A hard day
We went to a leper colony today. Its part of the Pastor’s ministry. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people absolutlely struggling to live. They barely had running water. Like women would stand for half an hour at a dripping faucet to fill a bucket with water. To solve their water problem they need to frill a deeper well, it would be guaranteed for the next 10 years. All it would take is 100,000 rupees or ~2,500 dollars. Its amazing how much of a differnce this (relatively) small amount of money would make to them.
Anyway they support themselves by making sheets and cloth. I bought a couple sheets from them. Beautiful stuff :). As a team I think we bought 105 sheets. We figure we can give them out to the orphangages as we travel around.
There was the most beautiful little girl there. I think the hardest thing I saw was this older lady with leprosy taking care of a perfect beautiful little girl.
On the way back the Pastor took us by some of the slums he ministers at. One set of slums run along this narrow track of land that follows a drainage ditch for sewage. The only way the people could wash their clothes was in the sewage water.
We walked through another slum and visited a free scholol the Pastor had there. As we left they rang the bell and about 50 kids started to pile into this tiny room.
As we were walking out there was a man with a mongoose doing tricks. It was a little disconcerting to be more interesting to the local kids than the talented mongoose 
Well I’m off to dinner. Tomorrow we are driving to visit another orphange.
Mike
April 8th, 2008 at 10:21 am
hi mike,
thank you for sharing your initial experiences with us. we are glad you guys are doing well. say hi to the team for us. your words have already put a new perspective on my day…as i am sure the experiences that drove them have put a new perspective on your life. God bless.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Hi Michael,
It’s great to hear from you!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. It’s helpful to hear what you are doing, who you are seeing and how it’s affecting you. Dad and I pray for you and the team every morning. The Lord Bless You! Love ya, Mom
April 8th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Mike…I just wanted to say that I am proud of you for stepping out in all this. “Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of their people.” Psalm 113:5-8 Bless you dude for having the heart of a prince of the Kingdom. Mike T
April 9th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Well of course you are more interesting than a mongoose!
Amazing what the human spirit can overcome and accomplish.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Welcome to India, friend. It’s amazing how much some of the people there sacrifice to shine just a little light into the darkness. I wish I was there to experience all of this with you! Send our love and regards to Veer! Make sure you get to know him; he’s awesome!