Hi All- Have been hearing lots about snowstorms back home which makes us appreciate the warm weather here even more. Sorry. Thought I'd fill you in what we do each morning at Daya Dan, which is the home for the physically/mentally young boys.

Daya Dan:
Rock Concert! That's what I think of when I enter Daya Dan each morning. Some boys will be beating on whatever they find, others will be shrieking and others jumping (similar to mashing) all the while several will be just lying in their bed. I'd love to take them to a real rock concert and see how they'd react. After we greet and hug the kids, we head to the wash room where we help wash bedding and clothes --all by hand. It's the only way our feet stay clean and our clothes get an extra washing. Then up to the roof to hang the wash. We look over such old, blackened and crumbing buildings many with gorgeous sari's hanging out the windows. One room has a balcony with a pot of bright red flowers blooming . A man comes out there to shave and eat breakfast. He looks so content with all. We then help some get dressed and the bell rings for a short morning prayer that includes asking God for help in making them a good boy. The meditation room is next for the kids who will be having lessons. Calm music and dim lights help settle them down. About 10 minutes later, each child finds his bag and teacher and goes to a study carousel.
My student is Dilip and Rog's is Jokim. Dilip is about ten, speaks very little Bengali, autistic and new to Daya Dan. His speech is very delayed as he had a tongue operation --not sure what kind-- two years ago. He came from another orphanage and there is little background info. So I started with the picture identification and the ABC's. There's a fair amount of teaching tools to use. He has made tremendous progress as he has a terrific memory. Already he can write and identify letters A - O--even when I mix them up. He has learned the names of over 20 pictures and is counting to 5. All seems to be rote memory so I am praying that he will make the transfer to understanding soon. I tried the Helen Keller approach pouring water in his hand and saying "water" and "panni" (Bengali) for water but no luck. We work about an hour and then he starts to get frustrated and tosses everything he can reach. That's my clue we are done!! As I work with him, I can hear one of the Sisters working with a more difficult boy. She is so loving, cheerful and positive!! Roger's student has a very short attention span so he also covers lots of material each day and progress is hard to measure has he has little communication skills.
Lunch comes next which means feeding several of the severely handicapped kids. It takes my appetite away!! Before we leave, we play with the kids a bit. After their afternoon naps, Roger will return to play with them more and I go to the two-three year old orphanage to play. We both arrive home exhausted in body but happy in spirit and ready for a shower--which is a pail and pitcher.

Smog:
If you took charcoal, ground it up fine, added dust and then heavily sprinkled it over everything, you'd know what covers Kolkata. Then mix that with the exhaust of masses of buses and you might understand why so many people around here spit so much. One person told us it was like smoking 25 cigarettes each day. We both usually need a tylenol and sometimes congestion medicine by the end of each day. We always knew we loved good country air and the rinsing provided by our many rains. It hasn't rained here since for several months so it's so dry --but they tell me the monsoon season which starts next month will bring lots of rain that will flood the streets but do little but move the garbage around leaving the buildings blackened.
So that's it for today.
Enjoy the USA!
Jane

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Hi Kids,
So Mom could'nt get me run over yet...now she wants to go to the tiger preserve. We made arrangements today to leave Sunday morning and travel SE into the Ganges Delta Region. We will be out of contact until Tues. night. Some friends from Canada went last week and really enjoyed being in the country for awhile. They saw lots of birds and animals but not tigers. That would be OK with me!
I have been traveling to Daya Dan (Missionary home for handicapped children) twice daily and by the time we explore a bit, eat and take care of laundry, it is time for bed.
It has been great to get messages from all of you while we are here. It makes me feel like we aren't really half-way round the world!
Traveling by bicycle rickshaw last night I had to remind myself that the sights and sounds were really just a fleeting moment in my life. I mean it becomes so natural to be passing stands with freshly butchered meat hanging and laying out for sale (including heart, head, etc.), horns sounding and many vehicles crowding down a narrow street that it seems almost normal already.
It sounds like your days are probably more normal than ours. That is probably a good thing. Is anyone still snowed in? How about any recent changes in your homes? It sounds like everyone is busy. Grandpa and Grandma send hugs and kisses to all!!
Love,
Dad