March Prayer Letter

 

“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