Former Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Kate Cody, and SSHS Valedictorian, Katy Mason, are shown
with some of the children they worked with, during their recent mission trip to India.

 

SSHS Valedictorian and Former Dairy Festival
Queen Return From Mission Trip to India

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

"It was a trip of a lifetime, but we're certainly glad to be back home and much, much more appreciative of our homes here," reflected Sulphur Springs High School Valeditorian, Katy Mason and Former Dairy Festival Queen Kate Cody, upon their return from a Mission Trip to India. "Many, many things that we take for granted, as Americans are extreme luxuries in India!"

 

 

 

The two Hopkins County young ladies were part of the SANMA, Southeast Asia Native Missionaries Association, group, that traveled to India, during the later part of June. The two women worked in one of the SANMA schools, with children from pre-K through 8th grade. "We spent time teaching them Bible stories, songs, and games," reported Kate Cody. "They are so eager to learn and be loved, that it brings tears to your eyes!"

 

 

 

 

"Education is taken very seriously in India," expressed Mason. "It is a 'way out' for the children, instead of being sentenced to a lifetime of working in the fields. So, the children want to improve their station in life!"

 

 

"Child labor and poverty are two of the most impending problems in India," inserted Cody. "SANMA is attempting to educate the children and prevent them from spending a lifetime of hard labor."

 

 

 

Both young ladies reported attending nightly worship services where they joined in song and sermons, similar to a worship rally. "If you think our sermons are long, here in the U.S., try sitting through one in a foreign language that lasts 3 hours," lamented Cody. "I'll never gripe about a 'long' sermon again!"

 

 

"It was a great, great opportunity to realize how in need other people are in this world, and just how very fortunate we are to be Americans," state both young women. "Hopefully, we shared our testimonies and brought joy and hope to these children, who desparately need that in their lives!"

 

 

 

Being Hopkins County girls, Kate and Katy, also shared these photos from the way farming is done in India.

 

 

 

 

 

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