We're all on board the last long leg of traveling home, a fun 16 hour flight. Emirates flight #217, scheduled to arrive at 7:45am Sunday, February 27. Parents - Please double check the flight status tonight before you go to bed. Also, please give yourself plenty of time to park and be waiting to hug your tired traveler. It's always a sad scene for the one kid watching as everyone else has someone to greet them. Thanks for all your prayers and support. This has been an incredible experience for the entire team and I was blessed to be a part of it with them.

We are on our way home! On board the flight out of India to Dubai. I'll let you know when we are on the final flight home from Dubai. See you all soon.

The final goodbyes will begin in an hour, so until then the games, laughter and photography continue. Today turned out to be a great team bonding day. The boys had a full day of school so we played several games together as a team and just enjoyed relaxing. After lunch we had a time of sharing and 'cheers'. It was 'popcorn style' words of encouragement for each other. Wonderful end to our time as a team in India. After more play time with the boys, we gathered in the chapel for worship, prayer and words of gratitude. Dinner, final packing and here we are trying to pretend the goodbyes aren't coming. Tonight is the overnight train back to Delhi then back to Shanti Home for much anticipated showers!!

Another incredible day in Allahabad. We spent some time at one of the North India New Life Society schools. It is the school where the boys who live at the home attend. It wasn't long after the initial tenuous greetings, that games of duck, duck goose, volleyball, soccer, picture taking, and ball throwing began and the small playground was alive with activity. As we left the school for lunch, all of our boys rode their bikes home for lunch and to wait for us to return for more games. Tonight's dinner was hosted by Pastor Varughese and his wife at their home. He shared is amazing story of obedience and service to the Lord. His great great great grandfather committed his life to Christ through the ministry of Thomas, so he comes from a rich Christian legacy. God has given him a thriving ministry in Allahabad, the heart of Hinduism. Tomorrow is our final day with the boys, it will be a bittersweet day.

Today is the reason we traveled for 20 hours, The Boys!! I think I can speak on behalf of the entire team when I say, today was perfectly magical. In fact, as I type this, I can still hear the laughter of new found and lasting friendships. We will all return with names, faces, smiles, and memories to last a lifetime. I believe the children of India now own a piece of our hearts. Several students have already expressed a desire to skip the flight home and stay here with the boys. Sorry parents, your child will want to return to India! Tomorrow is another day of the purest of joy and shared smiles. PS-everyone is healthy.

The much anticipated destination.....we are at the boys home!!!! First, I should back up to Varanasi. After a quick flight from Delhi to Varanasi we drove through a variety of neighborhoods, each with cows. After lunch we took a quick walk to our boat and the journey along the Ganges began. At times it seemed surreal and indescribable to see people bathing and burning dead relatives with a false hope of salvation, forgiveness and renewal. Another long van ride brought us to this point, we have arrived! The greeting upon arrival gave us an excited group of boys, a hand drawn chalk welcome, beautiful and fragrant flower garlands, hesitant but warm high fives and hand shakes, and an anxious Oaks team ready to play. Let the fun begin!!

We were up early for a scenic bus ride to Agra and the Taj Mahal. A few of the things along the road: monkeys on stick leashes doing back flips; camels in costumes; cows, of course; monkeys jumping around buildings; women in beautiful saris on the back of motorcycles; interesting car 'lanes'; and driving rules that seem to be merely suggestions. We are currently at lunch then on the road again for the 5 hour drive back to Shanti Home. The team is in good spirits and absorbing all of the sights, sounds and smells of India. Tomorrow is our morning flight to Varanasi.

Our first full day in India was absolutely amazing. Pastor Varughese met us at Shanti Home and we were off to visit his three churches in Delhi. We were received with beautiful flower garlands, heartfelt worship, loving hand shakes, and joy filled smiles. A few of our students shared scripture and gratitude, each congregation appreciated their words. The final church shared testimonies of God's grace, salvation and healing in their lives. After a tasty lunch back at Shanti Home, the team hung out in the movie room and bonded over Avatar, rook, candy, friendship bracelets, and crazy games of Jenga (Jared is the Jenga master). Henna artists came to 'decorate' almost everyone & then it was time for another incredible meal on the rooftop terrace. It's a very tired but content group getting ready for bed, we have a 6am departure for Agra.

We're here!!! Customs cleared, baggage collected & heading out to our bus for Shanti Home and comfy beds! Tired bodies but excited spirits to have finally arrived in India. The blog updates will now be each evening so check back and keep us in your prayers.

We are now all on the final flight out of Dubai for INDIA!!!! Numerous movies, games, books, TV shows, and a bit of sleep on that first flight. I think the growing excitement will keep everyone awake for this 'quick' three and a half hour flight!

We've just landed in Dubai and walking to our gate. We have a quick two hour layover then on our way to India.

The team is safely aboard our first 15.5 hour flight! Hooray!!!

Team India 2011

It's our final night in California and the excited texts and packing questions are burning up my phone.  I love the fun anticipation just prior to departure.  Thank you for reading and following along as we serve and experience the beautiful culture of India.  Please continue to check in and pray for our team.

God has assembled an amazing group of people to share this journey: Jared Borowitz; Beau Brannan; Marissa Clark; CarolineDahl; Brianna Darling; Susan Isaac; Nicoletta LaForgia; Taylor Losi; Manali MacRae; Marisa Maunu; Kevin Moore; Elisabeth Scahill; Chloe Shostak; Kyle Sisson; Susi Thompson; Cassie White; and Nate Zeile.

I will do my best to capture each day's events with a brief text, but the team's journals, pictures and stories when we return will be a beautiful window into the true experience.  If you're curious about our travel itinerary, below is a condensed peek into our week.  Oh, and remember, we are 13.5 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.

Thank you!

Itinerary:  Feb. 18-depart from LAX at 10am; Feb. 19-arrive in Delhi at 8:10pm and travel to Shanti Home; Feb. 20-church with Pastor Varughese and touring; Feb. 21-Taj Mahal; Feb. 22-early flight to Varanasi for boat ride along the Ganges River then to North India New Life Boys Home in Allahabad; Feb. 23-25-ministry with Pastor Varughese and the boys at the orphanage; Feb. 25-late night train back to Delhi; Feb. 26-shopping in Delhi then fly home in the evening; Feb. 27-return to LAX at 7:45am