Saturday after lunch we began a 20 minute walk back to the guesthouse which was challenging to say the least weaving our way through a variety of people, traffic, sleeping stray dogs , vendors selling their wares... and of course men, women and small children begging.
Sheer tiredness in addition to the overload of all my senses left me feeling quite at a loss for words. It felt too much to take in. Some members of the team were quite distressed by what they saw and all of us were touched by it in one way or another. At the time it was hard for me to see God in all if this I must admit.
On our return we had a chance to relax for a short time and then after dinner of curry (!) we were invited to watch Abigail (Benjamin Francis' daughter) and a friend of hers dance for us. We were then all presented with a flower and scarf and welcomed. I felt really humbled that they would do this for us.
I will add some photos later as they need to be uploaded still so watch this space!!
During devotions that evening it was helpful for us all to be able to try and process the day so far. I feel we will really value these times together to unpack each day.
Tune in later for the next gripping instalment!
Sheer tiredness in addition to the overload of all my senses left me feeling quite at a loss for words. It felt too much to take in. Some members of the team were quite distressed by what they saw and all of us were touched by it in one way or another. At the time it was hard for me to see God in all if this I must admit.
On our return we had a chance to relax for a short time and then after dinner of curry (!) we were invited to watch Abigail (Benjamin Francis' daughter) and a friend of hers dance for us. We were then all presented with a flower and scarf and welcomed. I felt really humbled that they would do this for us.
I will add some photos later as they need to be uploaded still so watch this space!!
During devotions that evening it was helpful for us all to be able to try and process the day so far. I feel we will really value these times together to unpack each day.
Tune in later for the next gripping instalment!
Great to see you and the team in Kolkata. Hope and pray your trip is fantastic . Peter
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter.Hope you have had a good flight and are feeling better.
DeleteHi Steph and everyone else! Great to read your blogs and hear how you are getting on. I'm sure you have had an overload of senses and emotions but you'll find it helpful to talk things through together. You're all in my prayers. Marian
ReplyDeleteThanks Marian. It feels like we have been here for a week already probably because we have done so much. It is an amazing place though and despite the obvious poverty, when you look closer the people on the whole seem generally happy. It is very noisy though and the noise is relentless!Hope everything is fine back at base!
Deletehello darling fascinating blog, just had a meal with the boys, by now you will be tucked up in bed how many more sleeps? Love Mum
ReplyDeleteHi mum and dad. 11 more sleeps I think!:-) We spent the morning helping with some childrens work. It is called GNCEM and they collect the children from the slum areas up on a big yellow bus and then take them to one of 2mobile schools where the children are washed, fed, played with and educated. I had the most brilliant morning and fell in love with the children many times over! Hope evryone is doing okay. Love you all xxxx
DeleteNow remember - not too many curries darling. Dad xx
ReplyDeleteHi Steph and all, really lovely to read your blogs so far! I can't believe you are all in India... so nice to follow you all, it sounds wonderful, amazing and humbling! Keeping you all in our prayers. xx :-).
ReplyDelete