Please mark your calanders for May 4th! Its a sunday night, and we need you to come Pass your hat to Operation: AnKur!!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
PASS THE HAT
Please mark your calanders for May 4th! Its a sunday night, and we need you to come Pass your hat to Operation: AnKur!!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
hey all!
I love that we can all post here now! I'm super-huge on blogs, and I even have my own over at sjbernhisel.blogspot.com (original name, I know), so you should all check it out!
A way to reconnect!
I didn't know if you all had a way to stay in touch. So I added you all as authors on this YMAD Blog. Please feel free to use it for what ever. If there are any links you want to add just let me know.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Pictures Please!
I don't know if any one is still reading this. But if you are, can get your Top 50 images of the trip, and top 30 of your orphanage to JoDee by Thursday night? That would be sweet. Thanks.
Also, I have printable versions of both Deseret news articles on the ymad.org web site if you want them.
Also, I have printable versions of both Deseret news articles on the ymad.org web site if you want them.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Eating at In and Out Burger
Jodee said they were just on their way to grab a burger in LA. I am sure your kids have already called home and said that they have made it to America, if not...they are almost home. We will see you all in a few hours. I am so excited!!!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Note from JoDee
We made it to Singapore. What an amazing contrast to India. It is nice to have clean toilets, clean air, clean everything. We had an amazing time and all of our teens are trying to figure out how to come back again and see the children from their orphanages. See you soon
Flight Information
I just want to amke sure everyone is aware that the flight gets in tomarrow at 6:50 PM. Its Delta Flight 7732 From LA. So you will want to call and make sure its arriving on time. I have already spoken with Channel 13 News and they are planning on being thier to make the party that much more exciting. I can't believe the adventure is over! I will let you know if I hear any travel updates, but I am guessing we wont hear anything until they get to LA on Sunday.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Message from JoDee & Robert
Poverty, tears, joy, filth, friendship, service, love, heartbreaking, overwhelming emotions, tender, exhausting. These are only words, they will never be able to descibe or explain this experience. The YMAD team misses the children in their orphanages all ready and are trying to figure out how to get back again. This time has gone by way too fast. Every teen has talked about life changing experiences. The frustrating part will be that their friends back home won't get what they are talking about. We went to the Taj Mahal today, it was amazing. Almost as amazing as the 10 pizzas that were comsumed at Pizza Hut tonight. The teens were very excited to eat American Food. Tomorrow we visit the Amaber Fort and ride Elephants. Love to all
More Pictures!!
Ben Hale supervises kids in the Sahoo Ashram building volleyball poles.
YMAD youth do medical assesments on over 200 Kids. We find the kids in good health thanks to the improved sanitary conditions. The worst problem seems to be the teeth. We have been assure by the cmo that the government dentist will take care of them.
The kids at temple watch the YMAD team perform music and dance. The program is also viewed from surrounding walls and windows by other locals interested in the American Youth. Everyone wants a piece of the action!
The YMAD team paint the walls at the temple Ashram. The new paint realy brightens up the dingey walls.
Pictures!!! They are finally here!!
The YMAD team sing childs prayer to 30 children at the 1000 year old Sahoo Hindu Temple. The children just showed up to watch the kids. It was a moving experience for all of us. The children were totaly quiet during the song.
YMAD visits the Tajmahal...could they be any cuter! 
Temple Kids make braclets
Mehla ashram get new beanie babies after the YMAD cultural performance. 
Kalsuin Ashram gets new blankets
Mehla Gets new water heaters
Jipur and Agra
Robert called me last night to let me know that they were on their way to Agra. All the kids were asleep on the bus after the SUV ride down the mountain and the train ride to Delhi. He just wanted you all to know they made it to a more civilized location safely.
Many of you have asked about the container. I wish I had better news about it, but the Indian government is not being any easier on us. We actually got a letter from the storage company that said they were going to auction it off to the highest bidder. I guess they were concerned we wouldn’t pay the storage fees. That was resolved and now Robert is debating whether or not to just send the entire container back to the United States. So please keep it in your prayers.
Many of you have asked about the container. I wish I had better news about it, but the Indian government is not being any easier on us. We actually got a letter from the storage company that said they were going to auction it off to the highest bidder. I guess they were concerned we wouldn’t pay the storage fees. That was resolved and now Robert is debating whether or not to just send the entire container back to the United States. So please keep it in your prayers.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
FYI No earthquake.
A few parents have called or asked about the earthquake that was in India the other day. Our kids had no clue it happened, so if you are worried, they are all just fine.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Saying goodbye to Chamba
They have said good bye to their home away from home. It was a pretty heartfelt teary good bye when the kids left their orphanages. They gave these little kids their hearts. Steve McCurdy said "You come here and your heart breaks and your heart melts, and then your heart fills with love."
Some of the highlights from the last few days have been the cultural night and they "boys vs. India" basket ball game...which if you know your boys, you know how that turned out. I don't think one of them would ever join a basket ball team, but they made everyone laugh really hard. The girls however, are more athletic as a group and apparently rocked the house in a volley ball match. Now they are getting ready to go on the less exciting part of the trip...the tourist part.
I asked about all of your kids, and JoDee had wonderful things to say about each of them. She says "don't worry, they got it." They had a testimony meeting last night, and all the kids said wonderful things about what they have learned and how they have changed.
As a whole, they have learned allot about what to do differently and how to improve the situation over there. They learned that they could sponsor a child for five dollars a month and put them in private schools which would increase their chances of getting out poverty. They want to take a dentist next time, the teeth are in bad shape. JoDee was very excited about the difference the previous expedition had made, the fact that for the last few years the kids have been taking vitamins has made a huge difference with the medical problems.
I just want you all to know how grateful I am for your kids and the impact they have had on my life. They inspire me every day!
Some of the highlights from the last few days have been the cultural night and they "boys vs. India" basket ball game...which if you know your boys, you know how that turned out. I don't think one of them would ever join a basket ball team, but they made everyone laugh really hard. The girls however, are more athletic as a group and apparently rocked the house in a volley ball match. Now they are getting ready to go on the less exciting part of the trip...the tourist part.
I asked about all of your kids, and JoDee had wonderful things to say about each of them. She says "don't worry, they got it." They had a testimony meeting last night, and all the kids said wonderful things about what they have learned and how they have changed.
As a whole, they have learned allot about what to do differently and how to improve the situation over there. They learned that they could sponsor a child for five dollars a month and put them in private schools which would increase their chances of getting out poverty. They want to take a dentist next time, the teeth are in bad shape. JoDee was very excited about the difference the previous expedition had made, the fact that for the last few years the kids have been taking vitamins has made a huge difference with the medical problems.
I just want you all to know how grateful I am for your kids and the impact they have had on my life. They inspire me every day!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Email from Craig Hale
Thursday November 22--Thanksgiving
I had a brief chance to talk to Jenny (my wife) a little while after they finished their Thanksgiving feast this morning (their late Thanksgiving evening). On the last trip we had to teach the cooks how to mash potatoes. The only thing they could find to mash them with was an old 2 x 4 they had lying around. Surprisingly no one got any slivers in their mouths. I wonder what they used this year. It is interesting to think that the YMAD group’s Thanksgiving dinner was much like the first Thanksgiving—sharing food with the Indians and all. From what I understand they enjoyed their turkey (Tandorie chicken) and the rest of the American influenced Indian fare.
Apparently when they were in New Delhi, their bus wouldn’t start so all of the kids had to get out and push the coach-line sized bus to jumpstart it. That’s India for you.
Everyone is alive and well and having the adventure and experience of a lifetime. They have been working hard and forming strong relationships with the children and each other.
I’m sure you heard Sharma say many times that you cannot describe India, you have to experience it. He probably also told you that your children will not be the same when they return. Both statements are truer than I could have imagined. Just typing these lines causes tears to well up in my eyes. Going to India and working with the American and Indian kids was a deeply moving experience that shattered my heart. I’ve spent the last two years trying to put it back together again, hopefully a little differently.
We have much to be grateful for every day of our lives and especially on Thanksgiving Day. But this year we should all be especially grateful that our children are having the opportunity to serve others and learn that, as much as we would love to have the world revolve around us at times, this life is about keeping the world revolving for others. Serving, loving, caring for those in need. Simple concepts that become so difficult to apply in our daily lives.
May God bless your families, the YMAD team and all of his children, and inspire us all to propel our gratitude for what we have into action to help others.
I had a brief chance to talk to Jenny (my wife) a little while after they finished their Thanksgiving feast this morning (their late Thanksgiving evening). On the last trip we had to teach the cooks how to mash potatoes. The only thing they could find to mash them with was an old 2 x 4 they had lying around. Surprisingly no one got any slivers in their mouths. I wonder what they used this year. It is interesting to think that the YMAD group’s Thanksgiving dinner was much like the first Thanksgiving—sharing food with the Indians and all. From what I understand they enjoyed their turkey (Tandorie chicken) and the rest of the American influenced Indian fare.
Apparently when they were in New Delhi, their bus wouldn’t start so all of the kids had to get out and push the coach-line sized bus to jumpstart it. That’s India for you.
Everyone is alive and well and having the adventure and experience of a lifetime. They have been working hard and forming strong relationships with the children and each other.
I’m sure you heard Sharma say many times that you cannot describe India, you have to experience it. He probably also told you that your children will not be the same when they return. Both statements are truer than I could have imagined. Just typing these lines causes tears to well up in my eyes. Going to India and working with the American and Indian kids was a deeply moving experience that shattered my heart. I’ve spent the last two years trying to put it back together again, hopefully a little differently.
We have much to be grateful for every day of our lives and especially on Thanksgiving Day. But this year we should all be especially grateful that our children are having the opportunity to serve others and learn that, as much as we would love to have the world revolve around us at times, this life is about keeping the world revolving for others. Serving, loving, caring for those in need. Simple concepts that become so difficult to apply in our daily lives.
May God bless your families, the YMAD team and all of his children, and inspire us all to propel our gratitude for what we have into action to help others.
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