Our day on Monday began with
breakfast at the hotel and then we were taken to the BIC church in Purnea.
When we arrived, the rest of the team visited Noel's school while Pam and
I walked to Joel's home.
Poonan and Sona dressed us in our saris for the day. They
had asked if we would want to wear one the day before, and we said, yes, of
course! The fabric was just beautiful and they did choose a beautiful
color for me to wear. I felt like I was getting dressed for a wedding.
I had thought there was so much fabric already with the other clothes I
had been wearing, but THIS was a lot of fabric. They just kept wrapping and
pinning. I decided then that I was going to do my best to avoid using the
toilet all day! (haha!)
Once we were ready, we walked down the road to join the others at
church. Our friends there were so happy to see us in their traditional
dress. The church service was to start at 10, but may have started at 11
or 11:30. Our Nepali friends were traveling to join the service and had
some trouble on the road--nothing serious, just that it was too foggy at some
points that the driver couldn't see anything.
The service began with a processional of the church leaders and
the three pastoral couples who were being ordained as ministers for the BIC.
One of the pastoral couples is the first Tibetan couple to be ordained
into the BIC. The entire service was very meaningful and celebratory. At
one point, Joel invited Pam and I to the stage to be introduced. (We
weren't expecting this.) He shared about our roles in the missions office
in the US and our role with SPICE. He commented about our Indian dress
and how we are now part of the family and were given Indian names -- Vicky
Hembrom and Pam Soren. He said many other things, but one thing he called
out about me was that I was the "mother of the SPICE children."
Wow...what a very meaningful moment for me. For those of you that
know the story of Jared and me, you know what this meant. God just
continues to redeem so many things in our lives...
it was so fun to see our friends from Nepal again
Sona and Poonan are the two in front with me--they helped Pam and I get dressed and the saris were borrowed from Poonan
Lunch was served (for 400 people today!) and then we walked down
the road to the Purnea girls hostel where the remainder of the day would take
place. When we arrived, they greeted us and welcomed us with a
traditional welcome dance and processional. A row of girls on each side
of us, all of us in the middle, as they danced and walked us in. It felt
very much like a wedding...but this is THEIR tradition and their way of
welcoming.
Tom is so sick of me taking photos, haha!
After our introduction, the program
began. This is a rare occasion when all 3 hostels come together - Purnea
girls, Barial boys, and Bahnmanki boys. They each shared songs, dances,
skits, and testimonies. They did such a good job! So much fun!
And..almost a 3 hour program! Of course, we were served tea at one
point, too. Joel invited me to the front to share some words with the
children. I wasn't expecting or planning this, but was able to share some love
and encouragement with them. It was actually a very emotional time for me.
As darkness set in and the mosquitos came out, the program began
to wind down. Then, of course, we broke into some dancing. So much
fun...to have them teach me their worship dances. My heart is full...
Tuesday we will have an opportunity to meet with the SPICE
committee of leaders here. Then, if all goes well, we will be taking the
overnight train tonight back to Delhi. Please pray that the train is not
delayed too much. We have been told, that the trains have been very
delayed due to the fog. Pray that our train ride is a good, cultural
experience, and safe.
Wednesday night will be spent on a plane flying back to the US.
Please continue to pray for good health for all of us, and
recovery of colds for now five of the team. I am still doing well and
would like it to stay that way. Thanks for following along! I'll
post again when I can.
