being home

getting back into life in Kolkata.
monday is a holiday, so i get a 3 day weekend.
taking it slow. it gives my heart space to prepare for the chaos of kolkata. (that's the good news...the bad news is that it also means 2 days straight of music playing ridiculously loud on loudspeakers outside my flat...ugh...)

Random thought: i love that i can pull stuff out of the oven (toaster oven) and set it right on my kitchen counter...something to love about my flat (which is actually awesome, cause right now with all the rain...there are new leaks in our roof appearing everyday...i'm not complaining...really, so many folks in this city have significantly worse housing/flooding situations...)

i went to Sari Bari on friday...and it was beautiful.
hugs.
excitement to see me.
i was asked over and over..."is everyone at home well?" "did you have a lot of joy?" "Did you eat a lot of good food?"
i was scolded for cutting my hair...and for getting tan...
when i talked with Radha she said, "oh, for so many days i didn't get to hear your laugh."
i am loved.
i was missed.
I love this community.
i did miss this community.

the servant team i'll be hosting arrives in about 2 weeks...lots to do to prepare for their arrival...to prepare a schedule...arrange travel...finalize details of housing...and to prepare my heart to welcome them well.

I'm excited to get to know these women. I'm excited to walk with them in discovering Kolkata. I've excited to walk with them in faith and life and questions...in joy and sorrow and celebration for the next 4 months. I'm excited...and also see that it is a huge responsibility. so i covet your prayers for me, and for beth, kyle, sheila and brooke as we prepare to welcome the girls...and for Natalie, Erin and Taylor as they prepare to join us.