a little more detail

I realized that my last entry just wasn't very sufficient in telling you how amazing my experience has been so far.

Let me give you some details about life here.

It is HOT. At least 100 degrees everyday. It will probably get hotter over the next month. When June hits, that's when the Monsoon comes so it will be a couple months of cooler weather and a LOT of rain.

When I think about the kids here, there is no other word I would use to describe them except JOYFUL. They are so happy all the time and having 58 pairs of arms stretched out wanting a hug all the time is just the most amazing feeling.

It is going to be so hard for me not to want to take them all home with me when I return in a year. The older kids are so mature for their age and just take care of the younger ones.
The girls are amazing and it's pretty easy to communicate with them because they know a little bit of English.

It's so funny because all of the kids who know even a little bit of English try so hard to teach Dana and I Telegu (their language). To them, I am "Acah" (sp?) which means big sister.

These kids pray like none I've ever seen before. There's one girl who prays for me individually about 5x/day. Not because she has to, but because she wants to. It's amazing. I don't know many people who do that.

The kids here call me "doll" because I'm different than what's considered normal.
They also tell me I have small eyes and that is their favorite part of me.

Thinking about being here a whole year is really hard. But I left the US a week ago today and even though the days have seemed long, the last week has gone by very quickly.

Thomas would like me to come home in October (I have to leave the country after 6 months anyway because of my visa). If I can afford it, I am definitely going to do it and will be home for about a month. It's weird how you don't think you'll miss people much when going away to start a new lifestyle, but I would give anything to be able to run over to my friends' houses or just go to dinner, or see my family.

I must end, because we are eating breakfast soon (which probably includes white rice, vegetables, and lots of spicy curry).
The food here is AMAZING along with the coffee..and all the hands that help prepare it.

Remember I am 9.5 hours AHEAD of Michigan.
If you ever want to skype, I am usually on morning my time between 7 and 9am and at night my time (around noon your time).

I hope you all are doing well.

If there's anything we can pray for you, please let me know.

Grace and Peace,

Jenna