Sunday

The morning was overcast. Considering the difficulty in finding a less crowded share auto to town I was apprehensive on reaching the church on time. The trick is to wait for that dark horse of an auto, who would jump the line and would head to town before they are fully loaded with passengers. I was lucky last week. This week too.

The sisters who were running a shelter home for abandoned children asked a helping hand for the education of three students. With some networking I could find a benefactor without delay. Thank God.

What surprised me most was the craft work the sisters used to do with needle and paper making awesome greeting cards before old age stopped them from undertaking such work. I wish they would continue the magnificent work.

Before  I could return to my village it started raining. In the low lying plains of our village a drizzle could make puddles.

Sunday

So, the institution where I have an academic collaboration called again for another semster.

A quick round of good byes.

One last look around before to taking the train ..

We had an old styled priest's quarter at Vallarpadam too. But unfortunately we lost it amidst structural maintenance.

The picture is from St. Lawrence, EdaKochi. The roof on the right still has some very old tiles. We can make that out from the difference in pattern.

SUNDAY

Big time events were coming up in the evening celebrating the conclusion of mercy event and everyone was busy getting ready. There were the flower decorators, sound engineers fixing up the microphones, technicians fixing the big screen TVs etc..

Four Bishops were expected, so naturally things has to be taken care of well. After the prayers I stayed for a while and left quietly without waiting for the celebration.

On the way gave a lift to a migrant worker who was waiting in the bus stop to go to town. His grateful smile was my Sunday best.

God bless you all my friends, may we have the grace to think and do the things we have to. May we have the strength to resist the unwanted thoughts which do not have any bearing to our existence. 

July

Monsoon continue to be withdrawn in Kerala and it turned out to be a beautiful Sunday at Vallarpadam, bright and pleasant. Personally, though work was slow I could work hard for the preparation of peak months. May , June, July & August are slow months, the first three being not just slow but emotionally hurting too.

USWNT's world cup victory, Copa America, Wimbeldon final, ICC cricket final every thing was in the week and kept me cheerful in the evening. So when I came to Vallarpadam on this Sunday  I quietly sat in my corner, not giving chance for distraction, being grateful remembering Psalm 50.

Gratitude as we all know is the greatest of all the sacrifice and offerings.

A sunny Day

The cyclone Vayu took our monsoon away. Ever since the cyclone retreated our rain has stopped.

The day was very warm and bright at Vallarpadam.

The parish church was decorated beautifully to celebrate someone's dream coming true :)

First Rain 2019

I was at Vallarpadam when the first rain of the monsoon came pouring down.

The summer heat had become unbearable and the thrashing rain was a welcome change. 

To watch the rain from the Marian Tower was a wonderful experience. The wall after wall of raindrops stretching all the way to the Arabian sea across the vastness of the back water. 

The church looked majestic and lonely in the rain.