Arrriving In Hyderabad

I felt almost triumphant. It has been the weirdest experience to be living in Kolkata and trying to learn Bengali phrases and meet new people, when my insides have been crying out to be in AP, speak a familiar language and to visit those I know and love.

The feeling very quickly changed when I arrived at the gates of the compound and found that calling the day before to arrange for them to be left open hadn't worked, and there was no easy way to get into the compound. After banging the gates, and trying to see how far I could wrench them open, I resorted to trying to stick my hand through and move the metal. But I am not strong normally, and definitely not before 6am in the morning. This time prince charming wasn't so charming and I was left a little shaken, but unharmed. Then it was my turn to wake up an elderly lady (Tim's sister) by trying to sleep in the room adjoining hers, and no I didn't try jumping on her bed.

So it wasn't such a good start, and Jen couldn't come into Hyd from Shunem as arranged because Sarah Aunty had come back the night before as Eithen was poorly. As I felt in need of female company I found the first ship sailing for Shunem and set to work typing in the office while awaiting for the voyage to commence.

On route I got to visit the new Galbraith abode which is currently being built, and in typical Indian fashion, Sarah Aunty is having to visit everyday to check that they are doing as per her requests. It looks like it's only going to be another couple of months before it's done, if all goes according to (an Indian)schedule.
Then I was at Shunem, and eating noodles with the girls and seeing the old folk and chatting to the girls:-) Was so nice to be there when the children got home from school and to help with their homework and to partake in their prayertime. The food is so much different to when I was first there. We had roast potatoes and fish for dinner with chappatti's.

Then we summoned all the kids back to the study room and we spent the evening teaching them new songs for the Christmas drama. How to keep 50 children quiet for over an hour...is something that requires a great deal of patience...but it was just so good to be there and to see them grown up so much since last year. Deepa has taken over the role of mother, and some of the little ones have grown up so much. They're all just as naughty as ever;-)

It was Jen's last night in Hyd so we mosed on until we were too exhausted to keep our eyes open...

and then came the 5:25 call.... trudged downstairs, half asleep, the morning air was biting. All the children were there, with their courageous leader Jenny, ready to start the day in the proper way.

Jen and I caught a bus back to Hyd and spent the day picking up a few little nickknacks for her to take home and repacking her case. Then another goodbye. The little munchkin is now safely back home at the beach and eating honey logs from my favourite bakery at Port Elliott!!

Samson from the office drove me back and invited me to his wedding, I don't think I'll be able to attend, but it was really lovely to get an invitation. He is teaching his fiance the truth at the moment, so God willing, by the time John and Maggie get to visak for the interview, she will have a good grasp of the gospel.

I'm very thankful that an opportunity came up for Jen to visit India so now she knows most of the people that we talk about, and understands the challenges and exciting moments.