Day 8: Classrooms, Chapels, and a little Johnny Cash

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It was another early morning but all were awake because of the dog-fights outside. We had work duties starting at 6:30am. A mound of sand, much larger then the first, was to be spread in the playground. With the help of several little kids (you can see them in the pictures) we were able to get the job done - ok, half done. You have to love the Indian work schedule. We worked for about an hour and then they bring us a hot cup of Chai - this is a system that will definitely need to be implemented back home!



8:00am rolled around and we had our daily breaky and devotions. A few days ago we promised the teachers of the school that we would pop by their classrooms to observe. The school is one long two-storey building with all secondary (which they called middle classes) on the top floor and the lower floor all primary students. The classrooms are a wake up call to any Canadian student or teacher. We have a lot in comparison - whether it be resources, equipment, notebooks, technology, or simply painted walls - but these teachers work under tough conditions. Despite not having any of these 'frills' these are excellent teachers. Fully credentialed, a love for their students, and good at what they do. It was great to share some resources such as books, games, etc. with them and discuss some ways in which we can help and support them and they did not hesitate to tell us what they needed!!



The other half of the team worked tirelessly in the kitchen prepping for lunch while some others worked in the computer lab with some students. The computer lab here is excellent and was donated a few years ago through the Heronbrook Foundation which generously supports the school in a variety of ways. We, as a team are working hard at researching ways that the computer lab might be more useful for ESL purposes.



The heat was overbearing again this afternoon but we had a few hours to play with the kids. The boys are certainly getting bold with us now. Initially we had a small compound to ourselves where we would find time to relax but now the compound has turned into a playground. Kids relentlessly knock on our guesthouse doors to ask for cards, UNO, or dominoes to play with in the courtyard. You just cant say no!



We spent the later afternoon in music lessons. Pam, Anne, and Amy have worked hard to teach some of the kids a few english worship songs with the hope of having them sing/play them during our last chapel. The others of the team joined in and taught the kids the actions to the songs. We had the privilege also to learn a Hindi/Marahti worship song from the music teacher, Francis.

"Koi Nahi, Koi Nahi, Yeshu Jaisa,

There's No One, There's No One like Jesus

Koi Nahi, Koi Nahi, Yeshu Jaisa"

There's No One, There's No One like Jesus

Later that afternoon the team practised its drama which was also going to be presented during the last chapel.



We scheduled chapel for 6:00pm. This was to be the last chapel at the boys school and the team worked hard at pulling everything together. We had three english songs ready to present, a drama, and I was to speak. The team was excited because we were also going to present the kids with all the new sports equipment, mattresses, bicycles, and notebooks that we had bought for them. Not unlike every other chapel, we were welcomed in with clapping and singing - this never gets old!



The team did great with the songs and the boys all caught on really quick. We sang, "Every Move I Make", "Trading My Sorrows", and "Your Love is Amazing". Watching 650 kids dance and sing to these songs takes your breath away. I was so proud of Siena, Tessa, Connor, Soren, Kirsten, and Steve for presenting the drama. The kids loved it and it was difficult to leave knowing this was the last time we'd sing together.



After chapel we were heading into town for a night out at a fancy restaraunt. Driving during the day is crazy in Nagpur but driving during the night - nuts! We arrived at the restaraunt and the place was empty. In India the average time for dinner is between 9 and 10pm - we arrived at 8pm. Errol ordered which seemed like one of everything on the menu. The waiters stand behind you and every time you take a sip they fill your water. We asked for everything to be mild this time. Needless to say, we got spicey - hence the Johnny Cash title..."down, down, down, to the burning ring of fire." Nuff said.



We were all pretty tired when we got home and were anticipating a 'sleep-in' the next morning - afterall, Wednesday is surely going to be an interesting day - train departs at 7:10pm.



Please pray for the train ride. We, as a team, have adapted to new adventures very well but the train is a whole new adventure. We ask that God would calm our anxious minds and that He would keep us safe throughout the journey as He has done so faithfully already. Please also pray that each team member may receive a fresh, renewed Spirit for the girls school and that we might have the same enthusiasm and gusto that we had at the boys school.



Stay Tuned.

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Comments

[Ric Harrison]

white
great stuff all of you but ..... ya'll are the whitest people I've ever seen.

[Sherrene]

Ahh Mike, I can feel the fatigue in this post. Praying for renewed energy and a renewed spirit. Looking forward to hearing how things are going at the girls school...and the train ride! (Thanks for all the pictures again. So nice to see the team in action!)