It is hard for me to imagine that it has been a week since I posted on the blog, and even harder to believe that I only left the US 8 days ago! I am writing from Kolkata. It is 9:15 p.m., and I am only going to begin to write about all that has happened in that last week.
I will say that I was able to connect with most of the people that I planned to connect with in Delhi which was really great! Sunday was a great day as I worshipped with several old students and heard a sermon from a former parent of a Woodstock student! I couldn't help but think that it was so great to be worshipping with them happily instead of being in Chapel where many of them didn't like to be!!! God is great to bring somewhat rebellious hearts back to Himself!!!
In the evening I met with a young couple who is interested in getting into the field of educating people not to abort their daughters. They have a 3 month old daughter themselves and were astonished at the number of people in the hospital who tried to encourage them even though they had a daughter!!!
Flying out of Delhi . . . a pretty modern and sofisticated airport into Kolkata where things were just chaotic was interesting. . . not a trolley to be found!!! Finally I did get one. Premila was outside to meet me. I was grateful! She had told me that she would be there. Aktar, the driver, brought us safely home. I have been here in a lovely apartment/flat since.
On Tues I went to see Pauline Bhavan, the place where I will be moving in the next couple of weeks. PB is the site of a children's home for abandoned girls and boys until they reach 8 years old. The flat was occupied until recently by a family, he grew up in one of the homes. They are about to have a second child so have found larger quarters, and another "adult" on the premises seems like a good thing. There's getting furniture and other things to live there that need to be attended to. We have begun that process. I expect to move by the end of the month as two of Premila's daughters and their families will arrive in Nov. Then there won't be room for me here. We are expecting a couple of sets of guests next week, too!!!
Along with the Children's Home, the Calcutta Emmanuel School is also on the compound with the home. So, I'll have a number of children to be involved with, teachers to encourage, et al. One of the things that we have already talked about is having story hour every night. English isn't anybody's mother tongue at PB, but they all speak English. Who knows what I'll come back speaking. Someone told me the other day in Delhi that my Hindi was better than Sonja Gandhi's. (She's the foreign born Prime Minister here!)
Although most here seem to speak Bengali, a large number speak Hindi because they belong to the second largest religion here. The area where the EMC (Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta) office is located is a teeming place, and many follow that religion! Amazing.
I also visited the home for the older boys on Tues. I am impressed by the obvious love that these children have for Premila. Because of her other responsibilities, she cannot spend as much time with them as she once did. It seems that this is a place for me to come and help!
I have visited most of the Pavement Clubs now, and even walked through my first slum today. The stench was horrible, but the kids and the teachers that teach them warmed my heart. We are just finishing up the Puja (worship) Holidays. All over the city make shift temples are being taken down. Only one more puja to go . . . this one for Kali, the goddess with all of the arms for whom the city was named.
I am so impressed by what I am seeing. I am being loved very well not only by PP, but also by others in the ministry. I am reminded of the wonderful hospitality of this land. The great regard that the people have for PP means that they will love and care for me, too. I am introduced as Aunty's good friend!!!
I'll be taking a Bible study with the women at the HQ tomorrow. Hopefully eventually I can help with conversation classes with some of the teachers of the Pavement Clubs. They would like to do that. The possibilities are endless, seemingly. May the Lord give wisdom in what to say yes to and what not to!
I have gotten over jet lag in record time.
It is very hot here, and I am thankful for ac in my bedroom. I have been sleeping well . . . last night was more like a night back in Richmond (up three times) so maybe I really have adjusted now.
I am using PP's little lap top now. It is going to be more of a struggle for online time, perhaps. The plan is for me to be working on files and things at PB, and I do expect to have a computer. Anyway, I am glad to be able to post tonight.
I feel at home here, but recognize nothing from my last visit 15 years ago, and absolutely nothing from living here in the 70's. Maybe I'll be able to walk around some on Sat when we don't go to the office! I remain convince that this is the right place to be for now. I can't believe that I only left the US 8 days ago!!!
I will say that I was able to connect with most of the people that I planned to connect with in Delhi which was really great! Sunday was a great day as I worshipped with several old students and heard a sermon from a former parent of a Woodstock student! I couldn't help but think that it was so great to be worshipping with them happily instead of being in Chapel where many of them didn't like to be!!! God is great to bring somewhat rebellious hearts back to Himself!!!
In the evening I met with a young couple who is interested in getting into the field of educating people not to abort their daughters. They have a 3 month old daughter themselves and were astonished at the number of people in the hospital who tried to encourage them even though they had a daughter!!!
Flying out of Delhi . . . a pretty modern and sofisticated airport into Kolkata where things were just chaotic was interesting. . . not a trolley to be found!!! Finally I did get one. Premila was outside to meet me. I was grateful! She had told me that she would be there. Aktar, the driver, brought us safely home. I have been here in a lovely apartment/flat since.
On Tues I went to see Pauline Bhavan, the place where I will be moving in the next couple of weeks. PB is the site of a children's home for abandoned girls and boys until they reach 8 years old. The flat was occupied until recently by a family, he grew up in one of the homes. They are about to have a second child so have found larger quarters, and another "adult" on the premises seems like a good thing. There's getting furniture and other things to live there that need to be attended to. We have begun that process. I expect to move by the end of the month as two of Premila's daughters and their families will arrive in Nov. Then there won't be room for me here. We are expecting a couple of sets of guests next week, too!!!
Along with the Children's Home, the Calcutta Emmanuel School is also on the compound with the home. So, I'll have a number of children to be involved with, teachers to encourage, et al. One of the things that we have already talked about is having story hour every night. English isn't anybody's mother tongue at PB, but they all speak English. Who knows what I'll come back speaking. Someone told me the other day in Delhi that my Hindi was better than Sonja Gandhi's. (She's the foreign born Prime Minister here!)
Although most here seem to speak Bengali, a large number speak Hindi because they belong to the second largest religion here. The area where the EMC (Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta) office is located is a teeming place, and many follow that religion! Amazing.
I also visited the home for the older boys on Tues. I am impressed by the obvious love that these children have for Premila. Because of her other responsibilities, she cannot spend as much time with them as she once did. It seems that this is a place for me to come and help!
I have visited most of the Pavement Clubs now, and even walked through my first slum today. The stench was horrible, but the kids and the teachers that teach them warmed my heart. We are just finishing up the Puja (worship) Holidays. All over the city make shift temples are being taken down. Only one more puja to go . . . this one for Kali, the goddess with all of the arms for whom the city was named.
I am so impressed by what I am seeing. I am being loved very well not only by PP, but also by others in the ministry. I am reminded of the wonderful hospitality of this land. The great regard that the people have for PP means that they will love and care for me, too. I am introduced as Aunty's good friend!!!
I'll be taking a Bible study with the women at the HQ tomorrow. Hopefully eventually I can help with conversation classes with some of the teachers of the Pavement Clubs. They would like to do that. The possibilities are endless, seemingly. May the Lord give wisdom in what to say yes to and what not to!
I have gotten over jet lag in record time.
It is very hot here, and I am thankful for ac in my bedroom. I have been sleeping well . . . last night was more like a night back in Richmond (up three times) so maybe I really have adjusted now.
I am using PP's little lap top now. It is going to be more of a struggle for online time, perhaps. The plan is for me to be working on files and things at PB, and I do expect to have a computer. Anyway, I am glad to be able to post tonight.
I feel at home here, but recognize nothing from my last visit 15 years ago, and absolutely nothing from living here in the 70's. Maybe I'll be able to walk around some on Sat when we don't go to the office! I remain convince that this is the right place to be for now. I can't believe that I only left the US 8 days ago!!!
God is good! Continuing to pray for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the Lord has shown you where and how you can serve and that you will be respected and well cared for. Sleep well!
ReplyDelete