(Note: The last entry was posted on Friday, but the events were actually on Thursday. The following post also happened on Thursday after we arrived at the Vijayawada airport. I post whenever I am able to get enough signal.)
Finally, some 31 hours after leaving Atlanta we arrive in Vijayawada. Outside the airport terminal we see a small crowd gathering with a large banner carried above their heads. I wondered if this was a protest or a political rally. As we got near them, we see that the photos on the banner are of the seven of us from the US! We are being welcomed like celebrities. Leis and bouquets are presented to us. As cameras flashed and rose petals are thrown, we are both amused and touched by their kindness.
We boarded a bus and rode a short distance to the Jack Nelle Institute. Founded in 1990 by Jack and Nelle Cox from Oklahoma, the Institute trains young men to preach the gospel and serves as an orphanage and government-accredited English media school for 78 orphans along with many more day students totaling around 300 children in grades preschool through high school The Institute also is home to many widows who help with the care of the orphans.
As we got off the bus we were greeted by the children who lined up along both sides of the dirt drive--girls on one side and boys on the other. They carefully practiced their English phrases-- "How are you?" " Welcome to India." and "What is your name?"
Later in the evening we sang songs with the children. The girls were playing the game of clapping their hands together to a song the way our children did. I played along with them until the rhythm got more complicated, sending them into giggles each time I messed up.
Our dinner was curried chicken which our hostess kept insisting was not hot despite our teary eyes, coughing, and reaching for more water!
- Laurel Sewell
Location:Vijayawada, India
What a wonderful open door for you. We pray that the work is going well and know that your visit will be a blessing for the Christians there.
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