All work and no play makes Loren a VERY dull boy. I wouldn’t want that to happen so a couple of special nights out solved the problem. Part of the joy here at Prakash is getting to have fellowship in our staffs’ homes. We love eating the different foods they fix and seeing their children and spouses. Already having been to a couple of homes we were not at all surprised when Moses asked us to have dinner with he and Janet and of course, little Hannah, but we were flabbergasted when they took us to a Rajasthani Hotel/Restaurant.

It is a large lovely garden incorporating a mini theme park. Multiple event stalls—puppets, magician, dancers, fire-eater, sword walkers, camel rides, henna-artists, etc.— surround the garden.

Upstairs is a sit-on-the-floor meal with turbaned waiters serving more food than any human could possibly eat.

( YOU CAN SEE I DON’T SIT INDIAN STYLE FOR VERY LONG)

It was simply fantastic. We were blown away that there was such an incredible place so close to Prakash.

The second playtime was attending an All India Mela. (A cultural fair)

One of our Prakash alumni is the assistant manager of the Mela grounds and was at the front gate to escort us (Loren and I along with two staff families) into the park. We were taken to the VIP seating so we could enjoy the cultural dancers of India without our view being obstructed.

Loren and I had our picture taken and most likely it appeared in the newspaper.. There were Indian handicrafts from around the country and Loren was fearful that I would find too many things, “I just couldn’t live without.” He was lucky, we left after only two very small purchases. Again fellowshipping with staff was super special.

We are so blessed to have these dedicated men and women carrying out the mission and vision of Prakash. Life at Prakash is NEVER dull but not always fun.

Oh-No! Here we go again. At this time there have been a couple “Oh No’s”. First Loren, dear boy, has had yet another accident. He cut his finger on a broken tile. It hurt, no, scratch that. It was beyond hurt—Way Beyond. He was upset with the old plummer who had chopped out tile in a shower INSTEAD of figuring out the easy way of replacing the tap correctly. Loren was showing him how it should have been done and the broken tile nailed him. So after a lot of blood and Band-Aids I fixed him up and now after several days in a finger splint, he is recovering.

Then yesterday we are sitting in a staff meeting when screams are heard coming from the student kitchen. With our pulse quickening we jumped up and ran down the veranda. “SNAKE, SNAKE!!! IT IS A COBRA!!!” Oh-No, not another snake at Prakash. I am bending over for a look-see, trying to get a picture while Loren is yelling for me to get back.

The cook ladies, with hearts racing and nerves atingle, stand on the veranda stricken. I hugged the one who first saw the snake and then suggested that we all go to the guest kitchen for tea.

As the story unfolds, one cook lady was sitting on the floor working and the snake hooded and swaying was ready to strike, when the other lady saw it. Praise God they reacted calmly and GOT OUT OF THERE!!!!

The night before Loren and I were scanning the channels on our TV for ANYTHING in English, when we happened upon a National Geographic program about King Cobras in India. We learned several things, like these snakes are snake-eaters, not rodent eaters. They love the Rat Snake and the Rat Snake loves rats. Before this program, we knew nothing about the eating habits of cobras. God knew we needed this knowledge.

After killing the snake we were off to the grain storage area, only to find rat droppings everywhere. No metal bins only grain sacks. A rat will find a sack of grain any day no matter where it is. So in order for us to rid ourselves of the cobras we need to rid ourselves of the rats. The rats invaded us because we have not properly stored the grain. So in truth the problem is not getting rid of the cobra, but storing the grain properly. How do we say? — “Getting to the root of the problem.”—What a lesson.

Our prayer is always to have wisdom. Who knew we would get it from National Geographic?

Being away from India for over a year I had forgotten how noisy and smelly it is. Horns blared—shouts of street vendors—roars of lorries—motorcycles and scooters clog the road like flies on dead meat. Then comes the realization that driving in India is not for the faint at heart. Many times cars are missing our car by bare inches. Also, the noxious fumes assaulted our nostrils. Hey, I have smelled my wrist more than a little since arriving. (For those of you who don’t know me, I wear perfume on my wrists, just in case the need arises to obscure putrid orders.)

Due the fact that Loren is on a special diet we have had to make more than our usual umpteen trips to town. This has turned out to be a good thing. Never in the history of our travels to India have we met so many Prakash Alumni while doing our daily activities.

Loren was coming out of the State Bank of India and a young man stopped him and said, “Sir, do you recognize me? I was at Prakash for studies.” He is now manager of a restaurant and is married and attending church.

Then we went to a house-church where three former students bombarded us after the service wanting us to know how successful they had become since leaving Prakash.

One had a brand new motorcycle he wanted Loren to ride (This is when you wish you had an International driver’s licenses.) He also said, “Sir, I remember you very well?” His face was familiar, but to be honest we did not remember him. He said, “You, sir, disciplined me for playing the keyboard in Heritage Hall when I was not suppose to be in there.” We all had a good laugh.

These young men have their jobs because a Prakash Alumni, Anil, (with baby) works in a managerial position and was able to hire them. They are all working in the trade for which they were trained. Normally, positions would be given only to family members, but Anil has learned the vision of Prakash and given these jobs to well-trained young men, but not family members.

The head of Compassion International for India is also a Prakash alumnus.

Then, this morning, a newly graduated student came to campus bringing “sweets” in order to get his Government certificate. Joy Anand, graduated in July 2011, and already has a job at Airport Centerpoint as an electrician. His wages are good and include a room, that he shares with 5 other young men, and board—a very good thing to have board because he doesn’t know how to cook.

He looked so young so I asked, “How old are you?” “17 running, he replied.” We would say 16.

Loren always likes to ask a lot of questions when talking with students, like—”How did you hear about Prakash?” “The Pastor in my church told me about the school and arranged for my papers.” “What was your emotion upon leaving your village?” — “Some fear and what people will say and no friends.” “Did you feel welcomed when you first arrived at Prakash?”—”It was so calm and peaceful I had joy when I entered campus.” “Did Starting Point help you?” —”I had confusion about the Bible and this was answered by the course. I had a relationship with the Lord, but still had confusion so Starting Point showed me how to grow in my personal relationship.” “What changes in your personal life are due to attending Prakash?”—”I had some bad habits that I began to understand were not OK.” “Did you like the discipline?”—”Too be successful I found out, life has rules and regulations that are important. It is mandatory for me to be disciplined.” (He was one of the students that helped clean the sewers here at Prakash.)

The idea that you can change a culture by giving its boys the tools to grow up educated and with a trade so they can be self-reliant. It was amazing to see the idea in action, working so well.