Vacation Bible School

Annemarie and I have been doing VBS this week, and will also be doing it next week. This week, we are working with Bobby and Elaine, who work with Hindus here in Delhi. They set us up doing a VBS with the children in the neighborhood they used to live in. Since Monday, we have been going for a few hours to work with them in the afternoon. The first day I was a bit intimidated, since we had no idea how old the children were or what facilities we would be working in. We took an auto to Bobby's house, which took about 45 minutes. Allison came with us the first day. Bobby told us a bit about where we were going, but said he did not know how many children would be there, or what the faciltiies would be like. We prayed with him and Elaine and then head over. On the way, we picked up a translator, who also knows Hindi children's songs. Her name is Sweetie, and she definitely lives up to that! She has been such a help to us this week, both in translating, and just being a sweet person to be around. The first day, we had around 7 kids. We played a few games with them, sang songs, told the story of Noah, and then had a snack. It was fun, but we had thought the children would be younger. We were a bit unprepared, and had to scramble to think of games, since most of the children were older boys. Then we took an auto back home, which took about an hour or more, due to traffic.

Tuesday went much better than the first day! Annemarie and I went over to Bobby's house early for lunch, which was excellent. It was good to get to talk to them more, and find out more about their ministry. They both grew up in California, so that was fun to talk about as well! We headed over to VBS around 4, and there were about double the kids, which was great! We did the same rundown as the first day, but this time I told the story of David and Goliath.

Yesterday's VBS was a bit smaller, due to thr afternoon rain that we got. We did have balloons, though, and made balloon animals for the kids, which they loved! Before VBS yesterday, we had a long trek out to the ashram where we will be staying next week. The ashram is a place of refuge for people who have suffered accidents, or have mental or physical deformities. It was a bit intimidating being there, but when we started meeting people and talking to them, I felt much more comfortable. We also got to meet about 15 of the kids we will be doing VBS with next week, which was fun. They are adorable! Annemarie, Abby and I will be staying there for 4 nights next week, and doing 5 days of VBS. We ate lunch there, and got to talk to a few of the foreigners who work there. There is a family there from New Zealand with 3 cute boys, so I am excited to play with them next week, since they are some of the few children that speak English.

Today, Annemarie was not feeling well. She has been having an upset stomach lately, and today we went out to lunch with Abby and Allison, and then were going to head out to VBS. But after lunch, she felt pretty sick, so Allison said she would go in her place. Allison and I headed out to VBS, which went well. It was a little more low key today, and the children seemed more settled into the routine of how things go. I am sad that tomorrow is our last day to play with these kids. They have been fun, and are very respectful! My prayer is that God has used us to touch the children, and that they will remember the stories and the songs that we have sung with them.

Tonight when Allison and I got home, the power was out, which is typical for India! Abby and Annemarie were playing speed scrabble, so we joined in. We had a blast sitting in the dark, with Allison's headlamp on the fan above us so we could all see. We laughed and sweated until the power came on. I am so thankful that we have gotten to stay with and get to know these girls. They are awesome, and I am going to be sad when we have to leave! I will just have to make the most of our time with them until then!

I ask for your prayers for Annemarie and her health. If you could pray that she begins to feel back to normal soon. Also, for preventative for the future. We both have had a bit of sensitive stomachs over here, flaring up at different times. Thanks for reading!