KG- This is what my Monday’s consists of… making sure 54 five year olds don’t kill themselves or each other. Really. I pretty much just help out with whatever they are doing. Like learning songs for the jubilee, schoolwork, stations, lunch and snack time, play time etc. About two weeks ago I started making button bracelets with them whenever they had spare time. This was complete chaos but Lizzy Mam insisted they should do it. Pretty much iiii was the one doing it and they were the ones wearing them. Ha. I asked her to just send one or two at a time and when I would turn around she would have 7 at the table and 10 standing around it grabbing at things. Talk about patience. The other week was the best though! After assembly we went into class as normal but instead of starting the workbooks we went and sat on the ground and the kids had a dance competition…. Quite possibly the funniest thing I’ve gotten to experience while being here! Wow…. It was so bad and I couldn’t stop laughing, but I had to hide because they were really serious about it and had prepared and everything! After awhile Lizzy Mam just began to cut the music off early. SO good! I’m also teaching Shakespeare, As You Like It, to two girls at 4. I’m enjoying it a lot, but it’s definitely interesting (?) to be teaching over two language barriers, Hindi AND Shakespeare.
Crèche- This is what my Wednesday’s consist of…. Making sure 15 2 and 3 year olds don’t kill themselves or each other. Haha No actually, I really, really enjoy my time in the Crèche! The lady that runs it is super cool and nice to talk to. (She use to own a bakery here) Oh and the kids are beyond precious and have absolutely captured my heart! I go in at 10, which is nice because I’m not a morning person and we just play and draw and eat and go outside! I love it! Most of them are actually really terrible but they are just so cute and funny that I don’t even care.
Friday Fun- This is what my Friday’s consist of… making sure 17 1-4 standard kids don’t kill themselves or each other. (= They are the worst of all. I love cooking and I love teaching but it’s definitely a stretch for me to enjoy this class, most of the time. They can just be SO bad! It’s been neat finding recipes that are no bake and trying new stuff though. It’s also neat to hear kids scream “Ashley Mam!!!” when I’m out in the market or wherever I am. I enjoy them even if they are terrible.
“Hospitality Administrator”- fancy title, I know. Tuesday I pretty much just wake up and bake and then deliver it around campus. It’s quite the set up I have! I’m also typing up a recipe book for the next CDH group that comes to India and also to give to all out new friends when we leave! Every time I bake something new they ask for the recipe so I just decided I would make a book as a nice little going away gift (=
I also help lead a Bible study with Charlene with two girls that are in our youth, Pria and Tranum. They decided they wanted to read Revelation… I’m sure you can imagine how many questions they have!
Thursday’s- I actually was recently approached by a lady in the school not long ago asking if I would be willing to teach the trade of baking to a young girl that’s not doing so well in school, of course I agreed! (This is actually an answered prayer bc I was wanting/looking for an opportunity to teach baking) Anyway, the girl is really sweet, doesn’t speak much English but I just think it’s a really cool opportunity, not only to leave my mark on India in a way, but also to be able to help someone in like, life. I think it’s just really awesome!
Those are the daily-do details. In my free time I’ve changed a little. I use to spend almost every spare minute on the balcony in the sun but now I’ve been taking my time to explore and walk. Laura and I walk a lot or spend most of our time in Old Manali scouting out new cafes or just wandering. Today we were searching through a bowl of beads and next thing I know we’re sitting on the ground talking religion with the Muslim shop owner. Days like these are what I know I’m going to miss about being home.
Also, we’ve become really close with a girl that is volunteering in the school. Her name is Mia and she’s from Australia. Really cool girl and it’s really cool to spend time with her and answer all her questions about Christianity. Laura actually bought her a Bible last week and she was pretty stoaked about it! Keep her in your prayers (:
Besides that, I read and watch a lot of movies. (Pirated, mostly crappy, copies) Last week we had a Pirates marathon and watched all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Thursday-Saturday. This week is dance week and we’ve watched Step Up and tonight we’re going to watch Stomp the Yard. We actually had a little break from dance last night, and watched Chocolat, loved it! And then there are times like this when I don’t even feel like I’m in India at all haha
Plans- I’m not sure if any of you took the time to read my last post about Sex Trafficking but it’s something that’s a big part of my heart. AND I’m pretty sure that I’m going to leave Manali a week early and work with a social group in Delhi that works with girls rescued from prostitution. I’m… not even sure how to describe how awesome this will be for me!
ALSO we are most likely taking a family trip at the end of June to Ladak!! Which would be SO so SO fun and it’s also beyond beautiful there!
Jubilee- We’re celebrating the school’s 25 years this next week! Which is a huge weeklong celebration, and will be a lot of fun! I also have a Sari that I’m going to wear (=
Dad- I don’t think I ever wrote about his time here either, so sorry!
Um it was fantastic. It was SO great to see him and just show him around my new home :D We had a lot of good hikes and time to enjoy Manali. We also visited DUF (the children’s home) on Tuesday and Thursday nights to lead music, games, and devotions. Oh and we went to Ashish home one afternoon and did the same kind of thing there. Overall it was just a great, relaxing time to see familiar faces and enjoy Manali.
Grace and Peace.