Ingenious!

Here's a picture of Paul's ingenuity.

Yes, they are bamboo panels over bricks to provide some shade on our roof so that our bedroom doesn't cook all afternoon from the direct sunlight. There is another flat above us, but it only cover about 2/3 of our place. You wouldn't believe it. It has made a world of difference! Our bedroom is almost as cool as the other rooms in our apartment! Great cheap solution!!

Infrastructure In-frustration

The last few weeks, I feel as though I've been inundated with some of the realities of living here. I had heard about these things, but didn't think much about while in the States. The reality is that these everyday inconveniences or problems have no longer become "problems over there." They have become my problems. My initial reaction is to be flabbergasted "I can't believe..." Then I move to frustration, and then to "Okay, how can I make this situation work for me," to "Well, there really isn't that much I can do currently... I'm going to pr'y." Here are some realities of life that affect not just me, but many others.

Recently I read in an article where it took a small community 6 years to get electricity. They had come together as a community and paid for electricity to be installed. It took the gov't 6 years to deliver the service that these people paid for! Our building, 1 1/2 years old, is still waiting for a municipal power connection. Our whole apartment complex is getting electricity via an extension cord strung through the trees from a neighbor’s house. The response our developer got when he asked the electricity board to speed up the process, as all has been paid for: "There are people who have been waiting 3 years to get their electricity.... why should you get yours before them!"

Our street functions as a public urinal. Honestly, I dread walking down the street. It stinks and I am paranoid about accidentally touching the wall, stepping into a human or animal stool, or accidentally stepping in the puddles (rain mixed with urine and trash growing an ever shade change culture of algae) that never seem to go away! I've wondered if it doesn't bother other people as much as it does me... maybe I just need to get over it. I think it made me feel a little better when our neighbor who lives closer to the "wall" shared, how he never goes out through his gate there.

Our developer planned to put a gate on the road. The people in the community protested because they would lose their toilet. I don't blame them....where else can they go? There were plans and funds for a public toilet, but they were mismanaged, so there is no toilet yet.

Everyone that I know here and up in the hills have said, "Don't go to the hospitals in Sil'guri if you can because the doctors, all they're interested is in money!" When I had to get a blood test done, they took me into a room and asked me if I need to get this and that done and if I had pain here and there. (Believe me, it wasn't just procedural.) Finally, I had to say, "I just want a blood test. I don't need or want anything else." But, people don't have many other options, so they often have to go.

About a week ago it rained, but not that hard. It shows how Si'iguri's development problem can strike anywhere. This time, it hit the Regional Development Minister's office! I read in the newspaper that it was flooded by the little rain we had! The city continues to have drainage problems, and during the monsoon, many places flood (especially the poor areas). We have heard that water can rise to shin level on our street! I've been wondering whether I should get myself some rubber boots and how I'm going to deal with this if it happens. Sometimes, I feel like I spend a lot of time anticipating things and doing what I can to be prepared so that when it hits, I'm not at a loss.

When I think about what people here have to go through, I don't know how they handle it all. At least I can afford other options if I really want, but so many people here don't have that ability. This is their life.

So, I've been pr'ying for justice and for G'd to establish just gov't and leaders. I can sense that many people are fed up with mismanagement and abuse of the system. I've been pr'ying regularly for leaders here, for establishment of good, just, and sound gov't especially for our state. Sometimes I struggle with feelings of frustration and of powerlessness. At times like this, I have to believe that G'd cares and hears.

A couple of days ago, I read Habakkuk as I've been going through the OT. I have not seen violence and injustice as Habakkuk may have seen, but living here, I feel as though I can imagine just a little bit more what he is complaining about.

Habakkuk 1:1-4 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received. How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

Shocked!

I've started browsing the internet to learn about the city of Mumbai as Paul and I will be traveling there in June for fertility treatment. I was curious to know how large the Nepali community is in Mumbai, and it appears that there is a fairly sizeable community around the Churchgate area. The impetus for this curiosity was a desire to continue practicing Nepali while we're away for two weeks...I don't want to lose what progress we've made, especially in fluency.

So, I went on google search, typed "Nepalis in Mumbai" and to my utter astonishment, article after article was on Nepali women and sex trade. As I read, I was disturbed and shocked by the sex trade that is happening in this region and the number of Nepali women affected by it. One article from May of this year said that 50% of 100,000 Mumbai's sex workers are Nepalis. Another article recorded that about 18,000 Nepali women are working in over 350-odd brothels in Mumbai! I don't know which statistics is correct as there is some discrepancy, but I am in a state of shock...Before the statistics would have aroused some emotions, but overall it would have felt like another statistics. But now, it feels closer to home and closer to my heart.... Right now, I'm just in a state of shock.

Getting Away from the Heat

What difference a few thousand feet of elevation makes! When I go up to the hills, I cannot assume that it will be just a "little cooler" than the plains, at least when I'm in Darj. We were practically in the clouds most of the time in rain (no great views), and cold (yes, actually cold!). I had a light sweater on the whole time, and wished I had something a little warmer. While we were staying at the tea estate for training, we had 3 light wool blankets over us as we slept. The town was bustling with Indian tourists looking for a break from the scorching heat below....

It was quite nice to be in the cool weather, to not be dripping in sweat, and to actually sleep under a few blankets. It also meant that I didn't take any showers during the 5 days at the tea estate! (yeah, gross)....too cold and I couldn't get myself to ask for hot water when everyone else was bathing in cold water. I just washed my hair and it helped me to feel manageable. I think some thought I actually took shower in cold water and seemed impressed by it, but when I told them I just washed my hair, they laughed...

Well, we're back down in the plains and back to two showers a day and blanket-less nights while the fan cools us down all night long. Nevertheless, it's nice to be back in our own place.

A small victory...

I visited Jyoti and baby Topi again in the slum community. It had rained the night before (thank God!), and by 8:30am, the humidity was quite dense and the temperature was already quite warm.

When we arrived at Jyoti's, she was busy working. Although she's eight months pregnant, she was out there in the heat doing laundry by hand, cleaning her house, and busy getting ready for the day. She would not take up on our offer to help and insisted that work is good for her health. Of course, when we came, she stopped all her work, and entertained us for some time. I got to practice some Nepali with her and got to know one another. I met her husband and mom, found out that today will be her last visit to the doctor before the due date, and that she wants the baby to be a girl. I also learned that after 3pm is the best time to visit as they are done with their work and are resting. She insisted that I come back that afternoon (I couldn't since it takes me over 40 min. just to get there with multiple stops and changes), and not to feel bad for interrupting at such an early hour! I promised I'll be back next week.

We walked over to the area where baby Topi lives (Muslim area) and had an encouraging visit. Topi was doing well. I played peek-a-boo with him and he even smiled and played a little bit. I could tell he was catching on. His mother (I call her didi--big sister) just had a hysterectomy done and was recovering. Basically, she was able to get the operation for free by getting a certificate from the council with Cindy's help. I learned that there is something called BPL card (Below Poverty Card) which gives the poor access to some things for free. Often people in the slum communities are not aware of some of the help that are available to them. She was recovering, but seemed cheerful and in good mood. As I listened to Hindi being exchanged, I realized I could understand some of the conversation. I can't speak it, but I am starting to understand a little bit. Her husband was even sober and offered us tea. A small sign of victory worth celebrating today! Thank you, Jesus.

Our New Apartment & Neighborhood

Here are some pics for you to enjoy. They're pics of our new apartment, our neighborhood, and market day which is every Monday in our town. It's been great to be in an area where more Nepali is spoken! It is also nice that it's cheaper than our old place (out of town now), but a lot newer. If I may complain about one thing, it's that the wall on our street has become a public urinal for local men...