Day 6: Time for Goodbyes

disclaimer…We have TONS more pictures of our whole team which we will be posting…so if you are like “why does Ryan never show MY son/daughter/friend/Mom/Dad/favorite know that its not on purpose! Just using what is quickest…I love all the team!:)

VBS

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Today we closed up VBS with one more session of crazy English and Tegulu songs, a silly skit about David and Goliath, and some more coloring. The kids LOVE singing “My Salvation” (sung the tune of “Twist and Shout”)…especially the surfing hand motions.

We then served all the kids lunch. Harvest India makes sure that every aspect of VBS is very special, including the food. The cost for a 3 day VBS is only $5 per person.

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Rally

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After a short afternoon break, our team loaded into some auto-rickshaws and headed back to the orphanage. Now that was an experience!
To close VBS, Harvest India conducted a rally in a nearby village. All the kids put on crowns with bible verses and the band loaded into a van with a portable sound system on the roof. All 700 kids followed the van down the street to the village, singing praise songs and dancing and gathering attention. Once we got to the end of the village, Saresh shared the gospel with the town and told stories of what Jesus has done in the lives of the orphans to make them so happy. It was a blast to see a live band and a throng of kids stopping traffic for Jesus! It was really hard to say goodbye to the kids we befriended, especially those of us who decided to sponsor a child. The great thing about Harvest India is that 100% of sponsorship money goes to the child…no administration costs!

Medical Camp

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After VBS we had the opportunity to visit a Harvest India medical camp and pass out malaria medication to the children. The doctor and Harvest India nursing school graduates then diagnose and treat the poor and neglected. What an amazing time and incredible ministry. These nurses are the real champions. They set up the camps and medicine and stay for hours serving the people.

We are so sad to leave in the morning, but are very excited to share the story of this amazing place to our friends in the States.

  • David Geoffrion

    Have a safe trip home. We really enjoyed your blog and pictures. You’ll have to share pics when you get home. You mentioned the motorized rickshaws. They are an experience in traffic. When in Vietnam they had rickshaws that had a motorscooter on the back and a seat that looked like a front end loader in the front. when riding you were the front bumber. Now that was an experience in the oriental traffic.
    love,
    grandma and grandpa

  • http://brianwurzell.com brian wurzell

    Hey Ry/Team…

    great reports. stoked to see some pics. you left me cliff hanging on the ‘you got sick part’, apparently you didn’t die (thank God). we miss you guys around these parts. it’s just not the same when you peeps are out. i’m ready for racquetball too.

    my favorite video momentw were A. ‘Heather the Human Mic Stand’ and B. ‘Flip The Mic Marty’ during his testimony. HAHAHA. oh the things you have to do on missions trips, it keeps things exciting. praying that you guys can get back and rest up for a new week. can’t wait to hear more about the happenings in India and how God blew your minds and wrecked your lives.

    loves!
    Brian

  • http://www.ryanaxtell.com the ryan of axtell

    Yeah heather rocked the mic stand! Miss you man! Marty and I have been practicing!

  • Momma Snyder

    Excited for you and can’t wait to hear all about it and see your pictures!! I will be praying for your long journey home and your hearts that will be heavy leaving India. I love you and are so proud of you. love the momma