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!!!
