Sister's Conference, & Jan goodbyes

I have come to the conclusion that January is a good time for fieldworkers to be in India. Although it's hectic for the longterm ones, it's a month where most weekends are busy going and doing trips.
My one weekend in Hyderabad for the month was spent at Shunem enjoying sister's conference.
Unfortunatly, due to just having started work I did miss out on the Friday's program (had to supervise a sports day!) which was really unnecessary, but was obliged anyway.
So I arrived Friday eve, as the games were beginning. Was so much fun to watch the ladies play musical chairs such a degree of excitement. I joined in the merriment and made it as hard for them all as possible.
It was really good to see Ruth and Pepsi, and mother in Law (forgotten her name)and some of the Rallapadu crowd. The group that was really excited to see me however was from Visak. Joythi, & Laxmi, Esther, Hannah, etc. Was just so nice to see them again.
Susan Daniels and her niece Natasha flew in from Bangalore and so we had an extra full guest house for the weekend with Marj Burgess, Hann, Annie & I there as well, not to mention little Zac. He was so cute. Such a good baby. Although I didn't wake up when he did in the night, so that was easy for me!
Saturday morning we had group prayers at 7am. These times are always amazing I find, for really developing close friendships with ppl when you get told what is at the bottom of their heart, and what they truely need to pray about.
Then we had brekky, and some discussion groups and some talks. Can't actually remember what order it was all in, just remember it was quite packed.
The theme was getting to know our Lord Jesus.
The talks were: Jesus as a Shepherd, Jesus with the little children, Being fruitful wherever we are planted, Jesus being the true vine, and we also had a talk on 3 women of the bible. Hannah, Naomi & Abigail.
I really loved the talk on Sister's. Hannah Ogden chose the subject because she wanted to learn more about the spiritual significance of the names of her sisters in the bible.
We learnt from Hannah to pray as soon as a problem arises and learn we can find peace as soon as we've given it to God. From Naomi that younger sisters can learn a lot from the faith of older sisters, and we should be listening to the wise words that older sisters give. And from Abigail, that all sister's have to choose to be wise. Abigail stopped a Godly man from doing the wrong thing by her humble attitude and caused David to bless God because of her.
It was truely a wonderful weekend spiritually!

Saturday afternoon for something different we got into groups and took some ingredients from the table and had to make something for afternoon tiffin. It was incredible. All the sisters kindled a fire outside and got big saucepans and began to cook. See photo's on facebook..they'll come soon. It was incredible to watch. And the food cooked was delicious. I particularly enjoyed an incredibly sweet one made from carrot and sugar! Delicious. Then we all got plates and piled the plates full of the sweet and savoury snacks and took them outside to eat in the sunlight next to the fountain.

Sunday morning the hyderabad ecclesia joined us and the men who had transported the ladies down to hyderabad. We had a lovely big ecclesial lunch on the lawn.

Everyone left, and we played cricket, and then somehow found the table tennis table, and I had the first game I've had in forever. It felt so good to be behind a table again. Strange, I know. But it's a sport that I've grown up playing. SO it was nice to play Jona and Andy before heading back via havemore's!!

The following week was very strange. One by one the January family left. First Andy on Tuesday night, and yes, we had the 3rd trip to Havemore's in the week before he flew out. Annie opted to stay at Shunem for her last night, so it was me, and the guys who piled into the car. Then Wednesday afternoon Jona was escorted to the airport, it was far too sad. I left for Shunem to spend the last couple of hours with Annie and Hann. Singing in the guestroom and recording my favourite song. Then we were back in the van, and Annie had said her goodbye's and we were driving to the compound, then in another car to the airport...boo hoo.

Why do family leave each other? Especially when they are getting on so well?
I'm not sure, but we'll be reunited very soon by God's grace!