Back in Chennai

Day 16

First morning back in Chennai at our 'home' aka Marina Inn. Grabbed a couple quick pieces of toast n headed to an early match at the field hockey stadium next door. Thomas and Reegan feel the need to have us get up bright and early once we left Trichy, to, "beat the heat" as they put it. And we'll have you know, we sooo appreciate the 5 degrees differences from a 7:30am to 10am match...everyone likes waking up at 6:30! ;) But in all reality, both Thomas and Reegs sacrifice way more sleep than us as it is almost an hour drive to and from their homes! We have a running joke that if the guys are late they drop an give us push ups. :) 

After playing the girls we were fortunate enough to go back to our rooms rinse off, relax a little, check email, and have coach Scott and Jenni share their LifeMaps during team time.

Second match of the day was against YMCA girls. We tossed out little signed volleyballs with all our favorite verses on them to a very rowdy crowd!

Third match was against their men's team. Layce was pelted in the arm while they were doing hitting lines so we highly graciously but forcefully asked to move to a men's net. Let me tell you, those additional 7 inches could have been the Wall of China and we were thankful for every bit! Abbie, Kassen, and Jenni shared some personal testimonies and the Gospel. 

Match #4 was again at the Field hockey stadium. Megan and Layce shared from their hearts and the brave girls responded with a few questions even as the lights were shut off and we were all sitting on gravel in the dark. Today we played a total of 8 sets and went to the Royal Hotel with appetites! The owner said he was a Christian since birth so that was exciting, but several food items were added to our bill and food portions were over exaggerated so I personal felt a little deceived. Quiet night...besides the non-stop tuktuk horns and occasional crying street dog.

Day 17

Won 2 matches at a lovely Hindu school! We were greeted with a marching band that brought us into a 4 store square indoor area with a newly floored volleyball court! Sports Ambassadors had the privilege of playing the first couple matches on it! Following the introduction speeches and games we were provided with a beautiful breakfast and of course tea!

About 15 were at St. George's outdoor gravel court for our Coaches Clinic. We focused on the basics and attempted to teach them the Butterfly Drill. Marcie served once then excused herself as the giant coaches were too scary for her. (Marcie wrote this last line, but I would like to say she made it through much more than one serve! And that the men were very intimidating to all of us!!!) Dad got in as middle blocker a couple times and he lacked the understanding that 'floating' out while blocking may not prove to be beneficial especially when little Abbie and Layce are the ones to stop his floating! 

An all-American dinner at KFC and ice-cream in Spencer's Plaza, along with shopping for scarfs was a lovely end to the evening!

Day 18
At 8am we left to (Dad's friend of 20 years) Sampath's Church. Worshiping with the Indians and seeing their transparent hearts is such a joy! After an hour of that we 'sang' Reegan's skit and taught the congregation sign language to *King of Kings* a couple girls share and Dad told a story of 40 strong Christian Wrestlers of the Roman Empire that gave up their lives for the Lord.

Lunch was at Mattsya (our second time) we got soup and veggie or cheese pizza! My favorite cell group was this afternoon with SDAT. Those girls have an amazing woman of God coaching them. Her name is Mercyrejina ad she has given up her "successful" future to pour into young women even though it separates her from her husband for a few months at a time. A woman named Roslin gave her testimony. We later found out her husband was almost lost by the Tsunami but he and 25 of his police officers left their beach practice 10 minutes before that coast was destroyed in order that he might go to church!

Abbie's last full match before she goes into the work force and starts a possible teaching career was in the hockey stadium. I am pleased to report that we won both sets! :)

For a last hooray dinner 16 of us went to Sangetha, a vegetarian restaurant, and unfortunately our reservation was given away so we all cluttered the fairly small upstairs restaurant waiting on abother table. We had a great time laughing (some too much cough cough Namu!) and finished the evening back in the hotel lobby affirming our new friends: Thomas, Reegan, Immanuel, Franklin, Sampath, and Sebastian.

Day 19

Coaches 51st birthday is today and what a lovely gift to head out early to a colorful courtyard, 5 story, welcoming school. We were greeted by one of the first male principals so far and were all SO overcome by his hospitality! To name a few things I was asking him about the process of making their coffee/tea and he had someone run to his home to get a couple packages of his best tea. He heard we loved biscuits and got each of us a package to take back. My dad was talking about his visit 7 years ago and a city that is the t-shirt capital of the world, to make a long story short it is near his home town and he offered to send some shirts! 

I was blown away and HE was the one telling us that he wished we were around for 3 or 4 days! We lead something similar to a PE or fitness class then a clinic-boys and girls.

A quick scrimmage against intermediate boys and a match against a tall strong boys team wrapped up our last games!!! We then were able to share how Jesus Christ changed our lives!

Roslin offered to take us last day shopping in the streets and a 7 floor department store! Layc and Kas wanted to make a last run to get T-shirts at the mall so missed dinner with us but seemed to have a good time with Namu and Reegan. We had our last naan and chicken teeka and finished it of with ice-cream and a happy birthday song for coach!

We packed up and Paul came to say goodbye wishing he was able to spend more time with us. We sent our best wishes to his wife Grace (orphanage director) and started Part 1 of Toasts of encouragement. We spent an hour and a half reinforcing Abbie, Layce, Kassen, and Megan! Each of us shared how we were impacted, loved, blessed, and encouraged by them!

Day 20

We loaded up the luggage after tears were shed when the boys presented us with memory plaques that summarized our trip. Around midnight we were at the airport boarding and preparing for a long day of travel!

Love,
Jenni