Why hello there people in rainy England (at least we're guessing so)... We hope you're all doing well. Now, how to summarise the past few days...

The flight was, in a word, tiring, but to add more words, the plane was plain swanky (see what I did there?) and for some, inflight entertainment was far more appealing than sleep, especially for those fuelled by Mountain Dew.

We arrived, piled into a bus (luggage balanced precariously on the roof) and got to the house. Yellow from the outside, yellow from the inside, basic but it's got everything we need: beds (with traditional rugs for sheets), showers/buckets plus jug, a kitchen and an eating/chilling room with lots of chairs.

On Sunday, post a much-needed night's rest, we went to church. The location was splendiferous: riverside, with a corrugated iron roof, equipped with fans. I was a definite fan (see what I did again? I promise I'll stop at some point....). Martin, who with his wife Beena set up BLC, spoke and his sermon was inspiring and relevant to both our stay and life in general. The worship, led by Dipak, was awesome, if a bit loud. Next we paid a visit to the girls' home, which was brief as they were cleaning, but it was our first taste of the kids' homes as they stand in 2014. Wonderful and humbling, these places are full of joy. Finally, we went to the beach, which was surprisingly British-like, despite the palm trees and slightly heavier rain than we're used to (so don't you be complaining).

A quick note about the food: it's good. Very tasty, sometimes spicy, and always colourful. Most evenings Beena cooks for us and we spend lunches at the small boys' home...which leads nicely into Monday.

So, we woke up, and got off to a flying start at the boys' home. A few people helped in the Rising Star school, which is part of the home and for the youngest kids, and those who struggle the most. This was rewarding, touching and constantly entertaining. The rest of the team prepped the dining room for painting on Tuesday, sanding and scrubbing all the walls, which was hot, sticky work but we're sure it'll be worth it. We came back to the house for a nap and then went back to the home to run an after-school kids group, where we sang songs and Pete and Niall did a great job with the puppets. The boys then introduced to a new game called 7up which shortly lost its appeal although they were adamant they'd teach us Hindi numbers. Finally the team split - guys and girls went to the older boys' home and the girls' home respectively. We had more worship, and shared devotion time with them, which was a great opportunity to bond with them.

Finally, today (which is Tuesday, for those who have lost their calendar), so far we have gone to the little boys' home again and the team this time was split in two. We took it in turns to play with the kids, as they have no school today because of the public holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. The other part of the team started to paint the dining room, before we shared lunch with the kids. Currently, we are sitting writing this at the house, while the sweet sound of the teams outstanding ukulele playing subscrobially wafts into our (somewhat grimy) ears.... You see, we're doing this instead of having a shower. Gross.

Yours sincerely,

The SMGoa team

Bollywood, Curry & Textile Workers

I have to admit, when someone mentions India, I can’t help but think of Bollywood, curry and textile workers. Admittedly, I get the feeling that the curry stereotype may be cemented rather than dispelled during the two and a bit weeks we’re out there for, but I’m hoping that my currently misguided and clouded expectations will be blown away. I mean, who doesn’t like a surprise?

So, my thoughts and feelings so far, in a semi-chronological order.... ‘Wow! You mean, I’m actually going?!’ That was pretty much my first reaction when Soph phoned to tell me I’d been accepted. Then, of course, came ‘Oooh I wonder  who else is going.’ Then a bit of ‘Umm, what will it really involve?’ Ok, don’t get me wrong, I’d done my research (by asking people who’d been before), but I’m not convinced I’ll be entirely sure until I’ve actually been there, done it, and got the t-shirt (which are apparently very cheap out there, so it’s all good).

Seriously though, I am so thrilled to be able to be a part of this trip. I know there are a number of people my age who do this kind of thing, often in a secular context and with the aim of ‘broadening their horizons’ and, dare I say it, having a little something extra for job and uni applications. I think this is part of what makes ChristChurch missions different. I don’t want this trip to be about me and what I can get out of it, but instead what we, as a team, can give to BLC and the wonderful people there. And not because of how great we are, but because of how great God is.

I reckon there are going to be a fair few challenges, not least the heat, food and culture, as well as, umm, the lack of phones and iPods. I think, as bad as it may be, that that will be a big challenge for me, but at the same time, I think I’ll realise that in actual fact, I don’t need all these things that I have become so reliant on. There is something so much bigger and more important, and that thing is God. I hope that I will get to know Him better.

The biggest excitement for me lies in getting to know the children who Martin and Beena take care of out there. My family and I spent a bit of time in Burma a couple of years ago, and something I remember vividly from that trip is going once a week to a centre for children with various disabilities, especially those caused by leprosy and polio. Although we spoke next to no Burmese, I was amazed at how much a smile can communicate. Joining in their games or school work, we got to know them and their unique personalities pretty quickly. I am so excited to have another opportunity like that, and to be able to share in God’s love in a totally different way.

Another thing I am really looking forward to is getting closer as a team. I think we are going to get pretty good at supporting each other over the course of mission and that we’ll learn more about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I hope that we can be a team who really encourage each other and help each other to develop into the people that God has designed us to be – not just during mission, but in the months leading up to it, and continuing forward after it.

Currently my biggest worry is fundraising - I had planned to do a Krispy Kreme sale at school, but I found out a few days ago that individual events aren’t allowed, which kind of threw a spanner in the works. My wonderful Mum has had a really good idea though – there’s a weekly car boot sale that I’m going to take a bunch of stuff to one weekend (or probably more than one weekend, depending on how lucrative it is). I’m also going to start teaching someone piano, and I’m looking for any babysitting opportunities going. I know that God’s got it in hand and that something will work. I’ll just keep persevering.

So, all in all, a bit of a standing-at-the-edge-of-a-cliff feeling. Very, very exciting, a little bit scary and a lot of unknowns. But completely exhilarating at the same time!

Emily