Sunday morning up bright and early again. Just before 7.30 a.m. I set off with the Bishop to Bankura, about an hour's drive from here. At home in England setting off at that time of day you get the roads pretty much to your self but here they were already busy and bustling, with bikes, trikes loaded with goods, motor bikes, cars, vans and trucks and of course the dogs, cows, goats and buffalo that all just meander across the road in their own time too. If you think the pot holes are bad in England, think again, the driver slows down to 5-10 mph at times because the roads are so bad and spends more time travelling on the wrong side - they all do wherever the road surface is best.
Having arrived about 8.30 for a 9.00 a.m., it was a hot muggy morning, we were given tea in Rev Amiya Das house by the church there in Bankura. We all moved across to the church at ten minutes to nine, I was given a seat behind the communion rail on one side the and Bishops and ministers sat on the other side. There were fourteen young people being confirmed, 13 from Bankura and one from a church further afield but was the only one from there so joined this service. They didn't wait for 9.00 they just started the service.
I haven't got any photos as I find it hard to take out a camera and take pictures while I am worshiping and especially when you are sat in full view of everyone and they are watching your every move. I managed to follow the service even though all in Bengali, I obviously preached in English and Amiya translated. One of the girls did read the epistle from Romans in English well. There are photos on my blog in January as I was there then and was able to take photos.
It was strange though not talking to any of the congregation afterwards, I went outside with the Bishop and ministers but was taken back to the house for more refreshments. It was a hot muggy day, temperature here still in high 30's so did welcome being back under a fan.They were pleased with the message I gave and said it was great for the young people being confirmed.
A good morning. Then back to Durgapur by 12.00 which the s=children were very happy to see me back so that I could practice with them for the evening programme.
The place was very busy as the Eye clinic was doing 15 cataract operations and the classroom had been turned into recovery rooms for them The older girls were brilliant at giving care, helping them with food and taking them to the bathroom. They all stayed overnight and had a check up the next morning all successful. One was only a girl about 9 year old and hopefully this will make a big difference to her life.
So after lunch and a rest It was into two and half hours of practising, then changing and then the programme at 6.00 p.m. It was a welcome programme for my self and Re Ann F. from US, who will preach at the service on 21st. Having organised and rehearsed the children they tell me it's to welcome me back!The children did well. It's amazing how much they manage to learn and do.
They opened the programme by all the children singing "Shalom, my Friend".
It was mainly staff who work at St Michaels Compound who attended and the Bishop and his wife.
There again I don't have many photos as I was too busy helping the children or playing and singing along side them, giving them encouragement and confidence.
We had dances, I play an english country dance on the fiddle and taught them a circle dance for it, they played violin, the violas played after one lesson and they did poetry and songs. Then everyone had dinner - the children eating in their dining hall but having exactly the same food as we had. Fried rice and a chicken dish followed by ice cream served in little terracotta pots - it was delicious. Been spoilt this last week had ice cream three times!!!
Here are three of the viola players with their violas they are working very hard and are adding depth to the hymns for Saturday. They are really enjoying playing and two younger boys are also playing viola on two of the violins I have changed into violas.
Hopefully after the Hindu festival - Puja - is over we will get our cellos. They will not touch anything to do with work while it is Puja.
More to follow later in the week.
Having arrived about 8.30 for a 9.00 a.m., it was a hot muggy morning, we were given tea in Rev Amiya Das house by the church there in Bankura. We all moved across to the church at ten minutes to nine, I was given a seat behind the communion rail on one side the and Bishops and ministers sat on the other side. There were fourteen young people being confirmed, 13 from Bankura and one from a church further afield but was the only one from there so joined this service. They didn't wait for 9.00 they just started the service.
I haven't got any photos as I find it hard to take out a camera and take pictures while I am worshiping and especially when you are sat in full view of everyone and they are watching your every move. I managed to follow the service even though all in Bengali, I obviously preached in English and Amiya translated. One of the girls did read the epistle from Romans in English well. There are photos on my blog in January as I was there then and was able to take photos.
It was strange though not talking to any of the congregation afterwards, I went outside with the Bishop and ministers but was taken back to the house for more refreshments. It was a hot muggy day, temperature here still in high 30's so did welcome being back under a fan.They were pleased with the message I gave and said it was great for the young people being confirmed.
A good morning. Then back to Durgapur by 12.00 which the s=children were very happy to see me back so that I could practice with them for the evening programme.
The place was very busy as the Eye clinic was doing 15 cataract operations and the classroom had been turned into recovery rooms for them The older girls were brilliant at giving care, helping them with food and taking them to the bathroom. They all stayed overnight and had a check up the next morning all successful. One was only a girl about 9 year old and hopefully this will make a big difference to her life.
So after lunch and a rest It was into two and half hours of practising, then changing and then the programme at 6.00 p.m. It was a welcome programme for my self and Re Ann F. from US, who will preach at the service on 21st. Having organised and rehearsed the children they tell me it's to welcome me back!The children did well. It's amazing how much they manage to learn and do.
They opened the programme by all the children singing "Shalom, my Friend".
It was mainly staff who work at St Michaels Compound who attended and the Bishop and his wife.
There again I don't have many photos as I was too busy helping the children or playing and singing along side them, giving them encouragement and confidence.
We had dances, I play an english country dance on the fiddle and taught them a circle dance for it, they played violin, the violas played after one lesson and they did poetry and songs. Then everyone had dinner - the children eating in their dining hall but having exactly the same food as we had. Fried rice and a chicken dish followed by ice cream served in little terracotta pots - it was delicious. Been spoilt this last week had ice cream three times!!!
Here are three of the viola players with their violas they are working very hard and are adding depth to the hymns for Saturday. They are really enjoying playing and two younger boys are also playing viola on two of the violins I have changed into violas.
Hopefully after the Hindu festival - Puja - is over we will get our cellos. They will not touch anything to do with work while it is Puja.
More to follow later in the week.
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