Calcutta continuted!

Oh boy. I have been doing and learning SO much here, and I don't have time (and you probably don't either :) ) to hear a quarter of it. And that has been keeping me from updating this little baby for a few weeks now (i was hoping to have a good amount of time to sit and update it, but what can you do?) So how about I just tell you what I've been up to this week, and when I get home I can tell you more. Deal? (I'm sorry!)

This week I am spending my days with boys that live in a train station called Howrah. Over 200 orphaned kids live there - mostly all boys, whose parents died (or were abusive/ the kids left for some reason). About 30+ of them ride the train to Life Connection, a really cool ministry that we are working with. In the Life Connection building, any of them can come and have a place to hang out, eat, shower, play, and learn about Jesus for the day. They are surprisingly funny, loving, and love to hold hands, etc. I am SO excited I get to spend this week with them! (I look forwrd to going every morning SO much!)

Of course, with all the good things about these kids, there are hard things too. They are pretty violent with each other and get into fist fights. (It is really interesting to see the contrast of this one moment then the next, when they are sharing their food/ chai tea with each other and laughing). Most all of them do drugs to get rid of hunger pain (glue is cheaper than food) (but they aren't allowed to come if they have been doing drugs). They have been exposed to a lot in their lives, so they are a little rough around the edges. But I love them a LOT. And wish I could spend more time with them. They feel/ treat me like family, and while I was trying to bless them, they blessed me SO much.

OK...I have to go in two seconds, but quicky story. We went to the Howrah train station to hang out with the kids a few times, and talked to this BEAUTIFUL girl. Seriously, she is one of the most beautiful girls I have seen in my life. I cannot forget her face/ eyes. Anyhow, she is about 15-16 years old. She has been married for 5 years. And has had 5 miscarrages. (The last time she was 9 months along). She is into drugs and whatnot, and I can't believe her life. And how much God loves her, and is probably crying for her. Here are a few pictures of her...her name is Najchini...if you could keep her/ these kids/ this ministry in your prayers, I would appreciate it a lot. Other than that, if you could pray that our last week in a half in Kolkata would be super fruitful and whatnot (you would not believe what God has been doing already - can't wait to share with you!) that would be stellar. Thanks so much...love you guys!

Love,
Mary

Calcutta (Kolkata), India

I'm in Calcutta! I only have a little bit of time, so I will just give you a little overview of the city :

- its warm :)
- the people are SO friendly. and sometimes act like they have never seen white people. they treat us like celebrities...i feel bad!
- it is pretty safe here...perhaps safer than a US city? (its a different kind of safe...like no one would try to hurt you)
- at the market, everyone tries to rip you off. its like a game. only sometimes not that fun :) so my friend and i asked tapped on a lady's shoulder and asked her how much earrings usually cost, and she was SOOOO helpful. Her name is Shirin, and she took us to her friend's shop and asked them to give u sthe real prices. :) also, she invited us to go to her church and dinner at her house, which was the best experience ever. :) hopefully i will get to spend more time with her and her family while we are here - i really like them!
- we rode rickshaws home...check out the videos. :)


- traffic is CRAZY! and a part of me really likes it. it is SO chaotic, but i haven't seen one accident. :) (imagine crossing the street. the rule is "no hesitiation"...its kind of like Frogger)
- the food is divine! :)
- I worked with a lot of little boys yesterday...they are super sweet. (and hold your hands/ arms 24/7 and say "auntie, auntie, auntie!" haha). in the picture, one is playing with my water bottle. kind of gross, but what can you do ? :)

Alrighty...there is a little update for now. This next week we are working in the Mother Teresa House with sick people and in the red light district, and I would appreciate your prayer SO much - It is going to be intense!

Blessings,
Mary