Dec 10 2011 Sat -- Visiting Sujeet's Village

Dear Friends, I am sorry for the delay in publishing my blog.  Intermittent power, new adventures, travel, jet lag, and a touch of Traveler's D-- all have provided the appropriate delay.

Now home in Virginia, I continue to share my adventures with you.

Our first stop was at Sujeet's parent's house.  It was time for Jyoti's brothers to say good bye.

I am struck with the contrast between the very strong family ties, and how Indian families must let their children go again and again for a better way of life.  When they are around 5 years old they may leave for boarding school.  When they are around 10 or 12 they may do so again.  And when they are to go to highschool (inter) they will likely need to go away.  Typically American kids don't leave home until they turn 18 or go to college or into military service.  

 Vipah, Jyoti, Anuj, and Manish

Some of us drove into the town to drop off the older brothers so they could get a ride back to their family house. 

Going through town on way to village.

Sujeet's second level school

Entering into the farming villages.

Golden mustard crop

Sujeet's first level school.

A moslem school meeting in a former christian church and school.

The road into the farm villages where Sujeet's family lives.

Dung poles being dried for fuel.

Next we drove to Sujeet's grandfather's home and village to drop off a young mother and her baby.

Sujeet's grandfather's house. Foreground -- mounds of rice to be hulled. Background - banana trees and family garden.

The village turns out to see the white lady.

Village girls with Lovely standing tallest.  Lovely became my tour guide and interpreter once we reached the village.  This young lady has so much potential. 

Some of my new friends in the village... Past and Future stand side by side.

Suman's childhood friends (Suman on Right)

The villages hold Bihar's hidden treasure -- a people yet untouched,  like uncut diamonds... waiting to be discovered... to be refined into precious jewels for their society.

I look over the future of Bihar and wonder which of these little ones will be tomorrow's leaders.

As I look at these faces, and they chatter happily in Mathilee,

I hear God's voice say,

"I see you. I know where you are.  I was there when you were born. I know your ways and the number of your days.  I love you with an undying love. 

I have written you on my heart and you are precious in my sight."