Tuesday and Wednesday, we went to the Children's Home in Sonorpur. This is a place outside the city, where kids have been taken from the train stations and given a proper home, good food, an education and a chance to learn about Jesus. It was so good to see how much of a contrast there was between the kids there and the kids at Howrah Train Station. Most of them have only been there for a few months, but already they are healthier, happier and have a pretty good grasp on English and thier other studies. Plus they get a chance to just be kids and play. When we first walked in all the kids rushed up to us and were saying 'Hi, Auntie! Hi, Auntie!' right in our faces. Also, Regina had given them sparkles for their faces, so they were rubbing the sparkles off of thier faces and putting it on ours - it was so cute! Such a great way to be greeted! We had an excellent time there! We taught a bible story, played games, and sang alot!! We also went on a walk, just us, Hope and Regina while the kids had their afternoon nap, which was nice since it was in a rural part outside of the city. 

 

Thursday, was our travelling day to Darjeeling for our debrief, and just a relaxation time. It was the four of us, Monique and Regina. Darjeeling is a beautiful place, and there are beautiful people there. Everyone says 'hi'. BUT, because we're white, everyone wants to take pictures with us! The next day, we had our debrief. We went to this pretty garden overlooking the city and valley below.

 

Afterwards, we went to a tea plantation to get a tour. Our tour guide showed us the four stages of preparing the tea, then we went to a place where we could taste the tea. There was a very funny, eccentric lady who was explaining it to us, and there were 3 other travellers there with us too. 

She asked us; 'What makes Happy Valley Tea special?' 

we said: 'its organic' 

her: 'and?'

us: 'its very old'

her: 'and?'

us: 'the tea bushes brought from China'

her: 'and?'

us: *looks of confusion ...

her: 'and HAPPY!!!'

It was so funny!! Then we went outside and saw the ladies picking, and we got to go into the bushes and pick too. 

 

When we arrived back in Kolkata on Sunday night there was a special music concert. There had been a youth convention the days that we were away, and that night was the wrap-up. There was a girl painting along with the music. A great night for the youth in Kolkata!

 

Monday we spent time with the Jewelry Business ladies again. Hilary did a devotion about unity, and Melody shared her testimony. In the afternoon we went to Khaligat, which is the Red Light District, to hang out with the street kids there. It was a really cool time. Chandra shared a Bible story with them, we sang some songs, and bought the kids ice cream.

 

Our time in Kolkata was excellent! It was great to get a chance to get to know the Shaw's and the Jewelry Business ladies, and also to work with the different groups of kids! Thank you so much to everyone who was praying for our team during our days there. Please keep in prayer the on-going ministries there.