We're Family!

Last night, after the marriage talk, one woman stayed behind and talked with Jim and I as Raj interpreted. She said that once she married and moved to this village her parents would have nothing to do with her, so she has had no one in her life to talk to her about marriage or children. She said that she feels like we are like parents to her and the team is her extended family. She said that the night before we come she can't sleep because she is so excited that we'll be there in the morning. She is the same woman who talked to Jim about not being able to read and so thankful that someone is talking to them about these things.

We have been spending a lot of time with the children doing educational things and also doing family and health information. They are so eager to learn and attentive and always ready to do the next thing. I'll try and get a picture of one of the littlest boys who stood and shouted out his numbers from 1-20 like all the older boys and then proceeded to carefully write all his numbers on a piece of paper. He had to be three at the oldest and was so intense and joyful to be learning.

Initially, you feel like you're in another country and culture and then at some point it moves to being in someone's home and meeting their family and helping with chores around the house.

All is well. Barbara