Everyday Mission Life

 Monday and Tuesday Miss Cheri had school with her class. Merv was with Travis at the gate with the people all morning. Looking at eyes, handing out formula, giving skin ointments... the rest of us just lived here. Laundry, cleaning, playing, cooking.... 

Monday after school, we loaded up and headed to Golpolgang where Kelly and Lanae Friesen live. They had invited us for supper. An hours drive in and out of traffic and people.... the house there is beautiful I thought. The yard is mostly brick with some yard for a garden and flowers. Big trees. I thought it was just so pretty there. But the downside is that they live right up beside a very busy road. So it’s noisy and dusty. Had an enjoyable evening there. They have a boy just Nicholas’ age and did they ever play together!!! But oh my the drive home after dark..... that made my heart jumó into my throat numerous times! Some vehicles with no lights, some with brights on blinding you, lots of people, many rickshaws and very few street lights. Almost none. It is no easy task driving after dark. Many times busses or other vehicles come straight toward you in your lane and last minute squeeze over. 

Tuesday Cheryl and i walked to the little market right here amd got a few groceries. Sat in a little Dokan and were served cha and cream of wheat. They cook the cream of wheat until it’s quite thick and then put it una pan until it sets up... quivery and sweet. Sorta good, I guess. This lady has a little fire going under her tea kettle, adds a stick or two and some paper, blows onto the flame using a short piece of pipe or bamboo to get it going nicely. A few minutes later pours us a steaming cup of sweet spiced tea. We drink tea and eat quivering chunks of cream of wheat with the fingers of our RIGHT hand. (Keep that left hand tucked away!) Then down the narrow little path to where the lady lives who had made the blouse and skirt for my sari. She wanted me to try it on for her before I left... doesn’t fit like I would make it!!:) I did some letting out of seams once I got home! After school, some of us walked around to the back of Travis’ place where there is a Hindu burning place. This is where they burn bodies after they die. Everyone but children get burned. And there’s some sort of ceremony goes on with it. Felt kinda weird. 

Shanto and Shati and their family came for a pizza supper. Oh how I wish we could talk their language. Conversation and laughter swirled around in an un- understandable babble. Some like to try a few English words and phrases. I was so awfully tired I actually came upstairs with Nicholas before they left and went to bed. 

This Shanto and his family are a real inspiration to the church in this country. He and his wife are faithful members. So far none of their family have joined the church. He has taken cherith under his wing and calls himself her Bangla Baba. He is a short little man with a huge smile and infectious laugh. 

Oh yes, Merv and Travis went fishing in the pond behind the house and got fish for lunch. Fish curry, rice, dal, and some kind of gourd was lunch today. Made by the maid. 

The men went and got our stuff from the tailors. All fits perfectly and is seen so neatly. We want to get some more made here before we leave. 

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