1st stop Srikakulam District

One of the amazing brothers whose name escapes me

The children

Place of the evening meal

At the village well, drawing water for evening and morning

The way things should be done

The pink shirt certainly contrasts

SS on the rooftop

The future Team Dean family

Ness & Ab

Sister Zion

Our group at Sudershan's & Zions

The morning where Daniel asked Mum his '666' doubt

Leah and I followed the crowd getting off the train and slowly made our way to the entrance of the station. We were lovingly received by Becks and Santoshi who had arrived the day before and had woken up extra early to greet us, but unfortunately our train was an hour late, so felt bad about that.
We took a bus to Narsannapeta with our packs. The first time I hadn't gone straight to Satya lodge and it felt a bit strange totally bypassing that hotel. Wasn't able to see my friend who works at the store outside, but hopefully she'll still be there next year - Beck saw her the day before so she's still faithfully working there.
Arrived at the green lodge and felt exhausted. 3 nights on a train, isn't the best way to feel like you're on top of the world!!! So Leah and I rested while the others made their way for a morning at Sister Zion's and family.
I still can't understand this now, but I just couldn't get to sleep, I'd had virtually none for 3 days and I kept thinking - the others are all with Zion, and Samuel and Daniel, and I'm missing out. So after a short amount of time I left, telling Leah I'd pick her up at lunch time!!. What a lovely family. We did the readings, and chatted and then had a lovely chicken curry meal.
In the afternoon we took the family and went to Rallapadu. I can't believe the difference in the hall! 2 years ago we arrived to spend time in a palm branch hut and then last year it was a cement structure that was still being completed. This year when we arrived it was a beautiful white building with windows and door frames. All the brothers did it themselves. Totally reminds me of the Nehemiah story every time I go there. But if you want the truth - I'd have the hut back anyday!
Rallapadu is the most beautiful place. It has the most supurb backdrop. Lush green rice fields, against rows of palm tree's and no pollution to be seen. There is a village well at the entrance of the village and we watched (and helped) many women come at dusk to get their water supply for the evening and following day. Herds of buffalo wander casually along, with their herder with his bamboo massive umbrella as a sun shader!
We also had a flock of sheep and their shepherd in the same area. The funiest thing was that the shepherd was wearing a magenta pink t-shirt. I guess he just didn't want to blend in the with the rest of the scenery!!
The brothers and sisters fit into the same amazing category. Never do we get money requests from them. They are just so satisfied with their simple existance and their examples just teach me so much every time I arrive.
We took the children upstairs and acted out the lesson of the lost son. They sat so quietly during the story, and then all got totally involved with colouring in the activity.
I thank my God each time I go to this village for such amazing examples in the midst of a reasonably crooked place. At the same time I think they deserve some longterm mission help, to give them what they need and strengthen their knowledge.