My Family is Growing

April 2, 2012 was one of my favorite days of the trip. The rest of our group arrived from England. We helped them unload their luggage as they were tired. The guys on the team moved across the street to stay for the rest of the time there. We did our typical routine for the morning, breakfast, quiet-time, and Bible Study. We had some excitement that morning. Some people left their balcony doors open and monkeys had gone into one of the rooms. Thankfully nothing was damaged but they were climbing all over everything inside and outside the building. We had to run away because they attack and bite people.

After the monkey incident part of the team left for House of Compassion. I was able to go and was so excited to see Chandu again! As soon as I stepped out of the bus, he ran over and tried to tickle me. He ran around trying to get me to chase him. He kept coming up to me and holding my hand. We went to the field to play with the kids. At first Chandu was holding my hand. Then he motioned to get a piggy-back ride. I couldn't resist. He is just so cute. He loved every minute of it. He was laughing so hard it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

Samuel and Ravi

Loving the Bouncing Balls

Chandu and Dayasgar

Ganesh and Chandu

Me and Ganesh

Chandu Trying to Tickle Me

Chandu, Me, Amulya, Rajeswari, and Samuel

The Girls at House of Compassion

Piggy-Back Ride for Chandu

 We started to play games with the children. Chandu followed me everywhere. His friend, Ganesh, followed me too. He kept holding my hand and hugging me. We played soccer, frisbee, etc.
 

Wearing a Team Member's Hat

He Loved the Hat

Ganesh and Me

Ganesh and Me Again

Ganesh, Me, and Chandu

Me and Chandu

Chandu and Ganesh

We left the field Ganesh holding one of my hands and Chandu on the other hand. We were taken to the house being built for them. It is going to be very nice. We took a tour. Ganesh and Chandu led me through it. We prayed over the house and the children. It was very moving.

View From the New House of Compassion

Kitchen

Living Room

Outside of House

Ganesh, Me, and Chandu

House of Compassion and Our Team

It was getting late so we had to leave. Chandu and Ganesh asked me about tomorrow. They both gave me hugs and had sad faces. At that point I wasn't sure that I would see them again. Of course I was praying that I would. I longed to see them again. I got into the car. Chandu came over to the back window. He put his hand on the window and I put mine on the glass on his. He smiled. Then he came to the side and did the same thing. He then went off and waved continually at me as we drove off. It was so hard leaving. I should see him tomorrow so I didn't cry. I love him so much that if I didn't see him I would be devastated.

The ride back to Mercy Home felt like it was forever even though it is only 20 minutes. I kept thinking about Chandu and Ganesh and the other children. By the time we reached Mercy the girls were having prayer time.

Prayer Time

Praying

We then had dinner and went to bed. I couldn't sleep because all I thought about was whether I would see Chandu again.