Fact: India is the second most corrupt country in the world after Somalia.

Bharat, for some reason, says “babes” at the end of sentences or statements sometimes when he is talking to a girl volunteer and with his accent and voice it is quite funny. Ratan’s eyes get so big when you explain something to him he has never heard of before—like how in America we drive on the other side of the car and the road. His eyes are so full of wonder and awe… I love it.

I have seen my first cockroaches this week. They are big… and show up in our bathroom.

I bought Red Delicious USA apples from a small fruit street vender last week in Selequie?

New favorite soft drink: Limca

With my wool socks on I seem to sleep through the night without night terrors…just dreams… but a few nights ago Liz said I sat up in bed and was speaking a language she didn’t recognize. I haven’t been feeling so great so maybe that has contributed to the weird dreams I’m having. Frieda got me some medication for my sick self from a pharmacy that only cost about two dollars. Cheap drugs. My cough is still really bad and I might need more. We had a volunteer meeting last week and all the volunteers prayed for me and my night terrors and restless nights for me and my roommate Liz. Since I have been here I have strengthened my faith very much and my relationship with God has gotten a lot stronger. My dreams could have a spiritual meaning I guess. I have finally been sleeping better at night. This week God answered a lot of prayer requests. It’s pretty incredible. Has anyone experienced a prophet or prophetic word? A friend of the McRae’s visited Shishya for a few days and some people on campus experienced his spiritual gift personally. It sounds incredible. I can’t stop thinking about it.

It’s not feeling AS cold at night now. Even with the cold, it is has always been quite dry since I have been here. I noticed they are watering the fields now. When the sun comes out it gets really warm during the day!

I played cricket for the first time this week with my 8th grade girls and also played soccer with the small boys. I accidently nailed Rohan in the chest with the ball, but I did make a goal. Some of the boys play barefoot and apparently who plays the best that way… is the most cool? Mike the volunteer cut his foot open! After we played, Nibha and I picked a few juicy lemons from a tree and added it to our water. I notice Rohan is talking a lot more now (in English and Hindi) which is really exciting! His little voice is so sweet! I feel like a lot of the little boys are completely warmed up to me now. They cuddle up close to me and interact with me a little differently now. It makes my heart so happy.

Liz and I got away from campus on Friday to Dehra Dun. Got some shopping done and we went back to a coffee shop Amanda took us to called Barista. I feel like we are back in the states or something. Right now there is a guy playing the guitar and a group of guys singing Oasis, the Beatles and Goo Goo Dolls just to name a few. Picked up a wireless connection too. All is well.

Shishya school will be celebrating 25 years this summer! I am bummed I’ll miss out on the anniversary festivities!

I had my older class life skills assembly this week and Deepak helped me, which was nice. We talked about different kinds of conflict (with acting!) and I read this from the bible and thought I would share:

James 3:5
“…the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.”

James 3:19
“… be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.”

I was talking to junior high students, buy many adults can apply this to their lives as well I think. I know I can.