We have had little to no access to internet while moving around Bangladesh, which Ashley mentioned in her post, so I'm not sure how many more updates there are going to be. Ashley explained most of our time in Barisal with our contacts at World Vision and the boys from the Baptist Missionary Church that helped us out. Chiraphone named this group of guys "The Posse," and the name stuck. While there were several workers helping to raise the ten houses that APU had donated money to fund, we definately did our fair share of sweating as well. In fact, I don't think I've ever sweated so much in my life. Mr. Kabir, the engineer in charge, would have us do manual labor tasks that didn't require too much construction skill, as our knowledge of Bangladeshi village house construction was and is somewhat limited. For example, a few days work was spend by myself and others simply moving dirt off the foundation to bring it down about six inches and level it out. To make it even more interesting, we didn't have any shovels or other equipment that would have made the job easy, but instead there were hoe-like tools with shorter handles. it was either that or using a metal plate as a shovel and doing the doggy digging technique. This took up the most time out of any task we were given, and while we were doing this, the workers were busy putting up the skeletons of the other houses. The first day was very hot, and the rest of the time was supposed to be monsoon, but we were blessed with perfect, cool weather the entire time we worked. We got all ten done surprisingly fast, as we started on about the 18th and were finished by the 23rd. That's an average of two houses per day. Obviously a certain someone upstairs wanted to see His work get done and those houses built before we went on our merry way to Rishilpi.
Now Rishilpi is a very interesting place with a very interesting story. It was founded by an Italian man named Enzo, who was a Catholic priest and wanted to help out the community of Satkhira and the surrounding area. Unfortunately, the Catholic Church of Bangladesh told him that he could only help the converts and not the other underpriveliged people. However, Bangladesh is a conservative Muslim country, especially in rural areas like the one that Rishilpi is based in. Therefore, Enzo had it as a priority to help the people without requiring that they convert, and for that he was excommunicated from the Catholic Church of Bangladesh. Because of this, Rishilpi is now a secular organization that helps the untouchables, or "Rishi" of the community to be pulled out of their poverty and turned into skilled craftsmen, or "Shilpi," by creating a sustainable line of work for them. It is truly a great thing that is going on here, and we have found that they don't even need much help from us to be in operation, so we do the best we can to help out in whatever small way. I have been working with the shoemakers, but I don't have time to explain it right now, so maybe if I get another chance I can go into more detail. For now, keep us in our prayers, and we are thinking much about the people we care about in the States as we draw close to the end of our trip.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Greetings from Bangladesh!
Beloved Friends and Family,
We have arrived safely in Bangladesh and have now settled into our first ministry site in Barisal. On behalf of the team, I apologize for minimal contact upon arrival in Bangladesh. It has been more difficult to find internet, and as we begin work in the village, and move on to the Rishilpi organizaiton, communication will be limited for the next three weeks.
After a very early flight from Kolkata to Dhaka, Bangladesh, we arrived to the open arms of Russel's family. For two days, we were able to rest, do a little necessary shopping, and fellowship with the Anwar family. They have been so gracious in welcoming us and organizing all of the logistics of the trip, and it is evident that their hearts ache for the people of Bangladesh! We are so privileged and excited to be a part of the work that they do here year-round. The spiritual and cultural climate is different in Bangladesh, as a majority of the population are Muslim rather than Hindu. Since arriving in Barisal (a six-hour drive from Dhaka city), we have visited the village where we will help build ten houses for cyclone Sidr victims, the Oxford Mission, the Baptist Church of Barisal (founded by William Carey's grandson), and fellowshipped and rested as a team. In addition, we have been privileged to have our director of the Office of World Missions from APU, Chiraphone, and a graduate student from the office, Erin, stay and minister with us. They have been incredible support and encouragement thus far, and we look forward to the next week with them!
This evening, we will be briefed on the logistics of the house building in the village of Gowripur by the project coordinator, and we will begin work on the houses tomorrow! The village is absolutely beautiful--the people, the colors, the vegetation, everything--but it is clear that Sidr devasted many families in the area. Yesterday we learned that this village has had no aid at all since the cyclone hit in November 2007. With great thanksgiving, we will help construct ten houses for those who need shelter the most and are incapable of building on their own. The people that we will help include a family whose husband has gastric cancer, one that does not have food unless the husband is able to work, and a single woman who was left by her fiance. In addition to constructing these houses, we are excited to see how the Father wants to move through us specifically in their lives, through encouragement, deliverance, and healing!
After our time in Gowripur, we will move on to the Rishipli organization (they have a website--just search for Rishilpi and Bangladesh in Google and then click on the "translate webpage" into English) for about two weeks. While we do not know exactly what that ministry will consist of, we hope to join with the missionaries there in any ways needed. They provide handicraft and leather-working for abandoned women and disabled men, schools for surrounding villages, a clinic, and other projects on a needed basis. Again, we are excited to see how the Father wishes to use us at Rishilpi! After that, it is on to debrief and most likely a bit more internet communication.
Although we may not be able to update you as often as in Kolkata, please keep us in prayer by listening to the Spirit's leading. I am often overwhelmed by the Body, which spans across oceans and continents, and trust that the Father will let you know how to be specifically praying for us. Right now, please pray for continued favor with our hosts, drivers, and the people of Gowripur village, along with our team seeking the Father's leading first in all that we do--in our actions, words, thoughts, and prayers. We appreciate your support very much and would certainly not be able to be ambassadors of God's hope and peace for the cyclone affected people of Bangladesh if it were not for the all of you on the homefront. Please know that you are all greatly missed and loved. Blessings until we speak again!
With great joy and thanksgiving,
Ashley
We have arrived safely in Bangladesh and have now settled into our first ministry site in Barisal. On behalf of the team, I apologize for minimal contact upon arrival in Bangladesh. It has been more difficult to find internet, and as we begin work in the village, and move on to the Rishilpi organizaiton, communication will be limited for the next three weeks.
After a very early flight from Kolkata to Dhaka, Bangladesh, we arrived to the open arms of Russel's family. For two days, we were able to rest, do a little necessary shopping, and fellowship with the Anwar family. They have been so gracious in welcoming us and organizing all of the logistics of the trip, and it is evident that their hearts ache for the people of Bangladesh! We are so privileged and excited to be a part of the work that they do here year-round. The spiritual and cultural climate is different in Bangladesh, as a majority of the population are Muslim rather than Hindu. Since arriving in Barisal (a six-hour drive from Dhaka city), we have visited the village where we will help build ten houses for cyclone Sidr victims, the Oxford Mission, the Baptist Church of Barisal (founded by William Carey's grandson), and fellowshipped and rested as a team. In addition, we have been privileged to have our director of the Office of World Missions from APU, Chiraphone, and a graduate student from the office, Erin, stay and minister with us. They have been incredible support and encouragement thus far, and we look forward to the next week with them!
This evening, we will be briefed on the logistics of the house building in the village of Gowripur by the project coordinator, and we will begin work on the houses tomorrow! The village is absolutely beautiful--the people, the colors, the vegetation, everything--but it is clear that Sidr devasted many families in the area. Yesterday we learned that this village has had no aid at all since the cyclone hit in November 2007. With great thanksgiving, we will help construct ten houses for those who need shelter the most and are incapable of building on their own. The people that we will help include a family whose husband has gastric cancer, one that does not have food unless the husband is able to work, and a single woman who was left by her fiance. In addition to constructing these houses, we are excited to see how the Father wants to move through us specifically in their lives, through encouragement, deliverance, and healing!
After our time in Gowripur, we will move on to the Rishipli organization (they have a website--just search for Rishilpi and Bangladesh in Google and then click on the "translate webpage" into English) for about two weeks. While we do not know exactly what that ministry will consist of, we hope to join with the missionaries there in any ways needed. They provide handicraft and leather-working for abandoned women and disabled men, schools for surrounding villages, a clinic, and other projects on a needed basis. Again, we are excited to see how the Father wishes to use us at Rishilpi! After that, it is on to debrief and most likely a bit more internet communication.
Although we may not be able to update you as often as in Kolkata, please keep us in prayer by listening to the Spirit's leading. I am often overwhelmed by the Body, which spans across oceans and continents, and trust that the Father will let you know how to be specifically praying for us. Right now, please pray for continued favor with our hosts, drivers, and the people of Gowripur village, along with our team seeking the Father's leading first in all that we do--in our actions, words, thoughts, and prayers. We appreciate your support very much and would certainly not be able to be ambassadors of God's hope and peace for the cyclone affected people of Bangladesh if it were not for the all of you on the homefront. Please know that you are all greatly missed and loved. Blessings until we speak again!
With great joy and thanksgiving,
Ashley
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Some parting words
Alas, all good things must come to an end. I thought a week ago that I was ready to leave this place and go on my merry way to Bangladesh, but when it came time to say my goodbyes and take some last day photos, I found myself wishing I had more time. One of my friends who has helped me out since the first day, Sanjoy, lives in Kolkata and had to go to temple today since it is sunday, so I did not get to say goodbye to him. I spent some time with Prasenta, the burned man I've been working with, who even though I told every day when I was leaving, still thought it was tomorrow. He was heartbroken that it was indeed today, so to leave me with a good memory, he stood for me with very little aid. I only had to hold his hands and he did the rest. I was so happy to see him make an effort, and hope that his will to be able to walk again only gets stronger as time goes on. I instructed a friend from France, Guelor Barbereau, on how to massage and do physical therapy with him, and he said he will do so until august when he leaves. A younger gentleman who was a patient and could speak English very well was also hard to say goodbye to, as we had just begun really talking. He wrote me a brief letter and gave me his address in Kolkata, so hopefully I will be able to write to him once I return to the States. Helmut assured me that one day I would become a fine doctor, that I had shown him in my time here in Kolkata as a volunteer that I had shown great compassion for the patients, a characteristic necessary in a good doctor. I am so grateful that I got to meet a man like Helmut, and his encouraging words will stick with me until I reach my career goal. I got his email so that if I do end up being accepted into medical school, I will give him a picture of my acceptance. I said goodbye to three guys from France I had the opportunity of working with, as well as a picture and their Facebook so that we can stay in contact. They are all very fun guys, sure to be successful in the years to come. One of them, Alex, had been in Delhi studying for a year prior to coming to Kolkata, and is excited to return back to France in four days. He helped us get an autorickshaw(sp?) back to where we would eat the second week we were here, as his ability to speak Hindi helped us not get ripped off. I will never forget the relationships I have built here in Kolkata, and now wish that someday I might return to do this again, though hopefully for a longer time. I hope that on this short trip I was able to make a difference in lives of people I encountered as much as they impacted me. Well, here's to our time in India, and looking forward to and even longer time in Bangladesh!
Strike!
A few days ago hiked up gas prices caused a strike in the state of West Bengal (where Kolkata is located). For two days the normally congested streets were abandoned and we stayed inside for safety reasons. It was basically a two day holiday from work because of political party complications, and some of the Indians we talked to said that it is actually very dangerous to drive around when strikes happen. One man told us that they will puncture your tires or stop your car with bamboo barricades while you are still moving. So it was probably good that Russel made the choice for us to hang back, even though some of the volunteers went to the Mother Homes. These past two days have been a good closing to our time here and we exchanged contact info with some of our international friends! As of 4am Tomorrow - Bangladesh here we come!!-Jimmy B
Saturday, June 7, 2008
It's our last day!
Wow it has already been 22 days here in Kolkata!!! I really can't believe that today is our last day here; time sure has flown by. Even with all the challenges of heat and culture shock it has been an amazing journal thus far. At Daya Dan I worked primarily with the more physically disabled children. In the mornings we would brake off from the rest of the kids and would start with a little meditation time and then sing a few good morning songs. The kids were so cute and lively. Then we would do stretches.
My primary focus was on a little boy named Obejit (sp). He is severely handicapped. Obejit can't stand or walk or even sit up on his own yet. I say yet because I believe he has the full potential to do so some day. When I started working with him his legs were always crossed and bent, his arms were bent as well, his hands couldn't fully open, his hips were pretty twisted, and he would always be looking off to the side. Obejit also does not talk. After working three weeks with him he has shown great improvement. Now his legs are never crossed, he sits better in his chair, he can straighten out his arms and legs, he can open up his hands, and his hips are a little less twisted. He has also become more socially engaged, and by that I mean he make more eye contact and noises. It has been very encouraging to see him improve so quickly. A few days ago I held him up so he could stand on his feet and he gave me the biggest smile I have ever seen him give. I'm excited about the continual growth he has in his future. So that has been a snap shot of what I have experience here in Kolkata.
I'm so excited to see what the Lord has in store for us in Bangladesh. e
India is AMAZING!
Hello all,
A Story for you...
Life in India has been quite intriguing since I last emailed all of you. It has rained a lot more and, because of this, enjoyable experiences have come our way. One night, some of my team members and I were in a cab returning from dinner at the Blue Sky Café on Sutter Street, a place about 10 minutes from our hotel. The rain had started while we were eating and continued for a while after. Well, because of the rain, the traffic was very backed up and the narrow streets didn’t help either. Adam Carpenter, the Focus International Director at Azusa Pacific University, who had come to visit us and see how we were doing, had a flight that night and time was running out for him to make his flight as we, Jenna, Cori, Mandy, Adam, Katie and I, were all sitting parked on the street while it was pouring outside. All of us decided to walk in the rain back to our hotel so that Adam could make his flight on time. What an experience that was! Most of us were soaked. There were many puddles and I was trying not to think of everything that surfaced the ground. Overall, the experience of walking in the rain was fun and unforgettable. Oh and...I have segment of our time sitting in the cab recorded. Ask me to show you when we come back! It's pretty cool!
The Homes...
Working at the homes, Daya Dan and Kalighat, have been very good. I have grown to really appreciate all my students, Rakesh, Justice, Sumedh, Sudan, and Rahul. They have a ton of potential and have a great deal of energy. It is going to be sad leaving them this coming Sunday, the 7th of June, as this day will be my last day working in the homes. Working here has reminded me of exactly how much we have in the states when it comes to school supplies, teachers, facilities, and more. Regardless of their situation, these students are a happy bunch and I am honored to have spent time with them.
Koligat has been a great experience. Shushume’s wound on her leg has gotten so much better than it was before. The wound covered the majority of her leg and, now, it is inches wide. Praise God! Another woman named Mary always has a positive spirit and I get excited to massage her arms with cream and converse with her. It is such a delight, aside from the pain and suffering, to find such joyful people in this home. The ladies are so lovable and nice.
I found a cool place...
Throughout our walks in the city, I came across an Armenian College. I know, shocking, yet so GREAT. When I first looked at the gold print on a large blue gate I, at first, thought to myself that I must have read it wrong. Surely enough, when I read it again, it really was an Armenian College. I was excited to find such a place in India. Because of my busy schedule, I had one opportunity to visit this college and, unfortunately, no one was there; they were all at a picnic that day. I am hoping to visit once more before I go.
One last thing...
Ok so, many of you know that Haera does not handle looking at wounds very well. So, since I am in India and had the opportunity to assist in a wound clinic, I went about facing my fear of looking at wounds or blood because I feel faint and nauseated when I did so. It's all in the mind...
I walked into a wound clinic and watched my teammate, Mandy, an amazing roommate by the way, do some wound care and then went ahead a started taking care of wounds myself! It's is so a God thing! I love conquering fears!
Until next time...
-Haera
A Story for you...
Life in India has been quite intriguing since I last emailed all of you. It has rained a lot more and, because of this, enjoyable experiences have come our way. One night, some of my team members and I were in a cab returning from dinner at the Blue Sky Café on Sutter Street, a place about 10 minutes from our hotel. The rain had started while we were eating and continued for a while after. Well, because of the rain, the traffic was very backed up and the narrow streets didn’t help either. Adam Carpenter, the Focus International Director at Azusa Pacific University, who had come to visit us and see how we were doing, had a flight that night and time was running out for him to make his flight as we, Jenna, Cori, Mandy, Adam, Katie and I, were all sitting parked on the street while it was pouring outside. All of us decided to walk in the rain back to our hotel so that Adam could make his flight on time. What an experience that was! Most of us were soaked. There were many puddles and I was trying not to think of everything that surfaced the ground. Overall, the experience of walking in the rain was fun and unforgettable. Oh and...I have segment of our time sitting in the cab recorded. Ask me to show you when we come back! It's pretty cool!
The Homes...
Working at the homes, Daya Dan and Kalighat, have been very good. I have grown to really appreciate all my students, Rakesh, Justice, Sumedh, Sudan, and Rahul. They have a ton of potential and have a great deal of energy. It is going to be sad leaving them this coming Sunday, the 7th of June, as this day will be my last day working in the homes. Working here has reminded me of exactly how much we have in the states when it comes to school supplies, teachers, facilities, and more. Regardless of their situation, these students are a happy bunch and I am honored to have spent time with them.
Koligat has been a great experience. Shushume’s wound on her leg has gotten so much better than it was before. The wound covered the majority of her leg and, now, it is inches wide. Praise God! Another woman named Mary always has a positive spirit and I get excited to massage her arms with cream and converse with her. It is such a delight, aside from the pain and suffering, to find such joyful people in this home. The ladies are so lovable and nice.
I found a cool place...
Throughout our walks in the city, I came across an Armenian College. I know, shocking, yet so GREAT. When I first looked at the gold print on a large blue gate I, at first, thought to myself that I must have read it wrong. Surely enough, when I read it again, it really was an Armenian College. I was excited to find such a place in India. Because of my busy schedule, I had one opportunity to visit this college and, unfortunately, no one was there; they were all at a picnic that day. I am hoping to visit once more before I go.
One last thing...
Ok so, many of you know that Haera does not handle looking at wounds very well. So, since I am in India and had the opportunity to assist in a wound clinic, I went about facing my fear of looking at wounds or blood because I feel faint and nauseated when I did so. It's all in the mind...
I walked into a wound clinic and watched my teammate, Mandy, an amazing roommate by the way, do some wound care and then went ahead a started taking care of wounds myself! It's is so a God thing! I love conquering fears!
Until next time...
-Haera
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
wound care
I have been attending a few wound clinics lately to get some hands on experience in cleaning and dressing wounds. Opportunities like this would never be present themselves in the US without being qualified in some way, and we are really able to help people that come off the street. Most of the wounds are from car or bike incidents, which has cause us to be more wary when crossing busy streets. You really have to experience the streets here to know what its like, but I assure there's never a dull moment!! A downside of the wounds from cars is that often times they are not allowed to heal and then flesh eating maggots find their way into the tissue. I picked maggots out of a patients heel for about 35 minutes and we just had to close it up because there was no end in sight. Many of the patients are improving because they come often, which is encouraging. It is a great feeling to make a difference in someone's life.
In other news, we almost got struck by lightning while in an auto-rickshaw the other night! The rainstorm began while we were out to eat a good distance from our hotel so our group split up to take transportation back home. We were stuck in traffic when we saw this bright flash and heard the loudest crack I have ever heard, which caused us all to bail from the rickshaw and walk home very quickly. The storms over here are fierce, and monsoon is coming soon!! We leave for Bangladesh on Monday, so keep our last days in Kolkata in your prayers!
-Jimmy B
In other news, we almost got struck by lightning while in an auto-rickshaw the other night! The rainstorm began while we were out to eat a good distance from our hotel so our group split up to take transportation back home. We were stuck in traffic when we saw this bright flash and heard the loudest crack I have ever heard, which caused us all to bail from the rickshaw and walk home very quickly. The storms over here are fierce, and monsoon is coming soon!! We leave for Bangladesh on Monday, so keep our last days in Kolkata in your prayers!
-Jimmy B
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