Here it is Thursday afternoon, and I am finally able to start to tell you about the events of last Sun. I remember sitting through the worship service wondering if I were just getting used to living here because it didn't "feel" like anything special. I had been at home awaiting the arrival of workmen of varying sorts much of Fri and Sat. Admittedly, time had passed very slowly, and I wanted to do something different!!! I had thought about not riding home on the EMC bus after church, and just getting a good book and going out for lunch. Then, it was announced that there was going to be a sort of impromptu bat-mitten tournament after church. I'll stay, I thought. Some of the girls were staying to play. This seemed like a perfect solution to me!
As we drank our tea and chatted after the service, I noticed Ishob talking to a woman. Ishob is one of the boys that I have been helping some after school. I knew that sometimes parents and/or guardians of our children come to Ripon Street on Sundays as it is in central Kolkata and easier for them to access. It wasn't long before Ishob and the woman approached me.
"This is my mommy," he said. Our communication was minimal because of language. I was able to tell her what a good boy her son is. She told me that she had been unwell, and that she had prayed to Jesus and was better. Later in the evening when I returned from a trip to the Mall, Ishob met me at the gate, helped me get my things upstairs and stayed, talking non-stop for the next hour, sometimes in English and when he couldn't go on in that language, he switched to Bengali. He just wanted someone to listen to him!!! He told me how small his house is, how much he loves his mommy, about his rabbit and his dog. Apparently the house isn't far from his Massie's house (his aunt . . . sister of his mother) and his grandmother. He will go home for a couple of weeks during the school vacations. His mother told one of the men who works with EMC, and Prashanto told me later that Ishob's father is a drunkard and a drug user. P said that this is the case of many who are from slums. Mrs. Sardar, I's mother, isn't well. Please pray to Jesus with her that He will heal her. I pray that He will heal them both spiritually as well.
Another woman, who is older was talking with Moala, who is the house parent for the girls. Someone told me that she was Patty's (not her real name). Grandmother. Apparently, this lady lives near Ishob's mother. Anyway, later, I learned that this woman is really not related to P, but when her mother was going to sell her to a brothel, the lady asked if she could have her instead. My heart just melted when I heard this, especially after being with Mala and Greg in Ooty who work to rescue such girls! P is in about the 3rd grade. She is quiet and I don't feel that I have gotten to know her as I have some of the more outgoing girls. I do pray that I could find time to do something special with her in the future. She shares a b'day with my sister, Carol.
I finished reading Prashanto's paper and gave it to him on Sun.
The tournament was fun. I was just a spectator but was hailed as the Chief Guest, and gave out the prizes . . . that is just something that is done out here. It was a beautiful day, the temperature was moderate though it seems to me that it has heated up a bit lately . . . not as hot as it was when I arrived, but I do not call this Winter as the locals insist!
As the tournament went on, I realized that there were people there that I had never seen before. So, when Mariamma came over to sit and chat, I asked her about them. Oh, she said, they are former members of the Pavement Club. Timothy Uncle called them to come and play. I was so touched. Here I was with all of these "slum children" of various ages and stages. Timothy and his wife work faithfully in the Pavement Club, especially in the New Market project. They have kept up with these kids and still have such an obvious rapport with them though they are in their 20's I am guessing and no longer Pavement Club (informal education) attendees . . . it struck me that this is likely to mean that they have never gone to "formal school" such as the Calcutta Emmanuel School!!!
When I got home on Sun, I needed to get some things for the house, and even though it isn't my preference, I decided that I was going to go over the the Mall . . . South City Mall . . . when you are there, you could be in the West! I decided to try and walk it because it really is that close, and I was ready for some exercise!!! After a few wrong turns, I got there, and felt very proud of myself!!! I went up to the bookstore and bought another book. I don't watch TV here and so I am reading more! I then decided to get a cup of coffee and even a tart, and to just sit there and read! You know, sort of like going to Barnes and Noble! I enjoyed that, and then made my way down to Spencer's . . . I decided that going on Sun afternoon isn't a good idea because it is CROWDED!!! But. I did find a really nice loaf of bread . . . something I have been looking for . . . and CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER!!! Wow, it is the little things in life that delight me sometimes!!!
It occurs to me that I should go back now until Sat when I had the idea that I would take the younger residents of PB to a nearby park. Thirteen of us left together and the kids did a great job of walking along our busy road in pairs, etc. We got to the park and off they were running, sliding, seesawing, and then . . . 15 minutes after we arrived, we were told that the park was going to be LOCKED!!! Well, several of them were sure that they could find another park . . . long story short, we didn't, and by then I didn't know where we were! Fortunately Moinul, who is 10 going on at least 20, led us home safely. He is a great little guy, very smart and good at everything apparently. As I left he wanted the key to my apartment, which I gave him, to continue working on something that he had started working on when a bunch of the boys . . . well, all of them as there are only 6 . . . were up the other night.
Oh, that reminds me that we got a new boy on Sat. I am ashamed to admit that I haven't gotten his name yet. The story I heard was that his mother was only 14 when she married. The father beats both her and the child. She has run away three times, and the last time he told her he would kill her if she did it again. So, the boy is with us for safety reasons, kind of like being in shelter, I guess you could say.
Mon, the 5th, our first Christmas program warmed my heart. It was the Christmas nativity with an Indian twist. It was all done in Bengali, so the part that had an "Indian twist" for me was the music and some of the "steps" that characters like the shepherds took. During the days leading up to the program, I had watched some of the little girls practicing a dance to "O Holy Night". I was very impressed. Their dance was the finale of the pageant, and it was lovely as they danced before the manger scene!
I have been helping this week both in the school, and in the afternoon "child care" program with communicating with Compassion sponsors!!! Wow, I think of the child that I sponsor at Grace Hostel in Dehra Dun. He writes me once a year, and that is enough for me!!!
I wrote in my journal yesterday a.m. that I wondered where I am in the cross cultural adjustment process. I am now one-third of the way through this venture. I continue to believe that this is the right place at the right time, but . . . Sat, the 10th is my b'day, and until this afternoon I had no plans. Then there is Christmas and I have no special plans. So, if I am honest, I am just a little bit homesick. I don't really want to change places, but I do miss some of the things that I'd gotten used to and that seemed "old hat" at home. The Lord has also reminded me that I came to fit in and to serve. That is exactly what I am doing. There are times when I go downstairs to go to school or the office, and I have no idea what will unfold. By faith, I am making a difference, and being used for His glory.
Premila called at lunch time today. I am going to go to meet her tomorrow for a performance at the large AG church in town and then spend the night at her place as it will be over "lateish" when things are over, and making my way home alone on public transport isn't something that she'd want me to do. We had talked about doing something together for my b'day on Sat anyway, so that will work out fine.
I'm enjoying reading through Luke as I prepare to celebrate this wonderful season. May He be lifted up and glorified in this land as children who don't know Him perform the nativity and sing of his greatness. One of the girls at PB commented the other day, "I believe in Jesus, but I am not a Christian!" Great honesty, but, Lord, please break though and show her your power!!! She needs you so.
I also finished reading HEAVEN IS FOR REAL today. If you haven't read it, I recommend it.
My hot shower is still working, and I am enjoying the luxury of it!!!
As we drank our tea and chatted after the service, I noticed Ishob talking to a woman. Ishob is one of the boys that I have been helping some after school. I knew that sometimes parents and/or guardians of our children come to Ripon Street on Sundays as it is in central Kolkata and easier for them to access. It wasn't long before Ishob and the woman approached me.
"This is my mommy," he said. Our communication was minimal because of language. I was able to tell her what a good boy her son is. She told me that she had been unwell, and that she had prayed to Jesus and was better. Later in the evening when I returned from a trip to the Mall, Ishob met me at the gate, helped me get my things upstairs and stayed, talking non-stop for the next hour, sometimes in English and when he couldn't go on in that language, he switched to Bengali. He just wanted someone to listen to him!!! He told me how small his house is, how much he loves his mommy, about his rabbit and his dog. Apparently the house isn't far from his Massie's house (his aunt . . . sister of his mother) and his grandmother. He will go home for a couple of weeks during the school vacations. His mother told one of the men who works with EMC, and Prashanto told me later that Ishob's father is a drunkard and a drug user. P said that this is the case of many who are from slums. Mrs. Sardar, I's mother, isn't well. Please pray to Jesus with her that He will heal her. I pray that He will heal them both spiritually as well.
Another woman, who is older was talking with Moala, who is the house parent for the girls. Someone told me that she was Patty's (not her real name). Grandmother. Apparently, this lady lives near Ishob's mother. Anyway, later, I learned that this woman is really not related to P, but when her mother was going to sell her to a brothel, the lady asked if she could have her instead. My heart just melted when I heard this, especially after being with Mala and Greg in Ooty who work to rescue such girls! P is in about the 3rd grade. She is quiet and I don't feel that I have gotten to know her as I have some of the more outgoing girls. I do pray that I could find time to do something special with her in the future. She shares a b'day with my sister, Carol.
I finished reading Prashanto's paper and gave it to him on Sun.
The tournament was fun. I was just a spectator but was hailed as the Chief Guest, and gave out the prizes . . . that is just something that is done out here. It was a beautiful day, the temperature was moderate though it seems to me that it has heated up a bit lately . . . not as hot as it was when I arrived, but I do not call this Winter as the locals insist!
As the tournament went on, I realized that there were people there that I had never seen before. So, when Mariamma came over to sit and chat, I asked her about them. Oh, she said, they are former members of the Pavement Club. Timothy Uncle called them to come and play. I was so touched. Here I was with all of these "slum children" of various ages and stages. Timothy and his wife work faithfully in the Pavement Club, especially in the New Market project. They have kept up with these kids and still have such an obvious rapport with them though they are in their 20's I am guessing and no longer Pavement Club (informal education) attendees . . . it struck me that this is likely to mean that they have never gone to "formal school" such as the Calcutta Emmanuel School!!!
When I got home on Sun, I needed to get some things for the house, and even though it isn't my preference, I decided that I was going to go over the the Mall . . . South City Mall . . . when you are there, you could be in the West! I decided to try and walk it because it really is that close, and I was ready for some exercise!!! After a few wrong turns, I got there, and felt very proud of myself!!! I went up to the bookstore and bought another book. I don't watch TV here and so I am reading more! I then decided to get a cup of coffee and even a tart, and to just sit there and read! You know, sort of like going to Barnes and Noble! I enjoyed that, and then made my way down to Spencer's . . . I decided that going on Sun afternoon isn't a good idea because it is CROWDED!!! But. I did find a really nice loaf of bread . . . something I have been looking for . . . and CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER!!! Wow, it is the little things in life that delight me sometimes!!!
It occurs to me that I should go back now until Sat when I had the idea that I would take the younger residents of PB to a nearby park. Thirteen of us left together and the kids did a great job of walking along our busy road in pairs, etc. We got to the park and off they were running, sliding, seesawing, and then . . . 15 minutes after we arrived, we were told that the park was going to be LOCKED!!! Well, several of them were sure that they could find another park . . . long story short, we didn't, and by then I didn't know where we were! Fortunately Moinul, who is 10 going on at least 20, led us home safely. He is a great little guy, very smart and good at everything apparently. As I left he wanted the key to my apartment, which I gave him, to continue working on something that he had started working on when a bunch of the boys . . . well, all of them as there are only 6 . . . were up the other night.
Oh, that reminds me that we got a new boy on Sat. I am ashamed to admit that I haven't gotten his name yet. The story I heard was that his mother was only 14 when she married. The father beats both her and the child. She has run away three times, and the last time he told her he would kill her if she did it again. So, the boy is with us for safety reasons, kind of like being in shelter, I guess you could say.
Mon, the 5th, our first Christmas program warmed my heart. It was the Christmas nativity with an Indian twist. It was all done in Bengali, so the part that had an "Indian twist" for me was the music and some of the "steps" that characters like the shepherds took. During the days leading up to the program, I had watched some of the little girls practicing a dance to "O Holy Night". I was very impressed. Their dance was the finale of the pageant, and it was lovely as they danced before the manger scene!
I have been helping this week both in the school, and in the afternoon "child care" program with communicating with Compassion sponsors!!! Wow, I think of the child that I sponsor at Grace Hostel in Dehra Dun. He writes me once a year, and that is enough for me!!!
I wrote in my journal yesterday a.m. that I wondered where I am in the cross cultural adjustment process. I am now one-third of the way through this venture. I continue to believe that this is the right place at the right time, but . . . Sat, the 10th is my b'day, and until this afternoon I had no plans. Then there is Christmas and I have no special plans. So, if I am honest, I am just a little bit homesick. I don't really want to change places, but I do miss some of the things that I'd gotten used to and that seemed "old hat" at home. The Lord has also reminded me that I came to fit in and to serve. That is exactly what I am doing. There are times when I go downstairs to go to school or the office, and I have no idea what will unfold. By faith, I am making a difference, and being used for His glory.
Premila called at lunch time today. I am going to go to meet her tomorrow for a performance at the large AG church in town and then spend the night at her place as it will be over "lateish" when things are over, and making my way home alone on public transport isn't something that she'd want me to do. We had talked about doing something together for my b'day on Sat anyway, so that will work out fine.
I'm enjoying reading through Luke as I prepare to celebrate this wonderful season. May He be lifted up and glorified in this land as children who don't know Him perform the nativity and sing of his greatness. One of the girls at PB commented the other day, "I believe in Jesus, but I am not a Christian!" Great honesty, but, Lord, please break though and show her your power!!! She needs you so.
I also finished reading HEAVEN IS FOR REAL today. If you haven't read it, I recommend it.
My hot shower is still working, and I am enjoying the luxury of it!!!
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