It's been a couple of days since my last post. We are learning that plans often change here. Our western perspective of expectations and accomplishment are quite a contrast to daily life in Kolkata. We are all trying to release expectations and go with what each day holds.
Yesterday we connected with a pastor who is selling a used van. Randy has been spending a lot of time researching "second hand" (as they refer to them here) vehicles that may work for Tabitha's Heart to transport children to and from the centers. Rachel, our friend who directs the work here, had one of the older girls meet us at our hotel and assist us with calling other persons advertising cars. Shabina is a lovely 20 year old girl who is now in college. She's been part of Tabitha's Heart programming for 6 or more years. She knows Hindi, Benghali, and English--you can only imagine the gift that was for us to have someone bridge that language barrier to make some progress in our search for a vehicle! We are to meet her this morning at the center, take a taxi, and look at another bus/van at a large, well-known public school.
It is a busy time for Rachel and the work here (I think it's always busy) due to the new school year. She is diligently filling out admission applications for the children and paying their tuition. After we look at the bus, we will assist in this process. Rebekah will spend time with the little ones (preschool age) and assist with english lessons.
Our new friends from Georgia (the last two here) are leaving for home tomorrow. We will have supper together tonight to bid our goodbyes. There has been a sense of loss since the Groff family left two days ago and now Rachel M. and April are preparing for their departure. The connections with our American friends have brought us comfort, peace, and knowledge. We are grateful for our time together and intend to stay in contact.
Yesterday was greeted with very sad news. A friend of ours died the day before. Lynelle had been battling cancer the past couple of years. We met many years ago when our daughters were in kindergarten. Our lives were naturally entwined due to our girls' friendship. Our friendship grew threw those years. It was only eight months ago when we lost a mutual friend, Karen, to a brain tumor. Again, all of our daughters have been very close. Now to have Lynelle join Karen feels unbearable. There is so much going on around me in my new "home" that this news seems so surreal. I don't know how to calm my mind and spirit and just be. Now and then I discover my heart traveling numerous miles away from here and yearning to be with friends and to be able to reach out to Lynelle's family, physically. When I told Rebekah, I held her for a very long time as her spirit broke and she let go to the sobbing. I acknowledge there would not be much we could do if we were home, but the helpless feeling is magnified being so far away.
I remember chatting with my faculty advisor, Barbarah, before I left Canada (I am working on a directed study course centered on my time in India for my masters work) and stating that one of my main goals is to be present during my journey. At this time, I don't feel very successful with being present. Maybe this will come as we spend more time here. To be honest, I always sense a bit of anxiety coursing through my veins. Maybe I am expecting this "presence" prematurely. After all, we are only on day 9 today. I think it's still a worthy goal...just allow for the process and in time I hope it comes.
Rebekah continues to hold the award of most "acclimated" to the culture! She thrives in new surroundings, meeting people, taking in all of the activity around her (which feels like chaos to Randy and me). I do think that the changing of plans is difficult for her. We've found ourselves researching online in our hotel room quite a bit the past couple of days. So too much time in the room is boring for her.
Randy is not one to speak about cleanliness and hygiene at home. I guess that is an assumption in his lifestyle. Yet, he is getting more and more vocal about it here. He has a running commentary about how food is prepared or all the numbers of people touching food, other things, and food again without washing their hands. I see it and try to ignore it. It is interesting to hear him process, though.
I continue to find myself quite tired. I'm not certain if it's the fibromyalgia bothering me. I am struggling with muscle pain and some headaches. But, Kirsten (one of our friends from Georgia) reminded us that culture shock is similar to a new born baby. A baby is constantly taking in it's surroundings and experiences over stimulation, thus needing a lot of sleep. Such is culture shock. Our brains are on overload, constantly stimulated by new sights, sounds, smells and we are tired--needing more sleep than at home. That made sense as she described it to us.
Well, we will be leaving shortly to meet Shabina at the center.
Take care! Until next time...
Yesterday we connected with a pastor who is selling a used van. Randy has been spending a lot of time researching "second hand" (as they refer to them here) vehicles that may work for Tabitha's Heart to transport children to and from the centers. Rachel, our friend who directs the work here, had one of the older girls meet us at our hotel and assist us with calling other persons advertising cars. Shabina is a lovely 20 year old girl who is now in college. She's been part of Tabitha's Heart programming for 6 or more years. She knows Hindi, Benghali, and English--you can only imagine the gift that was for us to have someone bridge that language barrier to make some progress in our search for a vehicle! We are to meet her this morning at the center, take a taxi, and look at another bus/van at a large, well-known public school.
It is a busy time for Rachel and the work here (I think it's always busy) due to the new school year. She is diligently filling out admission applications for the children and paying their tuition. After we look at the bus, we will assist in this process. Rebekah will spend time with the little ones (preschool age) and assist with english lessons.
Our new friends from Georgia (the last two here) are leaving for home tomorrow. We will have supper together tonight to bid our goodbyes. There has been a sense of loss since the Groff family left two days ago and now Rachel M. and April are preparing for their departure. The connections with our American friends have brought us comfort, peace, and knowledge. We are grateful for our time together and intend to stay in contact.
Yesterday was greeted with very sad news. A friend of ours died the day before. Lynelle had been battling cancer the past couple of years. We met many years ago when our daughters were in kindergarten. Our lives were naturally entwined due to our girls' friendship. Our friendship grew threw those years. It was only eight months ago when we lost a mutual friend, Karen, to a brain tumor. Again, all of our daughters have been very close. Now to have Lynelle join Karen feels unbearable. There is so much going on around me in my new "home" that this news seems so surreal. I don't know how to calm my mind and spirit and just be. Now and then I discover my heart traveling numerous miles away from here and yearning to be with friends and to be able to reach out to Lynelle's family, physically. When I told Rebekah, I held her for a very long time as her spirit broke and she let go to the sobbing. I acknowledge there would not be much we could do if we were home, but the helpless feeling is magnified being so far away.
I remember chatting with my faculty advisor, Barbarah, before I left Canada (I am working on a directed study course centered on my time in India for my masters work) and stating that one of my main goals is to be present during my journey. At this time, I don't feel very successful with being present. Maybe this will come as we spend more time here. To be honest, I always sense a bit of anxiety coursing through my veins. Maybe I am expecting this "presence" prematurely. After all, we are only on day 9 today. I think it's still a worthy goal...just allow for the process and in time I hope it comes.
Rebekah continues to hold the award of most "acclimated" to the culture! She thrives in new surroundings, meeting people, taking in all of the activity around her (which feels like chaos to Randy and me). I do think that the changing of plans is difficult for her. We've found ourselves researching online in our hotel room quite a bit the past couple of days. So too much time in the room is boring for her.
Randy is not one to speak about cleanliness and hygiene at home. I guess that is an assumption in his lifestyle. Yet, he is getting more and more vocal about it here. He has a running commentary about how food is prepared or all the numbers of people touching food, other things, and food again without washing their hands. I see it and try to ignore it. It is interesting to hear him process, though.
I continue to find myself quite tired. I'm not certain if it's the fibromyalgia bothering me. I am struggling with muscle pain and some headaches. But, Kirsten (one of our friends from Georgia) reminded us that culture shock is similar to a new born baby. A baby is constantly taking in it's surroundings and experiences over stimulation, thus needing a lot of sleep. Such is culture shock. Our brains are on overload, constantly stimulated by new sights, sounds, smells and we are tired--needing more sleep than at home. That made sense as she described it to us.
Well, we will be leaving shortly to meet Shabina at the center.
Take care! Until next time...
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