First Day in Mission

Hello All,

Words don't come easy when I think of today. Rog & I spent the morning in Dali Dan--home of the handicapped/mentally challenged orphans. Rog went back this p.m. and I went to the home of the young orphans. The need. The arms reaching for you. The love that is being so generously given by the nuns, the local workers and the volunteers. Mother Teresa spoke of seeing Christ in disgusting disguises and I thought of those words so many times. It took concentration to look beyond the drool, the malformations, the wet pants, the strange noises--but with the nuns as my example--it worked.
We took about 25 to a park and the boy I was with walked so slowly--it gave me much time to talk to him--to take in the scenes and stares around us. I have to admit that crossing the six lane crazy traffic was a bit scary and I prayed the whole time as we sloooowwwly made our way. Feeding time was a messy affair but there too, successful! The little ones in the afternoon just wanted me to hug them. Though most were probably two-three-four years old, few could walk well and even fewer could communicate. But everyone I spent time with--smiled!! I kept thinking of my healthy, boisterous, funny, mischievous, laughing grandchildren. In spite of all--I can't wait to go back tomorrow as I hope I learned things so I can be more effective. Africa was a stepping stone to today.
Keep all these little ones in your prayers--and us too!
Jane


If you have ever played Frogger on the computer you might know what it is like to cross the street here. The first night we were in kolkata we needed to cross the road after having dinner across from our hotel. Trucks, buses, bicycles, rickshaws, trolleys and taxis all presented a problem as we wove our way across six lanes and all I could think of was Frogger. Especiallly the part where he gets flattened! Last night we noticed that there is a real pedestrian crossing light just a short way down the street! So no more Frogger....
~Rog


Kids,
Wish you could have been with us today. We walked to the backpackers ghetto area here in the city and decided that it would be better to ride in a cycle rickshaw instead of risk getting run over by the traffic zooming down street inches away from all of the pedestrians. The rickshaw driver successfully deliverd us to our destination and at the same time provided us with a feast for our senses. Smells (not always bad-popcorn, nuts, bread, fruit), sights (shops and vendors selling everything imaginable), and sounds (honking, honking and more of the same!) I'll try to get a little video next time!
I'm pleased with the assignment that I have been given by the nun at Mother Teresa's. I will be working at a house for mentally and physically handicapped children. The day starts with 6 am Mass and will go until about 6 pm so we will be early to bed tonight!
Love to all, Dad