We've Arrived

Arrived!
Late Friday after a long day that was really two days traveling. Greeted by helpers of Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta at the airport and taken on a bumpy and frantic minibus trip (the first of many) to the YWCA where we're staying. Yep, the YWCA. I've got a single room. It's basic. I"m getting used to shaving and showering in cold water.
Already seen a couple of projects that EMC are working on, and already seen the kind of conditions in Kolkatta that makes it necessary.
A very brief summary for now, since I've not much time.
We went to a school for young recovering addicts, who after rehab are taught and encouraged to find their particular God given talent and enjoy it. They seemed quite excited when I said I enjoyed playing football. They insisted on me returning for a game, once I've acclimatised to the local conditions obviously. They were also keen to know what I put in my hair. I was David Beckham for an afternoon.
Today we've visited a day school for children of sex workers. Given a chance for a different life to their mothers, right next to the slum where their mothers are working.
Everywhere you can see poverty and then extreme poverty and then wealth. Life is on the streets, cooking, eating, talking, sleeping. Traffic is manic and noisy and like a jostling crowd. Food is great.
Emmanuel Ministries are a fantastic organisation I'll try and tell you more about it on a later day, now that we've found an Internet Cafe. Suffice to say they've already shown us significant examples of how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has radically transformed lives.
Not much time at the moment. I'm keeping notes so that I can fill you in on the details.
I"m excited that this filthy, noisy, raw and glorious place is home for the next month.
Thanks for the prayers.