On waking on Tuesday morning we found that the morning was cold and overcast, and then in mid-morning it rained!
We took it easy over the weekend as we were very tired and Ken was feeling a bit under the weather (a cold or similar, nothing terrible and life threatening - and not tummy trouble). A lot of the students have been getting "fever", although we think from what they say it is a cold type thing (for some 'though, it's definitely more). They blame it on the change in the weather - and it has certainly changed! Ken wore his coat on Tuesday to go to the shops for milk. Quite refreshing really.
We have been talking about Diwali, which is coming next week - it seems it's a festival that goes on for a while, starting with Dusserha about 10 days ago. We're having a little party in Ekta Vihar with the bal mandel (the children's group) and some of our students this Saturday morning, before Ken teaches in the afternoon. We're also looking around for what to do on Diwali itself (next Wednesday, 11th November - another public holiday). Whatever happens it going to be noisy - we've read you should wear earplugs on Diwali! We shall see (and hear). Ken told his students about Guy Fawkes Night yesterday. Hope everyone has a good Guy Fawkes Night back home (probably this Saturday, rather than last night - there's a fireworks display in Morden Park tomorrow!).
Oh a further tip if you're thinking of coming to India - do not bring Travellers Cheques!
We brought them for a specific purpose, which is fine. However, on one occasion something didn't go according to plan so we had to find somewhere to cash some of them. It seems that most Indian banks do not cash TCs, except for their account holders. You really have to find a Thomas Cook, which is fine in central Delhi, but elsewhere... well, I guess that would be much more difficult (much more). So don't bring them. They're old hat now anyway. Many banks in the UK don't do them anymore.
Hi. Ken has filled you in (above) on some of our week. It's such a joy to feel a bit cooler!!
We have told you in previous blogs about where we have been and somethings about our teaching - it's not easy to put into words the rawness of life that is all around - it makes no sense but imprints itself on our hearts!
I thought I would share with you some thoughts.
They are expressed in my more 'poetic style' - not sure how else to express them!
Three moments yesterday when travelling to and from Ekta Vihar /working in the slum and on the mobile bus.
1.
I saw you:
A boy being forced to wash - roughly treated - behind a wash area, out of view from most, with his father, but I saw you and will always remember you. A passing moment caught in my gaze and given to me:
No one can see the life I live - the future that seems to have no sense
but I was caught in your gaze on your way home and you saw me -
But when I close my eyes, I sleep and then I am free in a land that only I can see - my world becomes a place I want to be and I can be all things - I can be free - I can reach the heights that you and I believe.
Alone - where am I going? - born into a land, a world where hope and light is taken from my view
Born into a land, my eyes are clouded - I am roughly held
But only when I sleep.... and soon I must awake again to face another day
(No one sees the life I live - the future that seems to have no sense
but when I was caught in your gaze, you saw me, a moment you won't ever forget).
A new day dawns and dreams must cease - I step away into the day - a bright new sky now dawns -
What will there be?
Who can I trust?
I have no say - one day I must... find a voice to take me from this - find a hope that brings my dreams to life.
Does everyone dream?
Have I a right to dream?
Dare I dream?
You saw me.
2.
I saw a mother -
very squalid conditions,
on the side of the noisy, dusty street,
sitting - alone - until
she drew her tiny child to her and kissed him tenderly
3.
I saw a father,
next to the stalls at the Mohan Singh Market
we pass every day - beside the slum.
He turned to his son,
Embraced him
Picked him up,
A kiss, a word shared.
There is injustice, poverty, roughness, and many dreams -
There is also love, tenderness, care and belonging.
Why am I so moved by the acts of kindness, love and caring I see in these situations? They are so much the basics of humanity and even when all else is taken away and so difficult, love remains and can be expressed so gently.
It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13 v 13. 'And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love'.
Sometimes it's hard to know what to do with all that we see.......
Let's not forget to show love to everyone we meet.
With love,
Ken and Heather x
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