words on india

Grateful are we to come to varanassi in this time, when we usually don't travel 
to the city...for the ganges has risen and has not receeded, leaving children to 
open to a new experience, can it be called hardship with all they have been 
through, or just an unfolding of what's present in the moment. In there eyes 
they know, thru our efforts in times both good and bad, they are safe and 
loved...

Visiting the bal ashram, where I usually sit, under the thatched hut, welcoming 
all to share in the good works that we are doing, we find the hut completely 
under water and the visit takes place via row boat...we pass other row boats, 
and yet smiles are on all faces, and the yells of welcome come out from  julian 
and the team at the ashram as they meet us, waist deep in water, and sing ' ____ 
to our welcome...

Potatoes and onions are raised in piles to the upper floors, where the guest 
kitchen is being used for the 7 older boys who 'man the fort'. The younger ones, 
cast out for safety amognst those who know the feeling of being cast out who are 
residing in saranat, they welcome the younger boys, with open hearts as their 
brothers....

We gather both groups tommorow, to dry ground, with an offering to leave the 
small areas they are confirmed to , to the open spaces of bodh gaya..for two 
nights relief efforts.

The girls visit, with----- who keeps their spirits high, as they sing at our 
feet, and return to clean the house in hopes the water will receed soon ....

And today, we travel to the ecopark and will report on its findings....