leaving on the midnight train...

that's just what happened.

we landed in Delhi and it was 102 degrees...holy hot!!!
we were greeted by asish, girish and nixon (the guys that run the orphanage and girls home)
from there we boarded a bus and our first stop was the market. it was like nothing i've ever experienced in all of my life. talk about sensory overload. it was late, with the time change made it 4am for us...we walked around...hundreds of people, the smells, the colors, it was unreal. along with all of that came a rush of emotion, so exhausted, so happy to be here, so overwhelmed.
there were kids begging everywhere...and i did okay until this beautiful little girl walked up to me, tugged at my shirt and said "miss, miss, please only 10 rupes" and tears were streaming down my face. we were told before we got off the bus not to give them any money because then you would get swarmed, so having children around me that needed and i couldn't give, broke my heart.
we walked back to the bus and i had to just remind myself that God is in control. it was heavy.
then we headed to dinner and an indian restaurant where we had curry that was UNREAL.
after that, it was off to the bus station, to wait for 3 hours in 98 degree weather. no a/c, no breeze, it was one of those times where you have to think beyond where you are to where you are trying to get...all part of the journey. (disclaimer, i will NEVER ever complain about any public bathroom again. the restrooms, if you could call them that, were the single most disgusting thing EVER)
we finally bored the train, for an overnight trek to Deradun.
again, this train is nothing like Amtrak....it was well, it's more of an in person kind of story to share, but it was crazy. tried to sleep over the 6 hours, but it didn't work too well.
again, finally after what seemed like FOREVER we arrived in Deradun. There we loaded into Jeeps and headed up the mountain. 1 1/2 hours later we arrived.
Poor Kamu was so motion sick, we had to pull over for him :(
Anderson Islanders-think marina hill for 1 1/2 hours.
Hawaii friends-tantalus ain't got nothing on this drive.
anyways, by the time we got within 5 minutes of the orphanage i was bouncing up and down like a 5 year old on christmas morning waiting to open gifts! i was soooo excited.

we arrived and the boys were so sweet. so shy. and of course, the first one i see is Karan.
my heart melted as i hugged him and he said, "i missed you".
yesterday was jam packed full of events and with everyone being exhausted it was pretty hilarious.

we played a bunch of games with the kids, took them on a long walk around Mussoorie and bought them ice cream (which they loved) and then TJ, Kamu, Crieghton , Ben, Alex and myself went to Woodstock to take a look at our retreat facilities. (which are amazing!)
last night we came back together and everyone passed out early...

so now we are on day 2, and it feels like we have been here for weeks. i have picked up right where we left off with the boys, they are so sweet and spending time with them is amazing.

this afternoon, we are headed on a camping trip with the older boys from the orphanage, we are loading up 20-30 of us and driving 2 hours to go camp by "the water hole" i have no idea what to expect-hopefully no malaria ;-) (yes mom and dad, i have been taking my meds)

anyways, we will be back tomorrow afternoon after a crazy camping trip in the wilds of India...how crazy is that?!?!

As far as health goes, all the boys here are really sick, some just got out of the hospital. respiratory infections, colds and what not, so please be praying for them. so far, our team is doing pretty well, staying hydrated is key and lots of vitamins and hand sanitizer.

I will most more later, but so far, so good.

I love you guys lots and I so much more to share but have limited time online.
But I will post more when I can...

LOVE!