“Chepe
dao” - squeeze a little. It’s a phrase we here all the time. Scoot over…make a
little more room. On the metro bench, there’s always room for one more. Sitting
in a circle on the floor, or on a couch, there’s always room for one more. At lunch,
everyone shares a bit of their lunch, and that “extra” person always manages to
be fed. There’s always room for one more.
A
few months ago we celebrated a freedom birthday (which is a regular
occurrence). But this particular freedom birthday turned out to be a very
bizarre celebration. There were lots of other things going on that particular
day. There was a work man who’d come and was installing a new sewing machine
(and making lots of noise while doing it). And then right before the
celebration Beth had to run an errand to the police station. As Beth and one of
the Sari Bari women were walking down the street, they ran into a woman who was
an acquaintance . . . and she happens to
be deaf. She ended up coming back with them to Sari Bari. She jumped right in,
animatedly telling her story to anyone who would “listen” even though our
knowledge of Bengali sign language is limited at best! During the freedom
birthday, we listened to many stories of freedom. Each woman saying what she’s
learned or gained, or how her life is different since coming to Sari Bari. We
cut cake and ate snacks. We celebrated. There was banging in the background as
the workman kept on working (his part of the cake sitting waiting for his work
to be done), and the chaos of a woman we didn’t know, and couldn’t communicate
with very well. (and then on her way out
she tried to take a pair of shoes with her!) There was a posture of embrace and openness and welcome. There’s always room for one more at the
celebration.
Shortly
after that party, the daughter of one of the Sari Bari women was getting
married and we were all invited. It was a great night. A great party. We walked in and saw the Sari Bari women dressed to
the nines. We hung out with our friends. We laughed, and we celebrated. And
then all of a sudden we were sitting around the table eating. And one of our
friend’s husbands was at the table with us. In some ways I know a bit too much
about him to be happy to be sharing a meal with him, but in other deep, true
ways it was beautiful to share a meal and celebration with him. It was amazing
to sit around the table and joke and laugh, and to see everyone interacting
with one another in a posture of joy and welcome.
And
then to top off the evening, we noticed other guests. We were a gathering of outcasts. There were men and women who we
would consider to be oppressors, “the bad guys,” and there were cross-dressers
(who, in many ways are considered outcasts even among outcasts), and some of
the cross-dressers had 5 o’clock shadows (one had a moustache). Sex workers and
former sex workers. And foreigners who think we fit in much better than we
usually do. We were a motley crew. Folks coming from all different stages and
seasons of life. But there we were
together. Celebrating. Each welcomed into the celebration – regardless of where
we came from, or what baggage we brought with us. It points to something deeper and truer –
that there is always room at the table. There is always room for one more at
the celebration, and if I am not fully engaged in the celebration, it is
because of the state of my own heart, not any external circumstances.
There
is always room at the table. There is always room for one more.
Changes…and ways
you can pray:
With
Sarah’s return from sabbatical, I am transitioning out of the role of
“Production Manager” (and I am very thankful for that!). The Community is also
giving me some space to be at the office a less, and begin dreaming about life
here in Kolkata – how I want to invest now that some urgent things are off my
plate. I am thankful for this space – and also a bit overwhelmed as I ask the
hard (and beautiful question) of what I want, and where and how I want to
invest in this community. Please be in
prayer with me as I seek the Lord and attempt to dream new dreams.
We
hope to start training at all 3 of our production units at the beginning of
April. This is exciting – and also requires a lot of work. Between now and then
I am working on re-formatting some training and implementing some new ideas/ways
of running training. Please be in prayer
for wisdom and discipline as I dream and create. Also, please be in prayer for
courage for women as they choose to pursue freedom, and for everyone within
Sari Bari to be prepared to welcome and walk alongside new women.
Please
be in prayer for new, and deepening relationships with women in the red-light
area where we visit.
In
January we received a generous grant from “Passion.” We are using this money to
buy and renovate a building on the edge of the red-light area. This space will become the anchor of our
“non-profit.” Please be in prayer for
the process of securing the building, and renovating it!
We are looking
for a new place to live. We’d all say we have a love/hate relationship with
our flat, but as we attempt to take better care of ourselves, we’ve decided to
actively pursue a new place to live. (We hope to move in May). This is a big
deal. The process of renting a flat here is complicated and time consuming.
While there are things that I don’t like about this living space, there are
lots of things that I do love…and I can’t imagine not living here, or what life
would look like someplace else! If we move out of this flat, it will be a huge
shift in our community in terms of our relationships with one another and our
extended community (our current flat is large, which gives us lots of space to
entertain…something we love to do, and will almost certainly look very
different in any new flat we would find). Honestly I have very little hope that
we’ll find a new space that is what we really want – but I’m choosing to simply
ask the Lord to be at work in our hearts and in this process (and choosing to
believe that He cares about finding me a new home that will be a healthier/more
sustainable living environment). I’d
love it if you’d join me in praying for a new flat.
Recently
I’ve been working very intentionally at making my life here more broad. Seeking
out new friendships and making myself more available to develop old
friendships. I’ve been looking for a new church where I can be more connected
relationally. A “broadening” of my relationships is one of the steps that I’m
taking in hopes of making life more sustainable here. Please be in prayer for me for more friendships.
In
living cross-culturally there are some “normal” patterns. It is very typical to
hit a rough patch at the 2 year mark…which is where I am. While I can look back
at the past few months and point to different situations and circumstances that
have contributed to this rough patch – I’m also aware that I’m at the 2 year
mark, and a “lull” is to be expected. I know I’m not the first to be in a place
like this…nor am I the last. While that is a comforting and helpful awareness,
it’s still a rough place to be! Please
be in prayer as I walk through this season, and wrestle and wait, and live in
the midst of the realities of choosing to make my home in a culture that is not
my own, and is far from family and many dear friends.
With deep gratitude for
your partnership.
Peace be with you.
Melissa
