There’s no place like home. At least when you have visited our Indian family here in Ongole, it seems like coming home again—especially after the last 24 hours of traveling. There was quite a large group gathered at the train station for the welcoming. The last thing I had to worry about at this stop was my luggage. There were plenty of hands to assist. Along with Joshua family members, a number of the older children were there so that I didn’t have to carry anything. According to tradition, upon arriving at home, the boarding home children are lined down the sidewalk and up the stairs to the 2nd floor. Each of them holds a double handful of flowers waiting gleefully to toss them on top of my head. At the very end of this gauntlet stands the youngest boy, a 2nd grader holding a large garland to place around my neck. It’s hard to stay humble when you are greeted in such a noble fashion. After getting seated, it was only a matter of minutes before Muriel came from the kitchen carrying a large Florida mug Mary Lou and I had given to them many years ago. In the cup was hot, brimming coffee. I told Muriel that in America I had to get my own coffee.
After the death of my long-time friend, Pastor Paul Joshua, the care and running of the boarding home program has fallen to his wife, Muriel, and the eldest son, Minnu, who are doing a great job. Due to the cultural traits, the running of the program had been Joshua’s responsibility, so there was a lot of learning that had to be done quickly by the rest of the family with Joshua no longer here.. There are now 42 children living in the Compassion Home located here in Ongole at the home of the Joshua’s. Regular public school education here goes through what would be our 10th grade. In our home here are both boys and girls and range from the 2nd grade up to 2 grades beyond the 10th grade ( which is considered higher education). Being in the constabulary (being a policeman) is considered to be a very good job in India. One of our graduates from our home here is already a policeman and we have another one who is almost qualified.
The children in both of our boarding homes usually score higher on their marks (grades) in school than the average school children in this area. One reason is the extra attention they get from our program. Every morning when I get up, the children are already seated on the front porch of the 2nd level of this home with their books in front of them studying. In the evening, too, they are back on the front porch studying again. If there is a student who is having a problem with a subject or if they are preparing for exams, we have a tutor to work with them. These children are indeed fortunate. Along with their studies, they also have a devotional time and a time of singing religious songs and choruses. The older children take turns leading the rest of them in their Bible reading and prayers. All of their care– clothes, schooling, tuition, books, medical—is paid for through our Hands of Compassion sponsorships and fund raising activities.
Many of you are aware of our mission sales we conduct for some of the funding. One of Muriel’s daughter is Chintalli who works with a computer company in the city of Bangalore about 10 hours from Ongole by train. She is the consummate shopper and has helped in the past in getting several pieces of inexpensive jewelry for our mission sales as the jewelry from here is attractively different from what we usually see at home. For instance at our last sale, we had several toe rings and anklets which sold very quickly. Chintalli arrived here on Saturday morning after making the 10 hour journey on the train all night. By noon, she was ready to go out shopping with me and her mother to look for jewelry for our next sale. At each shop or purchase, she would bargain with the shop keeper and get the price at less than what they were asking. We did this for about 2 ½ hours. By this time Muriel and I were worn out but Chintalli, who had not gotten much sleep and had traveled so far, was still doing fine being in her element. (After being here just part of the day on Saturday and Sunday, she left Sunday evening at 9pm to travel through the night to be at her job on Monday! I feel honored when I think that many of us will not drive across town to see someone.)
NEXT WILL BE SUNDAY IN SANTHAMAGALUR. Mel in Ongole, India. From India with Love #4.
