India – Saturday, June 30, 2012 – There is a phrase used in football games by coaches, “Leave it all out on the field!” It means dig deep and give it every ounce of energy you have, so when the game is over, no matter the outcome, you will have given your all. That is best way I can describe what this team did this week.
During the hottest days any of us have ever endured, they found the heart, the motivation to dig deeper than many may have thought possible. Because we were on the last day to build, we wanted very badly to finish the playground, despite 120 degree heat! Many of the team stayed and worked through the afternoon temps, because that was the only chance we would have to get this playground finished in time for Sunday’s dedication. The motivation was the kids!! By the time we wrapped up at 5pm, we had accomplished our goal!
Chris, one of the guys from Indiana, commented he really didn’t believe the temps would be so high, and could not have imagined what trying to work in 115-120 degrees would even feel like. He’s a believer now! It was suggested that we tell those back home to turn their oven to 120 (is that possible?), and when it’s reached that temp, open the door and feel that heat. Then imagine you are surrounded by that feeling, and try to work all day in it!
Anyway, as tired as we all are, I am just as confident that tomorrow’s dedication will fill us anew with a deep satisfaction that “leaving it all on the field” was definitely worth it!
Thanks for your prayers!!
For the team in Patna,
Mike Young
Kids Around the World
India – Friday, June 29, 2012 – Day 3 in the extremely hot temperatures began to take its toll on some of the team – and who can blame them. We arrived at the site after breakfast, and the temps were already nearing 110. Everyone was careful to take breaks and sit in the shaded room in the school, drinking plenty of water. Just before noon, it was clear the energy level was gone. However, with the steady help of the students and some local laborers, we had gotten almost all of the main structure in place. Only a couple small decks remained. We were very glad to see that the two sections of this very large playground met up just right at the far end! I was truly grateful because I am not sure if we would have the energy to re-dig holes.
We climbed into the Indian air-conditioned bus (that means we opened the windows) and headed back to our hotel to cool down and grab some lunch.
When we returned to the site, we were greeted by the college students who were busy digging the final holes for the main structure. They were so proud of what they had accomplished and with big smiles called out for me to inspect the holes. Bill, John, and Pastor Mo put up the last two sections, while Noah and I began squaring up the poles and leveling the decks. This should make Saturday’s work easier when we install all of the panels and gates. We were also able to mark all of the holes for the slides and climbers. The students were busy digging those holes as we headed back to our hotel.
‘By this time we were relieved to see the temp had dropped to a comfortable 100 degrees! I never thought I would say this, but I would actually welcome snow tomorrow!! That sounds nicer than the predicted 120 degrees. We still have a fair amount of work to get done before putting in the concrete, and if we are going to make our dedication schedule for Sunday, we need to begin concrete by mid-morning. Thank you for all your prayers – and I ask you to please keep them up for the safety of the team.
For the team,
Mike Young
Kids Around the World
India – Thursday, June 28, 2012 – Of all the times for a weather forecast to be accurate! Today hit 116 degrees in Patna, (and it’s not even a dry heat!) We stayed with our plan to work in the morning and late afternoon into the early evening – hoping to avoid being outside during the hottest hours. Pastor Mo from Indiana arrived about lunch time for his first visit to India. So now the team is assembled and we are well underway.
With the help of many local men and boys from the school, the team managed to get the swing set holes dug and the concrete in place. This will allow the cement to cure for three days before the kids begin to bring new life to this playground.
I think today’s highlight for me was to watch 15 year old Noah take a group of other students and lead them in different areas of assembling components. He really stepped up well today – and I think grandpa Bill was very proud!!
Before we left the site tonight Pastor Abraham made note of the large number of local villagers who had shown up toward the end of the day – just to see what was going on. One of his reasons for wanting this playground is to attract more children to the new school – thus providing for more opportunities to accomplish the mission of Emmanuel Ministry School. Mission is already being accomplished and the playground isn’t even half done! Until tomorrow…
For the team,
Mike Young
Kids Around the World
India – Wednesday, June 27, 2012 – Hello from India!
Most of our team arrived safely Wednesday morning. The team includes Bill Gindhart and Noah Dellamater, a grandfather /grandson tag-team from Rockford, Naomi and Roger Muselman, and several friends of the Muselman’s, both from Indiana and missionaries currently living in India. However, Roger Muselman had to turn back and head home because of a health problem. (He had surgery when he got back, and is on the mend. Please pray for him and his healing.) We are waiting for Pastor Mo to arrive from Indiana, where much of the team lives. His flight got cancelled, and he is expected to arrive Thursday morning. We are thankful tot he Muselmans and Taylor University for sponsoring this playground as a gift to the children here in Patna, India.
Our local partner is Pastor E. A. Abraham, who leads the great work being done to reach the lost, and bless the children in the State of Bihar and beyond. I could write a book about this man and his faithful and unswerving service for our Father, (but he already has, so I will leave that to him.) This location is their newest orphanage and school – a rural setting, surrounded by rice fields in this northern State. We are roughly 100 miles south of Nepal. This new house/school is still being finished, but already has many boys living in it. Pastor Abraham says this playground will be a major part in his outreach to the nearby community as he strives to get more children to come to his new school.
The minute we left the plane this morning, we knew the heat would be our biggest challenge. This is the rainy season for India, and most of the country is receiving badly needed rain that allows them to grow their rice and sustain so many lives in this land. However, this area has not had much rain yet. The forecast is for highs of 104 – 113 degrees this week, with a slight chance of rain on Friday or Saturday. By the time we arrived at the site about 1:30 this afternoon, the temperature was easily within the forecasted range, which quickly took it’s toll on most of the team.
It didn’t hamper our spirits, but certainly slowed us down. We had to spend much time taking advantage of the shade and the welcome warm breeze inside the large main room of the school. After deciding on the location and position of the playground in the cleared area next to the school, we marked the first ten holes. With the help of the boys and some of the staff, we had the first set of holes dug and ready. Then we decided it might be best to do most of the assembly inside the large room at the school, and carry the assembled items out to set them in their holes. It meant moving many heavy components twice, but in the long run, would keep most of the team in the shade as much as possible, without losing precious time.
One of the highlights today was watching the younger boys, who wanted so much to help and be part of the team, trying to stomp down the dirt at the bottoms of the holes. These boys, each of whom probably didn’t weigh more than 40 lbs, were jumping with all their might packing that dirt in tightly so we could set the poles. Much like the ants in the old children’s song about moving a rubber tree, these boys had high hopes! We are not sure how successful or effective they were in compacting dirt, but they were certainly effective is helping bring smiles to many of faces, including their own.
Tomorrow we hope to get the help of a power auger, and if that comes through, our goal will be to have all of the main structure up along with the swings.
Please remember to pray for the safety of the team. Thank you for allowing us to be an extension of your heart to serve and bring hope to the precious children here!
For the team,
Mike Young
Kids Around the World