Thursday, March 13, 2008

Monday, March 3, 2008

Peter Rient

Diminished in number (as the 2 weeker's left) but not in enthusiasm, Team 63 returned from its weekend in Kanyakumari with spirits revived by a ritual bathing of the feet at the tip of India to begin its final week of service in Chennai. The fatigue of the journey proved to be of little consequence (except as far as Larry was concerned), for Team Leader Stephen had cunningly arranged the timely arrival of reinforcements in the form of Team 64, consisting of seven new volunteers from Minnesota.

Helen and Peter returned to the SEAM Children’s Home, where they were joined by Team 64 members Michael, Jeff, Chuck and Grayce. While Grayce tutored some of the older children in preparation for their upcoming examination, the rest of us swarmed over the Prayer Hall, brushing, scraping, puttying and priming anything that did not move.

Meanwhile, at St. Joseph’s School, Larry found himself at a loss to understand why his carefully wrought lesson plan did not work, until he discovered that he had wandered into the wrong classroom by mistake. Rae was more fortunate. The fruit rhymes on DVD that she presented to the upper Kindergarteners were a huge success, with “Ba, Ba, Ba, Banana” topping the hit parade.

Over at Grace School, Margery was welcomed back warmly by the children, but then had to struggle gamely to overcome the distraction du jour – an exercise class next door so noisy that nobody could be heard. For her pains, she was later butted by a holy cow.

As usual, all went well at Assis Illam, Auntie Anne was joined by new aunties, Lisa, Susan and Michael from Team 64. Together they regaled the little ones with ABCs, songs and blocks; the children returned the favor by teaching their teachers the finer points of “Duck, Duck, Goose”.

Quote of the day

Come to the edge, He said.
They said, We are afraid.
Come to the edge, He said.
They came.
He pushed them…and they flew.

Guillaume Apollinaire

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