Day 6: Widows Conference
Written by Amanda. This morning we could sleep in a bit, although that isn't easy to do with so many sounds in such close proximity. Still, it was nice that the widows conference didn't start until 11am. Actually, the widows and preachers who brought them started arriving much earlier, and they were gathered and singing well before we went over there. This year more widows were present than last year, and one of them proudly showed me her Abilene bag, still in great condition. Something we would use for a day and then throw in the trash has been useful to this woman for a year and more. Several of them showed me their saris, the ones we gave them last year, which have become pretty tattered. I recognized many of their faces. We gave them greetings from Ruth and Isaac asked me to tell about the work process Ruth went through, and the donors who contributed to the widows' support. If any one who is reading this is interested in supporting a widow, it's only $10 per month and it is money so well spent. Some of these old women are so in need. It's hard to believe that they can lift a bag of rice. I was very humbled when several of the oldest and most stooped widows bent over to touch my feet when I gave them the sari and rice. I felt completely unworthy. But I'm skipping ahead to the afternoon portion. In the morning, we were all seated on the stage and took turns speaking. Isaac was the main guy, of course, and led the program. Bryce gave greetings and shared a scripture. Cynthia, Emily, and Grace each shared a brief message with the women. Randy gave a very good message honoring Isaac's late father, Brother P. John, whose death anniversary is today. With so many other things happening today, there was no way they could have a separate memorial service, which they normally do every year. Isaac asked several of us to include some words about his father in the messages we gave. Randy had no idea what Isaac expected of him until he was actually called up to speak, but he did an amazing job, and gave his message that sounded as if he had planned it out perfectly to memorialize Isaac's father. When he sat down, I was complimenting him and such a job well done, and he finally said that he had no idea, it was completely impromptu, and “It wasn't me,” smiling. God put the words in his mouth today. Isaac asked Virginia to give her greetings, and he helped her with what to say. I was so proud of her and the widows clearly enjoyed her. Ray spoke briefly, and then I gave my sermon, and then Jana and Charles gave theirs. It all worked out to fill the amount of time exactly, and everyone did a great job. After all the speaking, we went to Isaac's house (just next door) for lunch, and the widows were served their lunch under a large tent in the SH play area outside. Last year, they were served in the unfinished SH building, but when we raised the money to complete that building for SH, Isaac agreed that it would be living and sleeping quarters for the children only. The tables for the widows could have been set up in the children's common area, but I was glad to see that our agreement was honored and there was no question of using that space for other things. Cynthia walked around among the widows as they had their meal, taking photos.
After lunch, we had the rice and saris distribution. This year there were no group photos, which made the whole thing much smoother and quicker. Still, it was enjoyable mayhem! Isaac called up the group of widows from each congregation, and they lined up at the front to accept a sari and bag of rice, thank us, and return to their seat. Our team took turns doing the actual handing out to the women. Seeing a couple of them with severe cleft lips reminded me that although medical care here is cheap by American standards, it is still far beyond the reach of most people. Have you ever seen a person in the US with an actual cleft lip? I haven't, because it's always fixed during infancy. We live in such a prosperous society. I can't imagine a person living with that defect for so many years, and it isn't even anything but an appearance issue. Cynthia got a fabulous photo of Bryce, out tallest team member, standing next to the shortest widow, who is shorter than Virginia. My favorite part of the sari distribution was the widows who wanted to trade for a different color. Isaac handed out the saris by giving them to the team member who happened to be distributing. Most of the widows, especially early on, just took whatever was given to them. As the program progressed, though, the number of widows who requested a different color grew. He would hand out a blue one, and the widow receiving would shake her head and point to a green one instead. Isaac exchanged some, but then started to get frustrated because once a few widows had done this, more and more tried it. There was also laughter, and I loved knowing that women all over the world, regardless of economic status, are essentially the same. At one point, the men at the sari table took the remaining stack of saris and put them on the floor behind the table so the women would quit asking for a different one. Even so, the very next woman said something as she was handed a brown sari, because Isaac took it back with a sigh and gave her a green one instead. As the widows were leaving, Anil joked that they were all headed to the shops to exchange their saris. For some reason, the fact that these little old stooped and wizened creatures care whether they get a brown or a green sari means a lot to me.
Once the program was over, Isaac talked to two younger women, ages 26 and 27, who were widows as well as HIV patients. He gave them two saris each instead of one, and some money. One of them has two children who had come to SH for two days a while back, but then she had taken them back out. She was asking again if her boys, ages 7 and 10, could join. They explained to her that she would have to make up her mind because it isn't set up to be something they can go in and out of. I asked if her boys would get a second chance, and was told it was depend on her decision. She stood to the side for some time, and her face looked like she would not be able to make any kind of decision with a happy heart. How could she? She is terminally ill, and keeping her children with her puts them more at risk, and I'm sure she has difficulty feeding them. But who can give up their children? I am amazed at the tough decisions so many people here have faced with great courage.
After the widows conference, we headed back to Isaac's house for some rest before the VBS. I noticed that Isaac was sitting in a doorway on the ground, SH children gathered around them. He was asking Akhil what he had learned at school today. How amazing! Isaac had just spent hours working hard, controlling a crowd, overseeing a meal for 250 people, hosting a large group of international guests, and instead of retiring to a private place for some rest, he was asking an insignificant child about which letter of the alphabet he had learned. As I've said before – this is an amazing family.
VBS was fabulous. We did our final planning, directed by Jana, at 5pm. Ellen (Isaac's oldest daughter) was an invaluable help in so many ways, especially with translating. At 6pm, the children were assembled and ready. Many of the tent children had come as well, and Isaac told me later that the food prepared on these four VBS nights would include enough to feed the tent children as well. Our team was delighted to be able to sit on the floor, surrounded by the SH children. Tonight we learned the story of the fiery furnace. First, it was read from the Bible. Next, Jana told the story in her own words. Finally, the children took part in a reenactment of the story. I am too tired to write all the details, but the best part (in my opinion) was the joy with which the children waved their little strips of red, orange, and yellow crepe paper when the fiery furnace blazed hotter. Jana was amazing with the children and the direction of VBS. I am certain that it was a big success, that the children enjoyed it, learned from it, and got the message that they are special to us and to God. We have been so eagerly anticipating the VBS, because it is almost pure fun with the children. The children of SH are the main reason we are here, although many other things are on our agenda.
And now to catch up on the photos for the blog...
After lunch, we had the rice and saris distribution. This year there were no group photos, which made the whole thing much smoother and quicker. Still, it was enjoyable mayhem! Isaac called up the group of widows from each congregation, and they lined up at the front to accept a sari and bag of rice, thank us, and return to their seat. Our team took turns doing the actual handing out to the women. Seeing a couple of them with severe cleft lips reminded me that although medical care here is cheap by American standards, it is still far beyond the reach of most people. Have you ever seen a person in the US with an actual cleft lip? I haven't, because it's always fixed during infancy. We live in such a prosperous society. I can't imagine a person living with that defect for so many years, and it isn't even anything but an appearance issue. Cynthia got a fabulous photo of Bryce, out tallest team member, standing next to the shortest widow, who is shorter than Virginia. My favorite part of the sari distribution was the widows who wanted to trade for a different color. Isaac handed out the saris by giving them to the team member who happened to be distributing. Most of the widows, especially early on, just took whatever was given to them. As the program progressed, though, the number of widows who requested a different color grew. He would hand out a blue one, and the widow receiving would shake her head and point to a green one instead. Isaac exchanged some, but then started to get frustrated because once a few widows had done this, more and more tried it. There was also laughter, and I loved knowing that women all over the world, regardless of economic status, are essentially the same. At one point, the men at the sari table took the remaining stack of saris and put them on the floor behind the table so the women would quit asking for a different one. Even so, the very next woman said something as she was handed a brown sari, because Isaac took it back with a sigh and gave her a green one instead. As the widows were leaving, Anil joked that they were all headed to the shops to exchange their saris. For some reason, the fact that these little old stooped and wizened creatures care whether they get a brown or a green sari means a lot to me.
Once the program was over, Isaac talked to two younger women, ages 26 and 27, who were widows as well as HIV patients. He gave them two saris each instead of one, and some money. One of them has two children who had come to SH for two days a while back, but then she had taken them back out. She was asking again if her boys, ages 7 and 10, could join. They explained to her that she would have to make up her mind because it isn't set up to be something they can go in and out of. I asked if her boys would get a second chance, and was told it was depend on her decision. She stood to the side for some time, and her face looked like she would not be able to make any kind of decision with a happy heart. How could she? She is terminally ill, and keeping her children with her puts them more at risk, and I'm sure she has difficulty feeding them. But who can give up their children? I am amazed at the tough decisions so many people here have faced with great courage.
After the widows conference, we headed back to Isaac's house for some rest before the VBS. I noticed that Isaac was sitting in a doorway on the ground, SH children gathered around them. He was asking Akhil what he had learned at school today. How amazing! Isaac had just spent hours working hard, controlling a crowd, overseeing a meal for 250 people, hosting a large group of international guests, and instead of retiring to a private place for some rest, he was asking an insignificant child about which letter of the alphabet he had learned. As I've said before – this is an amazing family.
VBS was fabulous. We did our final planning, directed by Jana, at 5pm. Ellen (Isaac's oldest daughter) was an invaluable help in so many ways, especially with translating. At 6pm, the children were assembled and ready. Many of the tent children had come as well, and Isaac told me later that the food prepared on these four VBS nights would include enough to feed the tent children as well. Our team was delighted to be able to sit on the floor, surrounded by the SH children. Tonight we learned the story of the fiery furnace. First, it was read from the Bible. Next, Jana told the story in her own words. Finally, the children took part in a reenactment of the story. I am too tired to write all the details, but the best part (in my opinion) was the joy with which the children waved their little strips of red, orange, and yellow crepe paper when the fiery furnace blazed hotter. Jana was amazing with the children and the direction of VBS. I am certain that it was a big success, that the children enjoyed it, learned from it, and got the message that they are special to us and to God. We have been so eagerly anticipating the VBS, because it is almost pure fun with the children. The children of SH are the main reason we are here, although many other things are on our agenda.
And now to catch up on the photos for the blog...
posted by Amanda at 9:54 AM
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