Himalayan Villages

We just got back today from a mini trip to an orphanage about 2 hours from Darjeeling. We hiked for part of the way through some villages and we got to sing songs and share dramas at schools. The hills are absolutely beautiful. We walked through tea gardens and rice patties. I can't wait to show you pictures. I finally have pictures of rice patties. =) The kids loved us and our songs. They also shared traditional Nepali dances. It was amazing. The kids at the orphanage were so cute and they were desperate for our love and attention. We had a blast! We are back in the town of Darjeeling. We are going to a Tibetan village tomorrow. It's so exciting that we have the opportunity to be in a place with Nepalis, Chinese, Indian, Tibetan, and Butanese people. There are also a fare share of white tourists. Anyway, we are all doing well and I am learning heaps about how to lead a team in a 3rd world country. Ok, I will write more later. Bye for now.

Darjeeling

Hey everyone. Sorry for those of you who actually read this. I havn't been able to write for a LONG time. Last weekend I was in bed with a fever of 104. YUCK! I got better and we left the heat and humidity of Kolkata and came up to the Himalayas near the Nepal border. We have been in Darjeeling for only a few days but already we love it. The climate up here at 8,000 feet is so much better. We actually can use blankets while we sleep and we don't get dirty right after showering. The people are so much nicer here than in Kolkata. There faces show so much more hope rather than depression and anger. We are working a lot with the AG school here and today we will do the youth group service in the afternoon. I'm sorry I havn't been able to put photos, it rained a lot and the power has been out here and they havn't been able to have a fast connection if any here. Hope you are all doing well. I will write more later.

Kolkata

So we have reached Kolkata safely and we have already had some interesting adventures. Taking a taxi or a bus is an adventure in itself because there are no rules to the road. Technically they drive on the left side, but people just go wherever they feel like it. They honk their horne at absolutely everything and and everyone which I guess makes sense because they are sharing the road with thousands of pedestrians, bikes, bike rickshaws, and auto rickshaws which are basically like golf carts. It's total chaos. We stayed at the YWAM base for the weekend and we were involved in a Christian conference. The purpose was to pray and lift up the name is Jesus during this Hindu festival called Puja Durga where they worship idols all day and night. We shared testimonies, sermons, worship songs and we did a drama as well as listened to them. Everything took twice as long because it was in Bengali and English, but it was really great to spend a whole weekend with Indian believers. We ate with them and played games with them. I have pictures, but I am having problems with the computers here. They are either slow or the connection fails. Anyway, we have moved into the city now and we are staying at a place with actual mattresses, praise God! We worked at a Mother Teresa home today washing clothes and feeding the elderly patients. We will go back on Friday. Tomorrow we will work with orphans. I could talk all day about all things we are doing, but I won't bore you. I will try and get my photos up soon. Enjoy the cool dry weather you are having and be thankful. It is about 98 every day and 90% humidity! Insane. We are looking forward to being at 8,000 feet in Darjeeling next week. Ok, more later. Peace.

Women at the Mother Teresa Home