This morning we woke up at 7 to visit the NGO School. The bus ride was about an hour and a half and took us out of the city and into villages. It was so beautiful to see the tropical countryside. It was also neat to see the oxen pulling the plows, something we don’t see here in America. It just opened my eyes to how far behind they are in their technology. 
The school was ages up to 7th grade. It was a very rural small school with not many amenities. As soon as we pulled into the village, children started chasing our bus. At the school most kids don’t speak English. However, Karanada, their language, actually includes 500 US words that they don’t realize are English. To help the kids adjust to us they planned a segment of singing and dancing, which was really neat for us to see their culture. The oldest boy led the Morning Prayer, which was beautiful. Then 2 little girls sitting beside me sang an English counting song, which was simply adorable. “Have a pen, lucky pen, lucky number 1. 1 is sun. Sun like a sun like a sun like a sun. Have a pen lucky pen, lucky number 2. 2 is shoe. Shoe like a shoe like a shoe like a shoe…” Then about 5 girls stood up and did 2 dances with decorative sticks and ankle bells; their rhythm and talent blew me away. Their last song was about a beautiful woman who was lost. 
To show them a little bit of our culture we had one of our guys that’s in Fade To Black do a dance – freestyle, and we showed them the wobble and the Cupid Shuffle. Afterwards we took tons of pictures and taught them the Gig ‘Em sign. They also knew how to play double double this this. The oldest boy also enjoyed teaching us Karanada. We found that Americans as well as Indians share a passion for dancing. I cannot explain in words what my heart felt for these children. Many seemed to have nothing but they had hope. Because of this school and their education, they will be the future India. I was amazed by their beauty and happiness. There is something about seeing children who have nothing – a mud shack, a river to bathe in, and polluted water to drink – but are truly happy with their selves and the life they live. They still have an eagerness to learn, share, dance, and rejoice. Even though there are only a few (6%) Indians who believe in Christ. He is here.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for all that you do. For the plans you have made for me and for the love you freely give me. I pray for these children in India. I pray that they come to know you. I pray that they always remember the times and laughter we shared and the love we poured out on them. I pray that they can one day make a difference and take a stand. I thank you for letting them make a difference in my life. Lord thank you for opening my eyes to what I am so freely given and to what others do not have. You are my rock and my salvation and I will serve you all the days of my life. In your beautiful and holy name, Amen.
After we left the school we drove to the zoo/safari drive. We got to see lions, tigers, and bears....oh my? after our drive through the safari we walked around the zoo. I was desperately searching for the elephants but they were no where to be found!!!! Heartbroken Katie and I almost gave up our search until JuJu (Dr. Gaspar) led us down a path we had missed. Standing in the distance were the elephants we had been searching for!!!! Their enclosure was under construction so they were chained to trees out in the open. Soon enough one came right up to us and we got to touch the magnificent beast. Elephants honestly astound me by their size and strength but there's a softness and an innocence to them. A pleading cry just to be loved and not feared! My day could not have gotten any better! I was beaming for the rest of the night! Leaving the zoo we had little children clinging to us, begging us for money. I continue to write about it but I have no words to describe it. It happened every day and every day my heart broke. I was disgusted at myself. Disgusted I couldn't look them in the eye. Disgusted I couldn't pour out my love on them. Disgusted I wanted them gone. These are children. Children that God is reaching out for, searching to be with. I want so badly to tell them of their savior. To share His peace and mercy but I can't. I can't save them. So I ignore them. I tell them No! It is the most despicable feeling to reject a child.
That night we went to the India A&M Club and had the opportunity to meet Aggies that were living and working in India. Many of them worked for GE and Infosys and were originally from India. It was neat to see our University present in the ever changing business known as India.
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