Almost the end of our journey!

Hello Everyone! I am sitting here in the Seoul airport trying to comprehend all that we've experienced in the past week. So much has happened and I feel that we have all grown and changed from all that has happened. God has been so good to us on this trip and He was with us throughout our journey. Right now we are all exhausted from the long hours of traveling and we still have many hours to go. I will blog more when I get home to let you know more about our trip but know that we are almost home and have really appreciated your prayers and support. We will talk to you all very soon!

Good Morning from India!

Got a call again this morning from our daughter, Emily Balkins (as Amy was sick) with an update! Everyone is doing quite well, but a few of them have had trouble with upset stomachs, sore throats, achy, flu like symptoms. All of them are eating and drinking LOTS of water! It is very hot and humid, which brings all the insects that type of climate brings. However, the accommodations are really very nice, but reportedly, the beds are a bit short. Their diet is curry, three times a day and delicious.

We received a report the the nursing students have been busy giving immunizations to sweet, wonderful, cooperative, but very scared children. They had given over 300 just yesterday, with an average of one child every 51 seconds! Great job!

In addition to the immunization clinic, they have been busy doing "Vacation Bible School" to those same children. They've also walked to a small village nearby and have held VBS there a couple times.

They are looking forward to tomorrow's trip just a short distance drive. They are headed to an open air market to do some shopping.

There will probably not be another update, as it is difficult to make calls and no internet. They will be heading on their LONG journey home Friday so I'm sure your family member will contact you while in route if possible.

Continued prayer support is so appreciated. Blessings on you all!

Jeenie Balkins

Hello from the India Team!

I got a call just a few minutes ago from Amy Balkins, saying that they had arrived in the east Garo Hills of India, after a very long trip. All are healthy and doing well. They have no way of connecting to the internet so they called to have me post an update! They will try to update again on Sunday and Wednesday but there are no guarantees. The message was: "We are all healthy and ready to start the clinic.

Keep praying for the team!

Jeenie Balkins

Almost there!!!

Well we have been traveling for almost two days now and are currently in the Dehli ariport. We are about to board our final plane to Guwahati. It has been a very long and strenuous trip for us all but we are all happy, healthy, and anxious to get there! Here are a few statistics I did in my free time:
36 hours will be spend in airports
84 hours of travel total
3.5 days of travel
100% worth it cause we are going to change lives!!!!
We appreciate your prayers of traveling safety. We are almost there but would love to have you continue to pray for us. We will let you know when we get there and have internet! Have a great day!

Amy Balkins

Leaving Tomorrow!

Its finally here! The buses are packed and there is no turning back. We leave bright and early tomorrow morning and have long travels ahead of us. We are all very excited and I look forward to see what God has in store for us =) Please keep us in your prayers as we make the journey over to india. We will try to keep you updated as much as we can! India here we come!!!! =)

-Katelynn Taggart

Well it is exactly one week from right now that we will be in the air...actually we will have been in the air for almost 12 hours by now. The two groups from the Portland and Walla Walla campuses will be meeting up in Seattle. Then we will travel to Seoul, Dehli, Guwahati, then finally we will get on a buss and drive to Meghalaya. We will be arriving to our finally destination on Friday evening. It will be a long trip but definitely worth it.

Right now we need prayer for those who have not yet received their visas, for energy and strength to get through finals, health for all, and more than anything, for our hearts to be ready.

I think a special thanks needs to be said to Everly and Rosemarie, two of our team leaders. You guys have put in so much work and time. If it were not for you, this trip would not be possible. Thank you for all you've done to prepare for this trip. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors. You guys have helped us more than you will ever know. But more than helping us get to India, you are changing hundred of lives. You will be helping so many children stay healthy and live normal lives. No words can express thank you enough.

Well we are about ready to leave. Thank you for your prayers and support!

India...ready or not...here we come!

Something I have recently come to find out is that time flies! In nine short days we will be flying through the air headed to India! But that is not where our journey begins. I guess you could say our journey began last October when we gathered together to talk about a trip to India. It seemed so far off and unreal at the time...but now it feels more real than ever.

A group of 32 nursing students from Walla Walla University and a number of staff and sponsors will be headed to Meghalaya, India. The purpose of our trip is to provide immunizations for over 1,000 children who did not receive their normal childhood vaccines. The kids are between the ages of 5-18 and attend Riverside Adventist Academy. Along with the immunizations, we will be doing vacation bible school for the children in the evening. We are hoping to be able to connect with the kids and to show them God's love.

After many meetings, practicing our immunization technique on each other, countless hours of fundraising, and many other preparations, we are about ready to leave for this life changing mission. The team has many mixed feelings as the time approaches...anxious, excited, stressed with the completion of the term, and not knowing what to expect. Through all of these emotions, we know God is good and will be with us to direct our paths.

Thank you so much for keeping us in your prayers. You will not know the impact you have on our trip.