Hello from Kolkata!

Hello from Kolkata!

It is HOT and HUMID in Kolkata! Even though Bangalaru is farther south, it is located in the mountains. The altitude makes it quite a bit cooler. Kolkata is near the ocean so it is very hot and very humid. Our first two days here were dedicated to resting up for round two of VBS and ministry. I know my room slept most of our day. I think I hit 14 hours straight sleep.

Last night (Sunday) we went to Pareesh’s house out in a village where he hosts his church. The ride there was quite a bit different experience than what we’ve gotten used to in Bangalaru. Kolkata is very “jungle-esk” with palms and other tropical trees, grass huts, and some sort of lagoon farming lining the pathway.

Getting to see Pareesh’s church was really cool. He has several believers as well as a few Hindu men who have started coming to learn about his Jesus. There were about 40 of us in one room with 3 ceiling fans churning for all they were worth. After church his wife cooked a meal for us. She prepared curried chickpeas and poorie (a really yummy fry-bread) that was delicious!

Today (Monday) will be the first day of VBS out in a village that Pareesh works in often. It is about an hour’s drive into the jungle from here. No electricity, and barely a dirt path for the cabs to drive. We will begin VBS after the children get back from school about 3:00. Hopefully it will be cooling off by that time.

This morning we ventured out to see Mother Teresa’s home, tomb, and the “headquarters” for the Missionaries of Charity (the order of nuns that Mother Teresa founded) that is still very much active. It was a moving experience, truly that woman was an amazing woman of God. Here are some of the photos that I took on the adventure out today. Enjoy!

Doorway to the missionaries of Charity's Mother House. They run about 12 different ministries around Kolkata, (Children's Home, The House for the Sick and Dying etc.) but this is the "home base" for everything.

Each morning the sisters decorate Mother Teresa's tomb with fresh flowers in this way. Spelling out, "Love Until It Hurts."

A few sisters sit in with her tomb for prayer and reflection.

The flowers from the previous day are put out for visitors to take as a rememberance. Totally free, you can just pick some up if you would like.

These next photos I snapped from the cab. Just a taste of what the sites look like here:

Kiddos begging on a street corner. Of course dad gave them all the coins he had. :-) 

They sure were cute!

During the hottest parts of the day businesses virtually stop. everyone finds shade and waits for a breeze or the sun to lower a bit. Even the people who have lived here all their lives think it's too hot to do anything!