Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The team continues to grow in interesting, unexpected, and fulfilling ways. Kathy thoroughly enjoys working with the novices at St. Joseph’s, noting that their penchant to speak with passion about their faith and their role models “makes their English soar!”
Phyllis, Ricca, and Deanne had great success at Assisi Illam; Deanne suggested they make crowns for the children out of construction paper and Ricca and Phyllis photographed the young princes and princesses. Everybody felt like royalty and I promise not to strain for metaphor after this. Jim (that’s me) and Karen had productive days at St. Joseph’s. Karen’s work with the older children was rewarding (she is undeniably popular as we walk about the campus and has helped me wrestle with my fledgling Tamil) and we both had a tour of the computer center from Sister Bala. I learned to slow down and make animal noises for the three-year-olds in the lower kindergarten. Many songs were sung. I got the chance to watch George in action at Grace School with his fourth-graders. It is obvious why he is much beloved; the children don’t want to see him go home at the end of the day and he, in turn, gives them his undivided and creative attention.
During our afternoon break, Stephen arranged for us to go shopping at the Government Store in Chennai. Karen proclaimed herself to be a “shopping expert” and made good on her claim. Her luggage arrived this morning, which may be a mixed blessing because she seems very much at home in her beautiful Indian clothing.
In the late afternoon we went to SEAMS and worked with the children before coming home to another delicious meal in our cool and jasmine-scented dining room (courtesy of Deanne). We talked at dinner about how inspiring and humbling it is to work with our students and then we dispersed into the muggy night.
It is good to be here.
JIM
Today’s quote: “We do not see the world as it is; rather, we see the world as we are.” Anais Nin
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