We went with the Weeks and visited the Mother Teresa orphanage. It was a good experience. We took some food, and Sister Weeks was hoping to be able to do some service in the Orphanage, perhaps sewing for the children.

We saw this sign posted on the wall of the Orphanage. It has a very real message. Others can not see our handicaps as easily as the children's handicaps that live here. They are pretty well cared for, and Mother Teressa has brought a lot of attention to the Orphans in India and has some support come in because her legend lives on.

These young girls were mending and sewing for the children. They were orphans also, but without handicaps.

I thought the posters that were put on the wall of Mother Teressa were very interesting and inspiring.

There were classes in session for those who could attend. I wondered why the blind children were not put into the classroom. They sat on top of a low shelf in the last room, all three huddled together until the Sister pulled one down to talk to us. She could speak some English and enjoyed being with us.

A Physical Therapist worked with a young girl in a small open area.

Along a hall, a form of a high chair with a tray was where many of the more severe handicapped children sat. I did not see any wheelchairs in the facility. They were in the same spot all day until bed time when they were put into their beds. Still they were well cared for by the women and sisters.

Most of the children, girls or boys, had the short boys hair cut, especially if they were handicapped. When the children reach 15 years old, they would go to a girls or boys facility.

This class was working on the ABC's. I asked them if they could sing the ABC's song with me. All of the young children knew the song in China and would drown me out, which is good because I can't really sing. But here I sang a solo, but they gave me their full attention.





We enjoy many baptisms in our Branch 3. You can see dad in the background. Sister Pinky and Brother Joshua were baptized and I played the piano. Sister Pinky, second from left, and her husband, first on left, invited us to their home for dinner with four other Elders. She told me what music she wanted for Sunday. Count Your Blessings and Jesus Lover of My Soul.

I had to spend some time trying to learn the second song, as I had never really known it. Now I play it during my practice and call it Pinky's Song.

Dad was asked to baptize Amit Kumar. Amit now comes to the Mission Office as often as he can to vist with dad.

Kartik got his mission packet and came into the office to pick it up. We asked him if he was going to take it home and open it. He said he would open it then. His family, who love him very much, at one time told him to choose between the church or his home. But after a day of fasting and prayer, an Elder who taught him had a short visit with his father and his father relented. The family now encourage him to be his best and he is trying to teach them by example. Still a mission is hard for them to understand.

The baptism Font is outdoors. Here is dad and Amit on the stairs going down to the font.