SMT India – Update #5

Our fifth and final full week was filled with more fun at three new schools and adventures at the Queen of Hills. Monday and Tuesday we were able to meet two new sets of children. Each school had children full of joy and who kept us laughing the whole time. We quickly became attached to these kids, even having a few of them asking if we could stay in their homes forever. Wednesday was our rest day this week because we were preparing for an adventure of a lifetime. Thursday we began our journey to Coonoor where the Queen of Hills is located. On our way we were able to visit a new school with almost two hundred children. A few of the girls honored us with a traditional dance and in return let us teach them a dance as well. At first the amount of students overwhelmed us a bit, but in the end it just multiplied the fun that was had. The weekend was spent exploring the Hills and visiting many of the gardens it had to offer. We also had Halloween a little early this year by visiting a haunted house. After the long 14 hour journey back we attended a new corps for our final Sunday service. This service and the people were nothing short of amazing and helped us end our last Sunday in the best way possible. Sunday night was spent with all of our new friends playing badminton, doing henna, drinking tons of coffee, and laughing till we cried. It was a little bittersweet saying goodbye because we have found a new family and home in all of them, but we are also extremely blessed and happy to have met them. Team India wishes they could stay longer, but are also excited to come home and share all of the wonderful adventures had here.