mushumi

a few days ago we went on a walking tour of Kolkata, and we went to Sari Bari for the first time to meet the women. ya know how its really hard to remember foreign names? The same is true for the women when i say, "Melissa" so...at Sari Bari they "named us" with Bengali names. mine is mushumi (moo-shu-mi). At first i couldn't remember my name and i had to keep asking other people what it was...and even now i don't know that i'm saying it right. I'll continue to struggle with names...but at least people will be able to remember mine :)

We were a bit late getting to prem don this morning, and by the time i got there, the laundry area was more than adequately staffed, so, i went inside to be with the patients. I ended up helping to re-make the beds, but i was also able to talk with some of the women. It was so good to begin building relationships! I talked for quite awhile with a girl named Shuniti. She's seventeen, and between the English she knew, and the Bengali i'm working on, we were able to communicate a fair bit. She was teaching me new words. It was good to be with her, and i'm looking forward to seeing her next time.

Tomorrow is a HUGE festival in all of India. i'm not quite sure what they're celebrating, but they celebrate by thowing colored powerder all over one another...and anyone else who is passing by. In someways it sounds like fun...why not give it a try...but, there are a few downsides too...the powder stains, so there's a good chance my hair would be rainbow for a while...and my clothes ruined (which wouldn't be a big deal...but i don't have any clothes here that i'm willing to give up!). The other down side is that the streets are crowded, and its a pretty rowdy crowd...so, i'll probably be staying pretty close to home tomorrow!

yesterday began our study of poverty...what is poverty? what causes poverty? (we had to come up with a definition, and 10 causes...i'd love to hear what you think). And we began to process how we can/should respond to the need all around us. What is the most loving response? Does giving money really help? is there an alternative to begging for these people? how do we really help them move towards hope? And then there's 1 John 3:17-18 "Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God's love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring." (New Century Version). How do i respond to that verse, that truth?!? we didn't come up with any answers (big surprise)...just more questions. So, as i am continually surrounded by need, i am continually forced to wrestle with what my respose should be as a follower of Jesus. And i know that i won't give money to everyone who asks...but i know that to every person i can offer dignity, respect, touch. What i can do is treat every one of these brothers and sisters and the beloved children of God that they are...and even that is hard.