Dear friends,
After much needed assistance from my dear friends at the compound in Durgapur (Raja and Ruth) I am finally writing to you from the children's library.  Our days have been filled with celebrations and activities with the children here at the Durgapur Center.  Those of you who have known some of these children for an extended period of time would find it remarkable to see how transformed they are to lovely and accomplished young people.  This transformation is in part due to the loyal support of the Diocese of Western North Carolina who has been a faithful friend through annual visits and contributions to the child sponsorship program as well as other important projects.  Today I will be visiting the newest center at Raniganj where I will get to meet twelve children that have been sponsored by WNC; photos to follow.  One of the newest programs for the children is violin.  A lovely woman from the UK has come to teach the children of the Durgapur hostel how to play.  Their violins are stacked alongside the desk where I am writing this blog.  They gave a remarkable performance at the Thanksgiving Festival yesterday; dressed in traditional black and white orchestral attire.

It was a great honor to present the charter to the charter to the second chapter in India of the Order of the Daughters of the King, The Women of Hope from Bankura.  Tomorrow there will be a gathering of the combined two chapters: The Women of Faith (Durgapur) and The Women of Hope (Bankura).  An orientation will follow later this week concerning the starting of a Jr. Daughters program; another groundbreaking accomplishment

What a joy it is to be in this wonderful place surrounded by friends who dedicate themselves each day to make us feel welcome.  Bishop Dutta is blessed with a staff that is committed to him and the work that he is accomplishing to benefit the people of his diocese.  With each encounter I seem to meet someone who is out on the front lines dealing with critical social issues: gender based violence, child trafficking, the caste system...It is the evening news with the difference being you are part of it.  History and ground breaking progress is being made in this sacred place. Our Diocese should be proud that they are truly making a difference in our world.

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful group of people who accompanied me: The Rev. Dr. Norma Hanson, The Rev. Cyndi Banks, Dr. Susanne Shine, Dr. Jim Shine, Betty Jo Kinzler and Libby Murphy.  They have been a remarkable team who are representing our Diocese with their gifts, talents and most important the sharing of the love of Christ to each person they encounter.

Love and blessings for now,
Shawnee Irwin
Chair, The Companion Diocese Committee
India Coordinator for The Order of the Daughter of the King