A Morning on the Rooftop

The rooftop of the Girl's Hostel is a heavenly place.  It is off limits to the children (they're all at school at the moment anyway) but there is a nice awning with tables and chairs.  The volunteers eat up here every evening and have all their planning sessions, scripture reading, and other activities here.  The breeze is nice, and the view is nothing but mango and coconut trees, and this morning blue skies with clouds.  It is truly beautiful.  The property owned by Rising Star Outreach is one grove of trees after another--15 acres.  They are mature and during their season grace us with wonderful fruit.  There are some fields planted, as well, with sesame and some nameless plant that flowers and is planted like cucumbers with it's own mound and water well for each plant.  There are many other species of plants, none of which I'm familiar with.  The birds are plentiful, with Kingfishers, small parrots, and a host of others, some identified, some not.  We have time for all that later.

We had a little girl (Manimegalai--age 8) fall from a tree last night and break her arm.  They took her to the hospital in Changleput where she spent the night (with dear Amy by her side for the night) and she was to be operated on this morning.  A driver went to get her parents from the Colony where they live, and Dr. Karl Kirby and Amy are with them, also.  It's a government hospital and a bit scary.  We haven't heard anything yet.

All the women who work here are always dressed in their beautiful saris.  Many of the girls who are here (volunteers and staff) also wear them on Sundays.  I have not been so brave yet.  It requires at least two house mothers to dress those of us who have not worn them every day for most of our lives.  I think it is perfect that these women whose lives are so hard, and who have very little by worldly standards, choose to clothe themselves in such a lovely way.  The wage for most of these people is just over $2.00 US (100 rupees) per day, but they all look better than most of the rest of us (I'm speaking for myself.)  Something to think about.

Thank you for those who have posted comments.  Lets me know that someone is out there reading this.  Sorry for the long space between reports--it's not easy to get out on the internet here on the property.  We are still alive and well, and getting a better rhythm to our activities.