a taste of what's to come

A week ago Sheila and I left Dhaka…just for a week…and it was a taste of what is to come when we leave “for real” in 2 more months.

It was hard and strange to disrupt our “normal.” it was strange to think that we wouldn’t see Ron and Judy or Sue and Mike for a whole week. What about our friend Nazia, and the teachers at the school, the “Aunties” who cook and clean, and Delowar, our faithful guard/handyman/friend. It was like a jolt – leaving for a week, a reminder that while I am thankful for these relationships, while I try to be fully present in them – in another 2 months I won’t see these people on a daily basis anymore. I’m not gonna lie…While I will be incredibly ready to return to Kolkata – and I don’t feel called to Bangladesh long term…I didn’t like it.

Ron and Judy will only be here for another month – then they’re heading back to the US. WHAT?!?!?! They’re leaving. I don’t like it. I mean, I really like spending time with them. I’m thankful for their friendship, for their perspective, that I get to share life with them.

As the Aunties were leaving the school on Thursday evening they gave us hugs and kisses on the cheek and said they’d miss us.

Nazia sent us a text the night before we left saying that she’d miss us (the feeling is mutual), and that she hoped we enjoyed our trip – and then she asked us to remember her in our prayers. What?!?!?! Amazing. What is God doing in this friendship? Of course we will.

Delowar – well, he’s pretty much amazing. He’s the jack of all trades at the school. The gate-keeper, the electrician, the errand runner – and he’s like a big brother to Sheila and I. He watches out for us in simple and beautiful ways. About a month ago he was going out to run some errands in the evening, and we were going to lock the door from the inside. Before he left he said, “if anyone except for me comes, do not let them in. this is not an office at this time, it is your home.” Before we went to Nepal we went out with a friend and came back late in the evening (not unsafe...just late) – and when we got back Delowar came downstairs to greet us. It also had the definite feel of, “Just wanted everyone to know that these ladies have a man watching out for them” – like an older brother…just making his presence known. It was beautiful. Sheila and I felt so loved. Sometimes in the evenings I sit in the living room of the school and watch TV with Delowar. He explains things to me that I can’t understand, and sometimes when I’m studying and I can’t figure something out he helps me out. Also, Delowar collectively calls us “Sheila.” I’m pretty sure its cause Melissa is a hard name to remember, and Sheila is a common Indian/Bangladeshi name. whenever we come back to the school and give him a missed call so he can come let us in the gate he opens the door and cheerfully exclaims, “Sheila?!” (almost like a question). Or when he wants to talk with us and our door is closed he knock and says, “Sheila?!” – I love it. Its so endearing.

This season of life in Bangladesh – its beautiful. Full of sweet relationships. I’m thankful for it…and I’m not quite ready to think of how temporary it is…and how it’s all gonna change in the not-so-distant future – but the “wake up call” was probably a really good thing – otherwise I’d be totally caught off guard in another month, and that’s not better.