Arrived safe & sound in Chennai!

Early this morning I walked out of the airport into the steamy air of Chennai and saw my two friends, Freddy & Daisy, waiting with smiling faces. What a wonderful sight after 26 hours of travel!

Just a few hours later the Norway group arrived and we're just getting settled into our rooms for the night now.

Check back tomorrow from our first day on the ground here in Chennai! Here's a picture of our dinner together!

Packing for India

Packing is an understatement. The "stuff" that keeps arriving in the mail each afternoon from wonderful people around the country who love orphans is a steady reminder of the value of connecting and giving of ourselves. It reminds me what's coming in about 24 hours. There will be hugs and kisses and goodbyes.

The last time I was in India, I saw the fruit of consistently going back. There was a new level of trust in the eyes of the kids. One of the kids cried "Patty Auntie (their name for me), we've been waiting for you". I wasn't just a one time looker. I had become their friend, their auntie.

And so, it's time again...time to board that plane. Time to open my heart, open my arms and be Patty Auntie to a whole bunch of kids that I have come to love. My prayer is that God will give them a life & future filled with His goodness. He is a faithful Father, a God who sees each one. He is a pursuing God.

Join me on this journey!


Patty

Soccer Saturday

A little clip from Sarah's soccer game! Bend it like Bekham!

It's crazy 'round here....summer's comin!!

Why is it that the end of the school year is so crazy? Field days, music concerts, essays & exams...but the undercurrent in our house is sheer excitement for what's ahead...SUMMER! Wanted to post some pictures of the kids...Caleb in concert, Nick hard at work on his essay & Sarah at a Mother's Day class celebration. Enjoy...

Encouraging promise...

Isaiah 58:10-11 "If you give yourself to the hungry, And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness, And your gloom will become like midday.
11 “And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."

home sweet home

I'm sitting here listening to the birds chirping outside, and thanking God for home and all that home means. In the last day and a half, in between dealing with a very upset stomach & jet lag, I've been thinking about the people I met in India & the stories of pain, redemption and hope that I heard. I've found myself tearing up at times....praying for them, thanking God for giving them the hope for a new life.

It's awesome taking part in seeing peoples lives changed from utter hopelessness to lives of possibility. It's motivating. It's changed the focus of my life. God has a story for each person. It's a story full of hope and purpose. Love seeing that unfold.

I've also been thinking of how I can motivate others to get involved....more on that later!

For now, I'm processing and thanking God for allowing me the privilege of bringing others along with me to visit orphans & victims of human trafficking....and today I'm enjoying being with the ones I love most in the world: Bruce, Caleb, Nick & Sarah Hope. Especially thankful for my daughter who is growing up with a mom and dad who love her. Thank you, God. He is a good Father who puts the lonely in families.

Patty

Delhi, House of Peace

Monday we drove several hours through dusty Delhi to get to the House of Peace. What a great family style childrens' home! We spent the afternoon doing a craft project with the kids, playing duck duck goose & simon says.

These kids come from lots of different backgrounds, including abusive situations, but they are now safe in a loving family.

Together we read Psalms 116:16-17 which says "O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank-offering to you and call on the name of the LORD." Then we had them take a few minutes to write something they are thankful for & a prayer to God. What simple, beautiful notes they wrote. Then we put them together like a chain and hung it up as a decoration in their living room.

The directors of this home do a super job transitioning these kids into adulthood! One girl who has been with them for 10 years is now in Bible college & about to start her second year. I met this young lady 3 years ago when I first visited House of Peace. Terrific to see how well she is doing!

Day 8 Leaving Pune

Early this morning Linda & Mona headed to Mumbai to catch their flight back to Norway. Kelly Jo & I leave in a few minutes for a friends house and then early in the morning we fly to Delhi where we will visit House of Peace.

Don't know if we'll be able to get on the internet, but check back just in case!

We land in Dallas early Tuesday morning Texas time. We'd sure appreciate your prayers...

This has been such a terrific time. Lots accomplished! More later..

Patty

Day 7 - Fun day - Part 2

In the evening Kelly Jo went back to Hope of Glory and had another time to teach a craft to the kids there! They enjoyed making things and putting up the first wall art they created at the beginning of the week.

Check out the pictures from tonight!

Patty

Day 7 - Fun day - Part 1

Today we had a great time relaxing, shopping and packing up to leave Pune. We have a friend who does Mendhi with Henna, so we decorated our arms with the traditional Indian decoration.