Visakhapnatnam

Santoshi was faithfully there at 6am to meet the tired travellers and help them back to the mission compound.
It was so lovely to see Babji and Esther, Eliesha, & Swarthi again.
We rested and then took the young kids to the beach. I found it hard that although they'd nearly had a whole summer holidays to visit it, they hadn't been once since we took them back in November last year.
So fun. We made sandcastle's and played sticks on the beach, with of course a huge crowd of Indian onlookers watching. The girls got completely wet and started swimming, and after a while a lady told Santoshi that she would look after our bag if we would take care of her daughter swimming. It was blind trust, but it was too hot. We did have her daughter as ransom if she ran away with the bag!!!

There was a prayer meeting that night and we headed to LV Nagar (or am I confused? was it ST colony?) Anyways, it wasn't far from Sheela's house along the main road down from the compound. We sang some Telegu songs, and then picked up some of the verses from the talk that was given.
I took Jen and Jess to Ashray and they fell in love with it straight away, or maybe it was just the A/C?

We visited Sheela, met up with Gideon and Suma, and then had a birthday party for Prasad's one year old. The girls then left via train to spend time in Kolkata with Mum and Dad. Gideon was so good as to join us at the station and drove me home on his bike.

Another visit to Sheela, and then I was taken by Santoshi to her house. Her family was so so hospitable, I felt like a queen, and totally undeserving. We spent afternoon with her grandparents and had a great discussion on the bible readings through 2 different languages. Then watched the sun go down from the rooftop on the mountain. A glorious sight. All the little children living in the flats below came up on the rooftop to stare at this white lady. They were so so cute.

We spent the night with the 3 of us girls on the double bed, and the others started out sleeping on the rooftop. It started to rain, so by the middle of the night there were about 8 people sleeping in a space that would be no bigger than the kitchen area at my house. Everything that could be done to make me comfortable was done. Including making sure there was a chicken curry to be followed by the juiciest mangoes ever for dinner.

At 6 the next morning (after everyone had been up for hours) I was woken up and politely told that we should get going down the mountain. Morning times are not the best times for me...I turned over and started to go back to sleep when I realised they were serious and that I should start the waking up process!!
We were back at the compound by 7, where I could get some real rest. I find sleeping in a bed with 2 other girls doesn't leave much space for you to just sleep. Rest, yes, sleep, no.

Saturday night I said goodbye and caught the overnight train back to Hyd, to arrive in time for breakfast and the memorial meeting.

I was due for a trip to Visak and it was really lovely catching up with some very special people up there. It makes me realise how very lucky I am and how unthankful I can often be by taking so many blessings for granted.

Ps - if you're reading this and you know Sheela, the exciting news is that she is expecting a baby in December. Please pray for her health and safe delivery.