Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year!!

lorilearningtohope
Dec 20, 2022
4 min read

“ 'The Lord says,' "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you” Psalm 32:8

Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year!!

This has been a year of change and surprises for me. In the spring we sold our home in Valley Springs and moved back to Lodi. We had a busy spring and summer getting packed up and moving. We are enjoying being back in Lodi, close to friends, family, and church. We are thoroughly enjoying living in an historical home built in 1892 and would love to have you drop by for a cup of coffee.

Last January I found out that India was once again opening its doors to tourists. It was only going to be for 30 days but that was fine with me since I had not been to India for two years. My friend Donna and I quickly started the process of applying for our visa. We left March 1st for India. It was exciting to once again be heading back to India, and a wonderful time of renewing friendships and seeing all the progress at the school. Of course, the time went too fast, because we were soon back home, but I started making plans for my return.

Then in September, I headed to San Francisco to start my journey back to India again. This time I had to make the trip on my own. I did miss my travel companion Donna, on this trip.

I loved being back with my India family, Sanu, Senti, and the kids and Grandpa. It is a house filled with so much joy. Each night was so special as we gathered before dinner each night to read the Bible and share in a prayer time. Many birthday parties and anniversaries were celebrated with family and friends and of course decorating for Christmas before I left to return home.

One of the big highlights of my time was Children’s day!! The children put on a program together. It was great to see them do cultural dances, a little drama skit and each class participated in some way. Afterwards we gave each student a gift and we served them special treats at lunch.

One of my sweet friends sent me money for the school and with it I was able to purchase a great guitar. The staff was excited to have it. Our nursery teacher uses it every day with her class, and they also use it during the morning assembly.

As you know, we are adding 6th, 7th, and 8th grades to our school. This meant we needed to add more classrooms and hire more teachers. The Lord blessed our ministry with all the necessary funds to complete the new classrooms and do some needed repairs to the school.

I had the best time watching the building progress each day. Their construction is so different from the way we do it and each step was a new surprise for me to see.

Our students are all doing great and progressing in their studies. We look forward to adding our new grades when we start our new school year in April.

We are looking for two to three new teachers this year. One of our long-time teachers retired this year, so we are looking to replace him as well.

On my way home I stopped to see a good friend. She is part of a wonderful ministry called Connextions! They use recycled saris and make beautiful quilts and other things. This helps many women have the opportunity to work and help their families.

I returned home on the 4th of December and I have been busy getting ready for Christmas and adjusting to the new time zone here at home. I look forward to spending time with my family over the holidays.

I am praying about my timing to return to India. I would love to be there in May for our foundation day celebration at the school.

I was reminded today in my devotions, that the Lord will be my counselor and He will watch over me!! What a promise from our Lord! I pray each of you know God’s loving care for you during this Christmas season and the coming year ahead.

PRAISE:

For the amazing provision for the building of the 4 new classrooms.
For safe travels to and from India.
For our amazing staff at Grace English School who are so dedicated to our students.
For God’s protection while I traveled back and forth to India.
For all the prayers and financial support from each of you.
My computer died while in India. When I got home, I had to buy a new one. Praise God I was able to restore most of my information from my old computer to my new one.

PRAYER REQUEST.

For safety for our children and construction workers as they continue to build.
For my friend Jaya in Kolkata who has cancer.
For me to have clear direction as I make plans to return to India hopefully this spring.
For my continued support each month.

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