Week 9 - Kolkata

Or Calcutta. You can wikipedia this later; they're the same place.

I was in Kolkata all week. The pragmatic side of the trip was that we had to leave Thailand and renew our visas for another sixty days. But the main reason we went to India--as opposed to a more obvious choice like Cambodia or Laos--is that we were able to see what WMF was doing in Kolkata as well as meet up with the servant team from Nepal who were going to be in Kolkata at the same time.

Other than completing the red-tape marathon necessary for a visa application, the first half of the week was spent visiting some of the places WMF works in Kolkata. We visited Freeset and volunteered for some small tasks at Sari Bari. Both manufacture bags as well as blankets and t-shirts and both offer an alternative to those working in the red-light district. This is the dignity of life or what some might call God's common grace. This is thought only came to fruition later in the week, as you will see if you read on. I could say a lot about these businesses and the importance and kingdom-relevance of their work, but the founders could say it a lot better. In lieu of my regular prayer requests, I'm going to post links to both businesses. Christmas is drawing nearer and Freeset and Sari Bari have honestly great products. Please give them a look and consider them if and when you do some Christmas shopping. Also, I suggest you get your order in now, because they go quickly, particularly for Sari Bari.

While we visited Freeset and Sari Bari, we were able to walk a good portion of Kolkata. The difference from Dallas or even from Bangkok is dramatic. Sanitation is a problem: large piles of trash are everywhere. That people would live on the street seemed to be a foregone conclusion. I have seen homelessness in every city I've visited, but never to this degree. Additionally, the coming festival dedicated to the idol Kali added a menacing touch to the delapidated condition of the place. Which is not to say I didn't witness moments of extreme beauty in the architecture, in the food, even in the disposable sculptures of Kali. But there was an air of oppression I cannot quite describe.

On Friday, we were able to volunteer at two of the houses founded by Mother Theresa. These were started by Mother Theresa, as far as I can tell, because, in the tradition of their merciless religion, society was almost literally throwing away their people, leaving them to die an animal's death in Kolkata's traffic-jammed streets. Theresa, however, saw only the image of God and, indeed, Jesus in "the least of these." This is the dignity of dying. For over fifty years, sisters, workers, and volunteers of varying terms have sought to give these men and women just that dignity. Giving our fellow men and women dignity from birth to death, led and guided by the saving grace of the Holy Spirit. That, I think, or something like it, is the vocation of the every member of the church and can only be done as the church.

Other than that, I had great fun meeting the Nepal team, the Kolkata staff, trying great food--Thailand's still got it beat--and experiencing another country. I've still got a lot of undeveloped film and now I've added one more roll. Pictures forthcoming. For now, I'm back in Bangkok and preparing to finish up the English camp at Jaisamarn church this week.

For all your Christmas shopping needs:

http://www.saribari.com/

http://www.freesetglobal.com/