Photo Hunt--Theme: Colorful

See TnChick for more Colorful Photo Hunters.

I have found no place in the world that is more colorful than India.

In the summer of 2000, I spent four weeks in India working with the Christian Brothers at St. Joseph Boys' Village, a home for orphaned, abandoned, and poor boys. Our task was some light construction work around the compound during early part of each day. After the boys had returned from school and done their chores, we interacted with them during their recreation time. In the evenings, we visited a number of other community development projects sponsored by the brothers in nearby villages to meet and learn about the people and what they were doing to improve the economic, health, and educational opportunities in their villages.

These women in their colorful saris invited us to dance with them. They thought we were pretty funny.

The villagers were proud of the credit union arrangements they had organized to help each other to start small businesses. Often, the women were the first to organize and show the men what could be done.
On laundry day, the young women who worked at Boys Village as secretary and housemother laid their saris out on the courtyard to dry.

If you ever have the opportunity to take part in a mission to another country or within your own country, go for it. Travel as other than tourist will change your outlook on many things. I found great hope among the people I met in India. I learned what hope was. I hope I have put this to work in my life since then.

Words and thoughts I need to ponder now--how does hope fit into my present circumstances?
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24