Heralding the New Year . . .

We celebrated the New Year a bit differently this year . . .  Snaps from the same . . .

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, there are quite a lot of Catholic dispensaries and mission stations serving remote areas of our region. They do yeoman work in the areas of education and healthcare. For many of the communities, they may be only teachers or healthcare workers they would ever see in their work. Most of these places are in remote areas with very scenic views.

Do enjoy and comment . . .

Shalom and Charis had a great time, watching trains from Barwadih Ashram . . .  

We tried to take a family photograph in a guava grove . . . this is the best we could manage. 

That calf is less than 24 hours old . . . Efforts in animal husbandary by the Ashram inmates . . . 

There was this stream through the Ashram area which we had to cross . . . Quite a trek

Duck farming . . . 

Then there was a sumptuous lunch. Shalom and Charis enjoy the food . . . 

The highlight of the trip was a visit to Morewai health centre which is located quite remote.
For many a people, this is the only access to health . . . 

The Morewai clinic . . . place of refuge for quite a large population . . .

Shalom and Charis cutting the New Year cake . . .
The clinic has been serving the local community since almost 35 years

Everybody having a good time . . . 

The Morewai church . . . construction was overseen by Fr. Barry . . .

A memorial for policemen killed in civil unrest . . . Grim reminder of hard times

More trains . . . 

These are all places which are quite cut off from development. The railway line reminds us that there are better places far away (The Ranchi Rajadhani passes through this route . . . most of the people don't see it go as it is late at night, unless the train is late). And even for the local population, the efforts are all aimed at making their way out of this place.

We wish you all a prosperous New Year. We pray that each of you will be a blessing to the people and communities around you.