Thursday 9 August 2012

Emma


Final Reflections


Kolkata is a city of extremes, extreme fear and extreme Joy, extreme hardships and extreme love, extreme poverty and extreme wealth. And somewhere in the middle of that strange dichotomy we set about looking for God in a very alien city.
This trip to India was a great experience for me, I love the attitude of the Indian people, the business of the streets and the daily adventures hanging off a tuc tuc or avoiding a heard of goats in the street. I found the place very chaotic, haphazard and the people easy to warm to. It is funny how in such a sort space of time the most bizarre of things seems normal.
They call Kolkata the city of joy and I can see why, there is a lot of hope in the city and one of the great things about working with BMS is that we have been able to pick up the thread of God working in and amongst the various communities we have visited. We have met some amazing and truly inspiration people who have given up their whole lives in order to gain something much more in Christ. They have devoted themselves to others and continue to change the lives of many. One thing I have learnt over my time here is that God’s calls are focused and powerful. There are so many causes to help in Kolkata and we have many people volunteering in many different areas. However those who make the most impact have a very distinct calling to one ministry, and never waver. They are devoted to particular people in particular situations and give all they are and all they can to serve God there. In a city where it would be easy to wear yourself thinly God had chosen to channel there passions to astonishing effects.
It has been a very humbling experience for me seeing the faith these people have and the faith it grows in the people and children they work with. Their ministries are not flashy but honest and simple, sharing the love of God with each other.
It has been so great to go on this journey with the group too, I have seen the girls grow and develop so much (another humbling experience) and I am glad we have had the opportunity to do this together. I am excited for the future and look forward to sharing more of what we have learnt with our church family and communities at home.

Kolkata in three words for me, hope, colourful and buzzing

Em x

Carol


final reflections

Well it's the last morning here in Kolkata. I've packed the case and sat on it, hopefully it wont be overweight!
The monsoon rain has lowered the temperature slightly but it always manages to creep back up in between downpours. We are all subdued today after our visit to the girls home and j.k.p.s sponsor a child program. It was good that we did it as our full last day as I think it would have cast a shadow over the rest of the trip. It was something we needed to see, although very upsetting, and we all had weepy moments and needed lots of hugs yesterday evening.
The image I shall take away with me of Kolkata are the crowded, chaotic, noisy streets with the poorest of the poor living their lives on the pavement surrounded by western posters advertising sportswear and car showrooms displaying the latest top of the range motors. Most of all, however, is the dedication of the men and women we have met over the last 16 days, who work tirelessly on projects to better peoples lives. They are living the Christian life to the full, praying and relying on God for all they need and miraculously getting it. They are not only fighting poverty, but prejudices and a lot of red tape and sometimes putting themselves in danger. It has been a very humbling experience, one I shall never forget and one that has changed my perspective on life for ever.


Kolkata in three words, crowded, chaotic and thought-provoking
Mumma Carol x

Rebekah


Final reflections

The two weeks that we've spent in Kolkata have been such an eye opening experience! I have really seen how faith plays a big part in the happiness and joy shared by people who have so little.
Seeing the big smiles in the kids faces really made me happy, they just need lots of loving care, which is a small thing to give, but makes a big difference to their lives.

At first, just walking in the street was scary to me, but meeting all the bubbly kids and all the wonderful people we have met through out the 2 weeks has made me more comfortable. I have been able to share with and laugh with them. Even though there was a language barrier, everyone we met were so welcoming and I hope they enjoyed our company as much as I enjoyed theirs!

Overall, this experience has been a big step in faith and seeing all the great work that is going on and had made me want to do more to help.


Kolkata in three words - amazing, scary and insightful!

Becky x

Sarah


final reflections

These last two weeks have been an amazing, life changing experience. I feel my faith has grown stronger and I really have a passion to do God's work in Bexhill.


During this trip I've laughed, cried, felt broken hearted and been fuming with anger. The program we followed was not all I had hoped for, I felt we had a bit too much free time and not enough hands on work and helping others.
I most certainly want to come back again to do more. I am so glad I came as I have been able to see God at work, the majority through the children at the mobile school. They have so much joy from just singing praises to God and thanking him for each day. It has altered the way I view everything and everyone, I thank God for giving me this chance and opportunity to grow, develop and change. 

Kolkata in three words - noisy, amazing and terrifying!

Sarah x

Jess

final reflections


After 2 weeks in Kolkata I have mixed feelings about leaving. While it will be great to come home, It will be a shame to leave behind the people and projects we've encountered and it would be good to return at some point for longer.
The highlight of the trip for me was the mobile school and freest as these are the projects where I felt the most useful. Teaching the alphabet at the mobile school and having having the girl write it out perfectly and being in the finishing room at freest. I am glad I came on this trip as I have gained a broader perspective of the world and, although it would be nice to get back in my bubble, the experience has made me a more selfless person.


I also feel like I have made a small difference which I hope will grow into a larger one by sowing seeds in the hearts of people we've met. I've learnt that God may not appear to be anywhere in Kolkata as the
poverty of the city seems so immense. But when you look closely you can see God working through the people and projects. I've also learnt that if you give God a little he will make it a lot, a fact that is evident in the projects we've visited and all of our team as we have stepped out in faith.

Kolkata in three words - chaotic, intimidating and eye opening

Jess x

Rachel

Final Reflections

What an experience!! For so many reasons one that will not be forgotten in a hurry.
With such a stressful build up to the trip itself for one reason and another I didn't really have time to think about what I may encounter whilst away, and to be honest that was probably not a bad thing as I don't think any amount of preparation would have made any difference in managing to process what we saw!

There will always be various social groupings and classes within any society, but to be slapped in the face with it before even touching down in the aeroplane was possibly the biggest reality check we could have ever got, from the sky we saw blue tarpaulins stretch far and wide (these were the roofs to slums) and they would go right up to the walls of multi storey apartment blocks, mansions and even the airport runway! Every spare bit of land was either a building, a slum or the rubbish tip, I'm surprised we didn't all want to turn back at the realisation of just how great, and overwhelming, the need is and how insignificant I certainly felt it with regards to what sort of a difference could I make, I mean after all I am only 1 person!!

Having said that, however, I must admit naïvety when it comes to believing how much 1 person can do if it of Gods will! I was not once short of admiration for all the people God has put in place to do his will with the people of Kolkata, to say their trust in him was awe-inspiring and inspirational is an understatement! In the case of Annie & Kerry @ Freeset who gave up their lives in New Zealand and up rooted their 4 small children to help free women in the sex industry because that is what they felt God was telling them to do is  truly humbling to see; that someone can trust and rely on God that much to provide them with all their needs made me question just how much we really do trust in, or rely on God? Then there were those working with children, either from the streets in the mobile school, with the babies in the day care centre or housing the under 18 year old girls from the trafficking industry, all these people had it put on their hearts that thisis what God wanted them to set up or work in and again it was a very hard question I found myself asking that why is it those who have so little are able to give so much?????
A truly life changing experience and I feel blessed to be part of!

Kolkota to me in 3 words: amazing, colourful, unforgettable.          

Day 13 & 14 - Wednesday

The journey home

We left Kolkata at 4.30pm after a restful morning, packing cases, relaxing, and nipping out to get some last minuet items.
The journey to Mumbai went relatively quickly, however once reaching the air port we seemed to be held up at every opportunity. They seemed to want to scan our bags and pat us down at every opportunity, we were held up trying to get the shuttle bus and only just made it on to our flight after a quick sprint through the airport as they were trying to close the gate! After a long overnight flight with a limited amount of sleep we arrived in Heathrow on the 8th of August at about 7am to a group of friends, family and loved ones :) it was a great welcome home.
Thanks to you all for your love and Support over this trip - its nice to be back home and we are all looking forward to breakfast!
Glad to be home!







Day 12 - Monday


Day 12 

Today was our last day of full work. We are all feeling a little tiered at the moment as we reflect on our time here.
The morning started with a visit to little sisters of the poor, a home for the elderly. Two weeks ago when we first got our program this wasn’t included, I think due to the age of the group they were keen to send us to a lot of youth programs instead. But we insisted – coming from Bexhill we are somewhat used to the more elderly members of our community and it would be interesting to see how the Indian people treated their elderly as apossed to back at home.

When we pulled up the house it was stunning – a huge well maintained blue building with prestene grounds and the rarity of grass, flowers and gardens. We were taken on a whistle stop tour of the extensive home seeing dining halls, shared rooms (which looked a lot like a hospital ward), social areas and a beautiful octagonal chapel in the middle. We discovered that the whole building is funded through charity through the Catholic Church and the residents do not have to pay to be there – a big difference from home! Although this visit was quick it gave us a good insight. India is a very young nation and there are a lot of children and young people walking around but few elderly so it was good to see the other end of the spectrum. We chatted to a few of the residents momentarily and they seemed happy to see us. This was clearly a place close to Annu’s (our house keepers) heart as she was the one who showed us around, staff and residents alike noticeably love her.

Following an early lunch we headed of to a southern part of Kolkata to visit a safe home for minors who have been sexually abused or victims of sex trafficking. Due to the sensitive nature of the girls there I am unable to post the name of the house or it’s location on the Internet. The girls have been rescued from very dangerous and vulnerable situations and are very well looked after in the home. They each have a very full schedule and take part in school work, group counseling sessions and one to ones with a key worker/ social worker, fun time including trips and skills such as needle work, hair and beauty, dress making, cooking, budgeting etc. The girls are referred there by the local government and unlike so many of the other hostels they aim to offer more than just a roof, bed and meals. They really try to create a home for the girls. After a short presentation of all the work they do at the hostel is was hard to get our heads around some of the harrowing things these ladies had been exposed to. Many are in the middle of court cases to bring justice to their traffickers and abusers. This is a very brave thing to do given that the India courts are mostly men and they aren’t aloud to have any support whilst on the stand.
We went up to meet some of the girls with sweets in hand and were apprehensive to how they might respond to us – We went upstairs to where some of the girls who were not currently working or at school were learning some embroidery. We decided to play some games with them and over the next hour got very sweaty running around playing stuck in the mud, bulldog and many more. The girls also enjoyed showing us some games too. We all had a great time laughing and playing, it was good for us to just have some fun and exercise but tough in the heat. It was nice to see the girls just having some child like fun and I think our girls enjoyed it too as most of the things we have been doing have been rather serious.

We said our goodbyes after a brief tour of the home and headed to the offices of JKPS a charity who are primary involved with church planting but seeing the need have also started a child sponsorship program. After a short chat about the organisation we were taken to a community where some of the children are living.

We were lead down narrow paths to a slum village and invited into three homes to meet with the family and pray for each.
This is the first time we had been quite so confronted with the extent of the poverty in Kolkata. Up until now although we had worked among the poor this was always in a neutral setting such as the school or their place of work. Meeting with families in their homes was very different. Each home was very small indeed with only room for a bed and a small walking space around. In one home 2 adults and 3 children all shared the same bed. The fathers of these families were rickshaw pullers and many of the mothers were maids or cooks. Lots of the homes didn’t have electricity or much natural light. The community only got clean water between 2pm and 5pm in which they had to share and store the water they got. Lots of fights had broken out as families were using over their 15-minuet share of the time they were allotted. There was only one toilet between 50 families and the slum was made up of simple brick structures with tarpaulins and beams.
One family we visited was made up of a grandmother, father and three children two of which were twins, the grandmother shared how the father was a rickshaw puller and suffering from bad health, her daughter -  The mum of the family had a brain tumor and had passed away and she was scared for the future. As she showed us a picture of her daughter she started to weep. It was a very emotional visit and one that will stay in our hearts for a long time to come. It is hard to really put into words the effect meeting with these families had on us – later there was anger, tears, feeling of our own selfishness, loss and despair for the people we had met.
After this difficult experience we were taken to the project that is being funded by the origination that the sponsor children attend.
There a girl who had been supported by the project and now a teacher had organised the children to sing and dance for us. We also shared some songs and our love and blessings for them.
It was good to see the positive influence this work is having directly on the families we had just met. With an education many were breaking the cycle of poverty for there families. Again and again we have seen the hope in these seemingly desperate situations. Two girls shared testimonies of what God had done in their lives and how he is working in their area.  Please pray for these families, although far away and unknown God knows each intimately and I believe cares for them deeply. Please ask the rest of the team about this experience. It affected us all deeply – and there were many tears and hugs shared once we returned home it brought us back to the reality of why we were there. It showed us God working in the darkest of places.
We fly home tomorrow night changed people
Emma x

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Day 11 - Sunday

Day 11

We went to church this morning, we managed to go to an English speaking service; as requested by the girls. It was a very good service with a variety of people taking part, the preacher spoke very well with a good message, all the songs were in English the we all particularly enjoyed "strength will rise"! And the service was only 2 hours!! An improvement on last week said to the girls!

It was then back to the hostel for lunch, yep boiled rice again for me, and the much loved curry for everyone else! We were then free for the rest of the day and while Carol & the girls rested Emma and I went on another mini adventure exploring around Kolkota for the afternoon and enjoying every minute of the 'delights' Kolkota had to offer that we had not yet had the pleasure of seeing (and smelling - yes, it really was worse than we have previously been blessed with inhaling, which we didn't realise was possible) anyway I digress, Emma and I (like when I went out with Carol) felt very grown up in the big city and appreciated the time out to relax (as much as you can in a strange, hot, foreign city). We thought we'd 'treat' ourselves to a taxi back to the hostel, we weren't lost honest!! That was an adventure in itself as we got very confused over how much it cost, you have a price on the meter but the driver then told us to double it and add 2 Rs to it!? We later found out this was in fact correct, very bizarre, though still much cheaper than in England!

On Sunday's we have to fend for ourselves when it comes to the evening meal, last Sunday we were taken out for dinner to a lovely chinese restaurant. This week we decided that we again wanted anything as far removed from curry (or boiled rice) as possible and we treated the girls to dominos pizzas which went down very well, as I'm sure you can imagine!! We then retired well fed and rested for our bible study which was how can we bring heaven to earth as it says in the Lord's prayer "you will be done on earth, as it is in heaven". It's a very appropriate study as we are going to a girls home tomorrow, for under 18's who have been abused in the human trafficking industry, and we have been told that some of these girls are still (understandably) very traumatised by their experiences and that although it was a Christian organisation the girls were not all Christians and being that they were the same age as our girls (or younger) we were very conscious of how we treated them! It gave us all a lot to think about! Emma will tell you how we got on tomorrow! 

Rachel x

Home

Just to let you all know we are home!

There are a few blogs still to come along with reflections from the trip so please keep checking the blog but just wanted to let you all know that we have all made it back in one piece after a cutting it fine moment nearly having the gate closed on us after being caught up at Mumbai.
Thank you for all your love and support.
More to come soon
The team xx

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Day 10 Saturday

Day 10 

As it was Saturday we had another day off. So Annu took us all put shopping to a few different places.
First stop was a department store called pantaloons, where there were lots of beautiful jewellery.
Although it looked like an English store, when it came to paying we realised how different it was. First you had to find an attendant (which isn't hard as they follow us westerners around constantly!) 
You need them to write you a slip of paper for each item you want to buy and if you have multiple brands then multiple slips are required. Attendants then take your items. You then take the slip to the till to pay and bring the receipt to the attendant who then give you your purchases.
We then went to an indoor market where Carol bought a sari and then we went to look for shoes and bangles.
We then travelled to The Blue Sky Lounge where we had lunch where a variety of foods were on offer from Italian, Chinese, Continental and of course Indian.
We then travelled to New Market to go to Chumber Lumbers which is as a jewellery shop. Everyone was looking for rings & toe rings. A Tuc Tuc ride later and we were home having squeezed 5 of us in with Jess on all our laps in the back. I feel a lot more at ease in a Tuc Tuc now compared to our first ride.
We then attended a Youth Service at the guest house which I enjoyed. We sang some songs with funny actions and then were all given pieces of paper with an animal on and we had to find the other person with the same as us by only acting it out. I was partnered with Sonu, a 17 year old boy who refused to believe that I was 17 as well. We then prayed for each other and briefly shared testimonies and since it's friendship day fastened bracelets on each other. I swear everyday has been friendship day. There was then a skit in Bengali but we got the gist of it. It was about a guy who wanted to make friends but no one would be his friend. He tried a drunk, politician, ladyboy & counsellor , all reject him until a Christian accepts him as God loves him.  There was then a sermon/talk about Jesus is our friend and looks out for us.
For dinner we had pasta, a no curry day -woohoo!
Sarah x

Sunday 5 August 2012

Day 9 - Friday

Day 9 
Today we were at freeset again all day. As we arrived all the women were singing because it was their morning worship time, it was lovely to watch.
After sorting out what we would be doing during the day we got to work doing more braiding, bracelet making and folding saris. 
Whilst I was braiding I was speaking with Annie the founder of the company, she is from New Zealand and a very inspirational lady. She loves the women in her project and is working hard to bring in social workers and health care professionals to make it more than just a business.
It was really interesting to hear about all the different products they made and developed and all the amazing coloured material which comes from old saris.
It is a really good project and we have enjoyed our time here. All the ladies seem to enjoy themselves whilst making the bags and there is a good atmosphere.
We were all quite happy with the meal choice today because we had a lunch without curry, then a welcomed dinner of noodles and chips! We were all going back for seconds!
Rebekah x


Friday 3 August 2012

Day 8 Thursday

Day 8

Today we visited freeset in the heart of Kolkata's red light district. Freeset is a business that was starting with the aim of providing women street workers with another form of income. When we arrived the group were treated to a tour of the two buildings (one for the production of bags and the other for T-shirts) we were shown the making rooms, packaging rooms, crèche, offices, printing, shop etc. 

I spent the first half of the afternoon in the crèche, it was interesting to see how the attitude of the staff differs to that of an English crèche. In the uk if a child falls over numerous forms would need to be filled out where here all the women just laughed, picked up the child and let them get on with it. There was also a car seat tied to he felling with string to make a swing and bottles of detol used for toys!

This morning we had forgotten to order a packed lunch so Annie the head of freeset ran to the shops bringing back a selection of crisps, bread, popcorn and cupcakes which I think I speak for all of us when I say it was a welcome break from curry!

For the second half of the afternoon I was up in the finishing department with the rest of the team. Half of us including myself were plating strips from saris into friendship bracelets which are going to be sold in the uk at soul survivor, while the rest of the group customised some bangles as part of a custom order for a french festival.

Before the visit today we were all apprehensive about what to expect due to the sensitive nature of the business. However once we entered the building rather than looking at the woman and seeing broken lives and pain we saw in its place joy and hope.
We will be back there tomorrow and look forward to what it will bring!
Jess x



Thursday 2 August 2012

Day 7 - Wednesday

Day 7

Today, Wednesday 1st August, we had a lie in, 7am instead of 6.30! We had a meeting with the India Campus Crusade for Christ group (ICCC). This is a team that operates in the local colleges, a bit like Christian Union. They were anxious to know how we communicated the Christian word to young people in England. A useful exchange of ideas took place and we were invited to two colleges in the afternoon. After an early lunch, you’ll never guess, curry, we proceeded to St. Paul’s where fresher week was in progress. This was quite an old building and we sat in the on the Christian club meeting in the chapel. Our hosts explained that it was not only a way of spreading the message but also befriending those scholars who were going through difficult times in the hope of cutting down the very high suicide rate among the young people. The girls then interacted with the pupils and many photos and exchanges of email addresses took place. On our exit from the college we had a little ceremony where a red wax like substance was daubed on our foreheads with rice and also presented with friendship bands. Funny moment of the day – we were interviewed by National Indian TV news – fame at last!
From there we preceded by taxis, another hair- raising experience, to St Xaviers college. This was huge, over 3000 pupils, and is the equivalent of Oxford or Cambridge at home. We went to their canteen for refreshments and chatted to some of the students. They were very interested in our faith and its quite refreshing to know that people openly talk about their religious beliefs and are keen to know all about our views. The leader of the ICCC group, who was accompanying us (I can’t pronounce his name let alone spell it) was a Muslim when he started college and went specifically to convert people to the Muslim faith. Instead he ended up being converted to Christianity and now works in the colleges befriending students and introducing them to the Christian faith.
Then he took us to a Christian book store which we all enjoyed as the store was an equal mix of English & Bengali written books, a number of which we recognised from home.
We were finally ferried home in two tuk tuk’s where we were in time for dinner – yum another curry.  I think my skin is going a nice shade of yellow!
Tomorrow we are off to Freeset in the red light district. Stay tuned for the next instalment!
Love Mumma Carol

Prayer Request

The Big Blackout!


Yesterday, 31st of July, we were caught in the world’s biggest power cut. We were visiting Entally Baptist girls’ hostel at the time. It was around 6.30 in the evening when all the lights went out and we were plunged into darkness. The girls thought it was great fun to begin with and carried on dancing and playing - as best they could, with the girls from the school. I was a little concerned how we were going to negotiate uneven stairs in the pitch black with no torch! In the end we were shepherded down with a pencil light torch and miraculously made it out unscathed. The next challenge was blacked out streets and our driver couldn't get back to pick us up because Kolkata was grid locked. We struck out for BMS hostel trying to avoid pot holes, people, dogs and other unmentionable debris. After a slightly hairy walk we arrived back to the BMS hostel, which luckily has its own generator. We later learnt that it was most of India, 680 million according to the paper, which were affected. Train, trams, traffic lights and the air ports were all disrupted and there is a great possibility it will happen again.


Our prayer request is for travel next Tuesday when we are due to start travelling home. Please could you pray for our safety and an undisrupted trip home.

Thanks! Carol and Rachel

Day 6 - Tuesday

Day 6 – Tuesday


After a day of being “out of action” it was good to get back into the swing of things once more! And what a welcome back it was! Once again we were back in the yellow bus to shouts of “auntie! auntie!” and the most wonderful beautiful children – yes that’s right, I Emma Edwards former moaner whenever asked to do things with young people under the age of 11 am saying that I enjoy working with these children, singing with them, playing with them, teaching them and breaking up their frequent fights. But don’t get any ideas!

At the school we took part in the normal school day – wash the children, listen while they sing to us and then it’s our turn. This time we sang higher higher (than a mountain) and taught them Jesus says to me I’ll be your friend (they particularly like the spinning around actions in this song!) We then performed a drama of Zaccheus and surprise surprise as the shortest member of the team I got the leading role. This was followed by some lessons, Rachel and I taught English teaching them my, his and hers which the children seemed to grasp by the end. The children had some play time and ate lunch; we had bought bubbles, picture cards and some craft items which were greatly enjoyed by all. All too soon after a hot sticky day it was time to return for our own lunch – surprise it was curry.... again!

Having broken my glasses on the plane coming over and quickly running out of contact lenses Rachel and I went in search for an opticians it was nice to get some space to go out and explore only having to worry about ourselves. We soon found an optician with a small but passable selection of frames. We were told the eye test would be free if we made a purchase so after picking out some frames I had my sight test – (some things are the same everywhere) The frames cost 650r (about £7.55) and the lenses were 300r (about £3.40) so all together one pair of glasses have cost me £10.95 and ready to pick up in 2 days! – Perhaps I will stock up!

We ventured onwards to our favourite shop via tuc tuc and spent some more time browsing bags and scarfs. Rachel wanted to get a necklace with her name in Bengali so we asked one of the guys working in the shop if he knew of a place nearby. We were delighted when he said he would take us there and it was not far. Following him outside for what we thought was a quick walk he promptly showed us his motorbike.

We sensed it was time for a new adventure! And off we went! – Just a note for my mum: We went very slowly and were well secured on the bike at all times!

The traffic was very busy when we returned and getting back to the hostel via tuc tuc was very slow. So by the time we returned we went straight on to our next appointment – a visit to Entally girls home.

At Entally the girls are aged between 5 and 17 and are very friendly and loving. Like all our girls they enjoy giggling to each other, dancing, playing games and just hanging out. We brought over some friendship bracelets, nail varnishes and taught each other dance moves. We also discovered Rachel had a hidden talent for street dance!

More about what happened next in the blog to follow!

Once home we had an emotional bible study sharing God’s heart for the poor and the effect seeing such poverty had had on each of us. We cried out for the poor of Kolkata and prayed God would use keep igniting the passion for justice to be done when we get home and in our own community.

All in all a full and fun day! I’m loving this city and the vibe here. I can understand when people say it gets under your skin.

Emma x   

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Day 5 - Monday

Today we went to baby care & a school in the slums for children in the surrounding slums, so once again we we piled into the yellow bus already full of kids desperate to sit on our laps, after we'd dropped them off at the mobile school we continued for about an hour with 10 babies and collecting more along the way. Those crying could not be comforted by any of us but were calm in the arms of the sisters who teach them so we decided that they don't recognise our skin colour as safe. When we unloaded all babies at the crèche they got undressed and washed, we dried and clothed them in clean clothes and then fed them breakfast, the girls did very well at this (we have photos!) we then left after song & story time to go to the school. We had to lead part of the assembly, but without Emma leading us the leadership role fell to Carol (who was quick to share it with me!) Carol did very well with only an hour to think & prep,  we then went to all the different classes and all the children stood up and greeted us as we entered. Due to the rain our afternoon plans were cancelled so while the girls & Emma rested Carol & I went on our own adventure around Kolkota, we were having to fend for ourselves, finding a tuk tuk that would take us the right street and then the right place in the street, we felt like children skipping school & being "proper grown ups" in the big city on our own, it was great fun - although Carol almost lost her toes to a rickshaw as she did not look both ways before crossing the road (although it was a one way street she forgot that they don't follow the rules of the road!) Everyone was well rested when we returned, but Emma was still feeling delicate so i went to the chemists to get her some medicine, on the way back i got caught in possibly the worst monsoon we've had since we arrived, so i took shelter in a doorway only to be approached by some weird Indian man who started to tell me his life story (it was leading to asking for money) so i said "thats nice" and walked off in the torrential rain, much to the amusement of all the other people sheltering from the rain! Carol had lent me her umbrella but in that rain it was as useful as a chocolate fire guard as I'm sure you can imagine! So once i'd dried myself off we all gathered for a few games of uno, which was followed by more curry (except for me as I can't eat curry so it was boiled rice for me) but anyway all in all it was a good day all round and everyone ejoyed listening to my fun mercy mission to the chemists! Praise God for humour!
Rachel 

Monday 30 July 2012

Day 4 - Sunday

Day 4

This morning we went to church at the big life church with pastor Ben. It was a bi-lingual service but seemed to be mostly Bengali, it was really hard to follow but quite an interesting experience. The whole service lasted 3 hours and by that time we were all just really hungry and wanted to go home.
On the way home Emma noticed a lady in a gorgeous purple and gold sari, we soon realised she was actually a man and Infact a prostitute. He started coming up to the window and began stroking at the window when we were sat at the traffic lights, it was quite unnerving.
Later we looked in a few shops and wandered around a bit but we didn't really do much, then went home and rested.
In the evening we did a bible study mostly on what kind of person we want to be and how we think we can become that.
I concluded that everytime something scares me I will hand it over to God and cope with his strength not my own, and if I can try to enjoy it. Like the ride in the tuc tuc when It felt like I was half way out of the car, it was like the fastest, scariest roller coaster I had ever been on just without a seatbelt or safety harness but it was emense fun!
This evening we went to dinner at the golden dragon (Sunday is the cooks night off) it was a Chinese place and the food was really tasty. Walking there and back was quite exciting as we never walk around at night. Pastor Asis and the hostel manager took us, I was scared but also calm and enjoying myself at the same time, I'm starting to feel much more confident about walking the streets of India the more I do it the more I get used to it. When you are walking here you have to keep your head up and look confident to avoid getting hassled but you also need to be looking down alot to check where you are walking (the paths are often uneven and lots of dogs and many people are sleeping on the pavements) You have to be awear of what's happening, in front, behind and to the left and the right while still trying to look at everything and take it all in its all crazy but a lot of fun too the streets are very busy!
Overall today has been fun and I'm looking forward to tomorrow
Sarah x

Saturday 28 July 2012

Day 3 Today we had our first lay in, but it was still disturbed by the persistent laundry man who insists on knocking at 7.00am wanting us to use the charged laundry service - he knocks untill he gets an answer, I don't think his understanding of English stretches to the do not disturb signs we had put up. Today our breakfast consisted of mango cornflakes which I have to say were a rather interesting experience! Today was a day off for rest, tourism and shopping. Our first part of the day was a tour of the sights of Kolkata, we saw fort William, the queen Victoria memorial and some other sites of the city. While we were at the Victoria memorial is really hot, so hot it felt like your skin was burning along with the humidity making it sticky! After a very sweaty tour of the art exhibitions inside we sat under a shelter avoiding the sudden monsoon downpour which cooled things down a little. We then went back to the city centre where we had a good old feast of Macdonalds - which was enjoyed by all considering we are mostly all fed up of two meals of the same kinds of curry every day! After lunch we went shopping - my favourite part of the day! And spent 3 hours in ONE shop! "team beulah" and I bought a lot of things! We are a very good team when it comes to shopping if nothing else! I really enjoyed the experience because they invite you to come in and sit down on a mat, they bring round hot chi tea and bring out every colour and style of bags, tops and baggy trousers they have. The shop is stacked almost to the celing with stuff, it was pretty amazing! So over all it's been a fun, hot, sweaty day, like most other days now! But we are all happy and tierd, now that we've had some retail therapy! Rebekah x
Day 2 Sorry this post is from yesterday as the wifi has been down at BMS so we will try and fill in the gaps today (sat) Today we were working with gncem once more, visiting some of there other projects that lead on from the mobile school. We first visited one or the permanent schhols where greeted by the youngest and largest class and were given a flower each as a gift - the first of many to be recieved that day! Leaving them to their studies we journeyed on to a bible college, a luxurious three story house built within the last year used to train pastors from rural areas. Our next stop was a girls boarding school/hostel where we performed a drama of zaccheaus and taught songs including some big fish little fish numbers which the children loved. We were then treated to a dance by the girls from the hostel and given time to interact with them. We brought some bubbles with us which were greatly recieved and were shown many skipping and hand clapping games. We spent far too long here and were dragged away after many games and photos were taken, we were all having such a great time. It was then straight on to the boys hostel where we were once again welcomed with flowers and a dance (this one involving Pom poms!) whilst there we took part in a group prayer session which can be quite a contrast to prayer time at beulah the children all pray on their knees with arms in the air praying aloud all at once, they cry out to God praying loudly and end by singing a chorus of alleluah. On our way back to the guest house we stopped off at the baby care unit which we stopped at brefly in the morning (were spending the morning there Monday!) to pick up the babies and take them home. I think I speak for all of us (bar one *cough Emma cough*) when I say this was one of the loveliest, cutest moments of the day. After a long time in traffic we finally reunited the babies with their parents and returned to the guest house to wash all our filthy clothes in our make shift laundrette (a bucket) to have some dinner and to collapse in bed after a long day! Jess

Thursday 26 July 2012

Day One

We have just spent the morning at GNCEM which is basically a mobile school for street children. We were picked up by a yellow bus with children all jostling to sit on our laps. A chaotic journey ensued with children shouting, babies screaming, mad driving, horns blaring - basically health and safety would have a field day!
We finally reached our destination where the children were all washed down, dried and kitted out in blue shirts over their clothes. After a time of singing our girls performed a play (the lost sheep) and we sang worship songs which seemed to go down ok. Milk and biscuits were provided and then classes began. There were three age related groups of children, which we then helped with maths and english. The children then had lunch of rice and a very yellow coloured curry which disappeared very quickly.
After letting of steam in the yard it was back in doors for a lay down. A chaotic jumble of limbs and bodies everywhere - myself included! The journey home was equally challenging with decibel levels at fever pitch. We got off the bus a disheveled group.
Would i go back? You bet!
Love Mumma Carol 

Wednesday 25 July 2012

We are here

I am pleased to tell you that i am writing this from the offices of the BMS guest house! We arrived quite last last night after a long journey (27 hours since we left Beulah!) we were all exhausted but met with hosts at the airport quickly. It was a crazy drive from the airport and i cannot express what was felt seeing all the sounds and sights of the city in our zombie like states. We were faced with bright colours, lots of people, alot of poverty surrounded by outlet stores and some rather scary driving styles. All shell shocked we had a good nights sleep! This morning we prayed had breakfast and met the staff of the projects we will be visiting, this afternoon we will be going to the market to get some clothes.  Needless to say its very hot, and feels like you are walking in an oven! But we are blessed with air con in the rooms and fans.
Thank you for all your love, we trust that you are keeping us in prayer - we have a lot to be thankful for!With love from team Beulah

Monday 23 July 2012

In the airport and awaiting departure! Well we have made it past security in one piece and are awaiting our gate to open so we can board. We had a phone call from bms on the way to the airport telling us our connecting flight is delayed and so we now have a 6 hour and 15 min stop over in Mumbai and will arrive in Kolkata at 8pm India time. Thanks for all those who came put to give us a good send off it was greatly appreciated!

Monday 16 July 2012

So one week to go....


Hello one and all, we are all very excited we have reached the one week mark! We start taking our malaria tablets today, and in the middle of the week we will be shopping for items to take for the children - what an adventure! If you are the praying type we would love it if you send a few prayers our way over the week (and of course over the next two weeks after that) Here are the things we would value prayer on at the moment. 

Travel

Flight details

Outward

We leave Beulah at 2.30pm on Monday the 23rd of July (we are leaving a lot of time as otherwise we would catch London in rush hour!) We have a 3-hour check in and fly out at 9.25pm from Heathrow and arrive in Mumbai 9 hours and 50 mins later. We have a change over of 1 hour and 40 mins in which we need to collect bags, go through security and get to the other terminal via a free shuttle bus (not much time for all this so please pray we make it alright!) We then fly from Mumbai to Kolkata, which will take about 2 hours and 40 min arriving in Kolkata at 3.20pm India time on the 24th of July.

Incoming

We fly from Kolkata on the 7th of Aug 8.40pm India time and arrive in Mumbai 2 hours 35 later at 11.15pm. We have 2 hours 30 mins for a change over and leave Mumbai at 1.45am arriving in Heathrow at 6.45am on the 8th of August where family members will be picking up a group of very tired people!
We also pray for safety when traveling around Kolkata.

Health

Please pray the team remains healthy whilst out in India. We pray that anyone who does become ill would make a speedy recovery and our work would not be harmed through illness. We pray for team members with existing medical conditions the conditions would cause any adverse effects and they can continue to serve fully.

  Team relationships

We pray for a culture of love and honesty between the team. We pray that God is in the midst and his presence is close to us. We pray that difficulties can be over come and that we would chose to love one another above all in every circumstance. May God bring us closer together supporting one another and facing new challenges in unity.

For the people we will work with

Our Itinerary is already planned between BMS England and the mission center in Kolkata. We don't know precisely what we will be doing while we are out there as will have the opportunity to discuss the program once we have arrived. We do know that we will be working mainly with the Good News Education Mission (GNEM) teaching children in a mobile school. We will work at Entally girls home, visit the freest factory and help out at the little sisters of the poor - home for the elderly. We pray in confidence that God has gone before us and pray that we will touch the lives of all we come in contact with showing them the love of Jesus.

Confidence

We pray for a filling of the Holy Spirit that we will be filled with God’s power to do the work required of us and the strength to face new challenges.

Protection

We would like you to pray the following verses over us that we were given through servants with Jesus. Please pray God’s protection on us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually through the name of Jesus.
Psalm 5
V11b - Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
V12 - For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous, you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Thank you for all your support, love and prayers please remember to check the blog when we are out in India for regular updates when we can. If you are around the Bexhill area on Sunday the 22nd please drop by the seafront (if the weather is behaving itself!) for our commissioning from Beulah at 11am and to get a glimpse of our lovely team India t-shirts!
God bless and love from the team x

Sunday 24 June 2012

Just wanted to say a big....

And a big smile to you all


We have now reached our fundraising target! Thanks to all who came to our events or sponsored us doing various challenges. We raised £624 at the auction of promises and over a whopping £1400 during slum survivor. As well as these events we have done a curry and film night, a quiz night, a coffee morning, stalls, face painting, a barn dance, sold countless things on Ebay, made a cook book, had collection boxes and some very generous donations! It's been a busy few months but it has helped us bond together as a team not to mention increased our faith. So once again thanks to all who have shown their support to us through finance and thanks to God who really does meet all out needs and then some! 
.... really no backing out now! 
Love the team xx


Tuesday 5 June 2012

A weekend of fund raising

Keeping up with our fund-raising efforts, what better way to start a long bank holiday weekend then a morning of gardening. 
On Saturday morning a working party headed on down to broad oak park allotments to help Margaret and Peter salvage an overlooked allotment so it can be used. It was a back breaking few hours but great fun too! Here are some pictures of our efforts!

 Carol on wheel barrow duty

 Sam and Rachel working hard

Hard at work!


A few mud fights later...

Time for a tea break!

Many thanks to Peter for his generous donation to our trip. We look forward to hearing about all the veggies Margaret has planned for her new plot!




Friday 1 June 2012

Please come and support one of our last big fund-raising events!

On the 16th of June at 7.30pm we will be holding an action of promises - besides the items listed the lots included all sorts such as music lessons, maths tuition, trips to national trust sites, graphic design work, hand crocheted quilts, painting, tool sharpening, gym membership, dog grooming and much more! Booklets of lots will be available the week before the event so please pick one up from Beulah Baptist church or get in touch if you would like one!

Many thanks and much love to you all from The team :)

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Hello and welcome to our Blog!

On the 23rd of July the six of us will be going to Kolkata in India for just over two weeks working with the Baptist Mission Society.

During this time we will be working in 4 main areas

1) Each morning is the Good News Children’s Education Missions (GNCEM) who work with children living in the slum areas. GNCEM deliver lessons for the children, who would otherwise not receive any education, along with food, facilities to wash and a simple school uniform to wear. As a team we shall spend time playing with and caring for these children, also teaching basic English and maths.


2) The second project we will be supporting are The Little Sisters of the Poor – a home for the elderly, where we will build relationships with the service users as well as serving meals for them.


3)During the afternoons we shall be taking the girls to help at Entally home, a hostel for young girls   many of which have been abandoned by families too poor to support them. We will be caring for these girls, playing games with them, many of which will   have missed out on a large part of their childhood and teaching basic English to them.


4) We shall also be visiting and supporting a charity called Freeset in the heart of Kolkata’s red light district. Freeset exists to give women a way out of prostitution by providing a good wage working in their factory. The company primarily produce bags and print t-shirts, which are sold throughout the world, including the UK. Many of the women involved in Freeset are victims of sex trafficking, an industry which is rife in India, and are desperate to find a way out, to find freedom. Many of the women trapped in the sex industry in Kolkata are of similar age to the girls who are going out and I expect this will be quite a shock for the young women to see. It will be a hard realisation that things are very different in other parts of the world where choices for women can be very limited.

We would love it if you would pray for us! 

 - Please pray that all the travel arrangements for according to plan
 - For health leading up to our trip and while we are out there, that God will protect us and keep us well
 - For finance, God has provided for us in the most amazing ways with money we pray that we will have enough funds to do all we can to serve while we are out in India.
 - That as we prepare for our journey we will keep close to God and listen to what he has to say to us. That we will be open to what God needs to prepare us for spiritually before our journey.


Thanks for all your support. We will be updating our blog during our time in India and as we prepare so please check back regularly.
Love Emma, Rachel, Rebekah, Sarah, Jess and Carol! x