Final Preparations

Wow is about all I can say. I am so grateful for the amazing blessings that I have been given. My trip to India is one of those blessings. It has been amazing getting to know my 180 cousins that called my Grandparents "Grandma and Grandpa". I feel so humbled and blessed each day as I interact with the people of India. The Indian people are so happy and joyful through all of their pain and hardship. Today was an amazing day that I wish would never end. It started with a 6 o'clock wake up call to watch "The Rock" be unloaded. As is typical in India 6 o'clock turned to 8 o'clock but "The Rock" arrived. It was a 2 ton chunk of granite that will sit in the entryway of the school with a statue on top. Unfortunately we left as the real unloading began but it was going to be no easy task for the working men.

Today I had the opportunity to travel to a small leprosy colony that we refer to as Mute. Mute is amazing on so many levels. Firstly, there are only 7 patients left in the colony that started with 30. Over the last few years that Rising Star has worked with this colony more and more people have passed away. Most of the 7 patients are horribly crippled by the affects of leprosy. Despite their pain and hardships they are the happiest people I have ever met.

The drive is hard about 2 hours - but it is beautiful rice feilds the whole way.

This man was the life of the colony in every sense of the word. He spoke English fairly well so we were able to communicate on some level. Personally, I preferred our dancing attempts. He would dance then look at me to reply because I got off the van dancing and he noticed my apparent skills or lack there of.

This woman is incredible. She lives in the colony with her husband who is also affected with leprosy. She has one foot and a very hard time getting from place to place. She is extremely friendly and generous behind her house she has created a bird sanctuary. The sanctuary is full of bird baths and each day she gives the birds some of her small supply of rice.

Another generous and happy woman. Upon our arrival she quickly gave each of the woman a bindi for our foreheads.

Pulling into the Rising Star campus after a day away was amazing. The block made it to its spot and it looks fantastic. The entire campus had changed because of the hard work from the children. Post with string tied between had been placed up all over campus throughout the day. On the string the children were hanging individual crate paper flags and underneath were grass wind-mill type decorations. The campus was completely transformed as everyone gets ready for the dedication tomorrow. It is about 10:30 as I write this and most of the workers are enduring there second sleepless night as they work on the Rising Star campus. We were just pulled out of our rooms to mop and sweep the Dinning Block. Finally the chairs and flower guys arrived at 9 p.m. instead of the promised 10 a.m. so they will be working through the night.

Everyone put in a long day of work. Tomorrow will make it all worth it.