Hello, This is Elaine this time.

I just wanted to let you know about some of the things I have been doing during down time. I have spent a lot of time with the children. I have asked questions and learned a lot about how things are here. The number of children has grown so much that the older ones, both boys and girls, sleep in the church building on the cement floor. The others are in the two-room children's home. These two rooms can't be more than 12x12. There are so many children that they must sleep on top of each other because there is not enough room for them to sit down. Forget about stretching out. The tailor who watches over the children just finished making uniforms for all the children. They looked very nice. The rest of their clothes lacked buttons, zippers and rears of jeans were out of the boys, these children don't have underwear either. I was thinking that if only 70 people adopted a child, or even two people split one, for about $30.00 one could buy a complete outfit for a child. So if you felt real generous and were able to afford - say - $100.00 a year, you could clothe a child, buy shoes, underwear, belts or bangles for one child. These children ask for nothing and are so thankful for what they have, it breaks your heart.

I went with Sudeepa and Kabieta shopping Saturday. I wanted to buy some things for the girls hair and some bangles. We gave these to the girls Sunday. Sudeepa picked out some and handed them to the girls. They did not pick a color or anything, and the bangles on over half of the girls were to small. They smiled, shook my hand, and said a grateful thank you. They couldn't even get the bangles on because they were to small, but they were so proud to receive a gift. I am going to get some larger bangles Monday. They are taught the responsibility of supporting the Lord's work and on Sunday when the collection is taken, they put in some small something from meager allowances they receive. They could buy a candy bar or something but choose to give to the Lord. Reminds you of Jesus story of the widows mite and makes one ashamed not to do more.

I asked if the girls had a place to put their personal things. I was told that they each have a little box for personal items. They seldom use them, because some of the boys (with hard backgrounds) will destroy their things. If they want to protect something, they can give it to the tailor or his wife. They live in the room next to the children. They will keep it for them.

I know I go on and on about the conditions at the orphans, but it is so sad. A preacher from the Memphis school of Preaching, that was here for the lectureship was really good with the children. Stephen, the preacher, said that if he could get 15 churches to give $2000.00 each or 30 churches to give $1000.00 each, the Gootam's could build the third story on the church building. This means more (and larger) rooms for the children and a couple of real bathrooms (with showers) for the children. Please pray for these things to happen. If you know of any church who could afford to help, please notify them. Joshua says that it will probably take them several years to raise enough money to build the third story for the children. Again I say only $1000.00 - 30 churches. $100.00 a year for a child. Pray - the lord will answer!.

Love Elaine