CMM (Calcutta) URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT

me. Huldah. Terry.

Dear Blog Friends~

As most of you are aware, my husband, Terry, and I have been working for the past year to bring awareness and raise funds for Calcutta Mercy Ministries (CMM). This ministry was founded by the late Dr. Mark Buntain and Huldah Buntain in 1954, when they arrived in one of the world's most destitute cities where poverty and suffering hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. 

The Buntains and Mother Teresa were best of friends with the same objective of being God's hand extended to those of Calcutta (Kolkata), India, who are physically and spiritually hungry and in need. The Mercy Hospital and Clinics, built by the Buntains, treat over 100,000 patients annually. Of those receiving medical care, 40,000 men, women, and children are treated free of charge due to our many friends and donors!

Huldah & Mother Teresa

This morning we received notice of a fire in our hospital. The time difference is roughly 10-11.5 hours. So, it would have happened late in the evening for India. The following is a statement from our ministry leadership team. 

I request you read, pray, donate and share the link to this post with others. Time is of the essence! Thank you for your concern.

Samalee "Sam" Allen
Samalee@buntain.org

_____________________::::_______________________

Calcutta Mercy Ministries

Mercy Hospital Fire

Calcutta, India

Urgent Announcement

Contact: Calcutta Mercy Ministries
Website: www.buntain.org
Phone: 888.MERCY.US
Address: 101 North 8th Street, P.O.Box S, Griffin, GA 30224

FIRE OUTBREAK IN ICU AT CALCUTTA MERCY HOSPITAL
Hospital Issues an Urgent Call for Funds

Calcutta Mercy Hospital today sent news of a fire outbreak in the hospital’s ICU unit at approximately 10 p.m. in Calcutta, India. Hospital personnel immediately began the evacuation of patients. The fire is now contained, and two patients are reportedly receiving treatment for injuries.

Our wonderful hospital in Calcutta
providing medical attention to the impoverished.

The cause of the fire is being determined so as to insure the protection of patients. Due to previous catastrophic fires in neighboring hospitals in Calcutta resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people, any fire outbreak of this nature is heavily scrutinized from all officials.

Although Calcutta Mercy Hospital has been the leader in fire safety and up-to-date equipment, the wiring in the hospital building has been due for replacement. We are now in urgent need for this repair costing $100,000.

If this need it not met within 7-10 days, the hospital faces the possibility of being shut down by officials. Calcutta Mercy Ministries is issuing a call to its worldwide supporters for donations towards this urgent need.

To make a donation, you may do so via Calcutta Mercy Ministries’ website at https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/ValueMissions/CMM_Giving.html. Alternatively, you may call the CMM office directly at 888.Mercy.Us.

Calcutta Mercy Hospital provides quality healthcare at an affordable price with 173 beds and 30 multi-specialty centers. Serving over 100,000 patients a year, 40% are treated free of charge irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion. Since its inception in 1977, the hospital has provided medical services to over 2.2 million people.

Further inquiries may be directed to info@buntain.org or 888.MERCY.US.

_____________________::::_______________________

Again, I request you READ, PRAY, DONATE and SHARE the link to this post with others. 

Book Review: Pathway to the Impossible

Pathway to the Impossible
By Huldah Buntain
India: Devtech Publishers & Calcutta Mercy Ministries, 2009

Always I have loved missions. It seems I have always raised funds for missions. Missions will always be close to my heart. Closer, still, are missionaries --my heroes-- always. Apart from the Bible, if I could encourage you to purchase a book which practically and marvelously demonstrates just how much our loving, living Heavenly Father loves us, it is this collection of memories and miracles fondly recounted by Huldah. For example:

Little Bonnie's Christmas Surprise
Construction of the Hospital: Waters Recede
Vegetable Garden Miracle
Meningitis Healing Miracle
The Blue Dodge Station Wagon & Speed the Light

"It was easily understood that if one only looked at the negative side of Calcutta with its high pollution, disease, poverty and poor living conditions, that staying in Calcutta would definitely be a hardship. ... Calcutta will always remain our greatest challenge, but also our favorite task." --Huldah "Aunty" Buntain

Increase your faith to believe God for the impossible! Proceeds from this book enable Calcutta Mercy Ministries to feed, educate & medically-assist those in need. 

A Holy River Runs Through It

Wednesday, January 25, 2012.


The morning fog is lifting into the ever present, dense, pale brown haze over the Kolkata region as our van arrives in Kadamtala.


Earlier we walked from the hotel down and around the block to Calcutta Mercy Hospital to catch our bus. Couldn't help but notice how quiet the streets were at dawn. Whether homeless or by choice, men were sleeping on the sidewalk, on tables or in their taxis. I quietly gestured for Terry to notice the sleeping bundle we just stepped around.

Kadamtala School

Our van stops at a clearing where in a few minutes we are to witness and participate in feeding the people of this tiny village...one of three drop points in Kadamtala. In the fog I see some women in colorful saris gathering near the road awaiting the ministry truck to arrive. These women have assumed the responsibility to organize the food distribution.


It is early and the village is still asleep with the exception of the women at the road and a woman who wants to show us the Project Rhino School sponsored by Calcutta Mercy Ministries (CMM). It is a modest one-room, dirt floor hut cleanly swept with mats rolled out where the children will sit for their lessons. The children's handiwork is neatly displayed on the woven walls. She is proud for not many children in the villages or slums have the opportunity for education. Here, they do! I smile and say, "It's a lovely school."

A hungry early riser!

We meander down a path between more huts and discover Kadamtala is on the bank of a tributary from the Ganges River, the same river Team USA floated down our first evening together. As we make a turn into the heart of the village, an adorable toddler stands with his feeding bowl, most likely provided by CMM. Our white faces must look strange to him. 

It's not decoration!

Farther down the main path, I notice brown "patties" are stuck to tree trunks and tossed onto roofs and wrapped around long poles. Can you guess what they are and what they are used for? A young woman squatting beside the Ganges tributary washes pans. A hog eyeballs me from under a bush and snorts. A cow is nearby.

AG Food Truck

The truck from the Kolkata Assembly of God Church arrives loaded with huge cooking pots of steaming rice mixed with dal, a savory broth of lentils and yellow spice. As the villagers position themselves, several assist in off-loading a couple of pots so that the truck can continue on to the next two stops on this route. We observe the distribution process and ask if we can help. I wish we could do more. Do these families have more food items to add to this daily portion? How many mouths will this portion feed, today? Do they tire of their daily portion of rice and dal?


It's quiet on the van out of Kadamtala. I think we all know that without God's provision and the support of CMM partners worldwide, 25,000+ people could not be fed on a daily basis.



Baboo Ghat is the next stop. Ghat refers to a flight of steps leading to a bathing area in the Ganges River where Hindu men and priests chant and ceremonially "wash" their sins away in this river considered holy in view of the orange monkey-man god. Jesus, they don't know they need only to ask You to wash their hearts.

Step into the River!

The Ganges is filthy! Its murky, swirling waters are filled with environmental pollution, human waste, trash, carcasses and...everything!  When a family cannot afford to pay for a burial of a loved one, a raft is constructed to carry the deceased, set afloat and set afire. I spot a recent Hindu offering of a garland of yellow and red marigolds drifting with the current. There are men brushing their teeth with twigs using this disgusting river water to rinse their mouths. Gross!

Mmmmmasala Chai

Not too far from Baboo Ghat, Danielle knows where the best Masala Chai in Kolkata is served in large clay drinking pots with saffron sprinkled on top. Chai is a beverage made by brewing tea with a mixture of Indian spices. Gaining popularity in the USA costing upwards to $5 per cup, we purchase our street-side chai for less than .50 cents per pot. After drinking it is customary to dash the pots to the street which insures the pots aren't re-used passing along germs. 

"Bottoms" up!

It isn't until after we have finished our chai that we are informed the chai drinking pots are made of baked clay from an abundant source of mud out of the Ganges River bottom! 
Oh, Lord, may the holy Pepto Bismol protect me!

Meet Team USA: 2012

~Namaste~ Two things I've learned in (2012-1982=30) 30 years of ministry: (1) I can probably accomplish a task better and faster in the time it takes for me to explain it, (2) BUT, ministry is sweeter when shared!

Each summer while conducting the camp program in Camp Jackson in Tennessee, Terry and I had the honor to work with 12 students known as the Crunk Crew. Behind the scenes, it was this team who kept summer camps running smoothly, poised the kitchen and concessions for the yearly health inspection, cleaned the toitees, setting-up chairs in the "Gymernacle-Tabernasium," prepared meals, organized the shirt shack and so much more. It was with these students --even though the faces may change each year and I miss them dearly-- we tried to create FAMILY.

Family equals people related to one and so to be treated with special loyalty.

**Team USA pictured in Mark Buntain's office set-up complete with desk, typewriter, his Bible and memories capturing his life.

**Scott M. of Alabama (We won't hold that against him.) The Kolkata side of CM operations & newly named president of Calcutta Mercy pictured floating on the Ganges River.

The spirit of compassion unites us to raise awareness and funds for the children and families and ministries sponsored by Calcutta Mercy Ministries.

I'm thinking there sure are a lot of Georgia Bulldawgs on this team, Billy.

Each member brings a specialized tool and calling whereby God blends talents and passions into a dynamic team.

**Pictured in New Market, Kolkata. Jason K. (with the surprised look) brings leadership and a heart for the medical community...as he should, because he's married to a doctor! Boomer Sooner! Robby B (behind Jason) a great leader and mentor.

"Christ has generously divided out His gifts to us." Ephesians 4:7 CEV

**Justin Fennell, President of Just-in-Time Communication, Inc. in Georgia, travels most of the year as public speaker/comedian/chef...you name it, he's probably done it and done it well! He is pictured in the bowels of New Market purchasing Indian spices & Darjeeling Tea! 


Although not related to one another by the blood flowing through our veins, the hearts of each member of Team USA are united through the blood of our Savior which flowed on Calvary for our sins.

**Allen A., also of Georgia, pictured with Scott M. (I taste Lemon-Pledge)  journeyed into India to see Calcutta Mercy at work in several villages and in the lives of hundreds of children receiving education,  food and medical care.

**Pictured with Terry (My handsome man!), is David M., and Pastor P. C. Hota (in the middle)! Pastor P. C. has started over 200 churches! Approximately 18 months ago, God stirred him awake and to lead congregation members to safety during a flooding storm! Miracles still happen!

**Lastly, Terry & "Sam" Allen, the  then-current Assembly of God District Youth Directors (DYDs) of Tennessee until April 2012, pictured with Huldah Buntain in her office at Calcutta Mercy Hospital on Park Street.

Mark & Huldah Buntain, planning to spend just one year in Kolkata, became friends with a godly woman, Mother Teresa, and began to make an impact on one of the biggest cities in India by loving people! More than 60 years into the process, the mission continues because two people were willing to go!

God, please call people to give and others willing to go to Kolkata to become FAMILY to little boys and girls of India!

Tomorrow:

• Feeding in Kadomtala
• Baboo Ghat on the Holy River
• Chai for Everyone!

Breakfast, Bathrooms & Bishnupur

Monday. January 23, 2012.


Breakfast at hotel: Omelette and Idly. This Southern Girl loves a fluffy biscuit and the Indian equivalent is Idly (eed-lee). If I were to describe it as a rice biscuit, you'd wrinkle your nose. Right? Idly is light, crustless and a good vehicle for anything that needs to be sopped!

Airport Squat Toitee

After a long journey to or through India, one needs to refresh herself. One being me makes her way to the nearest bathroom India calls "washroom" or "toilet." Doing a little "dance," I open 3 stalls discovering "toilet" means "hole in the floor" with these weird foot grips on either side. God, please give me a real toitee! YES! The last door opens to the familiar white, porcelain throne. Aaaah, the pause that refreshes.


Today, Team USA is going in two directions: Orissa and Bishnupur. My team is on the van traveling north-ish out of Kolkata (toward Mt. Everest) to the small town of Bishnupur where we'll tour a Mercy Clinic sponsored by Calcutta Mercy Ministries.

North to Bishnupur

Paddies w/ Rice Plugs

This country in the Nadia District is green, agricultural land with neat rows of orange and yellow marigolds, banana trees and rice paddies where I see people stooped over working in ankle-deep water. On the side of the road, mats are rolled out with rice spread thinly and drying in the warm sun. I remark to my honey, "This looks like the Mississippi Delta." For the first time, I realize I haven't seen blue sky since arriving in India. Kolkata has so much dust and smog and pollution the sky has a constant haze. 


Halfway to Bishnupur, it's time for a pitstop. Uh-oh! Door 1 reveals the scary little hole. No way! Behind Door 2 is my throne. I discover much too late there is no toitee paper. Instead there is a spray nozzle and a measuring cup. Hmmm. I'm at a loss. Wait a minute! I packed Kleenexes! Indians call these "face papers," which I find humorous at this point. I'm good to go!

Bishnupur Mercy Clinic

Mercy Clinic is a modest store-front structure of 4 rooms, 3 beds, 1 doctor and a host of patients! The doctor comes twice a week. The pastor comes everyday making a 2 hour trip by train and leaves by the same. The clinic needs a computer for records, medicines for low-level care, continued funds for rent and the doctor. We pray for those who are awaiting medical assistance. It feels slightly awkward. The villagers stare at the white people. The white people smile at the villagers. Time to break the ice.

Patient Intake & Records

While Sompa, the beautiful Hindu medical assistant, distributes forms and questions the patients, I pull out the iPhone I received for my birthday during Youth Camp #4 at Camp Jackson. Time for pictures! Spin the camera and watch the smiles! It's fun taking pics with the white lady and seeing yourself on the screen!

The doctor has arrived as patients line up in Bishnupur

My first subject was a little old lady who had traveled roughly 6 miles from a nearby village. The young pastor decides we should head to the village and give a ride to this little old lady. Disembarking my new friend grabs my hand and away we go down little paths through a wooded area. Word quickly spreads of our arrival. Men and women, boys and girls of all ages run up and stop short to shyly regard this group of pale skins. She must have let them know all was safe, because we dart from hut to hut meeting and greeting and praying for the villagers, who want to show me life in their village!


Before leaving the USA, I learned of the extended families in the Indian culture. As a point of respect, older women are referred to as "Aunty" or "Mossi-Mossi." Realizing she has claimed me, I address her in the appropriate fashion. OH MY GOODNESS! You've never seen anyone so proud as this petite, little old lady who petted my hand as we visited other "Aunties."

Me & my Bishnupur "Mossi-Mossi"

It's getting dark and time for us to make the drive back to Kolkata. All of my new mossies are reluctant to let me go, which is just fuel for Team USA. 


"Do you wanna just spend the night? We'll come back for you!"
"I believe you're the new queen of the village!"
"I think they want to erect a statue of you!"


Silly boys. From this point on, I am "Sam" Allen, Goddess Divine...who requires a white, porcelain throne and "face papers."