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.
.
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!!!
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.
.
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!!!
Well I do agree no middle seat. Praying that you get all the seats confirmed and not stand by.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe journey back home.
Pramila