This post is going to have to cover two days worth... for the past day and a half our internet's been down. See... in India, you can't ever expect what's going to happen; India has it's own mind. Take the power for instance. Out here, there isn't a day, and probably not an hour that goes by without the power going out for at least a couple seconds. At home, this might concern me, but in India, you really do just have to, "come what may, and love it."
Yesterday we went to church in Chennai. I was actually really surprised... they had quite the branch. Even without the volunteers, they had a good 50 members there. The primary sang a song (there were about 15-20 of them), and a returning missionary gave a talk. They also have at least one soon to be leaving missionary. It was really cool to see their faith, and to see how the Church is growing.
Today was super. (That's the go to word that the Indian people use when something good happens.) Our group was assigned to medical today, and so we went to another leper colony. This one was also in pretty decent shape... they had some straw houses, but most were cement/plaster. We set up a station that the leprosy affected patients visited. They would check in, see the doctor, get prescribed medications, get their bandages removed, their feet washed and oiled (sort of like lotion), and then new bandages put on. See, when people get leprosy, the leprosy itself makes it so that tissue dies, and so the cartilage (especially on fingers and toes) is absorbed into the body. But there are also side effects. Since there is nerve damage, when they're hurt, or walk too much, they can't tell. Sometimes this results in them developing ulcers. This is what the bandages are for. Ashley and I were in charge of washing their feet; especially the ulcers. It was really a hard thing; not because it was gross or made me queasy, but because I felt bad for them and causing pain (it hurts to have an ulcer cleaned out). But it was such a wonderful experience to see that their predicament didn't get them down. It really was cute to see them smile, and show their gratitude. Later today also involved an epic game of soccer with the kids, and a goofy game of cards. These are days to remember.
Some of the really old carvings in Mamallapuram.
Ashley posed really well for the picture, but the main purpose of this was to show what the inside of an Indian clothing store looks like. In this one, you choose fabric from the piles, and tell him what you want made, and he makes it. All you have to do is negotiate a price and a time.
Even though it's hard to tell at first glance, this whole street is shops. As far as I've been able to tell, most outdoor markets look like this.
The resort we spent part of our day in Mamallapuram at.
This is from today. We decided to take pictures next to one of the smaller huts in the colony. People really live like that.
This was before it was all set up, but I was stationed over on the right side washing their feet. One of our group leaders, Kim, took more pictures which hopefully I can share once I get them.
Well, that's it for today. Today especially has helped me appreciate what wonderful blessings I have been given.
Yesterday we went to church in Chennai. I was actually really surprised... they had quite the branch. Even without the volunteers, they had a good 50 members there. The primary sang a song (there were about 15-20 of them), and a returning missionary gave a talk. They also have at least one soon to be leaving missionary. It was really cool to see their faith, and to see how the Church is growing.
Today was super. (That's the go to word that the Indian people use when something good happens.) Our group was assigned to medical today, and so we went to another leper colony. This one was also in pretty decent shape... they had some straw houses, but most were cement/plaster. We set up a station that the leprosy affected patients visited. They would check in, see the doctor, get prescribed medications, get their bandages removed, their feet washed and oiled (sort of like lotion), and then new bandages put on. See, when people get leprosy, the leprosy itself makes it so that tissue dies, and so the cartilage (especially on fingers and toes) is absorbed into the body. But there are also side effects. Since there is nerve damage, when they're hurt, or walk too much, they can't tell. Sometimes this results in them developing ulcers. This is what the bandages are for. Ashley and I were in charge of washing their feet; especially the ulcers. It was really a hard thing; not because it was gross or made me queasy, but because I felt bad for them and causing pain (it hurts to have an ulcer cleaned out). But it was such a wonderful experience to see that their predicament didn't get them down. It really was cute to see them smile, and show their gratitude. Later today also involved an epic game of soccer with the kids, and a goofy game of cards. These are days to remember.
Well, that's it for today. Today especially has helped me appreciate what wonderful blessings I have been given.
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