So much to share!

I'm thrilled today to be writing from a room in the 'flat' that I live in here at Pauline Bhavan!  Being able to think about writing without being in a cyber cafe is a blessing.  I have been writing this blog in my mind for at least 10 days now, so it is good to be here today with some time and my own thoughts!

On Fri Dec 14th, Mala and I were running last minute errands for the day.  It was her second trip into Ooty for various and sundry things.  I'd been out at the house writing up my time with FF and visiting with the kids . . . their first day of vacation.  We knew that Greg and others had found under aged girls in Nagpur. The raid that they had hoped to have on Thurs hadn't materialized.  A text from earlier in the day alerted us to the fact that a raid would happen that day.  As we headed back up the hill towards home after our last stop, a text came stating that several girls has been rescued.  It was thought that one was as young as 13!  We praised the Lord together, and the conversation that followed just had me left with a feeling of being proud that I knew Mala and Greg Malstead, that I had known Mala most of her life, and that against all odds, seemingly, God was using them for His glory!  "Greg is doing what he loves the most," stated Mala, referring to the rescue.  It had been heart warming to watch Greg interact with the girls in Aftercare at FF during my time there.  It seemed obvious to me that they were grateful to him for the role that he has played in them being where they are instead of where they were.   I was surprised to learn that a rescue could cost as much as $1000.00.  That includes travel, food and lodging . . . investigating and bringing justice takes time.

On Sat as I gave my final hugs and said my last farewells as horse therapy was getting started . . .  it was great to think that I will see Mala at the end of Jan when she comes up to Kolkata to see about opening a jewelry making workshop in the area.  Many of the girls that are rescued are from the state of W. Bengal and are, therefore, returned to the area.  Let's see how all of this unfolds.  Both Pooja and Kalpana, who will return to Ooty to continue in Aftercare after their Christmas break, seemed genuinely sad at my parting.  The day before Jenita, the FF accountant,  had told me to come again and stay for two years!  Yes, I was touched.

Soosai and I were then off down the mountain.  It was lovely to take a more scenic route that was also devoid of much of the traffic on the road that I have traveled on previously, and we made it to the Coimbatore airport in time for me to do all of the things that needed to be done, and to get lunch.  The journey was a fairly uneventful one from there, and we actually arrived in Kolkata a little early.  I knew that one of the EMC drivers would meet me, but I wondered if being early would make a difference.  As I rolled my trolley out of the airport, it wasn't long before I had my answer.   Yakoob, the tallest of our drivers, and the one who seems to be assigned to help me the most often, walked up to me, took over pushing the trolley, gave me a big smile, and off we walked to the vehicle that awaited us.  As I followed along behind him, I was touched by the evidence of the Father's love and care for me.

He got me to Premila's shortly after she arrived home from the big Christmas program here at Pauline Bhavan.  We caught up a bit and then headed for bed.  Being at Jeevan Joyti Fellowship the next morning was a blessing as usual.  I ended up staying with Premila and her daughter Vandana until Wed.

Mon in the early a.m. we departed for Basherat . . . a project which is about a three hour drive outside the city.  This project ministers to Commercial Sex Workers and their children.  It isn't so far as the crow flies, but the roads are terrible . . . monsoon rains and heavy traffic contribute to this.  The program was in a very small area with lots of traffic noise.  The story was told, and a message was preached, gifts were given . . . it was all in Bengali, so I was just an observer.  I couldn't help but think that in three days, I had been in three distinct parts of India . . . the beautiful hills, the big busy city, and now a more outlying 'villagy' setting.   Dusty and tired at the end of that day, it was good to polish off some leftovers and hit the hay.

Tues evening I went to the Midway Home Christmas program with Premila.  That is the site of the residential drug rehabilitation program . . . the first of its kind in India.  Again, much of the program was in Bengali, but there was one hilarious skit set in a courtroom that made me wish I could understand the language.  I enjoyed it but not as much as the people who understood the dialogue!   We were very late getting home that night as a huge traffic jam really held us up.

On Wed the program was here at PB, put on by the women of Connexions, a cottage industry set up to help women who live in the slums generate income.  It was the perfect way for me to get back home with my luggage without causing anyone at extra trip during this busy season.  The program was shorter that night, and I came up early enough to start on the settling back in process.  It was good to get back and unpacked for the last time!

Shadona was in my English class and Women's Bible Study last year.  She teaches at the Creek Rowe Pavement Club, is a Hindu convert, is as dear as they come and seems to be loved and respected by all.  She had organized a program for her neighbors also outside of Kolkata . . . about an hour in the other direction from Mon's trip . . . and a small bus load of us from JJF went.  What a lovely refreshing evening.  Again, I was an observer as I understood little of what was said, but the love of people and their hospitality was touching.  Many came to ask those of us who were there to pray for them.  Perhaps one of the men from JJF will begin visiting regularly as there are a couple of other new believers in the area.

Again this year, I have been saddened that India has imported the secular, materialistic Christmas.  As various and sundry ministries have held programs and observances, it has been my prayer that Jesus would be lifted up and glorified during this season.  Yesterday I felt that I got a little bit of a glimpse of that as we gathered for the second time in three days at EMC HQ for the Jeevan Joyti Fellowship celebration of Christmas.  Pastor Neil, who has been visiting with us some recently spoke on the women is Jesus' family line from Matthew.  The place was packed . . . many of the high school kids from Calcutta Emmanuel School have started attending church regularly.  I heard comments on Sun and on Tues of how the message, that was very clear, encouraged them.  My friend Rita's daughter in law, a Hindu, was visiting and heard these two messages also.  I am looking forward to hearing of her impressions.  Lunch was served on the lawn afterwards, and I really enjoyed having an extended time of visiting.

Bablu and Debbie had all of us who reside here at PB out to their apartment then for a gift exchange, a movie, games and, of course, more food!!!  By the end of the evening, I was ready for the quiet of my room, but it had been a great day, and I was grateful to the Lord for answering my prayers of the a.m. about being away from family and things a little bit more familiar!  I was able to call my sister and brother in law and chat for about half an hour before running out of minutes on my phone!  It was a lovely way to end the day!

The weather has turned sharply cooler here in Kolkata.  Sun the sun didn't come up at all, and it was pretty uncomfortable.  I am better equipped this year, but the buildings are built for the heat of summer, and we have no heat.  I expect things will be a little big low key from now until Jan.  One of the things that I really need to work on is getting a hair cut and preparing for Women's Bible Study, reading to potentially grades 1 - 5, and my English class with some of the adults in the ministry!

In another world!!!

As I sit here in the work room at Freedom Firm, I am reminded how diverse India is.  I can hear a man in the next room speaking what I assume to be Tamil, the language of Tamil Nadu, the state in which I find myself just now.  The S. Indian languages are hard on my ears.  Earlier I was listening to the three girls in Aftercare speaking Kanada, the language of the state from which they come . . . perhaps the real problem is that I just can't understand what is being said!  In a while I will return to Mountauban, the guest house where I am currently residing.  There I can either be alone with my thoughts, or converse in English with two young women from Australia.  I have been enjoying having breakfast with them and have booked in for supper tonight.

It is hard to believe that my time in Ooty will soon be coming to an end.  I arrived on Dec 1st after about a 12 hour trip door to door.  My first place to hang my hat was Farley House, an idyllic place up from St. Stephen's church where I attended a beautiful candlelight Carol Service on Dec 2nd.  Farley is a rather 'low key' guest house where one does their own cooking, and thrills to the luxury of a hot shower . . . the water is heated by solar power . . . how clever to avail of that power!  I had to move from Farley on the 5th because of a large number of Australian teenagers who booked a year in advance and are working this week and next with a local Children's Home.  It was lovely to get to know Annette, from Germany and her Canadian husband, David who grew up in India of missionary parents.  I had my second birthday dinner with them last night, along with their five children!  How lovely to have been taken into their hearts and lives like that!  David also shared the history of the property.  It was a place where Amy Carmichael used to come for vacation.  They also reminded me that C. T. Studd preached at Union Church, where I have attended services these two Sundays, for 5 years!!!  Oh, the stories that these Hills could tell!!!

The Freedom Firm office is across the street from Hebron School, a boarding school, a bit similiar to Woodstock, though it is the British curriculum rather than an American one.  The Malstead's four children study there, and as Day Scholars who live several k's out of the city, it is a great place for them to gather when school is over, and do some homework while they wait for each other and their parents to finish another busy day!

It has been a pleasure to spend this time with Greg and Mala Malstead and the crew here at Freedom Firm.  I have known Mala since her very early days!  She was born in Kolkata where I worked with her parents (Dave and Cathy Hicks) in my early days in India.  Then we worked together in the 80s out of the US HQ of Operation Mobilization. 

It has been a busy time for FF as they made cards and jewlery for a large sale at Hebron on Dec 1st.  Several days later, they got off another smaller shipment to the US.  I have been spending an hour or so a day with the three girls in Aftercare helping them develop their English skills.  They enjoy work more than school, I think, though I think my different style has been something of a break for them.  Their thoughts seem to be very much on the future.  Changes in their situations seem to be on their mind as well as plans for a break at Christmas.

Jaya, the teacher; Elizabeth the social worker, Jenita, the accountant, and dear Susi the driver have all made me feel welcome.  I'm not sure that I have been able to help but so much, but I do have a better understanding of the work and the challenges that are faced by rescued girls.  All of the ones here currently are HIV positive.  That fact alone breaks my heart!

Along with spending time with Mala and family I have also really enjoyed being back in the Hills!  Ooty is so different in many ways from Mussoorie, but in other ways the same.  The beauty of the surroundings is certainly one of them.  Tea is grown here and home made chocolate seems to be available at every other shop.  I bought some to treat others on my birthday, which was on the 10th, as that is the custom here . . . you treat on your special days and even when something special happens to you!!!  My first batch was a bit stale, but I only got one complaint . . . did they not care, or were they too polite to say!?

Mala and family celebrated my b'day a day early with a lovely meal after church on Sun.  We were out on the terrace of their lovely home for a delicious lunch . . . roast chicken and vegetables, salad from the garden, and even carrot cake for dessert . . . my favorite and Mala didn't even know that!

Hebron School closes for the Winter on the 13th and Mala returns from a business trip with Greg the night of the 12th.  The plan is for me to go out and spend my last two nights with the family. 

One of the other things that I have really enjoyed is the whole horse side of the work here.  The girls have therapy with the horses once a week and on Sat they help handicapped children, some who have been abandoned by their parents.  Katy from Washington state is very involved with this aspect of the work.  She will leave on the 28th of Dec, but another volunteer from the US is expected for a year to take her place.  Mala loves horses as do her girls.  She, Katy and I have been out twice for a ride.  Mala and I hook up Hercules to the cart, and on our last ride, I was training the dogs to stay out of the winding road with lots of traffic by shocking them with their collars and my hand divise.  Despite that they are glad to see me when I arrive!  Maybe a dog really is a 'man's' best friend!!!

Tomorrow after work, Jaya is taking me to a Compassion Project that she directs.  It will be interesting to see similarities with the kids here and the kids in Kolkata.

I've loved being here, but I am ready to go 'home' to Kolkata, too.  Yesterday was 'results' day for the children who attend Calcutta Emmanuel School.  When I arrive home, several will have gone to spend a couple of weeks with their parents.  I'll be spending a couple of nights with Premila, to work in a visit but also to attend the Christmas program at one of the outlying projects on the 17th.  She will be leaving on the 20th for Hyderabad to spend time with her brother and sister who live there.  I'm not sure how we will celebrate at Pauline Bhavan.  I'm sure that Debbie will have come up with some ideas when I get back.

Closing for today!

I've turned the corner!!!

By the end of last week, I realized it was a touch of culture shock!  I felt irritable and wondered if I had just made a big mistake by coming back at this time.  Things were all up in the air at school with exams, and plans for various and sundry events being planned after the pooja season, which I thought would be over when I arrived.  Living in a fish bowl, or so it seems, was getting to me.  Questions, questions, questions and just feeling like giving up my quiet, independent life style in Richmond was too much!  Of course, along with the culture shock was spiritual warfare . . . all of those idols being worshipped every night, etc.  No wonder!!!  I climbed the steps to my place early on Fri night and just closed myself in, had a talk with the Father and went to sleep.

The girls make puris for breakfast on Sat.  Puris are a kind of India bread.  They are deep fat fried and delicious, but not so healthy and certainly not good for the waist line!!!  I hadn't gone down the Sat before  . . . I usually don't eat breakfast with "the crowd", but I decided to go down on Sat and offer to help!  I couldn't help but notice almost immediately that my heart was different!!!  I helped with the puris and enjoyed a delicious breakfast!  Then I just hung out with the girls for most of the rest of the a.m. working on a piece of embroidery that I have been carrying around the world for a couple of decades!  I also broke out the "Satin Hands" by Mary Kay that I had brought along!  Last time the kids were always commenting on my soft hands, and I thought this would be fun.  They loved it, and we did it again last night.  Their only complaint is that their hands still aren't as soft as mine . . . what can I say!?

Sun I stayed back after church just to hang out with the teens who stayed for YPF (Young People's Fellowship).  It was enjoyable, and it did make me want to be involved.  I feel that many in this vast ministry need to be discipled, and I wonder how the Lord might want me to fit into that.

Mon night we had a church meeting followed by dinner together at Pauline Bhavan.  It was a good discussion, and once again, I learned things I didn't know before.  I think that we need a pastor and others do too.  The elders are keeping us going, but we need consistant teaching, etc.  The uniqueness of the congregation might be an "issue" as the church was started in the first place because many of the good Christians in Kolkata didn't want all of those "street kids" and recovering addicts worshipping with them.  We are quite an electic group.  God knows what we need . . . prayers are needed.

Tues afternoon I went over to the office and met with Premila, her assistant Bulbul, and Ilora.  All of that helped bring some plans for the future into sharper focus.  I'm going to be going over to Premila's tomorrow to spent the night as I have an early a.m. flight on Sat a.m.  I'll be going way down South to spend two weeks with Freedom Firm.  I'm really looking forward to this!  Please pray for safe travels and wisdom for the time there.  Jaya is the teacher of the girls in Aftercare.  I also hope to get time with Mala and family!  I will return to Kolkata on the 15th and return to Premila's house because I am arriving late (PB is locked up tight at night.  I hate getting people up to let me out or in!!!)  I'll stay at least until Mon so that I can visit a project quite a way out of town for their Christmas program on the 17th.

I'll be starting Bible study with the ladies later today and my English classes will resume in Jan . . . once a week for two hours this time.  It is a better schedule for me.  I plan to be working at school M - W when they reopen in Jan.

Tues evening I spent the evening with 29 very active boys . . . the residents of Anandoloy . . . the 'other' residential program for children at risk.  It was a goal to spend more time with them this visit.  After dinner, two of the older boys accompanied me home on the bus and spent the night with their parents who live close by.  I'd brought them VA pencils.  They told me that they wouldn't use them.  Among other things I thought they might like having an eraser on their pencil.  They don't 'come' like that in India!

Wed was FOUNDER'S DAY.  It was 'celebrated' in several places this year which was different from last year.  The school, Pauline Bhawan, JCDC and Connexions had an hour's program.  The kids do shine so brightly at times like this.  What a joy to be in their lives!!!

Tomorrow we will be celebrating CHILDREN'S DAY at school!  Should be fun . . . games and food!!!  Children's Day was actually Nov 14th, but that was also Divali, so . . . besides that, exams are over so there really is something to celebrate!!!

One week in Kolkata!!!

Greetings from a cyber cafe here in Kolkata.  I arrived last Sat night, and it is good to feel a little bit like I am settled here.  It is hard to believe that it has been less than two weeks since I left the US. 

The new experience of flying standby was interesting.  For those of us who like structure and order, I admit that I found it a bit stressful.  The flight from Richmond to Atlanta was much fuller than I'd expected it to be.  I got on it, though, and I got on the next flight to Amsterdam, in economy class, but I was on, and that was the leg of the journey that I had been 'warned' would be the tightest!  Imagine my surprise when I was called in Amsterdam at the last possible second for boarding that final flight to Mumbai.  I had a boarding pass in my hand . . . again on economy, and had even cleared security . . . . but it wasn't meant to be.  The passenger that they couldn't find was already on the plane, and there was no seat for me!!!  

I thought I knew the Amsterdam airport pretty well.  I have traveled through it numerous times over the years.  Well, let's just say that I know it better now after spending more than 24 hours there!  There were several of us who didn't make the flight so the first order of business was to make a booking for the next day.  With that accomplished, the next thing to do was try to get in touch with Kedu who was meeting me in Mumbai that night at almost midnight.  Getting a calling card, getting some internet access and trying to reach Kedu for a total of four hours was stressful at best.  During that time, I also decided to get a 'cubicle' in the airport, much like a ship's cabin, where I could sleep and shower and just get out of the airport noise.  When I finally got Kedu she had just gotten out of surgery!!! (She is doing a surgical oncology residency in Mumbai at a top cancer hospital).  I had also contacted the hotel she had booked me into, but the calling cards only last three minutes and are frightfully expensive!  She assured me that she would take care of things and meet me on Thurs instead.  

I hadn't even stopped to get anything to eat by that time, and so off I went to take care of that, and then to my cubicle to crash!  I went dead asleep, and my watch said 7 when I awoke.  I thought, a.m. or p.m. before I remembered that I had borrowed a clock from the hotel counter.  It was p.m. so I took a sleeping pill and hit the sack again.  I got two night's sleep in that cubicle so it was worth it.  All of us who hadn't gotten on the day before got on in Business Class the next day.  Oh my . . . I am spoiled forever.  I watched four movies, ate smoked salmon on a real plate with real silverware and drank out of glasses!  

Rebecca had taken Thurs off to spend with me, but we still got in a visit on Fri afternoon.  Kedu joined us and after Rebecca went off to a prior commitment, Kedu and I headed for a piano/violin recital which was relaxing and lovely.  Kedu is a beautiful pianist herself.

On Sat I had to check out of the hotel at noon and my flight wasn't until 4 p.m.  I finally found a quieter place to roost while I waited after the very busy atmosphere of holiday travel had taken its toll on my nerves.  I thought by coming to India in Nov, I would have missed the big Hindu festivals, but alas I was traveling at the same time that many were also traveling because of Divali, the festival of lights . . . one of the biggest!

Salim, one of the EMC drivers was there to meet me and wisk me off to Pauline Bhavan.  By the time I got there half of the residents were asleep, the others welcomed me warmly, and those heavy suitcases were wisked upstairs.  My bed was ready for me, and I was ready for it.

It was Sun a.m. before church that I discovered that I had left my Bible and devotional book behind in Mumbai . . . in my hotel room.  I just couldn't believe it.  We called after church, but alas . . . I have gotten a new Bible now, and am reading 1,000 Gifts which I had brought along and is so thought provoking that one can only read it in small portions.  It is my new devotional book!

It was fun to see many friends on Sunday at church.  It was also very nice to completely unpack and find a place for everything.  I am in the same place as last time.  Things are still working out with regards to my schedule.  With Kali Pooja and Divali in full swing, things have been closed a lot this week.  Hopefully by this time next week things will be a bit more settled.  They want me to help with sponsorships at school during a pregnancy leave.  I am quite keen to restart the English classes.  I may be leading two studies with adult women.  More details to be worked out.

I have also booked my flights down South for Dec 1 and 15.  Really looking forward to the time with Freedom Firm.

I'm healthy, the weather is pleasant though it has been sort of muggy today.  They even closed the door here a little while ago and turned on the a.c.  Now, that feels good!

I feel the Lord is speaking to me about listening to Him and being led by Him rather than seeking to do everything that others want me to do.  Praying for wisdom, guidance and realistic boundaries.  

The kids in PB, at Anandoloy and at school have been very welcoming, and it is great to be back with my adult friends here, too!

Closing for now!

Departure Eve, Nov. 5, 2012

This first blog entry is way overdue!  I want to get it up and running because who knows when I will get to it again.  I am delighted to be here on the eve of departure as I find the packing, leaving stage of a journey the most difficult.  Oh yes, then there is getting to the airport and all of the stops along the way.  I have closed one of my suitcases, and it is HEAVY!!!  I won't open that one until Sat when I arrive in Kolkata.

This is the first time I have flown standby, and admittedly the half price ticket is a wonder, and the promise of a possible seat in business class the major draw, but I have found the uncertainty a little agonizing.  Yesterday the Father gently reminded me that I was supposed to be trusting Him in all of this!  Oh yes, Lord, and thank you.  I have learned that I am #3, or I was last night, in line and that there are three seats available in business class, or there were last time.  It is the Atlanta to Amsterdam flight that seems questionable.  The onward flight to Mumbai (Bombay) isn't as tight.  So, I am due to fly out of Richmond tomorrow @ 2:24 p.m. and out of ATL @ 5:30.  The connection is also quite tight.  Just asking the Father to help me get it all done!

Meanwhile in Mumbai, Kedu who is now a surgeon in Mumbai and doing cancer research at the Tata Hospital . . . Class of 2000 at Woodstock, has the three days in Mumbai planned.  Discovering that for various reasons the original places to stay didn't work, she has booked me a hotel out near the airport.  She and Rebecca, another old student from Woodstock (Class of 2002) are going to make sure that the reunions I was hoping for are going to take place.  Indian hospitality . . . it's something else!!!

I'm so grateful that many things sort of fell into place yesterday.  Now I have my TO DO list and I am working through it.  The house is cleaner than it was and I am feeling that this is really going to happen.

I'll post from Mumbai if I can.  I am not at all sure what internet access will be like.  I still don't have a lap top . . . maybe when I get home this time!  I know where the cyber cafes are in Kolkata, though, so hopefully you will hear again in a week or less.  

Divali is Nov 12 - 14 so shops, etc may be closed.  (That is the biggest Hindu festival of the year.)  I thought it was in Oct, but it must be one of those holidays that is based on something like the moon!

All for now . . .

Kolkata farewells completed and oh so meaningful!!!

Greetings from the hills of Mussoorie!  My week of "lasts" went well in Kolkata, and I am sure that I was being carried by those who prayed that I would "finish well"!  Thank you!!!

The Fri night dinner with friends and fellow residents of Pauline Bhawan went well on the 16th!  Sat was just a day of hanging out and finishing up practical things.  Sun at church was very special.  Prashanto and his wife Malabika sang a song, like a traditional Hindi bajan, that they had sung before and that I like.  Several people gave thank yous after the service was over, and then I was asked to say a few things.  I was able to do so without breaking down, something that I was grateful for. 

As I headed down the stairs on Mon a.m. for the Assembly, I thought I was going to loose it, and I cried out to the Lord for His help!  The Assembly was lovely with the entire student body in front of me singing the school song, and then two students saying nice things about me and presenting me with cards.  Of course, the principal asked me to say a few things, and I was able to do it without "loosing" it!  Thank you, Jesus.

The hardest good bye was the final one with the residents of PB encircling me and Deep in my arms.  Debbie, newly returned from N. Ireland, assured me of their love and prayers.  Prayers, hugs, tears and off I went to spend the night at Premila's.  Emotionally exhausted, I dropped into bed that night shortly after dinner.  Premila and I agreed that one of the highlights of the time in Kolkata for each of us was getting to know each other!  Though we have known each other for more than 40 years, we didn't really "know" each other until now.  She is such a special person and oh so compotent.  We have spoken by phone a couple of times since I left.  I pray that the Lord will really bless her!!!

The flight to Delhi went smoothly, and my taxi driver managed to find the Wetherby's place with the help of dear Carolyn coming out to the street to wave us down!  Though hot upon arrival, a wind blew through on the 20th night, and cooled things off for a bit of running around the next day.  The highlight was having lunch with Probhita, Premila's daughter, and her family!  Carolyn is Ria's piano teacher!!!  (Ria is 10 years old, a girl.) 

On Thurs a.m. when the taxi came just after 6 a.m. to take me to the train station, it was down right chilly!!!  Getting on the train with the help of a coolie was easy, and the trip went smoothly and arrived on time.  Mohan Chacko, President of Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Dehra Dun was there to meet me.  I thought it would be just someone from campus.  Driving onto the campus reminded me of how much I enjoyed my seven years on this side of India!  I had a delightful time with the Chackos, the Grace Academy teachers and the Newtons, and felt at home every moment of the time.  I also got in a visit with the Calvin Taylors, and ate more than my share of Tibetan food . . . yum!!!  One of the highlights was seeing Maria Chacko, Class of 2001 from Woodstock . . . I haven't seen her since she graduated, and meeting her husband Ramesh. 

Sun I headed up the mountain.  It has been a wonderful time.  In my unrealistic mind there are always so many long walks that I am going to take, etc., but . . . most of them won't happen.  However, reunions with people have been very special!!!  I am not the only former staff member that is visiting at the moment, and tonight we are gathering at Criders for a meal . . . old timers and even some new timers with old timers connections.

I head back to Delhi on Sat the 31st by train and will be at the Delhi airport by about 10 p.m. on Mon night to begin the long trip home.  (My flight is scheduled to leave at 12:50 a.m.)  The scheduled travel time is 27 hours!!!  I have a great book to read, and just hope I will still know my name when I arrive!!!  I also pray that my bags will arrive on the plane with me.  I have to pick them up in JFK to clear Customs and Immigration, and then they get rechecked for the flight to Richmond.  As I am gaining time all the way back I am actually due in at 6 p.m. Richmond time!

Sleeping with my suitcase

About a week ago I pulled out my suitcases, dusted them off, aired them out and set them aside.  Even after all of these years of packing and moving, I have a certain amount of anxiety about the process.  I find the best way to deal with it is to begin packing!!!  My greatest fear is that everything won't fit into my cases.  My dad tried to teach me to travel light, but it isn't a skill that I have developed!!!  Changing seasons doesn't help, I told myself as I packed my sweater and shawls.  When the temperatures dropped in Dec, I wished I had brought along more warmer things, but now that the temperature regularly reaches the 100 degree mark, I wonder why I brought the warm things that I did, and I have added some cooler things to my belongings!!!  What's a girl to do?

A week ago today I started shopping!  That seemed like one of the necessary elements to all of this because until you have what you are taking home with you, how can you begin to pack!!!???  On Friday I went to New Market with Rebecca, a friend from church, and we got a lot accomplished all in one shop!  So, on Sat, I started packing.  I was hoping that my suitcases would be lighter going home because of the things that I brought with me that have been used, but adding the things purchased negates that.   I am packing one suitcase that I will close in Kolkata and not reopen until I hit Richmond.  Fortunately I can leave it in Delhi with friends when I travel to Dehradun and Mussoorie!

I miss my dining room table which is where I generally pack at home!  If I pack down there, I don't have to get the luggage down the steps.  It works well for me.  Unfortunately I had no where to start my packing other than my bed, which is fortunately a double, and so the suitcase is there, and I have a little giggle to myself as I crawl into bed next to it at night.   When I flew to Kolkata in Oct, I had to pay overweight charges.  I fear the same may be true on the 20th when I return to Delhi!!!

Sat, the 10th, was a big day in another way.  I paid for a really nice lunch for the boys who are in the residential program like the one here at Pauline Bhawan.  There were approximately 40 of us counting the boys, the staff who care for them, and some invited guests.  We have so much more room at PB plus the grounds of the school.  The boys live right in the central part of the city, not a blade of grass in sight.  Their living space is minimal, but they make the most of it!  We had a great time playing games before and after we ate.  Premila's third daughter and her children along with a friend and her children . . . these folks all live in Delhi and were visiting joined us, and what fun we had!  One of the things that amazes me about these children is how quickly they open their hearts and lives to people.  It takes less than 60 seconds, it seems, to become their friends.  I feel like it is a gift especially considering some of their backgrounds.  I think they know they are loved, and somehow the fact that they are safe, secure, and have three meals a day as well as a roof over their heads . . . it just means a lot I think!  I am touched deeply by their love!  (I'll try to post pictures when I get home because it takes too long here, and with the connection device that we have . . . well, it just isn't practical.)

Sunday Probhita (Premila's daughter) sang in church with Hussein, one of the young adults who was rescued from the station platform a number of years ago.  I am guessing that he is in his early 20s . . . he is one of the boys who doesn't know when his "true" b'day was so he celebrates the day that he became apart of the ministry.  Anyway, he is an interesting character.  Probhita is like an older sister to him, and the two of them sounded so wonderful singing together.  Of course, I got teary and thought, "Oh dear, the beginning of the week of lasts!!!"

Because of "unit tests" I didn't have Class IV on Mon.  I had my last Scripture classes with Classes VII and VIII.  Some of them registered regret that I was going, but I am quite honestly relieved!  I managed to get all of the grading done before going to bed that night.  That also felt like quite a triumph!

I took devotions with the "kids" here Mon night.  We looked at Ps. 139, a Psalm that we used to talk about often when I worked with Third Culture Kids.  It was good for me to remind myself of the truths of this Psalm, and to remember how God has always been faithful to me.  I was first introduced to this Psalm as a young Christian who felt pretty lousy about myself!  I shared that with them . . . I am NOT a mistake, and neither are they.  I can't help but wonder if they feel as if they are sometimes, though!  Anyway, many commented that they appreciated looking at the Psalm.  We talked about the fact that even though they aren't going anywhere, people that they love are always coming and going out of their lives!

Today I took the last Assembly for Classes KG - 3.  Moshimi, Moinul, Ishob and Sandy, another American volunteer who is here for three months, helped me read an original script to finish up Esther.  I left out a lot of the details, but I think I got the gist of the story.  How I love Esther, and the thought that, "for such a time as this . . ."!!!

Tomorrow is the last Bible study.  We are just beginning the third chapter of Ruth.  I regret that we couldn't finish the whole study.  I'll leave the book.  Perhaps someone else can carry on.

I am going to spend the night with Premila tomorrow night which will help me finish up some shopping on that side of town Fri a.m.  It will also relieve the pressure of getting home on public transportation during rush hour, and take care of getting back over to the office for my final English class.

Friday night I am having a special dinner here . . . again for 40 people.  I should add that all I do for such meals is say what I would like to have to eat, and pay for it.  Someone else shops, cooks, and cleans up! They do a great job!  I was laughing with my friend Rita, the Headmistress of the Primary Section of the school, that soon I will have to get used to doing such things for myself again!!!

Sun will be my last day at church.  Mon will be my last day at school.  They are planning to have a special all school Assembly to farewell me . . . touching . . . then I will leave to spend the night at Premila's again, and then off to the airport on Tues a.m.

This time next week I will be with friends in Delhi.  With all of the good byes I think I am settled in my heart that it is time to go.  Certainly the next few days will be emotionally challenging, but the well wishes and the 'when are you coming backs' are touching in and of themselves.  My response continues to be, "I think I will be back, but I don't know when or for how long!"  In two weeks, I will be in the Hills enjoying much cooler weather as well as old and dear friends, having been refreshed at the bottom of the mountain by former colleagues and dear friends in Dehradun.  In three weeks I plan to have dinner at SPC, or is that Spring Break!?  Oh, I hope not!!!

Photos taken at AG Inauguration March 2, 2012

See Facebook.  It takes too long on the blog!  There are others there, too, of the children with whom I live!

Inauguration, black "dust" and water bottles!

Another Monday over . . . a relief as it is my most demanding day of the week.  It seems to get hotter by the day.  Maybe the heat is getting to us.  Spending two periods with Class IV used to be a highlight of my week.  Today they were very restless and talkative.  By the end of our 80 minutes together, I had a headache.  My real challenge of a Monday, though, are my Scripture classes, VIII followed by VII.  We got through today with much less pressure than usual.  Class VII has 52 students.  It feels impossible to me to try to reach them.  Five boys were suspended for three days last week after making the period very difficult for me.  I think my complaint was the straw that broke the camel's back where they were concerned.  They were better today, and we got a lot done.

Friday we journeyed over to "The Strand" which is part of Kolkata that must have been a very POSH area during the days of the British Raj.  It is on the banks of the Hooghly River.  We passed the Calcutta Swim Club along the route . . . we also passed yet another of the city's slums.  I had visited the area in Oct with friends from the US who have been instrumental in what is about to happen in this area.  At the Armenian Ghat (a place where you can get a boat to cross the Hooghly for Howrah), a "neighborhood" has grown up along an abandoned railway track.  The area is crowded, loud, I witnessed a temper outburst where I thought someone was going to get hurt, and then there is the stench.  Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta is on the move again!  Among the ruins of what was once a beautiful area, no doubt, with Greek style columns that are dilapidated and dirty from pollution . . . it is hard to describe the scene.  People wash there, wash their clothes there, toss their idols into the river after worshiping them.  The "homes" in the area which are made out of black plastic sheeting predominately have no running water, no electricity, no toilet facilities.  We have located a place, and will begin building an area for one of our Pavement Clubs.  The area needs to be secured so that things can be left there.  A place to cook so that the children can be feed lunch is high on the priority list.  Some local officials were invited.  As usual, the whole ceremony was in Bengali, so I don't know exactly what happened.  I do know from Premila, however, that at least one of the officials was "blown away" by what he saw and heard.  Children from some of the other projects performed a classical Indian dance, a mime which was very funny and very much about "life on the streets".  Perhaps the most moving piece of the program was the testimony of one of the young men, the son of a local brothel, whose life was changed in a Pavement Club.  Changed in the sense that he was given enough of an education and given enough confidence to be able to succeed in his educational pursuits enough to currently be involved in university studies.  He urged parents to send their children to the Club when it opens.  The fact that the official was there and impressed means that he will help get things moving forward.

Tomorrow I am going to spend the a.m. at the New Market project.  On Friday I heard a lot of parallels drawn between the situation at AG and the one at NM.  So much has happened to improve life there with things like plumbing since EMC came on the scene.   I may have commented that listening to my English 'students' tell about the changes in the situation there had reduced me to tears after class one day.  I want to be able to visit a few of these projects before leaving the city.  My departure is just two weeks away!

Kolkata has a layer, seemingly of black 'dust' everywhere.  The other day when I was making up my bed, I realized how dirty my bed spread was.  So, I pulled it off the bed on Sat and started soaking it in my bucket!  I wish I had counted the number of times I changed the water in the bucket before it stopped being black.  If you asked me today what am I looking forward to the most about coming back to the US, my answer would be my washing machine!!!

I have been thinking and praying about giving the children who live at Pauline Bhavan a little gift before I leave.  To make something that could be a longer story short, I was able to buy them all water bottles on Sat.  They were on sale for about a dollar at Spencer's . . . a bit like Target, and at the South City Mall, my little taste of the West that is about a 10 minute walk away!!!  I gave them out that night, and you cannot imagine how thrilled some of them were.  Clean drinking water isn't something that we take for granted here, and how that it is getting hotter and hotter what is a lad or lass to do at school!?  I am reminded of my dear late Mother . . . little things meant more to her that big things!

Debbie, from N. Ireland  and Bablu, raised in the ministry, are back after the birth of their second child.  The kids in the ministry are so pleased by their return, and it makes my heart glad to see them  in action before I leave.  Debbie left just about the time I moved in so I haven't really gotten to know her other than by reputation.  She's a keeper!  Bablu was around for a month longer.  He is just fun and always playing with the kids.  Their baby was born on my b'day!!!

I hope to host a special dinner with the boys in the residential program this coming Sat night and then one with those in Pauline Bhavan the following week.

Thurs is Holi and everything will be closed.  It is a Hindu festival where colors (like paint) are thrown.  School will be close both Thurs and Fri, but the office will be open on Fri.  Hopefully I can make my way across town without incident.

A summer feel to the day!!!???

I feel like singing the Hallelujah chorus!  In fact, I did sing part of it today when I returned to Pauline Bhavan on what I hope was my last day of curtain shopping, at least for this trip!!!  In some circles this has become a huge joke about me being the "official curtain shopper" in the ministry!  It was the third time that I have been sent out to shop . . . and for those of you who know me well, you know that I didn't get that gene, though most of my gender have it!!!  This was my second trip out for curtains for the ground floor windows and doors here because my choice was less than popular last time, and I was very concerned about it . . . I DID get the 'people pleaser' gene, and . . . well, I am so grateful that the shopkeeper took the other 58 meters back, and even more grateful that the person who NEEDED to go shopping with me in the first place went today.  I know that God is good all the time, but I feel very light as I write this evening.  It is 5:33 p.m.

I have just finished my third glass, with ice, of Coke, which felt like an appropriate way to celebrate.  Naomi, my just turned 19 year old English apartment mate, went out and bought a huge bottle of it for me the other day when I had my first attack of 'Delhi belly' for this trip.  I never got around to having any the other day.  My stomach righted itself before the end of the day!  I am grateful!!!

Feb had been a month with no holidays.  Then one of the opposition parties called for a work strike yesterday. So, everything was closed!  I didn't get up until 9 a.m. which felt like a treat!  I hadn't been asleep all of that time because there was a huge dog fight out on the street below that started around 4 a.m. and finished by 5 a.m.  This is not an uncommon occurrence, unfortunately!!!

Yesterday afternoon Naomi and I walked over to Rita's house and began a small Bible study group.  We will do the Ruth study until I leave Kolkata  . . . just three weeks now!  Rita is the Headmistress of the Junior Section of the Calcutta Emmanuel School.  She has become a good friend and has wanted to start a study with others who live on this side of town.  Going over to the office for the Thurs study doesn't work well for them.  There were just five of us.  Others may join, like Debbie, who just returned with her Indian husband from N. Ireland, she is Irish, after the birth of their second daughter.  Debbie and Bablu are much loved here, and they are the supervisors of PB.  So, it is so nice to have them back!!!

On Wed a.m. I take Assembly for KG - Grade 3.  We have done Joshua and Daniel so far, and started Esther this a.m.  I decided to attempt a skit with the 7 children in this age group who live here.  Debbie and Bablu arrived with gifts for everyone about the time that we were going to practice, so it definitely wasn't without error this a.m.  But, it was different, and the children involved, especially the two in KG, were thrilled to be apart of it.  Two more assemblies.  Let's see if we can make them more meaningful!!!

So, why does today have a summer feel?  Well, the temperatures are rising, and though this isn't the hottest month of the year . . . reported to be May, the temperatures are already up in the 90's at the warmest part of the day, especially if you find yourself out in the sun at that time!  Fortunately, the nights and early a.m.s are pleasant.  I'm sitting under the fan now as I write!  I can also hear a lot of children out playing.  Another thing that I think gives it a summer feel, besides drinking Coke, is that I had the day free to plan as I'd like after Assembly was over at 8:30.  Let me tell you about that!!!

Class X, or the people in our school who have successfully completed Class X, successfully passed a whole series of exams post the school exams so that they can take the exams that started on Mon and go on until the 28th of March, are in the midst of their exams.  Because our school is an exam center, Classes I, II and III are getting out on exam days at 10 a.m. so that Classes VII, VIII and X can move downstairs into their rooms to clear the area on the top floor for exams.  Talk about a disruption to learning!!!  It seems that Wed will always be an exam day, and I usually spend two periods a week with Class III on Wed.  So, I was able to get several things attended to today because of this change of schedule.

Tomorrow is Bible study on Ripon Street so I will be going over there.  I am going to spend the night with Premila, her daughter and two grandchildren who are visiting from Delhi, and I am looking forward to it.  I also am on Ripon Street on Fridays, so it means that I won't have to make the trip home and back.  Premila didn't go on her trip last week, and is still struggling with her deep cough.  I think she needs to see a lung specialist.  She lived in an asbestos infested house for many years.

Mon was another hard day with the two Scripture classes that I take.  Class VII did me in, and 5 boys were suspended today for three days for their bad behavior.  I felt badly about that, but it seems that I am not the only teacher who finds them difficult.  I think the principal was making a point.  They will be back in class on Monday.  Let's see how that goes!!!

My plans for departing here on Mar 20th are falling nicely into place.  I know it is going to be hard to go, and knowing how to leave appropriately will be a challenge.  I need to get my head around how I want to spend these last three weeks because I do want to spend more time with some of the projects that I haven't spent any time in.  Each time I share with someone that I am leaving the first reaction is, "When are you coming back?"  My response to that is that I don't know, but that I think I will be back.  It is the when and the for how long that I am not sure about!

Friday there is an official opening of another project in a slum down by the Hooghly River.  I have been an observer of this project from afar, having met the man who is largely funding it last summer about the time that I was invited to come here.  We both met Premila at that time in the greater Atlanta area at the Hicks' household. I was also able to visit the area with Dave and Cathy Hicks when they were here in Oct.  I may or may not attend the function on Fri, Mar 2nd.  Ordinarily that is an English class for the Pavement Club teachers.  We missed Tues because of the strike.  I suspect several of them will be involved.  I will find out about that tomorrow, I suspect!

Speaking of my dear English class, there were tears all around last Fri when I told them I was leaving on March 20th.  One woman's response was, "How will I ever learn English?"  Another was, "Come back soon and stay forever!"  

And, so, another week begins!!!

There are many things that I could be doing tonight, like getting ready for school in the a.m.  Monday is my busiest and most demanding day of the week.  I have been out much of the day, and so now all I really have the energy to do is to sit and rest a bit!  I have made a list of the things I want to talk about, and it is very long!!!  So, better get writing lest I forget!  It helps me so to process, too.

This a.m. I was asked to share something in church.  I was shopping in New Market with George Verwer's daughter and grandson when I got the call on Tues.  I wasn't sure what I would share.  It has been such a busy week, and as I mentioned in the last post, I was feeling quite depleted.  As I thought about it, though, I decided to share about some of the things that we have talked about in the Ruth study.  Ruth's life parallels the lives of more than a few of the women who attend the study.  All of them are connected in some way with Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta (EMC) or Jeevan Joyti Fellowship (JJF).  The cultural things that the study goes into great detail about for its Western readers don't need long explanations here.  Women who attend the study are recovering addicts, women who work in one of our "cottage industries" called the Erica Project, women who work with slum children day in and day out.  Some are widows, some are single, I'm not the only foreigner . . . we "get" it!  In a country such as India where one caste would not be allowed to drink from the same tap as one from a higher caste, we get it when Boaz offered Ruth water from his vessels.   I mentioned in church this a.m. that Ruth isn't just a 'girly' book, and told the men that we had learned more about "real men" from Boaz!  The rich landowner who stepped in to help a vulnerable woman whose character and work ethic had caught his attention.  Boaz, the manager . . . I'm wondering if any of the men who were there will dip into Ruth this week!

I enjoyed worship this a.m.  I was sitting between two of the guys who live in one of our residential projects.   Both of them will be in my Scripture classes tomorrow.  I am particularly drawn to one of them.  His story is remarkable.  He says he is 15, studies in Class 7, but I think he looks older than 15.  More than a few of our kids didn't know their birthdays when they came to live with us.  So, they celebrate that day as their b'day.  (Birthdays aren't celebrated here as they are in the West either, but that is a whole other story!)  My eyes got misty as I thought about the fact that I am likely only to be at JJF four more Sundays.  On one hand, I am looking forward to moving on, and in other ways it is going to be so hard!!!

Alistair from England spoke from Isaiah this a.m.  It was excellent, and one of the things he spoke about confirmed to me that I should seek to 'unplug' from here a couple of weeks before departure from India to regroup and be refreshed by friendships and my beautiful Mussoorie mountains!  I was so pleased after church to get a word with Alistair and his wife Lilly.  They worked here for 6 years and were instrumental in getting two of the children who live here in Pauline Bhavan (PB) into the project.  They worked with Free Set which is involved with helping set women free from "the trade".  It dawned on me today that my dear I's mother 'survives' that way.  This little boy is in the 2nd grade, can't really read, has had a life that most of us can't imagine.  Still, he is so dear.  He loves to build and is good at it.  The other child that they helped I am pretty sure I have talked about before.  She was almost given to a brothel.  Both of these children has a special place in my heart.

The girls are coming up for their bedtime story soon, but I do want to mention a sight that I cannot get out of my mind for a number of reasons!  A couple of weeks ago, I was waiting for the bus across the street from the South City Mall.  (When you walk into the mall, you could be in any Western country!)  A mother was bathing her daughter on the curb.  Just behind them was a "lunch counter/tea stall" kind of place where the family obviously lives and works.  This mother was caring for her child in the best way that she knew how. The breakfast rush was over, and people had gone to work.  I know of at least two of the older teen girls who live here at PB whose parents run a tea stall down at Victoria Memorial  . . . one of the big tourist attractions here.  They live there, and I have been told that the Maidan area, at least at one time, became a brothel like place after the sun goes down.  I could just imagine the two girls, sisters, being bathed in days gone by on the side of the street like this.  I have also recently proofed an article being published by one of the departments at work about the homeless population here, opening night shelters . . . I am being called to think in ways that I have not thought before.  Lord, what do you want me to do with all of this!!!???

Pretty much all of our guests have left for this season anyway.  We have had a steady stream of them since early Jan.  It will be nice not to have so many, and I am sure that the cooks and the drivers are among the most relieved.  They are kept so busy!!!

Premila isn't well.  I haven't seen her in more than a week as she did not come into the office on Thurs or Fri, and didn't come to church today.  That is unusual.  I am pretty sure she has a trip coming up this week.  She was in Delhi for a couple of days last week meeting with gov't officials!

Time with Sandy went well in English class on Friday.  My students seemed to have a good time though I wouldn't have called it "conversation" class.  They had their pens and paper out, and were writing things down.  I am hoping to do some role playing Tues with another speaker of English who doesn't attend the class.

Sadhana is one of the dear women who teaches in one of our Pavement Clubs and attends Bible study.  She is single, has a skin problem . . . pigmentation . . . and is the dearest woman.  Friday she made my day when she said, "Aunty, I like you!"  (This was after class was officially over and we were just chatting . . . well sort of.)  I told her that I liked her, too.  Then she said, "You are just like a child!"  I know that it was a compliment from the way that she said it, but I wish I could find out more about her thoughts on the matter!  Maybe someday!

One of the youngest residents at PB is a boy who is in KG and is an orphan.  He is very tiny, has a lovely side most of the time, but a stubborn side as well.  He was up here the other night and spied his drawing on my fridge that he had given me after Sunday School one week.  He was so thrilled!!!  Well, today I got another picture and he communicated with me in his limited English and with gestures that I was to put it on the fridge . . . it's there!!!

Rebecca is a young American woman who attends JJF and the Ruth study.  Four of us, all foreigners,  went out to lunch after church and then R and I went shopping at New Market.  With the weather heating up, I need some cooler clothes.  I really appreciated what I saw of R today.  She is 29 and basically here on her own.  She is teaching slum children, and today we stopped by one of the families that she deals with.  They live on the sidewalk not far off one of the main streets in the city . . . on the way to New Market.  She had gotten the mother some medicine which she is trying to get her to take.  The children were really dirty, but she scooped them up anyway.  Bless her heart.  It was nice to have someone to shop with and get some opinions on things.  I got two new outfits! Someone asked if she were my daughter, which, of course, she could be, but . . . she told me last week that she wanted to become my friend.  I thought that was really sweet!

Some guests that really didn't have anything to do with EMC that came through this week were George, Christa, and Jonathan Verwer.  Rosemary Morris was also traveling with them.  They were here on Mon and Tues.  Our visits were brief, and I spent the most time with Christa.  I lived with them when Christa was just 5.  She is 47 now.  Forty two years ago we traveled overland from England to India together.  She thought it was pretty cool to be together again in India!

Calling it a day!

Like a kid with a new toy!!!

It is 9:30 p.m. here in Kolkata.  Ordinarily I would have headed for bed by now.  With the ability to work on this when I want to, and in the comfort of my own home, well I am finding it slightly addictive.  I cannot tell you what a boost this is for me!!!

Today I have been able to have a quiet day which is just what I needed.  I didn't really want to head over to Ripon Street to lead the study on Ruth.  I just really felt drained, and like I had no resources left.  I went on an errand for a friend, my bag was heavy, and though I was at the bus stop, I just thought that I couldn't take it.  The constant horn, and traffic . . . the thought of it was more than I thought I could take.  So, I asked a taxi driver to take me, and he did!!!  The traffic wasn't bad, and though the bus costs Rs. 6 and the taxi cost  Rs. 80 (maybe $4.00) it was worth it today!  Have I ever mentioned that the average speed for any vehicle in Kolkata is 15 mph!?  Have I mentioned that I can't wait to be able to drive my car again to get where I need to go?  Please remind me NEVER to complain about traffic again.

About this time last night, I was sitting here answering email, and all of a sudden the wind picked up.  I had several windows opened because someone turned summer on again and yesterday was pretty warm, well late spring, early summer kind of warm in VA, but NO AC!  Well, I was afraid that some of the windows would break, and the leaves were blowing into the house!  Then I heard some of the wood shutters banging.  I did manage to secure everything, but . . . it stormed and stormed through the night, and it was still raining this a.m. when school opened.  More than a few kids didn't come!!!  So, it was cooler today, but the paper says that the "winter" weather won't return this time.  I'm a little bit fearful about what that means!!!  I really don't like hot weather anymore!

By the time Bible study was over today, I felt refreshed.  Funny isn't it . . . the Word and fellowship even though most of the discussion today was in Bengali!

Can't believe that tomorrow is Fri.  I am going to give my English class topics for conversation.  Sandy, a new American volunteer, is coming with me to class.  I think it will help to have two people helping them with their conversations.  Sandy is going to work at the school, too. She is here for three months.

Better hit the sack for tonight.  It is my last night alone.  Naomi's family has been here this week.  I have appreciated having the place to myself again!  Well, actually I haven't been home much this week.  That is a whole 'nother story which I will get into at another time!!!

Trying to download some more pictures!

Got our internet stick, that's what I call it anyway, today, and I am writing from home.  How nice!!!  Now, let's see if I can download some pictures by myself!  (A little later . . . )  I definitely cannot, and right now I am too tired and too hungry to try anything else.  

Time is flying!!!

Things are moving forward and hopefully this is my last post from a cyber cafe!!!  Let's see.  Things are in the works for the four of us who live at Pauline Bhavan in a capacity other than being a child in residence,  have handed over the things that are needed to our faithful friend in the ministry who knows how to get these things done, and soon, we may be able to do this in the confines of our own home!  Let's see.

I did get a haircut this week from one of the members of the Tear Fund Ukraine team.  She did a great job!!!  She has been giving hair cuts at Pavement Clubs, was back at PB yesterday and did 6 more.  She also taught Zubani, the woman from Nagaland who looks after the boys how to give better hair cuts.  Everyone is excited about all of this!

I went to Nico Park (an amusement park) with over 90 kids from the JCDC project yesterday.  The weather was nice, and things were very well organized.  So, it all went well, and I turned off my life before 8:30 last night!

I made a dash to New Market with the team after church today.  They had found a place to buy things to take home that they thought was a great deal!  They were so definitely being taken for a ride, but they were seemingly happy with the prices that they were being quoted.  It gave me a chance to speak a bit of Hindi . . . the shopkeepers were complimentary.  I will be sure NOT to shop there when I am buying things to take home!!!

We are stuck into the season of visitors!  More arrived from UK yesterday.  I think they are here for a week.  More arrive next week for 10 days.


George Verwer, his daughter, grandson, and a family friend will be here the 13th and 14th.  He founded an organization that I was with for 11 years, and I first arrived here after a trip overland with his family 42 years ago this month!


I also visited 15 Camac St. this week.  I lived there for 2.5 years 40 years ago.  It is now a posh highrise hotel!  Nothing about the surroundings reminds me of anything about the place that I knew and loved!


Gotta run and get ready for classes tomorrow!  Two with Class 4 . . . reading comprehension and two Scripture classes with Classes 7 and 8.  So thankful for the friendly faces of the guys and girls who live in our residential programs.  I am trying positive reinforcement.  They are just used to being yelled at here and then not responding!!!

Pictures at last!!!

The playground at 48 Ripon Street, Kolkata 700016,  the EMC HQ  and center of life for many things!!!

 Remember me!?

Calcutta Emmanuel School, a view from my balcony, before the start of school one day!

Greeting friends as they arrive at school!

Sports' Day set up for the JCDC Project!

My bathroom

Dining area

Kitchen

Office, spare room, whatever!

Bedroom

The garden at Ripon Street . . . Pavement Club playing and enjoying the sun!!!

Pavement club at Ripon Street hearing a Bible story

Informal education at Ripon Street Pavement Club

Shoes are left behind when you are in this class!

This week flew!!!

I am going to make this short and sweet as I only have about 7 minutes left on my hour!  The week has been full.  The highlight of the week was a visit from the 8 member team from the Ukraine on Thurs.  It was a holiday, one of three this week.  We had so much fun.  The kids sang for them, recited some of their memory verses . . . Moinul did the whole of I Cor 13!!!  They taught us some songs, we ate, the kids taught them two Indian games, and when we had to move inside the CD player came out, and the dancing began!

Had a great time with Class III, both adult English classes and Bible study happened.  Next week will also be very busy with teaching Scripture to Classes VII and VIII.  Did I mention that Class VII has over 50 students!?  I am going to use the Compassion International Curriculum with them.  It is on the attributes of God.  Let's see.  Mon will be my most demanding day with Wed a close second!  

Lots more visitors in and out for the next couple of weeks.  The Ukraine team is here for three weeks.  We would like to see more of them.  I saw them yesterday at the office, and they had a good time with us, too!!!

What a week!!!

Naomi and I are sitting next to each other in the cyber cafe.  It seems almost unbelievable that it has only been a week since she arrived!!!

Time has just flown this week, and it has been a busy one.  The Nursery class at Calcutta Emmanuel School got started and is going well.  Naomi is helping with that.  I have offered to help with the teaching of Scripture classes at school.  It looks like I will be helping in Class 7 and 8.  They just have one lesson a week.  Compassion International has a curriculum which I wasn't able to open and read.  Hopefully I will get more information tomorrow at church from the woman who has been teaching Scripture and her techy husband who is also going to help take classes.  Both lessons will be on Mondays!  This Monday is a holiday . . . yes . . . three this week, but one of them is Sat!!!  


Tues night we had a special meeting at church.  Tony Sargeant shared from his recent trips to areas of the world that don't often get reported on where the Father is really working.  It was a very encouraging time.  I was already at 48 Ripon Street because of my English class.  I was so tired the next day that I didn't want to get out of bed!!!


Wed I took two periods with Class 3. It didn't go as I would have wanted it to.  The rote method of instruction that they are used to and the way I am used to teaching is a challenge.  Perhaps not trying to do two back to back periods is a possible answer.  I am also planning to spend time with Class 4.


We didn't do Ruth this week which was a miscommunication!  Unfortunately we missed the 12th because it was a holiday and will miss the 26th also because of a holiday!


English classes on Tues and Fri are highlights of my week.  They are eager students (adults that work in our informal education classes in the slums called Pavement Clubs).  They think I am a wonderful teacher.  So, it is an unbeatable combination!!!  The hour passes very quickly!


Another highlight of the week is continuing to read the Narnia stories before bed.  We started Prince Caspian last night!


Next Sat is a special pooja (idol worship) for girls.  I have been talking with Premila and Naomi today about how we could do something special for the girls at Pauline Bhavan.  One of our girls, the only Xn in her school, is under a lot of pressure to attend.  Lord, show us what to do!

A team from the Ukraine is coming this week for three weeks.  They are due to spend time with us on Thurs, a holiday . . . Republic Day.  I am hoping that they can do some fun things with our kids!


Tues as I was traveling across town by bus, it seemed like winter got switched off!!!  I've heard that it is supposed to rain again and go back into the 50s, let's see.  The longer we can put off the heat the better!!!

Well, I hope you can follow it all anyway!

Learning more about blogging, but made something of a mess today with my pages which I am not happy about.  I think I have learned my lesson, though, and that is a good thing, eh!!!???

Oh dear!!!

I lost some of the last post!!!  I think this is one of the things that I am most looking forward to to being back in Richmond . . . my own computer!!!  Anyway, I was touched by Katarina's gracious spirit to me when she had so many others to meet. 

I alsowrote about Jim and Roy, two new British friends that I helped entertain on Sat.  They are dear friends of the ministry.

Saleem, one of the drivers of the ministry went the extra mile to do something for me on Sat.

Two former Woodstock students now both doctors here in India took me out for lunch yesterday.  It was a super treat!!!

Nati and Lilly work at PB and do extra chores for me.  I pay them, but . . .

Naomi is coming on Fri, and will be living with me.  She is an older British teen, coming for 5.5 months.  She will be helping at the school.

I wrote more initially, but I have been here for three hours now,and I need to go home.  Hope I can post successfully this time!!!

I'll try, but . . .

It is annoyingly noisy and busy here in the cyber cafe this afternoon.  I have been jostled in my chair, hit in the head by a back back, and listened in on more than a few Bengali conversations, that I don't understand, of course.  I am tempted to throw up my hands and go home, but it has been quite a week, and I would like to talk about it.

I am disappointed that I lost part of the blog last week.  I actually tried again, but lost it, too.  What to do!!!???

I was telling you about Katarina who is the co Founder of Connexions, a cottage industry now attached to EMC.  I will keep this short, but she was so lovely and gracious to me when we met, and she had so many other people that were also meeting her after some time.  It spoke volumes to me.

Last Sat I entertained Jim and Roy for lunch.  The school cook did the cooking, so it was minimal work, but . . .  these gentlemen are British and older.  Jim has been a long term friend of the Calcutta Emmanuel School and he had come for a visit.  We had a wonderful time together.  These two, one 70 plus, the other 80 plus have traveled extensively

t is annoyingly noisy and busy here in the cyber cafe this afternoon.  I have been jostled in my chair, hit in the head by a back back, and listened in on more than a few Bengali conversations, that I don't understand, of course.  I am tempted to throw up my hands and go home, but it has been quite a week, and I would like to talk about it.

I am disappointed that I lost part of the blog last week.  I actually tried again, but lost that, too.  What to do!!!???

I was telling you about Katarina who is the co Founder of Connexions, a cottage industry now attached to EMC.  I will keep this short, but she was so lovely and gracious to me when we met, and she had so many other people that were also meeting her after some time.  It spoke volumes to me.

Last Sat I entertained Jim and Roy for lunch.  The school cook did the cooking, so it was minimal work, but . . .  these gentlemen are British and older.  Jim has been a long term friend of the Calcutta Emmanuel School, and he had come for a visit.  We had a wonderful time together.  These two, one 70 plus, the other 80 plus have traveled extensively throughout the world, and are real adventure seekers.  I ended up eating two more meals with them before they left on Thurs.  

Saleem is one of the drivers for EMC brought the men out to Pauline Bhavan.  He apologized to me for forgetting to bring me something from the office.  I assured him that it was fine, and that I had expected to get it the next day when I came to church.  Later there was a knock at my door.  It was Saleem with the things that he had forgotten!  Apparently he was on another trip that brought him out my way.  I was really touched.

Nati and Lilly work for EMC at PB, and they also work for me for a small fee!!!  Lilly generally doesn't come up to my place on Sat as she just works half day.  Well, knowing that my visitors would generate dishes, she came up to do them for me.  I kept telling her that she didn't have to, and she kept telling me to go.  

Sun the 8th I had a special visit with Kedu and Theja.  They were dear Woodstock students in the Classes of 2000 and 2002.  They are sisters and both medical doctors.  Kedu is a surgeon, learning about cancer surgeries in Mumbai, and Theja is half way through a residence program in GYN here in Kolkata.  We had lunch together and such a great visit.  They are both so grown up and sophisticated and yet I still the sweet girls that I loved long ago.  I last saw them when they were both still in Delhi on my last visit.  Though we had hoped to meet again, it didn't work.  Maybe I can see Theja again in the next couple of months.  Kedu went "home" on the 11th.


Tues school did re-open.  I knew that there was going to be a special assembly for Jim and Roy.  I had been told I wouldn't want to miss it and so was kind of hanging around trying to postpone my departure for the office on Ripon Street and my English lesson as long as possible.  In the end, it all worked out.  I saw for the first time a dance that I think has 9 students who perform to GO LIGHT YOUR CANDLE.  (The motto of the school is LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE.)   I was moved to tears.  It was that beautiful, that powerful.  The fact that two girls from Pauline Bhavan and two boys from Anondaloy were performing made it that much more special because I know a little something about their stories!  All of the 500 students at CES are from poor families.  As I rode the bus across the city I could not shake off the powerful impact it had on me.  Is God calling me to return here to make a difference in children's lives?  I don't have the answer to that and sometimes I don't even feel that I have time to think about it, but . . . I do want to make a difference and always have.  I have passed the half way mark on my time here, and though I am enjoying my time, there is also a part of me that is so looking forward to being back in the US!  I have to be out for two months, and I don't think I can come back with as little prep as I had before leaving this time.  I would also rather not come during the hot season or the monsoon seasons which are followed by so much down time because of holidays!  Let's see.  I am sure the answers will come!


Wed I took Assembly for K - 3 which I will be doing every Wed a.m. now until I depart!  I felt that Joshua would be a good story . . . be strong and courageous in your new school year.  I was touched as they sang their school song which is a prayer in Hindi.  I have the words, and am going to try to learn it!

It looks like I will be helping out on Mondays in Class 4 and on Tuesdays in Class 3 . . . two periods each.  I will continue with the afternoon project for the next 6 weeks along with my English lessons, and Bible study.  
Naomi arrived on Fri.  She is taking a gap year between school and university . . . she is British, a pastor's daughter, and has been here twice for a week to 10 days with her family.  She is going to be living with me and working at the school in the Nursery class (like K - 4 at the school where my nephew's kids study).  She is delightful, and we are establishing good communication so far.  I wasn't sure just what it would be like, but so far it has been really good/


I am reading THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE to a few of the girls downstairs just before bed up in my apartment.  It is really special to have the time with them!

Lots of foreign visitors due in next week including Tony Sargent, a well known British preacher, at least in some circles.  I have heard of him, but never met him or heard him speak.  That will all change on Tues.

Alfy, Premila's brother, is also coming this week.  We worked together in Mumbai in 1970.  I have seem him several times since then, and it is always a pleasure!  I am looking forward to seeing him.

It went quite chilly again after the rains, but is moderating some.  I like the cooler days, but sometimes the nights are a bit too cold for the amount of warm clothing that I have and the lack of heat!  This too will pass, and by mid March, we will likely be longing for this.

Better run for this time.  I hope the whole post gets posted!!!