Tuesday, February 5 and Wednesday, February 6, 2013

 First, a few corrections.  It is spelled “lei” not “lay.”  Susanne corrected my math—100 rupees a day converts to $2 a day.   $1 is approximately 50 rupees.  And the official word within the Church of North India structure is “pastorate” for the parish.  They sometimes refer to them as parishes, but they are officially known as pastorates.  So, in the Diocese of Durgapur, there are 32 pastorates with 136 churches within those 32 pastorates.  Just want to make sure we get our church polity clear.  Also, I got clarified that Durgapur is the city in the district of Burdwan in the state of West Bengel in the country of India.   I think I got that right.   

So, Tuesday.   In the morning, Shawnee, Norma, Susanne, and Betty Jo were a part of the Prayer Shawl meeting with the two Daughters of the King chapters.  From what they have shared, it was quite powerful, and Susanne has been knitting ever since trying to do the pattern they were teaching her.

In the afternoon, we headed to Bankura, about an hour and a half away.  A young man accompanied us who will start his theological training this June.  He was sharp as a tack and a great translator. 

We first went to the Leprosy Mission Bill Edgar Memorial Vocational Training Centre.  Best I can tell, the Danish Church helped establish this many, many years ago.  Their mission is very holistic.  They work on awareness and advocacy, advocacy, sustainable livelihoods, medical care, and education.  Sewing is a major focus of this center.  There is a Boys hostel here, as well as a Girls hostel.  The program is a mixed population—there are people who have leprosy, people who have been affected by leprosy, and people who have not been affected by leprosy who simply want the training.  It is still the case in India that if your grandparents had leprosy, even if you do not, you are still ostracized, an outcast.  In Purulia, the Diocese of Durgapur has a child development center, like in Durgapur, and a hostel as well.  Many of the children are those whom leprosy has affected—they are stigmatized because their parents or grandparents had leprosy.  The Bankura Leprosy Mission Vocational Training Center is amazing for their vision of mixing the population of those affected by leprosy with those who are not affected by leprosy, but want the training.  This integration helps those graduating from the program mix in with the general population when they move beyond the training center out into the world to get work.  And they teach advanced sewing skills that allow these graduates to get higher paying jobs in the factories.  The man who runs this center is 35 years old and has a background in social work—again, an amazing individual.

After this visit, we went to the Bankura Interfaith Child Development Center.  This one is the second oldest in the Diocese, second to Durgapur Center.  It began as the others have, children playing around the church who had nothing else to do.  There are 60 children in this program now—95% Muslim.  Once again, we were greeted as with marigold leis, marigolds petals showered in our hair, and a great deal of dancing.  Many of the parents and grandparents had come to watch the program, mostly women, but some men too.  This was a rowdier group—beaming with confidence.  I was struck between the confidence of these children and the more timid nature of the children I met on Monday in Raniganj.  The difference between a program that has been going for many years and one that has been going for 8 months.  These programs change lives, and it is long-term systemic change. 

Bishop Dutta happened to be in Bankura for another meeting, and he told us quite a bit of the history.  The Diocesan center used to be in Bankura.  When he came to the Diocese there were 40 suits against it.   In many places, the property was in great disrepair and the government was ready to take the property, taxes had not been paid.  He talked of how he stood on the steps outside the building next to the church and settled the suits.  He said they used to have horrible problems with the Muslims behind the church in the slum stealing from the church, but because of this program, the Muslims now protect the church.  Two of the girls from this program are now in college.  At first their parents wanted them to marry, but now those parents want their girls to continue in college. Two young girls, 5 or 6 years old are going to St. Michael’s English Speaking School.  This was the church where Bishop Dutta challenged them to look beyond the wall behind them where the slum where most of these children live exists.  They have, and this little piece of the world is changing in dramatic ways.

This morning, Wednesday, was the Diocese of WNC day with the children of the hostel here in Durgapur.  It was a mini-camp with several stations.  This children were given permission to stay out of school today, so we were VERY popular.  We had dancing with Libby, Native American Indians with Norma, reading with Shawnee, friendship bracelets with Susanne, and basketball with Jim and me.  Six 30 minute basketball clinics—I think I will sleep well tonight.  And I have gorgeous fuschia toenails.  They learn everything so fast!  They were shagging, and they picked up blocking out and picking right away.  Our remaining basketball games should be great.  Maybe with a few less fouls.  And the girls are naturals.  They love all the new basketballs and soccer balls we were able to get at Big Bazaar. 

Everyone on our team is doing well.  Four of the seven of us now have colds--pray that folks get on the mend quickly.

In peace,

Cyndi