Yesterday and today we spent our time with the children from Charisma House 1. We took 12 children to shop for school shoes yesterday. The Shoe Garden (store) was a few buildings down from the center. We took our first group of six students, accompanied by a staff member. The owner of the store was very efficient and understood our needs. We made sure the shoes were a bit bigger than currently needed so their feet wouldn't outgrow them during the school year. Once our first group was finished, we took them back to the center with shoes in hand and gathered our next group. By this time we were attracting many other children and adults. They couldn't help but notice the foreigners buying shoes. Randy had a soft spot for one child who tagged along and he bought him a pair of shoes. I had mixed emotions as he did this because there were several other children lingering around the shop. How could we buy for only one child and not the others. I also worried that maybe the young boy would be in danger of someone trying to fight him for the shoes. Anyway, Randy had resolved to make the purchase. Yes, that boy was beaming from ear to ear. We prayed for his protection and that he'd wear the shoes in good health!
Today we returned with preschoolers. Oh my, what a energetic bunch! We began the day at the same store. Again, we had children and adults tagging along in no time at all. We must have purchased for 15 children from the center before the owner ran out of small shoe sizes telling us to return tomorrow. Off we went back to Charisma House and asked Rachel what she'd like us to do next. Many of the children were still in need of purchasing their uniforms, as well. So our first group of 13 children, 2 staff, Randy, Rebekah, and I trekked further down to Mallick Bazaar where the uniform shop was located. This was no small task considering we had to cross a main road with such a large group. The staff in the lead weaved her way among the oncoming traffic with the rest of us in tow not batting an eye! I think I held my breath until we were all safely across.
Upon arrival, we discovered the store was closed until 1:30pm. It was only 12:30pm. What would we do with 13 excited preschoolers? They sat down on some wooden contraption that looked like it would be the foundation of another shop in the future. They were fairly calm for the first few minutes and then got antsy. I couldn't blame them. After a little while, I asked a staff if there was a cart that sold ice cream close by. No such luck. She said only "cold drinks" were near. We chatted if that was a good option to get that for the children. Another staff suggested fruit. So off one staff member and I went just down the alley to purchase some fruit. I bought 15 bananas for 45 rupees (about 75 cents). We handed out bananas to the children and staff. It seemed to help fill their tummies a bit. Then to wait another half hour. We constantly asked the children to sit down and separated them if they were picking on each other.
Just as it was nearing 1:30pm, an additional group of 10 children came! Oh my!!! I was overwhelmed with the shear number of little ones to keep an eye on. The shop opened just in time. We methodically got through the first group of 13 students. Then Randy accompanied staff and that group back to the center. A little while later he returned with another group of 5. A father of one of the boys came along and he was a tremendous help! The workers in the store were hopping. Rebekah was fantastic with the little ones. She checked to make sure shoes fit properly and the uniform sizes looked appropriate. I kept a detailed list of what items were purchased for each child. Randy kept the kids who were finished in one place so we wouldn't create more work for ourselves by accidentally sizing a child twice! Eventually we purchased uniforms and shoes for 28 children at this second store.
Back to the center we went with that amazing father leading the way! He, too, weaved us in and out of oncoming traffic, constantly looking back over his shoulder to make sure everyone was accounted for. He was our personal angel today! I enjoyed talking with him some at the shop. His english was very good and it was easy to converse. Rebekah and I had taken a shine to his son the other day. The son is very respectful and has a captivating smile! We told the father how much we like his son. He seemed quite proud. We thanked him for his help.
After that, we were hungry and tired. We headed back to our hotel and relaxed. We're still not accustomed to how different times are for eating here. Dinner is very late to our standards. We looked up some restaurants online and have learned to look for the word "continental" because those restaurants offer western food. There is a fancy hotel not too far from here, The Tulip Inn. They have a restaurant called Park Pavilion and we are going to try it out tonight (reservation for 7:30pm). We find that we look forward to a solid meal everyday. Last night we went to the Spaghetti Kitchen at the Forum Mall. It was amazing food and it was QUIET! We truly appreciate those moments of peace. So, we are hopeful for the new restaurant tonight.
Tomorrow, we will help Rachel start packing up Charisma House 1. Her lease is up and she located another site, even for a few months. The process is quite difficult locating places to rent. She has to work with a broker and they are not always truthful or helpful. But, fortunately she has a location to move to for now.
Tomorrow is our friend's funeral. We will be thinking of the family and friends so far away. We will be praying for their peace during this incredibly difficult time. We can't be there physically, but our hearts will be in Manitoba.
Until next time...
Today we returned with preschoolers. Oh my, what a energetic bunch! We began the day at the same store. Again, we had children and adults tagging along in no time at all. We must have purchased for 15 children from the center before the owner ran out of small shoe sizes telling us to return tomorrow. Off we went back to Charisma House and asked Rachel what she'd like us to do next. Many of the children were still in need of purchasing their uniforms, as well. So our first group of 13 children, 2 staff, Randy, Rebekah, and I trekked further down to Mallick Bazaar where the uniform shop was located. This was no small task considering we had to cross a main road with such a large group. The staff in the lead weaved her way among the oncoming traffic with the rest of us in tow not batting an eye! I think I held my breath until we were all safely across.
Upon arrival, we discovered the store was closed until 1:30pm. It was only 12:30pm. What would we do with 13 excited preschoolers? They sat down on some wooden contraption that looked like it would be the foundation of another shop in the future. They were fairly calm for the first few minutes and then got antsy. I couldn't blame them. After a little while, I asked a staff if there was a cart that sold ice cream close by. No such luck. She said only "cold drinks" were near. We chatted if that was a good option to get that for the children. Another staff suggested fruit. So off one staff member and I went just down the alley to purchase some fruit. I bought 15 bananas for 45 rupees (about 75 cents). We handed out bananas to the children and staff. It seemed to help fill their tummies a bit. Then to wait another half hour. We constantly asked the children to sit down and separated them if they were picking on each other.
Just as it was nearing 1:30pm, an additional group of 10 children came! Oh my!!! I was overwhelmed with the shear number of little ones to keep an eye on. The shop opened just in time. We methodically got through the first group of 13 students. Then Randy accompanied staff and that group back to the center. A little while later he returned with another group of 5. A father of one of the boys came along and he was a tremendous help! The workers in the store were hopping. Rebekah was fantastic with the little ones. She checked to make sure shoes fit properly and the uniform sizes looked appropriate. I kept a detailed list of what items were purchased for each child. Randy kept the kids who were finished in one place so we wouldn't create more work for ourselves by accidentally sizing a child twice! Eventually we purchased uniforms and shoes for 28 children at this second store.
Back to the center we went with that amazing father leading the way! He, too, weaved us in and out of oncoming traffic, constantly looking back over his shoulder to make sure everyone was accounted for. He was our personal angel today! I enjoyed talking with him some at the shop. His english was very good and it was easy to converse. Rebekah and I had taken a shine to his son the other day. The son is very respectful and has a captivating smile! We told the father how much we like his son. He seemed quite proud. We thanked him for his help.
After that, we were hungry and tired. We headed back to our hotel and relaxed. We're still not accustomed to how different times are for eating here. Dinner is very late to our standards. We looked up some restaurants online and have learned to look for the word "continental" because those restaurants offer western food. There is a fancy hotel not too far from here, The Tulip Inn. They have a restaurant called Park Pavilion and we are going to try it out tonight (reservation for 7:30pm). We find that we look forward to a solid meal everyday. Last night we went to the Spaghetti Kitchen at the Forum Mall. It was amazing food and it was QUIET! We truly appreciate those moments of peace. So, we are hopeful for the new restaurant tonight.
Tomorrow, we will help Rachel start packing up Charisma House 1. Her lease is up and she located another site, even for a few months. The process is quite difficult locating places to rent. She has to work with a broker and they are not always truthful or helpful. But, fortunately she has a location to move to for now.
Tomorrow is our friend's funeral. We will be thinking of the family and friends so far away. We will be praying for their peace during this incredibly difficult time. We can't be there physically, but our hearts will be in Manitoba.
Until next time...
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