Hi everyone,
Sorry this has taken a while, but at last I have time to post a proper blog about my time so far.
Travel was uneventful which is a good thing I guess, and we arrived safely in Mumbai where we spent our first week. It was quite hot there and I am getting used to constant sweatiness- nice! The city was amazing: so many smells and sights. In places it is very developed, but all around there are slums that about half of the population live in. And the traffic was something else! Crossing the roads here is probably just about the most terrifying thing I have done in my life. I could never drive here!
We spent the first two days hearing about the work that Oasis is doing in Mumbai and learning about the culture there. We also did a couple of Bible studies on the poor which was really interesting and challenging. We had our first experience of Indian food, too. It is actually very good, but I am literally having curry twice a day! The Indians even have it for breakfast, but I have stuck to toast and cereal so far. I have also had Chinese a couple of times which was nice. Despite the curry overdose, my health has been absolutely fine so far, thank God, aside from 3 massive bites on my foot.
We also got to see some of the sights on Mumbai: Colaba Causeway, Victoria Terminus, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel (the most expensive in India), Chowpatty Beach, the Gateway to India, the Dhobi Ghats, the Hanging Gardens, etc. It was nice to see the landmarks, but the touristy stuff isn't really my thing tbh! The contrast between rich and poor here is striking. In some ways I feel almost too well prepared for it, detached and far away from what I see. Please pray that God will give me a real heart and love for the people here, rich and poor.
We spent the weekend at one of the Oasis projects called Purnata Bhavan in Igatpuri, about 3hrs outside of Mumbai. The drive there was hair-raising! At times we would be driving head on towards a large truck and I wondered if my time had come. But we arrived fine in the end. At PB Oasis runs a home for women and children affected or infected by HIV. There are about 35 kids and 10 women there atm. It was such a beautiful place- I will put photos up soon. Most of the staff there are locals, with the exception of one Brit and two Americans. We went for a beautiful walk with a group of the children and played in a waterfall. They are so grateful for everything they have- a paper aeroplane or kite provides endless amusement! The accommodation there was basic and there was a distinct lack of loo roll, but then no one seems to use it here! Hence the eating with the right hand only. I learnt the skill of eating rice and curry with just my right hand there, cos cutlery just isn't used at all. On Sunday we joined a Sunday school class and taught the kids "Our God is a great big God" and "There's no one like Jesus" and then helped with the small group times. The teaching was really good- I learnt stuff too! I watched superman in Hindi there and we had fun playing with the kids in the afternoon. I left with such an impression of a really happy place. You totally forget that some of the people there are sick.
We returned to Mumbai after that- once again, a rather exciting journey! The last two days in Mumbai were spent visiting the projects there. We were using public transport this time, instead of private cars, which was really fun! Rickshaw (auto) rides are the best. And the trains are crazy- getting on is a most vicious affair, and people hang out of the doors (which are always open) and sit on top of the train. First we saw the Aruna project which works to free women from the brothels and to educate them. There was such an emphasis on the work of the church and the time for it to wake up and be active. They are real people of prayer- every morning they go on a prayer walk around the area. And God is indeed giving them many opportunities! Almost all of the Oasis staff out here are locals and they try to hand projects over to the local church as soon as they can which I think is great!
I also visited a slum that afternoon- the Bandra project. That was a real eye-opener.I have heard the facts so many times before, but actually seeing it was unbelievable. The people live in such appalling conditions. How can some people have so much and others so little? I think all of us felt close to tears. We saw the work of Oasis there, bringing so much hope. They have done much to improve the hygiene and are teaching practical skills, tailoring, IT, English, setting up self-help groups so the women can financially support themselves. Mostly it is now run by people from the slum who have been trained, and Oasis plan to hand it over totally to them soon.
We had dinner at John's house that night, a Scottish guy who has married out here and now lives here. It was really good to be in a home again! They are so hospitable here. And we made our own way home that night- a bit daunting at first, but we managed!
We also visited projects on Tuesday, a production unit for fair trade goods, a vocational training centre and the half way home for women who have left the brothels through the Aruna project. Once again, I was struck by how good the work going on is. We had such a welcome in the HWH- the women were so eager to talk! Most people speak at least a few words of English here, although language barriers are annoying.
On Wednesday me and the two other girls on my team (Helen and Sabrina) flew over to Chennai. It was a bit stressful but we made it! Quite sad to leave the other three but we should see them soon. A guy called Swami met us here, who works for Oasis and is looking after us these first few days. It is even hotter here than Mumbai, but less humid. Also very green compared to Mumbai and a lot more laid back.
Our flat is basic but it is nice to be able to unpack properly. The toilet and showering facilities aren't too good, but a good clean will make it a lot better! I have already put up some photos which makes it more homely. And I have an abundance of reading materials that previous teams have left- yay! There is a nice bakery around the corner and a little supermarket.
The last two days have been spent sightseeing- the culture here is very much relationship before work! They want to get to know us and show us around before we start doing anything. We met the other staff on Thursday morning for prayer and worship. There are about 15 of them, all locals. Very few foreigners here- we have only seen one other. I am now an expert on St Thomas who is supposed to have been martyred here. We saw the San Thome Cathedral and St Thomas Mount. Most of the churches here are Catholic apparently. Once again, was good to see these places but I really do dislike the touristy feeling!
Yesterday was better- we went to the zoo in the morning. I have a new sympathy for the animals who seem to be as much of a tourist attraction as I am here! And then went to Mamallapuram, a village outside of Chennai. It was really beautiful there- I will have to post some photos. And we even got to go to the beach and paddle in the sea! Today we are doing some exploring on our own. Need to get some clothes!
So that is it so far. We will start work on Monday and have been told to make the most of this time, because one we start working we really will be busy! Generally, I do like it here, although it has hit me that I am here for the next 5 moths or so and I am missing my friends and family a bit. The other guys on my team are so lovely and we are getting on great so far! I often think of all you guys back in Alton and at Uni and wonder what you are doing. I am praying for you all and will try to email and write to you individually if I have time.
I do feel like I have already learned so much after two weeks. Being thankful for the small things- having cake and banana for breakfast, having a fan, etc. God has also taught me a lot about trusting Him. So often there are no backup options- I can only pray about something and trust that God will deal with it because I am helpless to do anything! In many ways it has been more challenging coming here than I thought it would be. But there is also so much I love and I am certainly glad to be here.
I know some of the people reading this will be Christians, and so I thought I should share with you some prayer points. I have already seen so many answers to prayer!
1. Thank God for our safety and good health.
2. Continue to pray for good health.
3. That I will pick up the language quickly.
4. That I will quickly build good relationships with the people here.
5. That I will not miss home, family and friends too much.
6. That I will be of real use here and will be a blessing to every person I meet. We want to make a difference in this city!
Thank you so much for the letters and emails. I will try to go online every weekend so you will hopefully have a less long post from me next weekend!
Love Kandace
Oh yeah, I have seen an Elephant and we have a pet gecko called Lenny in our flat. Very important news there!
