So Much For A Happy Ending...

Sorry I haven't written to update you on the end of our trip! I unfortunately caught a bacterial infection 2 days before we left, and was so sick on our last day I couldn't leave the house, or the bathroom to be exact. I was sick on the plane ride back as well, and am still recovering and slowly building up my stomach once again, still eating mainly applesauce and saltines. Thank you for your prayers, for those of you who heard about my sickness. God is good, and at least I was able to sleep most of the plane ride back!

Our last week in India was the best, by far. Our stay at the ashram was amazing, and really opened our eyes to a lot of what is going on in India, and around the world. The ashram is called a rehabilitation center for the destitute, and it is and so much more. While we were there, we got to do VBS with about 25 kids each day, which was hilarious and so fun. That ran from about 9 until 1 in the mornings, and then the afternoons we helped out around the ashram, or sat around and chatted with the people there. A family from New Zealand is volunteering there for 6 months, so we got to play with their three adorable, accent-laden lads a lot that week.

One of the most touching and heartbreaking circumstances I witnessed at the ashram were three babies that were brought in by a lady and her 9 year old daughter from a nearby slum community. One was 2, another 1 1/2 and the third was 9 months. All 3 looked about 6 months old, and had swollen bellies and skinny arms and legs. The older two were the granddaughters of the woman, and their mothers had basically left them to be cared for by her. They were around 16, and had jobs at the factory. The 9 year old and 9 month old were her children, and the 9 year old was basically a mother to all 3 of the babies as well. She was so hardened by her life circumstances that it took us a few days to get her to open up at all. The poor babies were fed food, but didn't keep much of it down. The 2 year old was eventually put on an IV so she could hold in foods and liquids. It was so sad to see them, but it made my heart long to help them, and children and women like them.

There is so much more to say, but I am short on time, Thanks for your prayers and support! I will tell you more when I see you! Pictures to come!