KEN & HEATHER’S 2017 CHRISTMAS CARD.

Christmas is a time when lots of us find ourselves experiencing many different feelings and emotions. Looking back on these 3 months with ASHA in Delhi we feel that we have been ‘ living ‘ the word
CHRISTMAS
C compassion -
H hope
R reality
I injustice
S simplicity
T touch
M mercy
A anger
S service

What would be your list for the word CHRISTMAS?

We have been telling the children the Christmas story and have seen Jesus, born in very poor surroundings, far away from his home town, about to start life as a refugee, with a loving mum and dad who wanted to keep him safe - not so unlike all the children we are with each day - they could clearly identify with this story.
Being a slum child at Christmas you might think is difficult and sad, but poverty does not seem to be a barrier to laughter, dancing, expressions of love, kindness, sharing and joy - in fact this experience has given us a new motto:

He who has the least, enjoys the most!!

What a wonderful blessing we have received!

Have a great CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR

Love

Ken and Heather x

‘‘Twas the week before Christmas and .......

 Heather’s still trying to think up fun crafts for the toddlers and kids groups and Ken’s students are busy with their college exams.

So, hanging the decorations, pop up Santa games and party hats caused lots of excitement. Sometimes all the preparations and ‘looking forward’ can be as exciting as the actual event.

The children in our classes have all now heard the Christmas Story - we’ve had some interesting discussions about where they think Jesus was born, the colour of his skin and what language he spoke - 99% thought he was western, white and spoke English!! Interesting!

We’re looking forward to this next week as not only will we be partying with all our students, but Matt and Stacey arrive on Monday morning to stay with us for a week and then on Saturday we all fly to Goa to meet Sophie and have Christmas together and some holiday time. It will be a warm, sunny, beach and sea Christmas - can’t wait!

Pop up Santa’s were a success - hurray (got to think of another idea for this week!!!!!)

Fun singing a song about 10 little angels....

Rani made a large bowl of Kheer to share with all the Bal Mandal Children (35) celebrating her son’s birthday - really delicious!! Hemlatha wanted to make sure Rani had some too!

A Christmas tree at Saket Select City Mall with a difference - you can walk under this one and see the lights from inside ....

Forecast: Snow in London - Sunshine in Delhi......

We are enjoying mornings of warm sunny weather - evenings much chillier and there is definitely a winter chill (no chance of snow tho!). Time to get out the fluffy slippers, jumpers and hot-water bottles.

The change in weather has given Ken a nasty cold and cough (luckily we have a whiskey shop 100yds away -so the hot lemon and honey has been replaced - a hot toddy is the answer!!)

This week we’ve been busy telling the Christmas story to all our classes - making decorations and hanging them in the various Asha centres in preparation for parties.

Taking advantage of the sunny weather this morning, we met up with Ken’s students from Chanderpuri and had fun in the Ahinsa Sthal Gardens - picnic/snacks, frisbee games and a visit to the Mahavira statue.

Picnic time with Ken’s students from Chanderpuri -we had to move into the shade, it was too hot.

Somehow we always manage to attract others -seems like a school party of boys landed on us!!

The Mahavira in Ahinsa Sthal Gardens.Mahavir was the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara of the Jain religion. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment ..(in this case it looks like he has attained ‘marbleness’).....

A white knuckle ride home in the tuk tuk - but perhaps we’re safer than this baby 😳

Countdown to Christmas

Friday 1st December - Countdown to Christmas begins.....

‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, playing on the radio, reminded us of the 12 Asha Values of life - perhaps they are more helpful for us to spend time thinking about.

Compassion, Dignity, Generosity, Simplicity, Justice, Love, Non
Violence, Power of Touch, Optimism, Joy, Empowerment, Gratitude.

Each one demands a response, so it’s worth taking a little time during December to ponder how we are demonstrating these values in our lives. 

Every day these values are so evident as we work and meet with Asha staff and students in the slums of Delhi.

A weekend in Amritsar visiting the Golden Temple.

So much gold!!

Couldn’t resist.......

All day, every day, thousands of people are fed... hundreds volunteer to serve..... this is an incredible demonstration of ‘compassion’.

And then there’s the washing up .....

The noise is deafening, but it has to be done!

India v Pakistan at the Wagah border -

Amazing display of marching techniques ( Monty Python style).

The headdresses we’re an inspiration (Heather was wondering what to make with the toddlers this week)

Wow - so proud of his crown!

Everyone had fun....

Even the staff had to have a ‘selfie’..... (good that we don’t grow up!!)

Saturday morning in the garden of the Australian High Commission.

A winter Charity fair..... 25 degrees, no chance of rain or snow!!

We were there to support Asha who were selling Christmas cards made by the children and gift bags and boxes. 

1st December - advent calendars to begin the countdown.

A lovely end to the weekend with Sweeta and her family. Thank you!