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!