Wrapping up our time in India
Our time in Kalimpong is over, and we’ve moved on to Seoul, for an extended layover. We’re taking the opportunity to hang out with our 25-year old son, Pak, who is working here as an English teacher.
As I look back at our time in India I’m struck with a sense of gratitude for all God has done through and for the staff and kids of Asia’s Hope in Kalimpong. They’ve been through so much over the past few months, but they’re holding together well. In fact, I haven’t felt so much warmth and camaraderie – especially among the older girls – for quite some time. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I know we’re on the right track.
We hosted all the girls from our Kalimpong 2 and 3 homes at the house we were renting, and spent the whole day dancing, laughing and making momos – Nepali/Tibeten dumplings. These girls are smart, talented and funny. And they quite obviously love each other.
On another day, we spent probably six hours with the boys from the Kalimpong 1 and 4 homes playing carrom, an Indian game similar to billiards played with checker-sized discs on a wooden board. I’ve gotten pretty good at the games over the years, and at one point, my young partner and I went on a six game winning streak! I think I earned some credibility, especially with some of the new kids I hadn’t met before.
We also had a number of really productive, open and heartfelt meetings with our staff, all of whom have faced incredible pressures over the past few months. We prayed fervently for the health of our work here in India, and emerged feeling united and energized for the year ahead.
And we ate. Lots and lots. I’m sure I had more than 200 momos during my time in Kalimpong, and I certainly drank at least a couple gallons of masala chai. And despite on 24-hour period where both Kori and I were stuck in bed due to food poisoning that we got on our last day in Mumbai, our trip was an unalloyed success. Lots of work remains to be done, but I sure feel a lot better about where we are than where I thought we’d be a few months ago.
I hope to return soon. I can’t imagine being able to stay away for a year. So it’s possible you’ll be seeing more pictures and hearing more stories from a trip to Kalimpong, sooner rather than later.
