Yesu Nalavar. | Jesus is Good.

Hello wonderful friends and family!

Man oh man! God has been so good to us.

Yesterday, we teamed up with Pastor Christopher and his son Steven's ministry (TVGM- Tamil Village Gospel Mission) for some time with the orphans that live there (they're a lot of fun). After playing with them and having lunch we went to probably the most extreme scenes yet.

The first place we went was a remote village that mostly consisted of widows and their children. We sang a few songs, prayed over the people, and served them a meal. It was funny but amazing to see how joyful and responsive the widows were to some of the hand motion songs we sang for the children. Their faces just lit up so beautifully.

After everyone was fed, we headed out to another village. This one was even smaller and was just on some random plot of land. The best way I can explain this community is that it is an independent living space for families with someone living with leprosy. We saw men with this disease sitting before us... it was unbelievable. Some of the most adorable children were amongst the family as well. We put on a similar program with this community as in the last.

I just know that seeing these communities is going to make it that much harder to come back to the states and adjust to such good living. We've all expressed how spoiled we feel considering our current surroundings.

I know I keep saying it but thank you so much for all of your prayers. We have all gone through some stomach pains within the last 24 hours. Daniel's had come back yesterday morning so he had to skip out on the day. He and Emily have had the most extreme cases. The rest of us have had minor issues. Praise God, we are all recovered. Daniel and Emily are taking some medicine to ensure their wellness.

Today was a pretty restful day. We didn't start any work until noon. Thankfully, we cancelled our prior plans with TVGM to stay around CLM and finish painting all the school desks and benches. We only have 8 out of 37 more that will be done tomorrow. Tomorrow night we will be celebrating our New Year by driving out to Bangalore for the next few days. Plans have changed from going to Cape Comorin to Bangalore partially due to the fact that my James Uncle and Auntie have gone up there a few days back for various reasons, but also because everything has set itself up smoothly and there will be more for us to do up there instead of cape comorin. We'll still be able to get to the coast as well as see some sights. :) This is a much needed break, I think we've all been pretty worn out from constantly going.

Once we get back, the CLM students will be back and we have 3 full programmed days with them. By the 8th we make our way back to Chennai for a VERY early flight on the 9th.

-Pray against any continued sickness and mental stability because it is easy for paranoia to hype up the mind and make a person sick.
-For safe travels to and from Bangalore, wherever we go, and of course our journey back together-may it be a million times smoother than the trip here. :)
-For the hearts of the orphans we played with. I know I've already formed an attachment in the little time we've spent with them, I can only imagine where their hearts are. May they be satisfied and joyful in Christ and brought up with the discipline and love they deserve to have though their parents have either abandoned them or have passed.
-Pray over all these ministries! That God would be the leader of their every move.
-This is especially important: the "leper colony" is facing a community conflict because a family has moved into the hut that was intended to be the colony's church. Pray that God's love exceeds all issues.
-And over our final programs with RCWC on Sunday (tentative) and our 3 days with the CLM kids. We need the holy spirit to outpour in every place.
-That we would have much rest and strength in the Lord.

We all love and miss you guys! Be blessed, you are a constant blessing to us :)
His,
Sarah