Sunday was a full day...much love was shared all around.
In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we traveled to the Barial boys hostel and Barial BIC church. We were given a tour of the hostel before we joined the community for worship.
Once again, we were welcomed as guests and this time we were given a beautiful bouquet of flowers. We worshiped with them in song -- the first one they sang was "How Great Thou Art". I always love when I'm in other countries and recognize a song and can sing along with them in English. It's a beautiful thing. Both Pam and Beth shared briefly with the group and then Ken shared the message. During the service, Joel asked any who were SPICE graduates, to raise their hands. It's just amazing, the amount of people who have been part of this program (or what they used to call the orphanage) and how life changing it was and is for so many. We have collected many stories and videos of people sharing how SPICE has changed their life. Many have become church leaders or prominent leaders and businessmen in the area.
When the service was completed, they asked us to go out on the porch and where we could greet everyone. About 300 handshakes later...we were ready for lunch.
After lunch, we spent some time dancing with them, of course. I love seeing (and trying) their many different tribal worship (Christian) songs. Thankfully, the steps are not too difficult. (Yes, there is video but that will come later!) The Uran people live here. We have experienced Hindi, Sentali and Uran (and probably others that I'm forgetting). Once again, we shared gifts with the boys at the hostel. They all love the matchbox cars. While some videotaping took place (collecting SPICE stories), Pam pulled the boys aside in another area of the yard to teach them to play "duck, duck, goose."
I met a 21 year old girl who spoke English very well and learned that she just completed YWAM in Darjeeling. She had completed her schooling and decided to take part in YWAM. She explained how this was so life changing for her. She desires to be a missionary now.
At about 4:00, we left our friends at Barial and traveled back to the hotel. On the way, Joel asked if I would like to go back to the Purnea girls hostel to play with the girls. Since we would not have another opportunity to be with them, alone (on Monday, there will be a large program, with a pastor's ordination, and all 3 hostels in the area coming together). I welcomed the opportunity to visit the girls again. Since this was not a planned activity, we gave the option for some to stay at the hotel before joining us later at Panuwel's home for supper.
So, Pam, Jim, Beth and me returned with Joel and Panuwel to the Purnea girls hostel. We shared gifts with them (small balls, sunglasses, stuffed animals) and jump ropes. Once gifts were shared, we just spent a few hours playing and singing with the girls. Although it was a long day, and becoming dark and much cooler, and I was being eaten by mosquitos...it was such a fun time together with the girls! I took some of the group aside to teach them "duck, duck, goose" and "red light, green light" and then they taught me a few games, "heads and bottoms" and "seven up". So much joy and laughter was everywhere. It was time to go on for supper, so we said our goodbyes and many hugs later, we were on our way to Panuwel's home.
At one point in the day, Joel had asked me if I would want to wear a sari on Monday. Ummm, well sure!? So, as we waited for the remainder of the group to join us at Panuwel's home, both Pam and I were measured for saris (Joel's wife, Poonan is sharing these with us for the day and wants to tailor them to fit us!). So, stay tuned for those pictures...
We had a wonderful time at Panuwel and Sona's home for supper. I have been sharing with the ladies (Poonan and Sona) about how amazing it is that they can manage all they need to do, wearing these Indian clothes -- there is just so much fabric! We have spent much time laughing together about this. Part of our meal included roti, and Sona was willing to show us how it was made, and then, they asked if I would try it. Of course, I didn't do things so well, and they were able to laugh at me, and I was laughing too. Tom did a much better job at rolling the roti into the correct shape.
We shared tea together before ending our day. It was such an awesome day and a really fun evening! Joel shared with us that our visit to Purnea may be the first from the US and he shared how meaningful it was for all of them and how much the girls enjoyed our time together. Once again, so overwhelmed by the warm hospitality and care and accommodations for us!
Pray for the many people and children coming from many directions on Monday to join us for one program in Purnea. Pray for travel safety for them all. Continue to pray for those on our team who have colds. They are all pushing through, but are definitely feeling worn. It's hard to believe we only have a few days left here.
In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we traveled to the Barial boys hostel and Barial BIC church. We were given a tour of the hostel before we joined the community for worship.
Once again, we were welcomed as guests and this time we were given a beautiful bouquet of flowers. We worshiped with them in song -- the first one they sang was "How Great Thou Art". I always love when I'm in other countries and recognize a song and can sing along with them in English. It's a beautiful thing. Both Pam and Beth shared briefly with the group and then Ken shared the message. During the service, Joel asked any who were SPICE graduates, to raise their hands. It's just amazing, the amount of people who have been part of this program (or what they used to call the orphanage) and how life changing it was and is for so many. We have collected many stories and videos of people sharing how SPICE has changed their life. Many have become church leaders or prominent leaders and businessmen in the area.
All of the SPICE graduates
When the service was completed, they asked us to go out on the porch and where we could greet everyone. About 300 handshakes later...we were ready for lunch.
After lunch, we spent some time dancing with them, of course. I love seeing (and trying) their many different tribal worship (Christian) songs. Thankfully, the steps are not too difficult. (Yes, there is video but that will come later!) The Uran people live here. We have experienced Hindi, Sentali and Uran (and probably others that I'm forgetting). Once again, we shared gifts with the boys at the hostel. They all love the matchbox cars. While some videotaping took place (collecting SPICE stories), Pam pulled the boys aside in another area of the yard to teach them to play "duck, duck, goose."
I met a 21 year old girl who spoke English very well and learned that she just completed YWAM in Darjeeling. She had completed her schooling and decided to take part in YWAM. She explained how this was so life changing for her. She desires to be a missionary now.
At about 4:00, we left our friends at Barial and traveled back to the hotel. On the way, Joel asked if I would like to go back to the Purnea girls hostel to play with the girls. Since we would not have another opportunity to be with them, alone (on Monday, there will be a large program, with a pastor's ordination, and all 3 hostels in the area coming together). I welcomed the opportunity to visit the girls again. Since this was not a planned activity, we gave the option for some to stay at the hotel before joining us later at Panuwel's home for supper.
So, Pam, Jim, Beth and me returned with Joel and Panuwel to the Purnea girls hostel. We shared gifts with them (small balls, sunglasses, stuffed animals) and jump ropes. Once gifts were shared, we just spent a few hours playing and singing with the girls. Although it was a long day, and becoming dark and much cooler, and I was being eaten by mosquitos...it was such a fun time together with the girls! I took some of the group aside to teach them "duck, duck, goose" and "red light, green light" and then they taught me a few games, "heads and bottoms" and "seven up". So much joy and laughter was everywhere. It was time to go on for supper, so we said our goodbyes and many hugs later, we were on our way to Panuwel's home.
At one point in the day, Joel had asked me if I would want to wear a sari on Monday. Ummm, well sure!? So, as we waited for the remainder of the group to join us at Panuwel's home, both Pam and I were measured for saris (Joel's wife, Poonan is sharing these with us for the day and wants to tailor them to fit us!). So, stay tuned for those pictures...
We had a wonderful time at Panuwel and Sona's home for supper. I have been sharing with the ladies (Poonan and Sona) about how amazing it is that they can manage all they need to do, wearing these Indian clothes -- there is just so much fabric! We have spent much time laughing together about this. Part of our meal included roti, and Sona was willing to show us how it was made, and then, they asked if I would try it. Of course, I didn't do things so well, and they were able to laugh at me, and I was laughing too. Tom did a much better job at rolling the roti into the correct shape.
We shared tea together before ending our day. It was such an awesome day and a really fun evening! Joel shared with us that our visit to Purnea may be the first from the US and he shared how meaningful it was for all of them and how much the girls enjoyed our time together. Once again, so overwhelmed by the warm hospitality and care and accommodations for us!
Pray for the many people and children coming from many directions on Monday to join us for one program in Purnea. Pray for travel safety for them all. Continue to pray for those on our team who have colds. They are all pushing through, but are definitely feeling worn. It's hard to believe we only have a few days left here.
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