Indebted Already

So...
We arrived Friday night and slept till Saturday afternoon. Rooms are clean with a bed, a table, a wardrobe and of course the essential ceiling fan with is constantly on and sounds like a rain storm in the middle of the night. But no rain yet, at least nothing significant. Toilet and shower are down the corridor and disinfected each day. I'm getting used to constantly feeling hot and sticky, even five minutes after a cold shower.
Saturday I followed the nine ladies shopping for Indian clothes in New Market. Enough to watch to keep me occupied. It's a covered mall, with tiny alleyways and hundreds of small shops selling clothes, food, tea, jewelry, electronics and everything else. Some begging at the major hubs. Watched as three young lads ran past and excited picked up some cardboard and plastic before going to look for more rubbish. A chap followed us for two hours suggesting shops to try quietly in the back ground, intending to get a cut should anything be purchased. Fortunately a couple of ladies from EMC were with us to haggle. I found myself in a shop for Punjabi men's wear. The guy wanted 1450 Rs for an outfit. My problem was that I had no idea what I ought to be paying and forgot the golden rule "Start at half". Once the women from EMC arrived at the shop they took charge. And really that's exactly what they did. At the end she put the shirt in the carrier bag, walked off and called back "Give him 650." I did and he accepted it, if a little grudgingly.
Right next to New Market is a slum area that we'll be visiting in the next day of so. It smelled like a rubbish tip. It was a rubbish tip. Little children gathered round shouting "hello, hello, hello." Not really asking for money it seemed, just pleased to see people who smiled at them.
On the bus trip to shopping we saw a lonely Young lad stood rummaging in a large area of rubbish. Later I attempted to sketch this from memory. Actually found it difficult to draw the rubbish. Couldn't think what people in Kolkatta throw away, everything is used. I drew tins and bottles and cardboard, all of which are too valuable. Whatever is considered rubbish here this lad was stood in the middle of it.
Sunday we visited the Anandaloy "Place of Joy" home for young lads recovering from drug abuse. Looks like that's where I'll be spending most of my time.
Monday afternoon we visited Lakhermath, the club for the children of sex workers, a place that is now much valued by the mothers. To the extent that their working hours have changed to conform to the club timetable. Everywhere we go the kids are so pleased to see us and welcome us with applause followed by a program of songs, dances and memorised Bible verses.
Tuesday we visited the two "Pavement Clubs". Originally started on the pavements of Kolkatta but now moved to places where the kids have lessons and games in better surroundings. It began originally as Vijayan Pavamani spotted some kids messing around with a parked car on the street. He asked them "Do you want some food?" "No" they replied. "Do you want some money?" He asked, again "No". "What do you want?" They answered "We want to go to school." Blimey.
EMC was begun by Vijayan and Premila Pavamani. they simply placed an ad in a news paper that any who are distressed could come round to talk. The next day they had 60 visitors. They are referred to as Anti and Uncle, and are very much loved. Vijayan died a year ago on the 20th August, and he's greatly missed. Pictures of him everywhere. It seems he was a visionary who had a habit of seeing the finished article whilst everyone else would see the problems. Even Premila admits that she did not feel up to the work when they started. But she seemed to regard the work of EMC as God working in her as much as for the poor. I should think Vijayan also had the ability of surrounding himself with excellent administrators and workers because in his absence it's still thriving, still with a focus on God being at work.
Some years later after starting the counselling, Vijayan saw that drugs was one of the major issues and so began a work specifically in this area. we've seen much of this today. The De-Addiction Centre where addicts spend the first 21 days and then after that are transferred to a range of homes for rehabilitation. We visited three, an open home where men are able to go to work during the day, a closed home where they stay all the time and a home for women. It was all set in a rural area some distance from the centre of Kolkatta, so was very peaceful. We heard several testimonies from the man and women themselves who mostly spoke excellent English. The program of rehab was extremely well constructed, thorough and Biblical. Devotions were held each day and many who spoke to us also spoke of coming to faith in Jesus Christ as a result of their stay and acknowledged God's lead in their recovery. All the workers in the homes are former residents and so serve as examples to the men and women. It was a great encouragement all round.
Yesterday, Tuesday, we visited the Paulin Bhawan home for abandoned and poor children. More songs and excitement as they showed us around the Calcutta Emmanuel School they attend. I also got my first game of cricket on Indian soil with the lads. Didn't have a bad innings until the tennis ball hit the leg of the plastic chair behind me.
It's all light and salt in such a filthy city. EMC provide the opportunity for a fresh start for addicts for a new generation to leave poverty, for so many. I feel indebted to all the children I've met.
The city is in constant motion. Mirror, horn, manoeuvre is the rule. I've seen barbers, launderers and houses on the pavements. On my way here a little girl was tugging at my hand asking for "chips". She was insistent. Hard saying no, but that's the advice everywhere. One of the aims of EMC is to return dignity to the poor.
Two of our group were unwell today. Were hit with bad stomachs during the night following a vegetable dish at what seemed a tidy Chinese restaurant. We've all been careful, but there's just no telling.
I'll post some pictures later on. For now have a look for Becky Ross on Facebook.
That's probably enough for now. It's excellent. I will need a long bath when I get back. But at the moment I'm happy for that to wait because I'm booked for a game of footy with the lads of Kokatta.