Dear Dedicated Readers,
Yes, the rumours are true. We are back in Dhapasi visiting with everyone here at Papa's House. We had told Michael and Vinod to keep our visit a surprise, and boy, were the kids surprised! Vinod picked us up from the airport, having sent the boys up to Papa House I to play. We dropped out luggage off ta Papa House II and headed up to surprise the kids.
We arrived at the gate and there were just shocked faces. They weren't quite sure what to do or what they were seeing. Then the first child screams "Tom-dad" and then the avalanche of hugs and kisses began.
The kids have grown since January. There have been a few changes since we left. All the girls now live at Papa House I and the boys (with the exception of Kancha) live at Papa House II. Both groups are thrilled to be living in a single gender home and the younger ones are definitely benefitting from the wonderful example the older kids set.
Dhal bhat for breakfast is still a bit of a shock to the system but it is a pleasure to be able to dine with the children.
Yesterday Tom, Kabita, Apsara and I headed down to Basundhara for some supplies and were caught in a rain shower. As we were heading down the hill, we were thrilled that the weather wasn't too warm but then the rain drops started and grew and grew. By the time we were half way up the BIG hill, we were pretty much the only ones left on the streets as all the Nepali people had headed to shelter. When we reached Papa House II, the four of us looked like drowned rats!
There is a huge sense that we are coming home when we arrive here in Dhapasi. I cannot begin to describe the intense emotions we are feeling. To see all the children blossoming is just heartwarming. The love the have for each other and their ability to share it will all who come is a fantastic testiment to all the hard work Michael and all the staff here put in.
All our love,
Fi & Tom
