The best part of being back in Manali:
Normalcy. Our normal in Manali means that we host friends and students in our house almost continuously. Normal means that I have my own kitchen from which to cook meals and prepare hot drinks for our guests. Normal is sitting here right now on a floor cushion while one student is quietly studying away for his upcoming physics exam a few feet away. I can hear Grant busily scrubbing away at something on the porch just outside--boots, maybe? I feel content and grateful.
We entered our house again on February 27th after a week of being in Delhi. It was a cold morning, but two of our girls had prepared our house by lighting the fire in our tandoor (wood stove) and setting out places for us to sit (since our roof had leaked rain and snow all winter and most of our cushions had been removed and cleaned by them!) Neither of us had asked or expected these girls to do such a thing, but three of them not only dealt with the problems from the leaking roof but also completely cleaned our house before we returned, even dusting the book shelves, all this while they were in the middle of studying for their huge upcoming board exams. Love.
We attended our local church this morning, which was a comfort in itself. I am overwhelmed by the fact that we are now welcomed "home" and not just "back."
Prayer requests as we begin a new year of ministry:
First youth meeting is scheduled for March 17. Lots of new students joining this year. Pray for wisdom, purpose, and help! :)
Six of our youth who have been with us for five years will be pursuing college educations this year. We will likely be part of helping them apply to schools in Delhi or other cities this summer.
We have a three-month intern coming! Please pray for Julia, who is planning to join us in May. She will be a great help to us in building relationships with our teen girls.
Thank you! Lots of love. Charlene
We entered our house again on February 27th after a week of being in Delhi. It was a cold morning, but two of our girls had prepared our house by lighting the fire in our tandoor (wood stove) and setting out places for us to sit (since our roof had leaked rain and snow all winter and most of our cushions had been removed and cleaned by them!) Neither of us had asked or expected these girls to do such a thing, but three of them not only dealt with the problems from the leaking roof but also completely cleaned our house before we returned, even dusting the book shelves, all this while they were in the middle of studying for their huge upcoming board exams. Love.
We attended our local church this morning, which was a comfort in itself. I am overwhelmed by the fact that we are now welcomed "home" and not just "back."
Prayer requests as we begin a new year of ministry:
First youth meeting is scheduled for March 17. Lots of new students joining this year. Pray for wisdom, purpose, and help! :)
Six of our youth who have been with us for five years will be pursuing college educations this year. We will likely be part of helping them apply to schools in Delhi or other cities this summer.
We have a three-month intern coming! Please pray for Julia, who is planning to join us in May. She will be a great help to us in building relationships with our teen girls.
Thank you! Lots of love. Charlene
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