Kolkata

My time in kolkata was good. in lots of ways it felt like going home. it was familiar...there were lots of people i love. I feel like i've been waiting to go visit for a long time...and the timing was just perfect. In lots of ways the time was uneventful - but full.

Being at Sari Bari was absolutely amazing. It was so good to be with the ladies. To sit with them. to work alongside them (cutting and ironing, which is someone amusing to me since i think i might be the world's worst ironer. good thing i was just ironing squares. its the only thing i can iron!). I'm so thankful for the chance to be with such precious friends again. And it was good to see how God is continuing to work in their hearts and lives - and how He is continuing to restore them. so good.

And then we had staff community night. they changed it so i could be there this week. we ate KFC and played pictionary. ahhh...such goodness. it was a joy to be with Gita and Kiran and Upendra, and to get to know Radha better.

I also got to visit my friends the katuns. i was a little nervous about it - not knowing what to expect...a little fearful about what i'd find - or if they'd be there. but as i walked down that alley - oh...no words to describe it. And when sazda pulled me into their house and told me to sit and as we began to talk and catch up...man, what a gift. Rosie, the oldest daughter got married, and she wasn't there - but next time i visit, when i have more time...then i'll go visit her in her new home. I was a little shocked by the news, and at the same time i felt like i shouldn't be surprised - but i still was. in some ways its hard to know how to respond - should i be excited, should i be a bit sad (she's so young), both maybe? who knows...but its done so being sad doesn't do any good. Anyway - as i sat in their home i just kept thinking over and over, "i do not deserve this" - the gift of friendship with this family is something i can't describe, but i am so thankful for.

On Sunday I was able to go to the church that i attended when I lived there - and that was really good to. It was good to worship with that body of believers again. and to be reminded of how much i need that. Its been a long time since i've been able to go to church. with that crazy sickness - that always seemed to get worse on weekends i've spent most of my saturdays and sundays sitting in my flat recently. i'm excited to go to church again this sunday.

Its funny - the weekend was so good, and so full - and at the same time there isn't much to say. It was good to be with friends. It was good to be able to process some of the things i'm thinking through now with beth and kristin, it was good to be able to share aspects of my life here with them. so here i am. thankful for time in kolkata. thankful to be back home. feeling loved. feeling full. feeling ready to dig in here - and continue this journey.