Moving forward!

As of Fri night, my standby ticket is booked . . . departure 21 Jan . . . Richmond, Atlanta, Amsterdam, Mumbai, return Mar 25th in the opposite direction.  This is the first of many prayer requests . . . that I would make all of these standby flights.  I spent an extra day in Amsterdam going last year, and an extra day returning in Mumbai in March!  Now that I have that under my belt, it isn't so scary as the Lord looked after me so well . . . no surprise, I know . . . last time, and I am confident He will again.

So, if all goes according to plan, I should arrive in Mumbai about midnight, India time (they are 10.5 hours ahead of us) on Jan 22nd.  Once again, I am planning to get my India legs under me and see a couple of Woodstock old students in Mumbai before flying up to Kolkata on the 25th.  I also don't want to book a flight up too quickly out of Mumbai because I just might be delayed en route.

My Ukrainian friends will be in Kolkata when I arrive, and I am very much looking forward to spending time with them in India.  I am, as you can imagine, also looking forward to seeing my Kolkata family.  I expect to overlap a few days with Dave and Cathy Hicks of AlongSideAsia before going up to N. Bengal for 2.5 weeks by train.  That's another prayer request . . . an overnight train, and my stop isn't a long one.  I will be met there by one of the Narginarys, no doubt.

In Dec 2009, I went to visit Nicholas Narginary, a former colleague from my days in Calcutta in the 70's.  I have met him again both in Kolkata and at ASA Retreats.  The invitation to return has been an open one. This seemed like the year to accept it.  Joshua, Nicholas's son, runs an English medium school on the property of NORTH BENGAL OUTREACH CENTER.   He has asked me to help with English acquisition.  I plan to leave Kolkata on Feb 5 and return the 22nd.

I will then fit into my usual roles, I expect, in Emmanuel Ministries of Calcutta.  They include English and Bible teaching as well as seeking to be an encouragement to staff and children whenever possible.

India 2014 . . . when, where, why!!!???

Since my arrival home from India in March of 2013, I have been planning to return in Jan 2014, after celebrating Christmas with my family in Pensacola, FL.  Initially when I wrote to the EMC leadership about this plan, they suggested that because of so many other foreign guests coming in Jan that I think of coming at another time.  So, I contacted a former OM colleague that I visited with mutual friends in 2009 who has wanted me to return to N. Bengal and spend more time with his ministry.   I thought everything was more or less set.  I would return to Kolkata towards the end of Jan so that I could overlap with the team from Ukraine that I have grown very fond of, especially after visiting them in Aug.

Then I learned that my standby ticket would not work on the departure date that I had proposed.  What initially seemed like a set back now seems like wisdom from above!!!  Why did I think I could leave again so soon after returning from Christmas?  I have realized this past week just how travel weary I am!!!  Getting ready to travel and the long trips are the challenge . . . not being with the people I love!

So, today I began investigating leaving on Jan 21 with a Mar 25 return.  Let's see how that works out.  I would fly through Amsterdam to Mumbai . . . hopefully not being delayed anywhere along the way . . . and plan to reach Kolkata on Jan 25th.  That arrival date would make it possible for me to be in Kolkata with the Ukraine team for a week.

What about a return to Hamiltongunj, in the northern part of Bengal state?  I am investigating that.  Nicholas Narginary has been used of God in his home area, a tribal one.  A Children's Home, a school, lots of outreach and church planting are the major focus of his ministry.  His son Joshua has asked that I help in the school.  Going in Feb or Mar is what I am purposing.

I want to return to Kolkata to continue relationships there especially with my spoken English students, several of them are also in the women's Bible study that I have lead during my past visits.  I am also looking forward to deepening relationships with the children, teens, and young adults and various and sundry others who work in EMC that have become very precious to me.

It's Christmas time in the city . . .

A post on this blog is long overdue!  As I write, I have just returned from helping at the STEP (Strategies To Elevate People) breakfast.  STEP works in one of the neighborhoods in the city that could be described as 'challenging'.  Along with breakfast, there is a chance shop in a 'store' of donated gifts for a discounted price.  I do enjoy doing such things . . . talking with people, holding babies while mother's shop, et al!

The Fall has been a difficult one.  I just re-read my last post, fresh back from a mountain top experience. Surely some of my low moments have come because of the evil one who wants to render me unusable.  In a few days I will become the age that my dad was when he died.  That thought is sobering in and of itself.  But, the next sobering thought is that I have my mother's good genes, and it is likely that I still have a third of my life to live!!!  (I know that this is biting off more than I need to chew, but it has been overwhelming!)  What AM I going to do with the next third of my life?

I came home in Sept to find my church in the midst of a Capital Campaign!!!  Oh my, that knocked me off my feet in a way that I could not have predicted!  The church that I joined and loved for many years, the one where at one time I knew and was known . . . now every time I go to a function I not only don't know people, but I have never even seen many of them before!  Now, grow more . . . !!!???  How will I ever feel apart again if I am always going somewhere else!?  Experiencing the death of a vision of sorts, I think.

Oct marks my mother's death anniversary.  It has now been four years.  The struggle of not actually belonging to anyone anymore continues to be difficult for me to overcome.  I know that I belong to Jesus, and that He is enough, but I do struggle at times with profound loneliness.

At the end of Oct, I drove to Pensacola to celebrate my sister's big day!  It was fun being with family and also visiting friends in the ATL area.

Since receiving an email from Seth, my oldest great nephew, a year ago asking me if I didn't think it was time to spend Christmas with them . . . in the last four years, I have been out of the country three Christmases! He is about to turn 12 so I thought, "I'll be there in 2013!"  But, what about Thanksgiving?  I would love to have been in FL, but just knew that I couldn't drive down twice more . . .  flying is EXPENSIVE, and then you don't have a car . . . If I went for Thanksgiving I was going to stay down for Christmas which wasn't practical on a number of levels.  Long story short, I had Thanksgiving with friends here, and leave on the 17th to spend Christmas with the Clarkes . . . all 8 of them.  Not completely clear yet when I will return.

Then there is India . . . I have been planning to return in Jan since my return in Mar, but I couldn't get my head around making plans.  Then I did!  The dates were set 31 Dec - 4 Mar.  All set up, planning to fly standby, thinking that those dates would be great for plenty of seats because who is going to fly on the 31st and 1st!?  Alas, I can't fly on the 1st and getting stuck in Amsterdam is EXPENSIVE.  So, plans were put on hold and now I need to make a new plan.

My mother always struggled with making decisions, especially ones that involved travel.  So many times in the past few months I find myself right where Mom often was . . . just unable to decide.  I am plagued with the what about this, or that?  A friend pointed out that she thought I was tired.  Tues I lost my voice . . . my mother always told me that is a sign of exhaustion . . . I think there is more to it than that, but . . . I need to make a decision.  The thought has come this week that I am just generally burned out on travel.  I love going places and visiting people, but I so dislike the process.

The other day in my devotional reading, these verses spoke sweetly to me . . . from the Amplified Version . . . how that I have a Kindle, I have about five translations downloaded . . . I LOVE it!!!

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief, ease, refreshment, recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.  For my yoke is wholesome (useful, good, not harsh, hard, sharp or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.                               Matt 11:29 and 30

Something else that stopped me dead in my tracks recently, from a sermon preached by my pastor, Steve; is a prayer by Tim Keller . . .

"Lord, I have been trying to earn my own salvation and weave my own righteousness.  But you are my salvation and righteousness.  I am accepted already in your Son!  All my problems come because I am forgetting how honored, beautiful, secure, rich, embraced, and free I am in Jesus and among my brothers and sisters.  Let me be so ravished with your love of me that no other love can control me." . . . I say, "Amen and Amen!!!"

On Thurs night I met with some of the women in a nearby neighborhood for a Bible study that hasn't been meeting for months.  One of the take away thoughts was, "The Lord loves you so much that if he had a wallet, your picture would be in it!"

So, Lord, bring on the next 30 years, or so, and help me discern in the next couple of days my next trip to India. You know how much I love those people and how much I want to be with them.  Melt away all of the nagging doubts and fears, the drudgery of packing and the long trip.  I want to be yoked with you, to be useful in your kingdom, to live in your love!  Lead on, oh King Eternal!!!

Reassuring . . . Twenty seven days away . . .

It has now been two weeks since I arrived home from 16 days in Ukraine and about 10 days in England. As I was returning to 'my base' in England, I was reflecting on the time and asking the Lord for a word to sum up the time.  REASSURING was the word that came to mind.

As I reflected more on that, I thought of the time in Ukraine.  The first week at camp had its challenges; but the things I learned about the friends I had met in Kolkata, the country, and just watching the young Ukrainians who translated for us or who lead groups, life guarded . . . children who are poor and from large families, some who are social orphans . . . their parents given to drink so the government takes them, foster families who then take them in and give them a second chance.  Helping with clubs . . . card making, story telling and sketching three mornings . . . Trying to get to know the oldest girls, eight of them, at camp to whose group I was assigned . . . only one spoke much English.  One day a translator helped me tell them about India.  I was touched by their questions and by their compassion for people in other parts of the world.  I enjoyed spending so much time outside.  The weather was perfect . . . warm sunny days with no humidity.  It only rained once and that was at night.

The second week with the Bute family.  Katya has lead the team to Kolkata the past two years.  Hearing more of her story, meeting her husband and children, getting to know more of Sonya who is the daughter of her best friend and like another member of the family.  I had met Sonya at camp and had been drawn to her. David, K's British husband, so different from the rather self indulgent British young people that I met at camp, has given himself to Ukraine . . . speaking English only with his children so that they will be bilingual . . . a gift that I so appreciate parents giving their children and the many guests that come and go from the English speaking world.  Breaking out of the legalism of the Ukrainian church, entrepreneurial in his approach . . . language school, website design, youth meetings at Kafe Kreative etc.

The wedding of Roma and Ira and getting to know more of their family.  These relationships also began in far off Kolkata.  Meeting families of team members, having dessert in the yard of one such family and discussing missions and missionary heroes of years gone by, all through translation.

Meeting with perspective team members for the team returning to Kolkata in Jan, seeing how hard they work to raise funds to do this. Katya and I made Chutney one day that would be sold.  It was the end of a busy summer for the family so we did something fun every day with the children.  I had taken Jolly Ranchers and a pack of cards with scenes of Virginia on them.  Both were a big hit!

On the 24th of Aug, I left Kiev and flew to London Gatwick.  I was met by Mike and Elsie Lyth who had graciously offered their home as my base!  Elsie and I made the maiden voyage on the LOGOS together more than 40 years ago, then we all ended up with OM in Calcutta where they fell in love.  I used to be their chaperon . . . another long OM story.  It was just wonderful to be with them, to talk and walk, to meet their eldest and only son who lives nearby with his beautiful wife and four lively children.  I would love to have spent more time with all of them.

On the 27th I packed my small bag and took off for London Victoria where I met Daniel Verwer for lunch.  Again, such a great reunion!!! (I lived with his family when he was seven.  He is now 51!!!)  After a lunch of fish and chips . . . totally indulgent and not Weight Watcher's friendly . . . I was off to Leamington Spa to spend a couple of nights with Ruth, Hugh and Robin Bradby.  Ruth and I worked in the OM Bombay Office, again more than 40 years ago.  This family and I also share the Woodstock experience though we were regretfully not there at the same time.  Tricia Leigh came over for dinner.  She and I were on my very first OM team together in France . . .1968!!!  A bonus for that time was getting to meet Nimmi, an old Woodstock student who lives close by.

On the 29th I left for Tonbridge where I met with Christa and Drena Verwer (daughter and mother).  What a fun day.  Christa introduced me to her sons as 'my friend'.  I felt so touched . . . in days gone by she always introduced me as her teacher!  Christa was five when I lived with the Verwers.  She just turned 49!  Drena looks as young as she did in 1969 - 70 when I lived with them.  I returned to West Wickham with her by car and spent two nights in the flat of a friend who isn't in the country.  I made some new friends there with a young Indian couple who is living in the flat awaiting visa for Australia.  Josh got word while I was there that he had passed his Charter Accountant test . . . like the American CPA.

I spent most of the 30th with Mike and Kerstin Wakely.  Kerstin had been my women's leader, again in France, in 1969, and has always been someone I admire.  We were together again in Calcutta in the 70s, and I used to see them regularly at OM conferences.  Their daughter and her three children came in later in the day.  Things were hopping!!!

My last trip was the longest and most challenging!  I did love making my way around England by train, tube and bus . . . let's hear it for the ease of public transportation!!!.  I was helped so much by each person that I stayed with get to the next place, but things on that Sat a.m. had to be changed as the tube line that I was to take was closed for repairs!  I had to take two tubes instead of one, but it all worked out.  This journey took me about three hours.  I had been on three trains and the two tubes when I arrived at Bury St. Edmunds, and I thought, "I hope this is worth it, Lord!"  I was visiting Rosemary . . . too long of a story to go into details, but friends for a LONG time and fellow India lovers!!!  From 'hello', I knew it was worth it.  We had such a wonderful time, went out into the English country side and enjoyed a cream tea!  The next day, which was such a totally unexpected treat, we had Sunday dinner with Peter and Birgitta Conlan as well as Peter and Colette Wales . . . again the story is too long to go into, but India figures heavily into all of our paths.  It was such a glorious day.

Returning to Mike and Elsie felt like returning home.  I was only sorry that I didn't have more time to spend with them.

Back to Amsterdam on the 3rd because a flight out of London in time to make my flight back to the US on Sept 4th was too early to ask someone to get me to, enabled me to see Maria, Ramesh and Sophia Chand. They are in Holland, and came to the airport to meet me, so that Ramesh can get a PhD in Theology.  Maria's dad is principal at Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Dehra Dun, at the bottom of the mountain from Mussoorie, and also studied for two years at Woodstock.  Sophia is their adorable daughter.  They will return to India where Ramesh will teach at PTS.

I got a room in a hotel after they left . . . I slept like a log which I had done throughout the trip . . . pretty unusual considering all of the beds in which I slept.  I should add that it didn't rain one single day while I was in England.  The weather was gorgeous . . . sunny and warm, with no humidity!!!

The challenge for me when I return from a trip overseas is always to get my head around being back.  It is always such a let down as I feel so useful and fulfilled out there . . . not so much the case here.  I know that part of it is that I am always getting ready to go somewhere else.  I realize that this has been the case since I arrived back in 2002, with the exception of the two years that I taught . . . a time which had its own challenges.  I have had another long talk with Jesus this a.m. about it all.  I do submit to Him, and trust Him for next steps.  They seem blurry right now, except that I know a trip to Pensacola is next.  My sister Carol turns 70 in Nov, and I want to be with her to honor her and celebrate with her.

Daddyless daughters . . .

Last week I watched a show on OWN.  Though some may not be fans of the channel or its 'matron', I find things I watch on it are often insightful.  Yes, secular, but then I can sift through that and use that which is helpful or informative, and disregard that which is not.  I often view it as a glimpse into today's American culture.  I enjoy the study of culture.

The program includes those of us who grew up with the physical presence of our 'daddy' but missed out on any sort of emotional involvement from him.  I have long believed that my uncomfortable relationship with my father on several levels inflicted scars.  I have dealt with many of the painful things, and would have said that I was at the bottom of my grievances against dad.  I have prayed recently with a friend about some painful memories that have surfaced from childhood.  Even before this program, three memories from growing up had surfaced, and when I faced them with this friend on Tues, I thought, "No wonder I have sometimes described my dad as mean."  In praying through these memories, my friend asked, "Are you angry/bitter with God?"  I was surprised, and replied that I wasn't, but then could see that I was!  How wonderful to be able to come to Him and seek forgiveness, to give Him the pain and ask for healing.

This week has been a red letter one for me in that I received copies of my sister in law's autobiography.  Hanna has been working on this for four years.  She is a Holocaust survivor.  It's all so amazing.  I am riveted as I read!  How can mankind do such things to mankind!!!???  A GARLAND FOR ASHES by Hanna Zack Miley.  I invite you to read it.  I've only finished four chapters so far, but . . . "Thank you, Lord, for saving Hanna's life, and for bringing her to know you as her Messiah.  Thank you for helping her face the past and forgive!  Thank you for the ways that you have used her in my life since 1967 when first we met here in Richmond.  At that time I never dreamed that she would marry my brother!"

One of the main roles of a Daddy according to the program is to protect a daughter, to show her what love without sex looks like . . . wow . . . I grew up without that, BUT my Heavenly Father has loved me from eternity.  He allowed His son to suffer and die for my sins, He has protected me over many years of traveling cross culturally and doing many things that some might consider 'dangerous'.  He has loved me unconditionally, and even stooped to use me for His glory.  Hallelujah, what a savior!!!

I'm returning to Europe!!!

From 1982 - 1988, I spent every summer, all summer in Europe.  I was working, at the time, out of the OM USA office, and my responsibilities with Americans joining OM for the summer, the one year program, or the two year program is what had me on that side of the pond.  I spent most of the time in Belgium and at conferences.  It was a rich time in my ministry history.

In Jan 2012 and Jan 2013, a team from the Ukraine has come to Kolkata.  I have loved getting to know them a little bit, and to make a very long story short, I am going to visit them from Aug 9 - 24th!!!  It has been a decade since I set my feet on European soil.  I am really looking forward to this!

It is going to be a very different kind of experience for me.  Firstly, I am only going for two weeks.  That seems like a short time to me.  The first time the team came to Kolkata, they came for three weeks.  They bonded with us, and we with them.  The second time they came for just two weeks.  They all decided that it wasn't long enough!  Maybe since I already know the people that I'll be spending the bulk of my time with, it won't be frustrating.  They are also returning to Kolkata in Jan 2014, and in my heart I am planning to do the same . . . no details worked out yet!

My flight is booked into Kiev.  On Aug 9th, after an overnight flight from Richmond to JFK and Amsterdam Alla will come to meet me.  Alla heads up Kompas Park camps in Kreshchatyk.  Children from Ukraine, Russia and Latvia attend these camps.  I am not sure how I will fit in at this point, but since English is my mother tongue and many people around the world want to learn to speak that language, I expect that will be a big part of it.  Many who have come to Kolkata help with the camp, they share their faith which I will also be able to do.  I want also to be an encouragement to them as it is at the end of camp season and I am sure they will be tired!

Roman and Irene got engaged the night before they were leaving Kolkata.  Their wedding is Aug 18th and I look forward to celebrating that with them!

The second week I will be with Katya and her family in Cherkassy.  Katya and her husband run the Cherkassy Centre for Biblical Studies and church planting.  They, too, will also be coming off a busy ministry schedule.  One of the things that Katya has asked is for me to meet with the team that is preparing to go to Kolkata in 2014 so that we can discuss how best they might be used.

I've never spent much time in Eastern Europe.  I always enjoy getting to know friends better by seeing their situations and learning more of their story.  I value your prayers for this trip.

On the way back to the US, I will break my flight in Amsterdam and fly to London Gatwich from Aug 24 - Sept 3.  I am very much looking forward to reconnecting with a number of friends that I was with in my OM days and I also hope to meet some former Woodstock School students who live in London.  Again, I would appreciate prayer that this would all come together.  It will involve a fair amount of train travel in and around the London area, with a couple of trips further afield.  Please, Lord, bring this all together and use it for your glory.

I return to the US on Sept 4th.

A long overdue update!

Am taking to my keyboard after a very long time!  The frustrations with my computer abound these days.  I am hoping that I can get this posted successfully.  I have been thinking from time to time that I should post since my arrival back in the US on Mar 20, 2013.  After reading my last post, I am more firmly resolved to do so!

I DID get the residents of Anandoloy and Pauline Bhavan their Bibles at the 11th hour!  At 7 p.m. the night before my departure from Kolkata, the young man from OM Books arrived with the English Bibles!!!  They were refusing to unload the truck because of a religious festival, but the schools and shops were open.  I told the young man that he just HAD to get the Bibles for me.  The residents of both projects were thrilled.  The Bengali Bibles were delivered the next day, and Premila personally delivered them for me!

My week in Mumbai was stressful, but the highlight was meeting with Andi and Sheba who work among HIV/AIDS patents.  I have known Andi since he was a toddler.  What a blessing!

The first night at the Mumbai airport, I didn't get on the flight.  The Lord really watched over me, got me a room where I could not only sleep, but the next morning I also got all that I needed!  Those things included a cyber cafe, an ATM, and a place to add minutes to my phone.  The 'strangers' at the hotel could not have been more helpful!  I got on the plane the second night, and though I didn't get Business Class, I was able to sit in Economy Comfort!  Those four inches do make a big difference.

Adjusting back has its challenges.  Life is challenging, though, isn't it!?

Kicking back after making it through a week of good byes!

I've made it, and I only cried once!!!  If you have prayed thanks,the Lord has answered in the affirmative!

Mon Class V gave a brilliant performance answering questions about THE SECRET GARDEN, the book I had read them.  The Headmistress of the Primary School was very impressed, and so was I, if I do say so myself!  Tues I just slipped in to tell Class III good bye.  We finished SNOW WHITE last week.  I don't think they got it at all except the "mirror mirror" part which they often repeated with me.  Finished up the SG with Class IV on Tues and then invited the Headmistress in.  They weren't so impressive which really didn't surprise me!

Wed with the boys was sweet.  I gave them all a picture of me with them in some sort of activity together.

Thurs was when the tears could not be held back.  I rushed home from Bible study, which was touching when two of  the younger women in the study who are seekers and don't speak English, communicated to me that they had enjoyed the classes and hoped I would return.  When I arrived home, the kids had a surprise farewell planned where I was presented with a SLAM BOOK, each of them writing a page.  Then several children said sweet things, and I just lost it.  I think they were surprised!

On Fri I 'packed out' and left each child a picture on his/her bed. Living on the third floor meant lots of running up and down before I left for my English class.  More sweet sentiments with invitations to return, something I very much want to do.  I have been living at Premila's since Fri which has been nice . . . quieter and more restful in so many ways.

I wore a sari to church this a.m.  My, that is an ego booster!!!  "Aunty, you look beautiful!" is a refrain that I heard over and over again.

Unfortunately, the Bibles haven't come in.  I have been promised them tomorrow!  I think they are in the city, but not off the transport . . . they have come from Hyderabad!  It complicates tomorrow slightly, but means that I get to visit PB and Anandaloy once more and give everyone that last hug!  I fly on the 12th in the a.m. 

Not sure what my internet situation will be once I leave here!  I value prayers for the time in Mumbai, especially that John, Priscilla and I will feel an immediate link and figure out how I can best help them in the week that we have together.  Getting to see Kedu and Rebecca would be a real treat!

Mar 19, starting in the the wee hours of the a.m., still Mon night US time, I'll hopefully be leaving for Amsterdam, Detroit and Richmond!   Gaining time all the way, I am due in in the mid afternoon. 

A Productive Week . . .

Wednesday there was a Sports' Day planned, on the other side of town, of course; with a number of the projects that have children in what we call 'informal education'.  Some of these students are in my Thurs afternoon English class, I wanted to be apart of things, so I planned to go after my class at CES.  In the mean time, things sort of fell apart with the Bibles that I thought were ordered.  They arrived but weren't what we were expecting or wanted . . . paper back with very small print . . . cheap, but . . . So, en route, I stopped at the very large  AG Compound where OM Books is located.  I had been there both last time and about a week ago.  I knew what I wanted, and got them ordered.  The guys in the shop assured me that I would have my Bibles this coming week.  I NEED them before the 10th as I leave here on the 12th, and I would like to be the one that hands them out!  I finally reached the field at nearly one o'clock.  The memo said that the event was from 10 to 4, but things had gone more quickly than planned.  It was HOT and very breezy, which is nice on one hand, but means lots of dust on another!  So, within an hour, we were back in the office.

I went over to Anandaloy early with some guests that were passing through.  It was fun to have the extra time with them.  I tried something different this week . . . having them  read a passage and drawing what it meant.  I had done it myself, and found it very meaningful.  Alas, it didn't work so well, but the notes I offered all disappeared.   The older boys, generally the ones who speak English, go to study after devotions.  They are all away at the beach this weekend.  So, I'll miss seeing them tomorrow at church.

Thurs several of the women didn't come for Bible study . . . Sports' Day lag . . . but those who came seemed receptive to the lesson . . . we were . . . we are.

Fri all of the women who are in my English class had the day off . . . again, Sports' Day related.  They had gone on a picnic . . . so, no class . . . a bit of a relief for me!!!  They invited me to go, but I had already booked myself in for a tour of Free Set.  I had been wanting to go for some time, and wanted to buy some gifts there.  So, I used that as an excuse, and got out of the gate here by 8:30.  I was traveling my motor rickshaw and the metro.  I wasn't sure how long it would take, and I didn't want to be late for my 10:00 appointment.  Things went well until I couldn't exit the metro station according to my directions.  So, I was not sure where I was going.  I stopped and asked a couple of times, and then I got quite a shock!  A young adult male took me where I needed to go!  As we walked I told him that he had restored by faith in Indians! I went on to explain that people in this country are so hospitable when you are in their home, but generally the public seems just rude and indifferent.  For example, someone stepped on my foot on the metro and didn't even look at me apologetically!  Anyway, I was grateful because I would have found it a challenge to locate the building as per the directions.
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When I got there, three other foreigners were also awaiting the tour.  All Americans and all working for or with 'fair trade' companies.  One had helped open 10,000 Villages down in Carytown!  It was nice to share the experience with them.

Two of the residents of Pauline Bhawan have mothers who work at Free Set.  The one that I know came in to work and was very surprised to see me.  We did a few hand motions . . . I really do need to learn some Bengali!

We ended up having a tour conducted by the co-founder of the business.  A lovely woman . . . raised in India of missionary parents, and returned here with four children under the New Zealand Baptists.  When they found their first apartment, they soon learned that they were smack dab in the middle of a Red Light district!  Feeling very much called to minister in their neighborhood, they learned that the reasons that women were involved in the trade was largely because of poverty.  Free Set started in 2001 with 13 women.  They now have over 150 and the business is growing.  They do quality stuff, are paid a fair wage, and have benefits.  They can pay their rent without demeaning themselves, and it is a happy place.  Unashamedly Christian, as the co-founder told us, the sense of community and well being for the women is evident.  There is childcare for children who aren't in school, good facilities for hygiene and clean drinking water for starters!

I enjoyed every minute of the time there and left with my bag full of bags to give as gifts.  Back on the Metro, I got off at Park Street.  Theja, a former Woodstock student is in her final year of OB/GYN residency here, and we had talked about meeting for coffee.  I was heading for Flurys . . . a hold over from the days of the  British Raj, to get a club sandwich.  Long story short, Theja joined me, and we talked for several hours.  It was so nice to get caught up with her.  She plans to return to Nagaland, a NE tribal state in India, to work with her father who is also a doctor.  Among other things she hopes to be able to go out into the more rural settings in the area surrounding her home.  Kedu, her sister, a surgeon, is in a surgical oncology residence in Mumbai, and I hope to see her during my time there.

My taxi story for this week involves the trams, which I haven't ridden on for many years.  They are slow and run down the middle of the street!  The other day my taxi driver tried to 'outrun' the tram before it turned.  He ended up having to slow down, but . . . never a dull moment on the streets of Kolkata.

My last Sat at Pauline Bhavan . . . and I started packing.  On Fri I plan to move over to Premila's for my last four days here.  That will be really nice.  So, next Sat . . . Russell Street.  The following Sat Mumbai.  The Sat after that RVA!  Wow!

I hope to visit Sari Bari on Wed . . . another 'cottage industry' to provide women in Red Light areas an alternative means of providing for themselves.  Tues I plan to visit one of the projects that I haven't visited.  So, it is going to be another full week.  I will finish up everything before crashing at Premila's for the weekend!

Praying that the Bibles arrive!  Also pray that they will be read, understood and followed!!!

Please do pray for those flights from Mumbai to Amsterdam to Detroit to Richmond . . . stand by all the way.  A Business Class seat would also be a really nice treat, but the highest priority is a seat . . . preferably not in the middle seat!!!

Too many irons in the fire!!!

At last, here I sit in the office at Pauline Bhavan.  The window before me is open so that I can enjoy the delightful breeze that helps counteract the sun's heat . . . yes, getting warmer day by day, but still not too bad, and still cool enough at night to sleep well!  I have turned my fan back on because I do love sleeping under a fan.  It means that blankets are still required for part of the night . . . I like that too!

Each week when my English class of adults meets, I introduce them to an Idiom.  'Too many irons in the fire' was the one we talked about a couple of weeks ago.  Those sentiments have been ringing in my ears ever since.  Since my last post, there seem to have been SO many irons in the fire!!!  Just two British guests left now.  The team left yesterday, Naomi leaves tomorrow and Anne leaves in a week.  I am guessing that I am not the only one breathing a sigh of relief!  Though I have had little to do with guests this year visiting EMC, just the energy, the extra people and the displacement of routine is challenging for people like me!  Two Fridays, for example, the room where I generally have my English class was taken, even when my class is "on the books"!  Oh well . . . next week should be better.  Yesterday we met in the hall!

On Feb 10th we celebrated 11 years of sobriety with Utpal during our worship service.  Now, I thought, that is something I have never done in a church before!

It was fun having Dewy and Carolyn here and visiting Connexions with them.  Bapi, who is in charge of that project, asked me if I would come over sometime and help them with color combinations that foreigners like. Wow, I would love to do that, but when . . .???  I also enjoyed learning more about Free Set and Sari Bari, and do hope to visit Free Set next week.

Just a little update from FREEDOM FIRM . . . if you are not on their mailing list, you should be because they rescued a number of girls again recently!!!  Glory to God, and thank you, Father, for the way you are leading Mala, Greg and the others!

There was a strike on this week on Wed which meant that I couldn't go over to have devotions with the boys.  So, I arranged to do it on Tues.  It went better than the week before, but they were still difficult to read.  On Thurs night at an art workshop by one of the Brits, Suraj sat next to me.  You may remember that he is the one who asked me to start coming each week.  I had wanted to have a chance to ask him for some feed back.  His encouraging reply went something like . . .'we really like it Auntie, and later we older boys discuss it!!!'  Glory to God!!!

Girls are more ready to give feed back, and I am getting positive fibes from the girls here.

Before I left the US, it was on my heart to give the kids in these two residential programs a Bible.  Once I got here it seemed that they already had one, and so I put that thought on the back burner.  Some of the women at SPC had even made 'nameplates' for the Bibles.  Long story short, I learned last Mon night from the girls that the Bibles I see in their hands aren't really theirs!  They WANT a Bible to call their own and were touched beyond belief at what the women had done, that they had taken their pictures and that they were praying for them!!!  Their only complaint was that they didn't know who to thank . . . by name . . . I promised that I would work on that!!!

So, I am now working with Premila to get some Bibles at a very reasonable price.  I am only here now until March 12th, so I pray that we can get everything in place before I leave.  I have also learned that there is an easy to read version of the Bengali Bible.  Many of the boys who live at Anandaloy go to Bengali medium school.

I hate it that I don't know all of the boys' names . . . not even all of the ones who go to CES.  I have gotten a list from Prashanto and have started working on it!

I have decided to extend my stay in India by one week so that I can be in Mumbai for a week on the way out.  I have peace that this is the right thing to do.  My target date for heading west is now Mar 19.  It isn't too early to start praying that I will get on my flights . . . you may remember that I was delayed by 24 hours coming out.  I will be visiting FRIENDSHIP CENTRE (this is not a misspelling . . . it is the British way to spell the word) OF INDIA, which is run by John and Priscilla Gladstone.

With the weather heating up and with the many trips back and forth across the city that I am making these days, which often include time restraints or crowded buses, I have begun to travel more by taxi.  To give you a little bit of an insight into traffic here, let me tell you about two recent rides home!

It is not unusual to see a driver 'dusting' off his car, and someone generally washes cars everyday.  The other day my taxi driver was getting his 'dusting' done as he waited at traffic lights!  It took him two lights to get it done, but . . . drivers always turn off their engines when they are stopped at lights.  Yesterday, my driver fell asleep at a traffic light, but when everyone turned on their engines, he was quickly awake and ready to go!

Sashi and I became friends last time I was here and yesterday we finally had some time together to just sit and chat at the mall over a cup of coffee.  In his mid twenties, a recovering alcoholic with a heart for the Lord, an artist in training for something like graphic design, a wonderful guitarist . . . what a blessing.  I wish he were in one of my studies.  He needs to learn more about the doctrine of GRACE, but then don't we all!!!???

This time last week I was in rainy Lucknow!  Monika and Daniel's wedding celebration was such a blessing. I wish I could have had more time with them and Monika's amazing family.  With the rain, a lot of change of venue was required.

I need to really get focused on leaving now.  I hate it, but want to leave well.  I felt it went well last time.  I hope to spend some time with Premila at her home before leaving.  I would actually like to 'leave from there' which would mean moving out of here at least by the 10th when someone else is coming and will be staying here.

Thanks for reading!

What a day!

Yesterday was a great day, and I am ever so grateful.  I really needed it.

The experts say that there are four stages of cultural adjustment . . . the Honeymoon . . . initially when everything is exciting and new.  That's followed by Frustration when everything is no longer new and exciting, but gets on your nerves, and makes you feel uncomfortable.  That can lead to Depression.  If you hang in there and don't give up you will come to a place of feeling Settled.  Hopefully I am entering stage four!

I would have never considered the frustrations that I have been experiencing of late as culture shock, but I think the Spirit gave me wisdom, and I realized that I needed to call it that!  I have also struggled with feeling depressed, and definitely felt that yesterday . . . I just didn't want to get up.  I was back in my "real" world after being away from it for four days.  I had been refreshed by the break, but . . .

After my lesson with Class V, I made another trip over to Ripon Street to tell my Ukrainian friends good bye!  Who knew that the person from Pauline Bhavan who had decided to stop speaking to me last week would be there and that FINALLY, at least from my point of view, she broke the ice.  Almost immediately the fog began to lift.  I was sad about the team leaving, but refreshed by the warmth of the girls that I now spend an hour with on Thurs when they saw me.  Two of my students from the Fri English class, who head up projects, did part of their THANK YOUS in English to the Ukraine team. . . it was their idea and we prepared the remarks after class on Fri.

But, hold onto your hat because the best is yet to come.  I have long loved the boys who live at Anandoloy, and enjoy them whenever I have a chance.  I went over and spent an evening with them in Nov, and haven't been back, which is sort of a shame on me kind of thing.  I am the one who needed to take the initiative.  I had even spoken with Prashanto earlier in the day about doing something with them.  The days are ticking by fast, and I'll be the one leaving.  Well, Suraj said to me later, "Auntie, will you come over to Anandoloy once a week and teach us the Word of God?"  You could have knocked me over with a feather.\!  "Yes," I replied, "I would love to do that!"  We sort of planned on Fri, and I have checked it out with Prashanto who is checking it out with the 'warden' as they call them in EMC.  I AM THRILLED.  We also plan to do something together on Sat to take us all out and about, away from our same old same old lives, after the Keswick breakfast . . . another story, but . . . Prashanto is getting back to me on all of this!

Last night I finally got a chance to meet with the teenaged girls with whom I live.  We started the GOSPEL IDENTITY series which is also what I will do with the boys. This is what I am teaching the women, too. Since my last visit, I have been concerned that these kids need systematic teaching and also to be called to respond to the Gospel, leaving everything else behind . . . something that people like Shobroto had never realized he needed to do!  Anyway, I thought it went well, though all of them aren't taking it in.  Pooja told me later that she liked it and that she was going to try to live by the 10 Commandments now.  That isn't what the lesson said, but we have a few more weeks to talk about it.  At least she liked it.

One more huge thing for prayer.  I have been asked to visit another ALONGSIDEASIA project in Mumbai on the way home (my international flight out of India leaves from Mumbai).  Now that project, similiar to EMC, would like for me to stay more than a couple of days.  I just don't want to leave here earlier than I planned.  The only other option would be to leave India later, something that I also don't really want to do!  Need wisdom!!!

This a.m. as I tried to teach in Class IV, my body started to perspire.  Yes, someone has turned Winter off, though the locals haven't realized it yet!

The 'British invasion' as I call it begins tomorrow! 

The time with Mala was sweet, and the Lord brought everything together for them on Fri a.m. before she left right after lunch.  It was wonderful to watch Him work and to see her in this role!  Freedom Firm rescued another underaged girl this week!!!

The Wetherbys come next week, and I am getting my things together for the wedding in Lucknow.  I asked Premila if I could borrow a sari . . . one size fits all.  She was delighted to do so.  Vandana, her daughter, took me out to buy what I needed for a sari blouse . . . one size does NOT fit all and a tailor.  It is supposed to be ready on Thurs.  We'll see!

Devotions with the younger kids tonight.  This is much more challenging for me!  Going to talk about the GIFT of salvation and receiving it!

My goodness, a great couple of days . . .

On Sat we welcomed nine members of the Ukraine team to Pauline Bhavan.  We remembered four of them from last year, and as usual, the kids had all found a friend within a couple of minutes.  With three days of down time under their belts, this was a great distraction . . . W - F, they were out of school.  Thank you guys for coming!!!

After introductions, the kids decided that they wanted to 'paint' the T shirts that the team had brought, and I was the first to line up for a hair from from Lyena.  She had cut it last year as a novice, but has gone through training now, and though my hair is too short, as it always is when I have first had it cut, it is cut correctly and will grow out wonderfully!  With three weeks until Monika's wedding, I should be in good shape!  I think it was 10 other heads that she cut during the five hours that she was here.  We also had a delicious lunch thanks to Moala who looks after the girls here and several of them worked hard, too.  I feel so proud of the older girls when we have guests.  They are very gracious and don't seem to mind working hard.  The little kids especially really enjoyed all of the attention lavished on them.

This a.m. at church, things were really packed out!  The foreigners kept pouring in . . . some are fellow volunteers with EMC, others are associated with FREESET an organization that helps give women in the sex trade other options, a YWAM team that I'd met at CALCUTTA EMMANUEL SCHOOL also visited for the first time, and then there was the Ukraine team.  The YWAM team sang in German . . . the girls from PB who were sitting behind me asked, "Aunty, did you understand that!?"

"Well," I replied, "I don't understand German, but I did understand the words beautiful and wonderful!!!"  How blessed we are!  Last weekend we heard praises sung to the Lord in Ukrainian!

Shubrato, a young man in Class XII at CES, gave his testimony.  He is the son of our cook, Surrender, at CES.  He was so honest, and his story is so Indian . . . though attending CES and hearing about Jesus for 14 years in school assemblies, he had continued to celebrate whatever festival was going on at the time.  From a nominal Hindu family, he celebrated those festivals.  When there were Muslim festivals, he celebrated those.  When there were Christian festivals he celebrated them, too.  He even gave out Bibles during the Christmas season.  It was while attending an EU (Like IV in the US) conference, that the Spirit of the Living God convicted him of his sins, and he has given his life to Jesus.  I know from being here at school that his parents don't 'mind'.  (Hindu philosophy says that all roads lead to God.)

The songs we sung we so beautiful this a.m., and I got some of the sheets to sing with the kids in devotions this week!  I told you that Aslan is on the move!!!  Please pray that many hearts will be open!

Shubashish, head of the recovery unit ...  and a recovering addict himself, shared about the Prodical Son as the a.m. message.  It was a very clear message that we have to repent of our sins and follow the savior.  Shashi, a 'graduate' of the recovery unit who has become one of my dear friends here shared after church, that he felt like he is the older brother.  I told him that I had come to the same conclusion several years ago.

Zubeni, who looks after the boys here, is in Bangalore and blacked out upon arrival, as I understand it.  Please pray for her recovery. Fortunately, she has relatives there that she is recovering with.  She had gone to attend a seminar for an online course that she is taking.  Mariamma and Deepa Gayan, the oldest girls in residence here, are looking after the boys' but both need to focus on studying for BIG exams coming up.  Zubeni was supposed to come back on Tues.  I don't think that will happen!

Mala is due on Tues.  Really looking forward to seeing her.

Devotions Mon and Tues evenings, classes at CES M - W, English class and Bible study at Ripon Street on Thurs and then English class on Friday again at Ripon Street.

The weather!

People are always talking about the weather.  And, from Facebook, I know that it has snowed at home in Richmond at least a couple of times!  I forgot to mention that the weather has moderated here, and we have gone back towards cooler temperatures which are sort of perfect for us foreigners, but still a little chilly for the locals.  It's in the 70s during the days and 50s at night.  It has been a bit windy this week, which just makes it pleasant especially when you are in the garden at Ripon Street!

I can only imagine!

The dawn call to prayer has just wafted across the airwaves which means that it is a ridiculous time of day to be up and blogging!  Still, I was awake and couldn't go back to sleep.  I hadn't been able to 'finish' what I wanted to 'finish' last night as I kept loosing my internet connection.  So, I decided to get up and try.  My rule of thumb is that I try three times to get on line . . . it is a process . . . connecting isn't as hard as just being able to connect to Google . . . anyway, I am on so here I go!!!  Generally I get on the third attempt!  This a.m. was no exception.

This week has been another week of unexpected challenges.  School was only open for two days.  Wed, Fri and Sat were all holidays.  The teachers asked for the 24th off as well so that they could go for a picnic . . . that seems to be a big thing to do at this time of year when the temperatures are more moderate.  One of the women who looks after the kids is away, and with another five days 'off', they are 'off their routine' which they had barely begun to settle into!

Zubeni, the woman who is away, is down in Bangalore.  She went for meeting about a course that she is taking online, but somehow blacked out and had to be taken to hospital.  I can't get a lot of details, but it seems a little doubtful that she will be back on Tues as planned.  Last night all of a sudden, I got landed with taking devotions with the younger ones . . . it was a disaster!  Two languages . . . six children six and under and then four slightly older ones who all think that they should say what is going to happen, and at least three who can't seem to get along with each other.  We met up in my apartment . . . that won't happen again!!!

I made my way across town to the office at Ripon Street twice this week because I needed a change of scenery and the feel of a little bit of freedom.  Mon I was going over by taxi so that I could get there in time to do Orientation with the Ukraine team.  I have never had Orientation and wondered what I was missing.  While en route, my phone rang.  It was Joyti, the receptionist at the office.  She said something about Dr. Fullerton.  I told her that I didn't know such a person. " Oh, you don't remember him," was her response.  The noise of the city is a challenge on the phone at times even when you are not in the traffic.  I thought and said, "Do you mean Subrato?"  Then I told her that I was on my way, and that we could talk when I arrived. Well, I never made it to Orientation!  Subrato Fullerton was on the OM teams that operated out of our office here in Kolkata back in the 70's.  I would not have recognized him 40 years later, but it was nice to catch up!  I also got to catch up with the Ukraine team.  They are coming for a visit here to Pauline Bhavan, and that will help these restless children . . . 11 new people to 'play' with!  They know five of them from last year.  I am praying that Lena brings her scissors because I need a hair cut.  She cut it last year and did a good job!

I went over again on Tues to try and help get a 'Jumble Sale' organized.  Nothing much materialized on that and now the urgency of that is behind us because of the change in plans of some of the guests that we were expecting next week.

Wed I went to the Mall to do something different.  I saw Les Mis . . . for myself and also with an eye to see if it was something that we should take some of the older girls to see.  I know I am in the minority here, but I wasn't so crazy about it.  Maybe it was all of the hype.  Maybe it was because I just can't picture Russell Crowe as any character other than the gladiator, and can he sing?  It seemed to me that neither he or Anne Hathaway were singing their parts.  I thought the scenery looked computer generated . . .it was very long, and I just don't think the girls would 'get' it without a lot of background information.  I am surprised by the lack of knowledge of the 'outside' world that the children that I am coming in contact with have (very little TV, and no internet).  I suppose that isn't surprising, but . . .I also treated myself to pepperoni pizza, from Pizza Hut, and even an ice cream sundae!  I did that last year on Seth's b'day (my oldest great nephew).  This year, I did it a week early!

Thurs I was back at Ripon Street for my English class with some young girls who have recently become students at a 'formal' school . . . after being prepared in our clubs . . . they are working for the Duke of Edinburgh award.  In our two meetings I have found out that they don't know who Queen Elizabeth II is, or Prince William.  They also don't know where England is . . . I am taking a map next lesson!!!  Fri was a Muslim holiday, and I learned that all but one of them is Muslim.  So, naturally I inquired about what the holiday.  They didn't know, but new clothes and good food were to be involved!!!  Very interesting, very interesting indeed!!!

Thurs is usually the day that I lead Women's Bible study.  It was announced in church that this week would be a combined study because Pastor Praburaj, who was preaching on Sun, and is an excellent teacher, was coming to take a Bible study.   Well, long story short, he didn't come, and I was asked on the spot to do something because a lot of people had 'showed up'!  So, I shared a few thoughts from the study that I am doing with the women, some thoughts from Ps. 139, and sat down.  The man who translated for me is currently living at the drug rehab residential unit.  I heard his testimony at the Christmas program there, and though I don't know his name yet, I see him often at church and at other times when I am at the office.  He has a strong Christian background, but because of relapses in his life, he has lost his ministry and even his wife.  After the study he told me that this was the first time he had translated in over a decade.  It meant a lot of him.  I was so blessed because I had spoken of God's unconditional love.  A couple of the boys who live at Anandoloy, the residential unit for boys, like PB is for girls, thanked me for what I shared, and Ilora, who overseas several of our projects at EMC, called me on the phone to thank me for what I shared!!!  Thank you, Jesus!

I keep getting 'funny' messages from the computer, and because I am often unable to stay connected to Google long enough to complete what I'd like, I need to close.  But, I still haven't talked about my title.

There are times when I am going somewhere in India when I try to imagine what it would be like to have someone from home with me.  I mean, how would you 'convince' someone from the US when you are walking down Mullingar Hill in Mussoorie why you love India?  Or, even better how would a friend from home react to traveling by bus from Jadavpur to Ripon Street on a crowded bus whose brakes squeak so loudly at every stop . . . and there are many stops!?  Or, last Thurs night when six of us, five girls had come over to PB for Bible study, tried to get off the bus . . . our seats were sort of towards the back of the bus and other women were pushing back to try to take our seats . . .I can only imagine, because I'm not sure you could imagine, or even how you would react!

Could Winter really be already over!?

The first day of classes at the Calcutta Emmanuel School was Jan 8th.  As I looked out of my bedroom window here on the third floor of the Pauline Bhavan, I could see something that resembled a sea of blue uniforms moving across the dirt 'playground' toward the building.  It was windy, very windy that day and for Kolkata, it was COLD, maybe in the upper 40's, low 50's.  I couldn't help but feel sorry for the younger students . . . boys in their short pants and girls in their knee length or shorter dresses.  A sweater is part of the Winter uniform, but that day and for several days that followed, that wasn't really enough.  There were nights when all we wanted to do was eat dinner and go to bed as that is where you really get warm!!!  (I should hasten to mention that there is no heat in any of the buildings that I know of in Kolkata.  Couple that with houses that are built for the sweltering heat of the summer . . . high ceilings and cold floors with no covering.  Then there is the factor that few have clothing, even socks, for this weather.  And, no matter how hard you try to convince them of a few hints that you have learned over the years about keeping your body warmer, they don't follow your advice!)  I concluded that life in the Hills with these temperatures was easier because all of those years I lived in Mussoorie when it was this cold for three months, at least I had a heater and could keep one room warm.  I also missed my hot water bottles, but was very grateful for warmer clothes that I had brought with me this time and my three blankets!  Each night when I would snuggle into my bed I would ponder what it must be like for the thousands of people who live on the street in this great city.  Not only do they not have three blankets, they don't have a mattress or any walls!

Today I went to 8B bus stand with Ishob to get a copy of a picture of the two of us for his mother who is coming to visit him tomorrow at church.  She asked me to take a picture with Ishob and get her a print when I picked him up from Ripon Street on Dec 30th.  He has been reminding me that she is coming tomorrow for at least 10 days!  So, we went to the shop together, but alas I have to go back tonight to collect it!!!  So much for the instant world that I am used to in the USA!  We trekked in just about noon, and also picked up some fruit.  By the time I got back, I had shed several drops of perspiration!!!  Yes, since Jan 8th, it has been steadily warmer, and now it is in the 80s during the days and the 60s at night.  At this rate, what WILL it be like by early March when I depart!?

Since returning from Ooty, just about a month now, I have had a chance to catch my breath and get pretty organized.  Then I was awaiting the start up of things in Jan and trying to prepare for that . . . Bible study with the women in the ministry on Thurs and English classes with some of the teachers in various Pavement Clubs on Fri.  I was expecting to spend time with Classes I - V reading to them in order to work on vocabulary, comprehension and listening skills.  I had purchased a couple of books, and thought I was getting ready.  Then, of course, things changed, and I have had a HARD time adjusting.  I felt 'forced' to take on some teaching in Class V that I didn't want to do for various reasons.  One of the big ones being the very different system here and the other one involving class sizes and experiences with children that I just could not control on my last visit.  Thankfully a new Class V teacher has been hired, and I have convinced Rita that the class should just settle in with him.  I plan to continue spending one period a week with them so that we can complete the Ladybird edition of THE SECRET GARDEN which I found in the library and decided to read to Classes III - V.  I wanted to read SNOW WHITE to I and II.  I may rethink some of that.  School will only be open two days next week and there will be no English class on Fri.  You gotta love this land . . . the land of a thousand holidays!!!

To continue the narrative, in the last two to three weeks, I have struggled with loneliness and even boredom.  This is not because I am alone.  I am also able to keep myself busy, largely with things that I do over and over again.  I have finished the third season of my four season embroidery!!!  I have concluded that these feelings have a lot to do with the fact that my love language is QUALITY TIME, and that is just something that I am not getting with anyone on a regular basis.  Surrounded my people who don't speak my language most of the time, coupled with the feeling that sometimes people are more interested in what they can 'get out of me' or just 'controlling' me.  I go across town to the office twice a week, go to the mall for shopping or to the 8B  bus stop mentioned earlier, but an absence of someone to share 'quality time' feels hard as does the ability to be out and about at will.  There are also just things you have to get that seem difficult at times.  Drinking water, for example, can now be delivered to your home . . . 20 liters at a time.  I have always gotten it from a nearby store, but the phone isn't working . . . I have now gotten the cell phone number of the owner so next week that frustration should be lifted . . . so I have been dependent on Netu who works here . . . he can be silly, and I am not always sure that we have communicated.  Then there is the 'problem' of just getting change for a Rs. 500 note, connecting with the internet 'on demand', etc.

Yesterday, as I read Ps 78 I was struck afresh at just how much like the Children of Israel I am!!!  I am the 'control freak' here, and hate it that I can't always be on top of things and don't always understand what is going on.  Also, reading 1000 GIFTS, I have been trying to be thankful.  I also acknowledge that a lot of this is spiritual warfare.  Gratefully, I share that the fog is lifting!!!

Before I go on, I think I should mention that Debbie, Irish and the person in charge of Pauline Bhavan and is married to a Bengali who grew up in this very building, is a great encouragement to me when we both have time to 'chat'!  I did speak with her about working out a solution with the older girls who were studying up here and we have come up with a workable solution.  It definitely isn't over as both girls still face their FINAL set of exams, but I think the situation we have worked out will enable me to get the alone time I need for preparations! (Just writing that makes me smile . . . are we ever satisfied!?)

Again, back to the narrative!  I thought Bible study was a bust on Thurs only to learn later that the women really appreciated it and that Premila, who translates for me, is also pleased with their response.  (We are going Gospel Identity  . . . Sonship).  That night when I came back to PB the kids were having 'devotions'.  That is something else that I feel somewhat frustrated about, but I won't go into that!  I was asked if I had anything I wanted to share, so I told the kids some of the things that we had just been talking about in Women's Bible study.  I was amazed at their positive reactions on their way to get dinner.

The next day when I arrived home from English class . . . hooray . . . I understand MOST of what happens in that time . . . Debbie had the older girls up here in the office.  They were watching a U Tube that had a powerful impact on them!  It was the testimony of an Australian man who was born without arms and legs . . . a situation much 'worse' than some of the things that they have experienced.  This man talked about how his faith had made a difference, that he had decided to CHOOSE to believe God rather than the lies of the enemy, people who had made fun of him, et al.  Debbie had each girl share impressions . . . it was powerful, some tears were shed . . . people are 'getting it'.  I just have a feeling that Aslan is on the move!!!

Afterwards Debbie and I had a chance to talk, and she is going to set up a roster that I will be apart of to share what I am teaching on Thurs to the older girls and then the "middle girls" a different day.  (We have girls from 18+ to about 5 or 6).  They are generally 'categorized' by their Class rather than their age, because many of them don't really know how old they are and their recorded age might not be the age they really are . . . oh the 'joys' of the poor in this land and in many lands around the world that are born without birth certificates.

In the midst of all of this, I am very much looking forward to a visit to Kolkata from Mala (Jan 29 - Feb 1) and another couple who works with Freedom Firm in Pune.  They are coming to look into setting up a workshop here.  Then Dewy and Carolyn Wetherby are coming Feb 12 - 18 to look into ways to facilitate a new business that they are setting up whereby they would market things that are made here to benefit the poor in the US, returning profits here.  When it rains it pours as I am also jetting off to Lucknow the weekend of Feb 15 - 17 for the wedding of Monika Gunnar, Class of 2002 from Woodstock.  Also Naomi is coming for a week Feb 16 - 23.  AND, a team from Ukraine arrived this a.m.  Four of the eleven of them were here for three weeks last year, and they were a real blessing.  Various and sundry others will be visiting in Feb . . . mostly from a church in England.  I wasn't involved much with them last year and just tried to avoid all of the activity.  They are staying for a couple of weeks this time and there don't seem to be so many coming and going at different times which wore me out last time, and I wasn't really involved!!!.

In the midst of all of this, it is wonderful to belong to Jesus, and to be able to serve Him.  I am looking forward to the weeks to come, and remember last time that I enjoyed by second three months more than the first.  Time will begin to fly now, and there are things that I need to accomplish.

Thanks for reading this far, and thanks for your prayers . . . very much feeling the need of them!!!  Please pray that the Spirit of God will hover over this place . . . Pauline Bhavan and Calcutta Emmanuel School . . . and that His word will penetrate the hearts of young people who need to come to know Him.  Please pray the same for the Thurs Bible study that a true understanding of JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH will be understood!  Thanks be to God for His unspeakable GIFT!!!

An Interesting Picnic and other random things!

Yesterday we went on a 'picnic'.  This is my second Jan in Kolkata in 12 months, and my second such picnic.  I won't go into too many of the details about the selection of the venue for said picnic . . . more of an outing really!  Rita Banerjee, the headmistress of the Junior School at Calcutta Emmanuel School, was the instigator of this outing as she was last year.  We went to the Kolkata Horticultural Gardens, founded by non other than William Carey!  It just so happens that it was the weekend of the annual flower show.  If you know Premila Pavamani at all, you know what a flower lover she is!  This was her choice and though her allergies kicked in big time after her return to Kolkata from two weeks away, she met us there and of course bought some plants before making her exit!  The residents of PB seemed to enjoy the flower show and things really picked up for them when we found the CHILDREN'S CORNER!  We weren't there long, but they were easily rounded up for the second part of the day.  Several had 'mentioned' that they were hungry!

After a rather short ride on the EMC bus, we arrived at our destination.  The area is called "The Lakes" and when you are there, it is hard to believe that you are in Kolkata!  Large trees, sidewalks, I only saw one lake, but I heard that there are three . . . no traffic . . . lovely, really lovely!  Our lunch was tomato soup, a boiled egg, a boiled potato and some meat that Rita had made for us.  Oh, yes, we also had a banana, a packaged cake and jelabies (a very sweet India sweet).  There was supposed to be a bun, but we didn't find them until we were on the way home!!!  Oh well.  I thought to myself, "This is the most unusual picnic lunch ever!"  I wondered how the kids would do as none of this would have been their favorites . . . any meal that doesn't include rice is not a favorite!  We had already had two of those this week!!!  I decided to put some of my soup on my tasteless potato.  Later someone mentioned that there was salt and pepper at the bottom of the bag . . . by then I had finished my rather bland lunch!

By about three thirty, we . . . well, the adults, were ready to return home.  I came up to my room to rest, and heard the call for 'dinner' at about 6:00 (we generally eat at 8:00).  I knew that the kids were hungry and would be happy to fill their stomachs with their beloved rice and whatever else had been cooked for them.  I didn't go down.  I've been cooking some for myself upstairs . . . just a little tired of rice, dahl and subji (vegetables).

Lilly, our housekeeper, works a little bit for me everyday, something that she wants to do because it is extra income for her, and it does help me, too!  I lay down to rest, noticing that what I left for her hadn't been done while we were out.  I knew that she had been very busy with another project's program that was meeting at the school.  I thought I'd leave it until 5:00, and then I would get up and do the 'chores'.  I had just started when she appeared in the kitchen with a glass of tea which she shared with me.  I knew that she must be tired, and told her not to worry about my work.  She basically 'threw' me out of the kitchen at that point.  One of the things she does for me is made chappatis . . . like tortillas, but made with wheat flour.  It does save me from rice the second time in a day . . . I really appreciate that!  I am sure that there is a lesson in being a good servant in this story!

Today after church I went out for lunch with three young woman who work in various organizations here . . . an American, a Canadian, and a Korean.  It was lovely to speak English, to learn more about each other and have a good meal!  I decided to take the Metro home.  Long story short, I somehow lost my shawl.  I am so very sad about that.  It was hot on the Metro so I just had it over my shoulder.  I put it in my bag as I was getting out of the car, but as I was traveling by rickshaw the rest of the way home, I realized that I didn't have it.  I asked the driver to stop, and got a cycle rickshaw to take me back.  No sign of it anywhere!  I even made it to the Station Master's office.  He did understand my English, and they sent someone to look on the platform.  As I suspected, it was gone, but I had to try.  I feel like this is my second loss of something that I valued on this trip.  I hope that whoever got it really needed it.  I have to admit that one of the things I am sad about is that it is a beautiful shawl, one that always evokes compliments, it was a gift from a friend when I was in Mussoorie . . . help me, Lord, to put this behind me, and be more careful with my things from now on!!!

I also think that I am really going to struggle for the next several weeks.  While I was back in the US, the older girls who live downstairs started using the apartment to study in.  I am happy for that, but they study out loud which means that I can't use the dining table to do my preparations on!  They are sometimes up here as early as 7 a.m. which means that I haven't even had time to finish my QT!  I knew that this change had been implemented, but I hadn't counted on the 'studying out loud' and how that impacts me.  I can hear Deepa right now studying for her history exam, and I am in another room with the door closed.  It means that I am going to need to be in my room most of the time.  HELP!!!

I am looking forward to things picking up this week.  I have to admit that I got officially bored by midweek last week.  I have almost finished the second season on my four season embroidery project and am making good progress on WINTER OF THE WORLD . . . about WW II.

School starts on Tues.  Bible study starts on Thurs and English classes start on Fri.  I need to get into a routine!!!

Happy New Year!

Before leaving Richmond as I was sorting and organizing things at home, I came across some candles that I have had since we moved Mom out of her home in 2007, I think it was!  I decided to bring one of the Bayberry ones in the box along with me.  It is an old Virginia thing, or at least it was when I was growing up with Mom, to burn a bayberry candle to the socket on New Year's Day.  I decided to bring one along.  It just burned out before I started writing!

It is 4:12 p.m. and things are still pretty quiet downstairs.  Most of us saw the New Year in over on Ripon Street.  The service was late starting and then went on quite long.  Many people had been asked in advance to share, and it was really quite touching.  Everyone shared something very different and pretty personal.  I'd been asked to share and talked about the effect that the book 1,000 GIFTS is having on me!  Currently I am reading it for the second time.  Once just wasn't enough!  May I learn to be more grateful as I can 'suffer' from negative, critical thinking!  It was almost 2 a.m. when we reached home!

I can hear Mariamma, our oldest resident, studying out loud at the dining room table!  She is taking exams to see if she can sit the big exams for Class XII.  It is all way too much, and I won't elaborate on my sentiments on the whole 'sitting of exams' in this country, but . . .  Deepa Gayan will also be up studying in the extra bedroom as she starts the selection exams on the 8th for Class X when CES reopens!  (If you don't do well on these exams, you cannot go on to study in Class XI or XII.  I am happy that the girls have a better place to study than in their room downstairs, which they share with 10 or so others; but it does cramp my style a bit.  They all seem to study out loud.  So, I retreat to my room, or can work here at the computer!!!  I am making great progress on my embroidery that I have been carrying around the world for the past two decades!  Let's see if that continues once things start up again next week!!!

This week I have attempted to get myself prepared for the beginning of Women's Bible study . . . I plan to do World Harvest's IDENTITY IN CHRIST . . . which is pretty basic 'Sonship" material; the reading that I plan to do in Classes I - V at CES . . . I plan to do SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS with Classes I and II, and THE SECRET GARDEN with III - V.  I found copies with CDs yesterday when I was at Starmart (Kolkata's answer to Barnes and Noble) with Rita.  I also had a personal pan pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut . . . very authentic . . . for lunch!  It really was a treat!!!  I need to find out if English classes are starting this Fri or next.

As is my 'habit' I read through the book of Proverbs in months that have 31 days.  I was struck as I read in Dec how many times the book warns to stay away from prostitutes.  Perhaps I am just more alert to all of that after the time with FF.  Since I have been back I have also been confronted with the affects of this 'profession', though I do understand that women don't 'choose' it as a profession, and many who sell their bodies do it 'to survive'!

When I got back in Nov there was a new little girl living here.  Her name is Sally, not her real name.  She is 5 years old, I am told.  I find her adorable with big dimples in both cheeks and a sweet smile. (So far she speaks only Bengali.)  One day someone from IJM (International Justice Mission) came to visit her.  Greg and Mala used to be with IJM so I knew it was likely that he mother lives in a red light district.  This suspicion was confirmed.

On Sun it was decided that we would not have a service as we were meeting on Mon and some of the elders of the church who are also leaders in the ministry, not to mention the drivers, had had a very busy month!  In talking with the two women who look after the children here, I learned that they had arranged with Andy's mother to meet her after church on the 30th and then bring him back with us.  Everyone else had already returned from their break with parents or family members.  I volunteered to go over on the public bus to meet them and bring him back.

Andy (not his real name) had wiggled his way into my heart during my last visit.  He has the dearest nature and is very easy to get along with.  He does struggle to read well, but is good in Math and with his hands . . . sounds like classic learning difficulties to me!   I had learned towards the end of my time last year that his mother was a Commercial Sex Worker.  She is a very dear person . . . I have met her on several occasions . . . she looks after him very well when he is with her.  I was in the garden at 48 Ripon Street when they came in.  Upon seeing me, Andy took off running and gave me a big hug!  I was warmed, and then hugged his mother, who speaks no English.  We sat for some time, visiting, with Andy translating for us.  She wants a picture of the two of us, something which I can definitely see that she gets.  About noon I suggested that we start heading back so that we would be here for lunch.  I had learned that they had had no breakfast.  Andy was eager to see that his mom got her bus before we got ours which, of course, we did.  As we crossed the busy street hand in hand in this very big city, I couldn't help but find the whole experience quite surreal!  Who in a million years would have thought 50 plus years ago when I began to understand the Gospel that I would be doing this kind of thing one day.  How good God is to allow me to touch these children's lives!

Yes, I've heard about the horrible rape in Delhi.  According to the paper, Kolkata has the lowest number of rapes in the big cities in India.  Imagine, a better percentage rate than Richmond, VA!  I must say that I do feel safe in Kolkata.  Of course, generally I am transported by EMC vehicles, but I do take public transport, which will become more regular when things pick up with activities in the next couple of weeks.

I am happy to report that the temperatures have moderated.  The kids still find it cold, but it is tolerable to my thermostat.  When the sun goes down it does cool off, and it is significantly cooler inside than out!

I had a cold develop after Christmas that has almost gone.  I'm certainly grateful for that.

With everyone back there seems to be an unusual amount of bickering among the kids.  I suppose it is natural . . . re-establishing your turf, and with many more girls . . . 19 than boys . . . 4, and a growing number of them in their teens or nearing it. . .   Please pray that we can come to some sort of more harmonious living!  It will be good to get back to school on the 8th!!!

I'd also appreciate prayer for wisdom about the things that I will be involved in.  I want to be busy and productive, but not too stretched!

I NEED a haircut, and am trying to work out with Debbie, the Irish woman in charge here at PG, a good place to go.  I managed not to get a hair cut in a parlor in Kolkata last time.  I have had so many BAD haircuts in my day . . . sounds like something petty and vain, but it is a big prayer request for me!

Premila is away until the 3rd.

All for now!