The first weekend in June we all enjoyed a time of “rest”. Mahadevan and Usha spent time with their son Ricky, as it was his last weekend before school started. They had the opportunity to visit Mahadevan’s grandmother. Up until a week ago they had not seen their grandmother is ten years, and his grandmother had never seen Ricky! It was pleasurable time for them all.
Wilbur and Ana spent the week on at a town on the west coast but on their ride there they had a flat tire, which caused a minor delay. Pranjal and Greg visited a school in Madurai, a.k.a. the temple city, in light of the plethora of temples found there. The bus stopped for a short break but left without them, along with Greg’s money, camera and passport! Fortunately, one bus driver was leaving in the same direction and knew where their bus driver stops for lunch. They were dropped off on the highway and jumped back on their bus to complete the six-hour journey.
Pranjal and Greg just returned from another excursion up north. One of friends, Manoj, who we meet last summer has been and was recently hospitalized. They went to visit him in a Yotmah, Maharashtra. This included a 36-hour train trip to Nagpur and then a 3-hour bus ride to the hospital.
Manoj was not in good shape, physically emotionally or spiritually. He had been given much encouragement from those closest to him. It turned out the he tested positive twice for HIV. This was the fourth such case in his small village of about 30 families. Pranjal and Greg spent some time with him for the next three days. The day after we left he began eating and the next day was released from the hospital. Please keep him in your thoughts. A couple of his uncles have stepped up to help and one of Pranjal’s friends works a facility that assists people with HIV.
On the train trip to Nagpur, Greg and Pranjal meet a labor leader who invited them to speak in Amarvati. This was a Sunday evening occasion, in open air, the first in over a few decades. Greg also had the opportunity to speak in Pranjal’s hometown, Umri, that morning.
Another door was open on the train trip home. They met another gentleman who was in the Information Technology business and who was providing assistance to villagers in low income areas around southern India. We hope to be in touch with him more in the near future.
All together Greg and Pranjal spent over 90 hours on the train and bus in this week-long trip.
Wilbur and Ana spent the week on at a town on the west coast but on their ride there they had a flat tire, which caused a minor delay. Pranjal and Greg visited a school in Madurai, a.k.a. the temple city, in light of the plethora of temples found there. The bus stopped for a short break but left without them, along with Greg’s money, camera and passport! Fortunately, one bus driver was leaving in the same direction and knew where their bus driver stops for lunch. They were dropped off on the highway and jumped back on their bus to complete the six-hour journey.
Pranjal and Greg just returned from another excursion up north. One of friends, Manoj, who we meet last summer has been and was recently hospitalized. They went to visit him in a Yotmah, Maharashtra. This included a 36-hour train trip to Nagpur and then a 3-hour bus ride to the hospital.
Manoj was not in good shape, physically emotionally or spiritually. He had been given much encouragement from those closest to him. It turned out the he tested positive twice for HIV. This was the fourth such case in his small village of about 30 families. Pranjal and Greg spent some time with him for the next three days. The day after we left he began eating and the next day was released from the hospital. Please keep him in your thoughts. A couple of his uncles have stepped up to help and one of Pranjal’s friends works a facility that assists people with HIV.
On the train trip to Nagpur, Greg and Pranjal meet a labor leader who invited them to speak in Amarvati. This was a Sunday evening occasion, in open air, the first in over a few decades. Greg also had the opportunity to speak in Pranjal’s hometown, Umri, that morning.
Another door was open on the train trip home. They met another gentleman who was in the Information Technology business and who was providing assistance to villagers in low income areas around southern India. We hope to be in touch with him more in the near future.
All together Greg and Pranjal spent over 90 hours on the train and bus in this week-long trip.
Wedding Invitation
Last summer, Ana made became friends with a woman, Vimela, who teaches at a school that prepares women to be preschool teachers. A few weeks ago, her nephew (sister’s son) invited us to his wedding. Although none of us knew him at all (we had never met him), Ana’s relationship with Vimela was our ticket.
Weddings in India are quite festive and can include an entire week of dinners and other gatherings. Often times weddings are very public with the bride and groom riding through town on horses followed by a small band and procession of friends. We did not actually do to the wedding which is usually only attended by those closest to the family and which can last a couple of hours. We were able to attend the wedding reception that included over 300 family members, neighbors, and foreigners!
Weddings in India are quite festive and can include an entire week of dinners and other gatherings. Often times weddings are very public with the bride and groom riding through town on horses followed by a small band and procession of friends. We did not actually do to the wedding which is usually only attended by those closest to the family and which can last a couple of hours. We were able to attend the wedding reception that included over 300 family members, neighbors, and foreigners!
Time with Ricky
Wilbur had the idea that each of us should spend a little time with Ricky, our host’s son. Now and then Wilbur will play music on his laptop and record a movie of Ricky dancing. This is quite entertaining as we gather around the laptop to watch and laugh. Sometimes Ricky and Ana frolic at the beach or they spend time of the Moy home. On one occasion Ricky and Greg walked around the neighborhood taking pictures of people and landscapes and other things. Eventually, we will post these on the web. Altogether, we enjoy spending time with Ricky but with school in session he is very busy.
Of note: This young boy, all of age seven, speaks three languages- his native Tamil, Hindi and English! A couple of the photos his took is pictured below.
Of note: This young boy, all of age seven, speaks three languages- his native Tamil, Hindi and English! A couple of the photos his took is pictured below.
Orphan Excursion
We had the opportunity to spend more time with the orphans before they also went back to school. On Friday afternoon we all piled into a couple of cars and headed to a swimming hole in, about an hour’s drive from the village. After having a nice lunch we all ventured to the swimming hole. One of the more precious moments was when Greg left the pool. Reshma greeted him. As we mentioned last month, this little girl was so shy last summer. Well, she just grabbed Greg’s hand and began chattering with no end. Unfortunately, Greg did understand a word she had said! They are all back in school and with our language study we are not sure when we will see them again, but we do look forward to it.
While Greg and Pranjal were traveling up north, Ana and Wilbur were present when school supplies were brought to the orphans. There is a concern that the orphans are not getting enough tutoring and we have discussed the idea of spending some of our time during the week helping they study. More to come!
While Greg and Pranjal were traveling up north, Ana and Wilbur were present when school supplies were brought to the orphans. There is a concern that the orphans are not getting enough tutoring and we have discussed the idea of spending some of our time during the week helping they study. More to come!
Priorities, Thanks, Needs
- Greg moved into his home on June 26 and Pranjal moved in on July1! Much relief from the dingy hotel.
- The continuing process of learning the language.
- We have all been healthy.
- Manoj
- Romi, Greg’s friend in Delhi, is getting married on July 18. This wedding is being rushed because the bride’s mother wants her daughter to be married. This has led to some tension because Romi’s family is still in mourning after the death of his brother in November. Typically, families will not celebrate for an entire year after the death of a family member. Also, Romi has no funds for the wedding but friends are providing assistance. Greg plans to attend the wedding.
- A team coming from the states will be here in mid-July. They will be here for 11 days and there are a number of logistics to be completed.
Q &A
Q: What is the cost of gas?
A: Over $4.00 a gallon (Rs. 48/ litre, you do the math)
Q: Can we send you anything?
A: Yes. Letter, photos, etc. can be mailed. I have set up a wish list at http://www.wishrepublic.com/. You can log on and pick what you want to send. Items must me mail by July 14. They can set to:
FBC-SF
c/o Gregory Byrnes
22 Waller Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Just click on “Search”. My email address is GMByrnes@gmail.com
I also made a wish list on Amazon.com. Click on “Find Gifts”, then “Wish Lists”. Typing “Gregory M. Byrnes” will get you directly to my list. The items will be sent directly to FBC.
A: Over $4.00 a gallon (Rs. 48/ litre, you do the math)
Q: Can we send you anything?
A: Yes. Letter, photos, etc. can be mailed. I have set up a wish list at http://www.wishrepublic.com/. You can log on and pick what you want to send. Items must me mail by July 14. They can set to:
FBC-SF
c/o Gregory Byrnes
22 Waller Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Just click on “Search”. My email address is GMByrnes@gmail.com
I also made a wish list on Amazon.com. Click on “Find Gifts”, then “Wish Lists”. Typing “Gregory M. Byrnes” will get you directly to my list. The items will be sent directly to FBC.
–Blessings GMB
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