Coming to a close

Yesterday we visited many of the different ministries happening in Cuttack with the Church of God. Radio ministry, a well respected girls high school, primary school, printing press, and more.

Then in the evening we played games with the girls from the Shelter. There were 63 girls. It is a challenge enough to try and get 63 girls in the United States (with whom we share a common language... for the most part) to understand games we are playing, but adding the language barrier it became even more interesting! After a few tries and many demonstrations, we had fun doing relays, playing the knot game, and others.

As we finished our time with the girls and said goodbye many of them started to shake their heads "no." It was confusing at first what was being communicated. After a second we realized that with school starting in the morning before we leave that our goodbye after this game time was most likely our final goodbye. It was a tearful moment as we shared one last prayer for the girls encouraging them to be a light in their community.

There are just not words to describe the depth of connection that was created in such a minimal time. We have shared many experiences together over the last few days: laughing, singing, dancing, praying, fumbly through communication, smiling. It has been a joy to see God at work so mightily. I know that I am coming home with renewed passion. Thank you for this opportunity, God, and may we always remember in prayer the people we have encountered.

&rew