The baby centre

Today, in a change to the planned programme, we revisited the Good News Education Children's Mission, but instead of stopping at the school like last Friday, we travelled on the the baby unit, which is about 15 km further on from the school.  It took a while to travel through the traffic, and some of the children fell asleep on the way.

We helped the children wash and change before sharing in singing time and reading a story. The children then had breakfast and then we spent some time playing with them.  

The bus got a puncture so we were able to stay longer at the centre than planned as we had to wait for it to be fixed. With the repair complete we travelled back to the school with the lunch which is cooked at the baby centre for the older children before heading back to the BMS centre for our lunch.

In the afternoon the monsoon rains fell, the water pouring down the wall like a waterfall.

Tomorrow we head to Serampore College.

The BMS centre, Kolkata

Here are a few shots of where we are staying for the time we are in India:
 The entrance:

 The gardens:

 The doorway up to our rooms:

Sabbath

This morning we were able to go to the Assemblies of God church in Kolkata with Anu and her husband.  It was a lovely time and a blessing to share with our Christian family around the world.  There was a real sense of God's presence as we worshipped.

We rested this afternoon and then made a brief excursion to the local supermarket for supplies for a meal as the centre's kitchen is not open on Sunday evenings. We shared a meal and then had a time of reflection and prayer.

A day of contrasts

Today we were taken to an American style cafe by a fellow guest at the guesthouse.  It was a challenging walk there where we were exposed to life on the streets - the poverty is difficult to witness.

We then had the opportunity to see a temple for the Hindu goddess kali and right beside that was Mother Teresa's home for the dying which was a very profoundly moving experience even though we only were able to spend a few moments inside.

Temple to the goddess kali:

 Mother Teresa's home for the dying:

We visited a busy market after this and then got lunch at McDonald's as we knew it would be safe to eat.

It has been a day of contrasts.  We are so grateful to have this opportunity to see the world from a different vantage point.

Reflective practice

Each evening since we have been in Kolkata we have met together to reflect on our experiences of the day and to share how we're feeling.  Then we have a devotional time and pray together. This is Ali's reflection from yesterday's gathering and prayer time:

Overwhelming

In this unfamiliar place of overwhelming need,
Overwhelming poverty
Overwhelming filth
We ask that you would help us being your overwhelming love.
Love that reaches all,
Covers all
Touches all
And meets every need in unimaginable ways.

And when we return to our familiar places of overwhelming isolation
Overwhelming solitude
Overwhelming individualisation
We ask that you would help us again to bring your overwhelming love
Love that reaches all
Covers all
Touches all
And meets every need in unimaginable ways.

Lord - wherever we are, let us not be impossibly overwhelmed by our circumstances, but only by your overwhelming love.

(c) Ali Taylor

On the buses

Today we went to the Good News Christian mission mobile school.  We were collected by a bright yellow bus filled with children calling 'Auntie, auntie, sit here auntie' to us as we climbed on board. 'Auntie' is a term of respect for adult women.

We were driven to the school and spent the morning with them. They shared songs and a dance with us, and we shared a sketch and a song with them.  We played a few games and spent some time with them during their English and Maths lessons before being driven back to the BMS centre on another yellow bus.

This afternoon we visited The Mother House where Mother Teresa is buried.  We didn't stay long as it would've been her birthday today so it was very busy there.

Then just before our evening meal we changed rooms.  Our new bedrooms have a shared space just outside which will make team meetings and devotions a little easier.

The Good News Children Education Mission

Mother Teresa's tomb

 Our shared space outside our new rooms:

Journey photos

Our plane at Heathrow

Connecting flight to Kolkata at Dubai

Rush hour in Kolkata

'Big Ben's equivalent!