Molgovadi

Molgovadi is a popular colony around these parts—these parts meaning Rising Star Outreach and specifically the Elephant House. Molgovadi is where the infamous J. Raj lives. He is a colony leader that is always dancing and singing. I have mentioned dancing and singing in other colonies but J. Raj takes it to a whole new lever. J. Raj creates the level.  Even when you ask  him his name, he sings his reply of “I am J. Raj”, complimented with hand actions and everything.

It's a small colony, and everyone there is always so happy—so I hear, but I also witnessed it myself today as well. This one little lady broke my heart some though. When we arrived she came out (scooted out of her house) to see us—she is not able to walk and is the tiniest little thing ever. I hear she is a legendary Jenga player, but I have never seen it. She wasn’t feeling good at all today. She had a big abscess in her mouth that had swollen out into her cheek. I went over to sit with her and after I had greeted her, she grabbed my hands and brought them both to her mouth where she kissed them. For the next little bit I just sat by her as she leaned on me and held my hand. I have come know that the sense of touch, the sense of not being alone, the sense of companionship (no matter how casual or how short the visit it), the sense of having someone by you, does wonders for your soul. I know that some would say that is a universal truth, that it's the same for/ain all walks of life, but I see it most poignantly within the colonies. I think everyone should have the experience of being a comfort to a resident in a leprosy colony at least once in their lives. It is an incredibly powerful experience.   

When the work was finished, J. Raj broke out his bandana and started a dance party, which of course we all joined in for. He had certain moves that we were all expected to mimic-and it was a riot. Our newest team member, Ciera (I LOVE HER---I’m so glad she is here) jumped right in too, holding nothing back. The dance party lasted for a while, but every second was worth it. We have some sweet videos of that too. I’m quiet happy with the India Video Collection I am acquiring. Some of these memories are too great for words to describe them alone.

On our way back from colony we stopped in the junction and Dance Master and I went to have our eyebrows threaded. Well, actually, she went to do it, I was just watching and keeping her company. But then I decided to give it a try. I was nervous, and there is a small part of me that feels like the lady may have done mine a little too thin, but oh well I guess. You only live once. Plus, it was only the equivalent of  50 cents so why not. I was really surprised by how much it hurt though. I have waxed my eyebrows, plucked my eyebrows, etc. so I didn’t expect it to be any different but holy cow it hurt—probably because for the first time ever all my surrounding little blonde hairs were yanked out too. 

Here is a pic of Em looking fresh while being threaded.

Oh yeah, and speaking about hair, earlier this week I thought I had caught lice. Luckily, it ended up being a false alarm though. I know it is more of a reality here then anywhere else, but I would still like to avoid it if at all possible. Crisis averted for now at least. Fingers crossed that it stays that way for a long time!