinking about the trip frequently. The team split up for the day into two groups. One group went to House of Compassion to lay sewage line and the other stayed at Mercy Home to build a higher wall so the Muslim neighbors won't vandalize anymore. I got to go to House of Compassion again!

The project went smoothly. We had to dig trenches to lay the pipe but make sure that it was descending 1/8 inch every four feet. We finished the project rather quickly because everyone worked diligently.

Laying Sewage Line at the New House of Compassion

Cutting Pipe

Indian Electricity=Scary

Seeing if Our Project Worked...Success!

After our project we got to play with the children at House of Compassion. Chandu and Ganesh saw me and ran towards me. We took some more pictures together and Chandu held my hand.

Chandu and Me, Bracelet From Vicky

Chandu, Ganesh, Me

House of Compassion Children

The children took us to the field again. Chandu was holding one of my hands and Ganesh the other. Chandu wanted another piggy-back ride so I gave him one. It never gets old for him. It never gets old for me either. We played all kinds of games with the children. I helped get the weights, heights, and pictures of each child for the sponsorship program. All of the kids are so underweight and under the average height for age. It is so sad to see that.

The British team put on a skit for the kids about Joseph and then sang songs with them.

British Team Preparing for Their Skit

Watching the Skit

The British team also had an activity planned for the kids where they made a crown of their family. They got to color the people on the paper crowns and then try them on. We took a bunch more pictures together.

Working on Their Crowns

Dayasgar and Chandu

Ramu, Me, and Dayasgar

Ganesh and Me

Samuel, Ramu, Me, and Chandu

Me and Chandu

Ganesh and Me

Ravi and Me

I thought it would be fun to run with the boys. Chandu and I raced each other. All the other boys saw and wanted to join in. They loved it. It was such a great time.

Chandu stopped because he was thirsty so we took a break. I was taking a video and got a funny face from him.

Unfortunately by this time we had to head back to the bus. I knew the hardest part was approaching so I made the most of every moment with those kids at House of Compassion. I took a short video of Chandu and me walking back to the bus.

It was very difficult saying bye to Chandu and Ganesh. Thankfully I had a translator to tell them that I would miss them. They both gave me hugs not wanting to let go. They kept waving bye to me. I got on the bus and looked out the window, they were still waving. They put their hands on the window for me to touch. Chandu pointed at the window and wanted me to slide it open so we could talk but it wouldn't budge. I said each of their names and bye anyways. They read my lips and smiled. We drove off with the children in the rearview mirror still waving.

Ganesh and Chandu Waving

Samuel and Chandu

I didn't cry that time. I guess maybe it was because I didn't have time to process anything on the trip. Everything moved so quickly. I had hope that I would be back soon. When we arrived at Mercy Home the boys were having dinner and I got to sit with them.

Dinner with the Boys at Mercy

The day was over and I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe I wouldn't see Chandu and Ganesh again for a long time. The day was bittersweet.