Spreading the Word for HHI

In an attempt to gain more awareness for Helping Hands India, I wrote to the people at TOMS shoes telling them about the kids here, everything that George and his family have done for their fellow citizens, and my role in it all. They have done wonderful things through their One for One program (for every pair purchased, TOMS gives a pair to a child in need) and I thought they might be able to help me spread the word. I received an email requesting more photos and they posted my note on their Community Wall, please check it out!

I'm Getting Married?

On the eve of my departure I was called into the office to speak with George and Jyothi. As I walked in and they asked me to close the door, I felt a slight panic, a flashback to that feeling of being sent to the Principal's office. I swallowed hard and took a seat.

George opened with, 'So, do you still want to marry an Indian?' My heart sank. I quickly tried to explain that I never said I wanted to marry an Indian, but rather mentioned in a past conversation that race doesn't matter to me, as long as I'm in love. He took that to mean that I'm shopping for an Indian husband, and he's got the perfect one in mind (so he thinks): his nephew Benny. Benny is a great catch, don't get me wrong, but I hardly know the guy and I'm sorry but that's just not how my system operates. I was caught completely off guard and left nearly speechless, giggling nervously because I honestly didn't know how to respond as George and Jyothi basically proposed to me for their nephew, explaining that the wedding could take place in as soon as the next few months. I tried to keep my eyes from bugging out of my head. I didn't want to offend anyone, and I didn't have a chance to think of a good way to say no, so somewhere along the line I agreed to pray about it, allow them to talk it over with Benny and give him my contact information. I don't know, maybe I blacked out under pressure?

I am the last person that would agree to an arranged marriage. Not that it's exactly arranged, just strongly pressured, and with the best intentions. After sleeping on it and speaking to my parents about the matter, I have realized that I should take this as a compliment. I really am flattered that George and Jyothi love me that much that they desire to have me in their family, one that I would be honored to be a part of, just not quite like this.

In review, I can say that I have adapted pretty smoothly to the major differences in lifestyle here, but this is one that I just can't flow with. I don't want to hurt any one's feelings, especially George who tends to take these sort of things personally, but I also can't throw my future out the window to please someone else.

I'm not sure how I'm going to get out of this one.

Pet Update:

I am sad to announce, the pet parrot did not last long. He escaped his little pink house and was swiftly apprehended by Boscar (Boxer), New Hope's resident dog. R.I.P. little friend.

George the Baptist continued....

Some additional baptism photos....

The plunge

Getting saree'd and bejeweled in the shed

Prayer in the church

George the Baptist

My time in India has been so spiritually strengthening; I never could have predicted how all of these experiences would affect every aspect of my life and change it so quickly. People come to India all the time in search of spirituality, to attain enlightenment, to find religion. I never could have foreseen how much I would grow in one that I already called my own.

As I prepare to leave here and everything I have known as home and family for the better part of this year, I decided it was time to officiate my dedication. Yesterday I seized the opportunity to be baptised during a youth retreat at Bangalore Telugu Baptist Church by [Pastor] George, who has been my mentor, teacher, and (sometimes irritating) parental figure these last four months. I was honored to be able to state my commitment to my faith in the place where I really learned about it and embraced it, surrounded by the people who taught me how to use it.

As I waded into the tank filled with murky water and dead bugs (I thought for sure it was a well), I looked up and saw myself surrounded by supportive faces -- some I knew, many I did not -- who were so happy to have me there, joining them in spirit and extending my life through this commitment. As they sang loudly, in a language in which I can still only make out a few words, I felt their love surround me, especially that of the Fernandes', Uncle Ben, Sabita, and my 'sister' Nina, who have become my surrogate family.

After the baptism (also baptised were a husband and wife, new members of George's church) I was ushered into a shed with several women and girls, stripped and dressed in my saree, covered in bangles and gold jewelry, and sent back into the church to be prayed for at the altar. This morning we attended George's church to receive my Holy Communion as a freshly baptised girl. Nina and I spoke a few words of goodbye to his congregation and his family as it will be the last time we see them (for now....)

Nina and I with George and Jyothi

Our days are turning into moments. We leave New Hope tomorrow and say our goodbyes as the kids head off for their first day of school. It is something I have been dreading; leaving these children is going to be heart wrenching. From here we will make a long drive with George and his friend up to Bhadrachalam to inaugurate his newest children's home, a thatched-roof hut in a tribal area. A few days later we will have to say our farewells to George before we head off on our own.

As we begin to pack our things, Nina and I question whether we should go at all. How many times will we cry before we walk out the door? The kids have begun to dread the goodbyes too, walking around with long faces and asking us not to go. Nakshathra has had a particularly rough week. We have had her since the beginning, and she has become very special to us. She is the only girl with no parents, and stayed with us alone through the summer vacation while everyone else went home. Her heart is broken and fragile and I worry about leaving her feeling abandoned. Just this afternoon while Nina and I packed listening to Brett Dennen's latest album (the album that we all danced and sang to religiously for the past few months), Nakshathra walked in to see us and as soon as she heard the music she began to cry.

Tonight is our final dinner with all of the children at New Hope. There is no easy way to say goodbye to those you love, and this is going to be my hardest one yet.

Nithin and His Many Naps

As my days at New Hope are growing shorter, I thought I'd pay tribute to one of my best little buddies here. I have written at length about Nithin, the runt of the bunch, the cry baby, the one that needs a little extra love. We have gotten really close and it is going to be especially hard to say goodbye to this short stack. He's a humorous little guy; he can make anyone laugh, and he melts my heart with his adoring smile and plentiful kisses. There is one thing to remember about Nithin -- he needs his rest. Beware if he doesn't get it, but most likely he will find a way, whenever and wherever the mood strikes. So here's to you Nithin, you and your many naps.

Sponsorship Update

We have updated our Picasa Web album to include the five newest children living here at New Hope. Please click on the link titled 'Children and Their Stories' in the right hand margin of this blog for photos and information on our children and links on how to become a sponsor. Thanks!

(New Additions: Dharmesh, Kashava H.R., Mercy, Asenla, and Atola.)

Captivity

It was slightly upsetting to learn that one of our boys ran away last night. Bendang Uncle didn't sound too worried as he informed us of missing Big Surya (16, not to be confused with Little Surya, 9) because this wasn't the first, and probably won't be the last time that it has happened. He had been saving his rupees one by one till he had enough to hop on a bus into the city to find his grandmother. She doesn't have a proper home and cannot care for Surya, but I guess I don't blame him for wanting to escape every once in a while. This place is wonderful, don't get me wrong, but I can imagine that every kid here sometimes just wants out, to go live a normal life with a normal family. His grandmother was contacted as soon as he went MIA, and she returned him to New Hope this afternoon, though he didn't look happy about it. Surya is a good boy, he is sweet and responsible and takes care of little Nithin now that he lives with the boys upstairs. Hopefully he won't jump ship again any time soon, and we're glad to have him back.

In other news, New Hope has two new additions -- a baby mouse that gets carried around all day like Stewart Little and a green parrot. Who knows where the parrot came from or how they caught him, but the he's staying in a nice little pink house that is far too small for him. (I don't know where that came from either.)