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!
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!
Gindy, I love reading your posts. Glad you have such a heart for India & free from the workaday world to follow your heart.
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