my home away from home

So many emotions going through my head right now. I've been so enthralled and overjoyed with all the experiences that I've had, that I haven't been able/willing to blog about them. India is amazing. I love it here so much. It's crazy to think that I feel more at home here than anywhere else. Yeah, I don't have a comfy bed, a regular shower, and faucets that are always safe to drink from. But India has the joy, spirit, and many experiences that I will always cherish.

Today when we were driving back from one of the colonies everyone in our van agreed that "Yeah, we may be able to tell all these experiences to our family back home until they are sick of hearing about them, but no one will be able to truly know how much of an impact this is until you've had the experiences for yourself."

As today was my last day volunteering, it was bitter sweet. I've had the best 3 weeks and I just want to stay here forever, but I've also missed my family and friends back home. How about everyone comes to volunteer here with me? haha. Seriously, Rising Star is a great organization and I would recommend it to anyone looking into volunteering. 

This is my second time to Rising Star Outreach of India, so my plan was to have NO expectations. I wanted to have a totally different experience from last year and I am happy to say that I did! I gained more of a love for the people of India, especially the leprosy patients. I realized the more effort you put into something the more you'll get out of it. I learned the principle of joy and happiness; "Happiness isn't getting all you want. It's enjoying all you have."In the leprosy colonies, they barely have anything. However, they are the happiest people I have ever met.

India has taught me to be grateful for the things that I have and not to take advantage of the situations and things that I do have. I had 3 weeks to take advantage of all the experiences I could and I'm happy to say that I know I did. I've felt the love of my Savior by having the spirit constantly with me. By serving others, I've felt the pure love of Christ. I've heard their stories, seen their wounds, wiped away their tears, and felt their love.

I hope to see you soon India. I have had an amazing time.

KENYA

Africa was such an incredible experience! I was volunteering in a private school/orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya for a week with Zach, Ali & Carl. We stayed with an amazing host family, (Pastor Regina, her husband, and her two daughters). On top of being a pastor, host family, and running the school, she also fed us traditional Kenyan food. Pastor Regina is an amazing and remarkable woman.

The day after Carl & I arrived at our host family, we were supposed to be picked up to go to orientation. However, there wasn't enough room in the 2 buses/vans that came. We ended up sitting outside of the house for about an hour and a half haha. We played with the local kids and had a blast! I met a little girl who could only say, "Julie! Julie!!" And she never left my side, she was the cutest thing ever! We eventually got picked up and met Ali and Zach at orientation. The people in charge of the orientation thought that Carl was a girl so when we were getting Carl's arrangements switched around they kept saying, "she" or "her" or "sister", in regards to Carl haha. It was priceless.

At the school we helped with a variety of things from:

Helping out in the kitchen

Sorting beans

Washing clothes by hand

Playing with the kids at break. This little boy is 4 years old :)

Grading some awesome stories!

 We also helped in the classroom. There are so many funny stories but this is the one that sticks out in my mind the most. So, the 1st graders were learning about manners and the teacher says, "If your momma has a big head, accept her, cause she's your momma." Another time this girl got finished with writing out her homework first and the teacher proclaims, "You're the champion, the king of the jungle!" How perfect :) haha.

Here are a few more pictures:

                                     
                                                 Carl & I stranded before orientation.


                                      
                                           The little girl I call Julie. This is when I met her.

This is Purity. She is the happiest girl I know :)

The kids helping us bring the luggage inside

I LOVED KENYA!