Andhra Pradesh

Rajamundry

On the way to Rajamundry (14 hours on the road) so much happened. We visited my uncle's grave, my grandparents and my great grandparent's grave. I already had an overwhelming feeling that I had missed out on so much time with them. To top this off poor little Gabby was extremely sick, with no energy to even get up, eat or drink the whole 15 hours. At one of the toilet breaks there was a cute little boy whose mum was the toilet cleaner. I picked him up and gave him some kisses and told the cleaners that my little girl was very sick. To my surprise she and 7 others village people came to the car and started to pray for her. I began to cry as these people who had nothing, (the main lady who prayed only had one eye) came to us to pray for Gabby. they wanted and expected nothing. I knew that Gabby was going to be better, God was showing me that He was always there.

Esther and Joe with Esther's cousin, Aunty and neighbours

Daniel grinding spices Indian Style

 

Esther, Nikki and Leena

Having fun with neighbours

 

We stayed one day in my Granny's house (she passed away last year), I walked around the house, thought, prayed and reminisced. My last memories were of her making pickles, singing, feeding me, laughter. My cousins and I were young but had so much fun together. How things change.

My step grandfather, (still a very difficult man) did not want us to visit the home/orphanage where my dad was born and raised, he did not want us to mix with my dad's Hindu relatives and tried to control every situation. Many thoughts, but none that I can write.

Old age home:
This once upon a time orphanage- now a home, was where I showed my children where their grandfather was born and raised till Australia sponsored him. I felt helpless in the fact that we could not give much to my dad's home family, as the matron in charge misuses everything and these people are too old to go out and do things for themselves. My plans are to go back one day and spend more time there, like my dad often does. I cant even imagine how these beautiful people still smile and enjoy our company even though their lives have been confined to these small grounds.

Something to pray or be challenged by:
When we want to hang out with our friends, we can. When we have a craving for a certain type of food, we can get it. When we are sick and need attention, we get it. These beautiful people may have only received these simple things a handful of times.
Pray for them- they are too valuable to be left out, and if there is a way that we can help them further, please let us know.

Two Esther's sharing a moment. Granny Esther was like my dad, in that she was born in this orphanage. But sadly has not experienced anything else. Her whole life there, and still smiling.

My granny's grave

This was the most horrible part of the trip. I never felt so disgusted and angry. the state in which my beautiful granny's grave was kept was atrocious. I cant even describe what this place looked and smelled like. She and the others buried there, don't deserve to have their remains in that sort of place. But with poverty and greed high, people cant and don't look after the living, so why would we expect them to care for the dead.



Nanny's grave

 

Christmas in India

Christmas was spend Indian style in Kazipet with family. We all wore our new Indian outfits, sang carols, went to a kid's Christmas event, very cute and funny and ate a big Indian banquet of Biryani and lamb curry, prepared by my beautiful cousin Kamala. Daniel loved wearing the Indian outfit and the girls looked like princesses. We later had some fun Bollywood dancing on the rooftop. those with us at Christmas were: Esther's mum, our family, My cousins Ravi, Kamala, Roshni, Rheema and then our kids's cousins Sunny and Shiny.

Pretty Gabby Alisha



Daniel and Alisha



Sarah Anjali

Our Christmas family shot

With our cousins Roshni and Rheema and Aunty Jenny

Preparing the Christmas Meal outside



Sisters

Rooftop dancing- Bolly style



Best dancer award goes to my big cousin Ravi

Things to pray for or be challenged by:

When we go out to eat a meal, it is very hard to watch outside the restaurant window that there are people starving. What can we do to change this stupid situation. I told my cousin Ravi to come out with me so that we could buy one man a proper rice and chicken curry meal. when I gave him the meal with some extra cash for later, I once again felt like this was not going to do much. But the gratitude on this man's face was painful to my heart. If I could have fed him and brought him into the restaurant so that he could sit with a family and experience love I would have, but I didn't. It was an after thought. There is always tomorrow!!

What's Next?

We head off to Chennai for a short visit on the 28th. We are taking the overnight train so this is an adventure filled with some anticipation. From there Joe starts to wind up his journey as he starts planning for the trip back home a week later. He still has a bit of shopping to do now that he's lost some weight and needs new clothes.