There are moments in our lives when we feel unable to adequately express our true depth of emotion to events which are brought to our attention.

Dear Friends, The spread of the novel coronavirus has caused major disruptions, changes, and as one media outlet called it, “forced new realities”.

As you are aware, in January we were able to see the rescue of 13 children from child slavery and prostitution. This was the outcome of your generous support and donations.

Having visited India many, many times I am still struck by the vastness of the country. The crowded population, the divide between rich and poor, the affluence and the poverty.

It has been 365 days since we last encountered the manic shopping trips for Christmas cards, paper, presents and food.

As Christmas draws near the word that comes to most people’s mind is “Joy”.

The Summer holidays are drawing to a close. A time for those last-minute trips to the beach, end of summer barbecues, and the expensive trips to shop for all the school necessities.

Leprosy has terrified humanity since ancient times and was reported as early as 600 BC in India, China, and Egypt.

The sun shines. The water glistens in the bright light. The wind swirls around me, unsettling the hot sand beneath my feet. I walk to the sea and bob up and down through the ripples of the waves.

There is no denying that the natural calming effect of being around water is profound.

When you get off the plane in India into a culture which has over 30,000 gods, you may find it a little hotter than you are used to.

Writing this series of blogs seems so insufficient. India was, and is, so much more than these moments which cannot really be put into words, only known deep in your soul.

“Nicky – hold on!” exclaimed my travelling companions as we bounced our way through remote villages along dusty roads in a tuk tuk, and then I felt someone’s hand grabbing hold of my arm for my safety.

An interesting night was spent sleeping in the school hut on a wafer-thin mattress, underneath mosquito nets, to the sound of dogs barking, howling and fighting as we waited for the arrival of the flood waters.

I wrote in an earlier blog that climate plays a rude villain to the people of the Sundarbans, as they are prone to yearly shocks of pre-monsoon cyclones, which severely damage habitation.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine being on an island in West Bengal with a group of friends to visit the school, children, teachers and pastors.

When God placed India and the work of Vision for Asia on my heart two years ago, I thought it had to be a mistake. But out of obedience, I joined, and I went.

As the morning sun was glistening through the trees and casting its shadow, there was a shadow different from all the rest. That of a woman hiding herself from view not too far from her house.

The most important things I am learning are the hands-on experience with repairing tubes and adjusting derailleur limits and indexing.

Because of my daughter’s involvement with Vision for Asia over the past two years, I have become more interested in the work.