Our Young SHEro

If ever the world was desperate for a super hero, today is ripe. And, I know one. A super SHEro named Haven! 

Even her name sounds like she'd fit into Marvel Comics' band of X-Men! When I tell you what feat this one accomplished, you'll agree Tennessee is home to our own heroine.

Christmas 2012, my hubby and I were asked to present Calcutta Mercy Ministries during a missions fair at Hope Assembly of God in Fayetteville, where Haven's parents, Ben and Tammy Johnson pastor. Ethnic foods were prepared and missionaries from around the globe were featured. Financial commitments were prayed about to support these missions. Such a great night for adults! 

me. Ben. Terry. & Tammy!

Quietly in the room, a young heart was moved by what was heard and seen on the video. Children of all ages in Calcutta, India, receiving a meal each day, 6 days a week, each month of each year. Hundreds of babies born, sometimes abandoned due to social and religious superstition, with cleft palates and cleft lips. Quietly in the room, the heart of a SHEro was beating in rhythm with the Father's heart.

But what can a young girl do?

Mariah had us celebrating
with dessert before dinner! (as it should be)

Haven decided to raise funds by asking people to match each basket she scored during eleven games with $1. One basket = One dollar or whatever a person could donate. She gathered sponsors and created a poster tracking her progress. By the end of the season, Haven had scored more than 100 points!

We met the Johnson Family for GiGi's Cupcakes and a celebration dinner (in that order)! Then, it was the check presentation time. Haven had raised $646! 

She raised enough money to pay for one child to have cleft palate/lip surgery and speech therapy rescuing and sheltering that child from a life of misery and alienation. Additionally, this preacher's kid had raised enough money providing approximately 1,800 meals! 

Haven Johnson is a SHEro to people she may never meet in Calcutta. Haven Johnson is my SHEro. 

Next time, you're overwhelmed with the desperate needs of the world, think of young Haven and her willingness to align her abilities with the mission of the Creator of the universe.

Smiling at 50: People Matter More

The Coffee Marathon
Pa Bunk's route - 5.8 miles

Did your plans for this past week play out the way you intended? Mine did not go like I thought it would. It does not matter I mapped out a running and workout schedule. The plan did not get executed. I could have gotten all bent out of shape and demanded my way, but that's not the way I wanted to do things.

Instead, other events overrode my plans and took me on another journey where people matter more than the miles and points logged. Should I be so bold to call these event "divine encounters?" YES!

When I would have been pounding the pavement, concentrating on breathing and sweating it out...

• I connected with old friends doing the daily business of speaking life into their congregations.
• I met a group of pastors, pastor wives, students and church people who heard our story of Calcutta. As a result 25,000+ people in Calcutta will receive food for, at least, one day!
• I engaged in prayer with other friends who need miracles.
• I dreamed with a dear friend those big dreams that are way too big for just her or for just me and know it will take God to bring these dreams to fruition.
• I was introduced to a woman who had it in her hands to creatively be obedient to how she felt God say to bless people in Calcutta. I never would have seen this one coming!
• I considered my hubby before myself and he turned right around and supported me.

Paul wrote the Believers in Philippians, "Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." But, then, he took it even farther by adding, "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." (Philippians 2:3-5)

I may be able to just barely tolerate my schedule being changed and fake a smile through gritted teeth when considering others, but the Lord knows my heart. He requires me to genuinely be concerned with other's lives and considering them with His love. 

Funny thing, the Lord somehow manages to turn it all around and gave me back some time and energy to get some 10K training accomplished!


Completing Training Week 4, I increased my mileage and worked on speed. There are 60 days until the 10K!

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. 

Calcutta Mercy Ministries: Hands & Feet

Calcutta is approximately 9 miles long and 4 miles wide roughly the square mileage of the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport with a major difference: 18-20 million people. It is easy for one to feel overwhelmed when the needs are many and the scores of people in need are many. One out of three children aren't just hungry, they are starving.

Shortly after Mark and Huldah Buntain arrived in 1954 by steam freighter, Mark quickly got to work preaching the Gospel to all who would hear. On one such occasion a starving beggar in the crowd shouted, "Feed our bellies and then tell us there is a God in heaven who loves us." This inspired the Buntains to launch a feeding program which, today, feeds 25,000+...one meal, six days, each week, every year. 

Amazingly, it takes so little to do so much!

Since April of 2012, when Terry and I began working with Calcutta Mercy Ministries, the Lord continues to bless us with numerous congregations and individuals who take a step of faith to assist with the needs of the poor and suffering in Calcutta. Priscilla Choate is one of those blessings!

Priscilla & me, 2012

Priscilla, as a student, loved going to summer camps at Camp Jackson in Tennessee. She couldn't wait to be old enough to serve as a "Counselor-in-Training" during Kids Camp. Ever eager to be a blessing to others, she engages with her church's outreach programs. However, now, stretched pretty thin between nursing school and work, Priscilla's desire to remain active with her church is intact even when the schedule does not always permit. 

It is in this busyness of life, she felt God challenge her to do something for those in Calcutta.

Priscilla shared with me, "God says in Matthew 25:40, 'The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brother and sisters of mine, you did for me.' God has really been dealing with me about being His hands and feet on earth and the fact that sometimes we are the only representation of Jesus that some will ever see."

By telling others she encountered on a daily basis about those starving in Calcutta, people began giving her cash and checks. Priscilla was able to raise over $600 in a short amount of time!
"God spoke to me and said, 'Your little can be turned into what I need it to be when you simply give it to me. ...I have seen through this experience of raising money for Calcutta that it is so much more than just the money; it's the prayers and the blessings that people obtain from giving, as well...people were so thankful for the opportunity to be a blessing."

After graduation from nursing school in August 2013, Priscilla hopes to go to India, but wanted to contribute in advance: I wanted to plant a seed before my feet walk across Calcutta, India. This is not about me, but about the calling God has placed on my life. We have the opportunity to change a life everyday.

Thanks, Priscilla, and to those anonymous donors who made it possible for children to have, at least, one meal...today.

If you'd like to know how to be part of this and other opportunities, please contact me at this blog OR via email.

"Calcutta Village Feeding" in Decaturville, TN!

In 1954, Mark & Huldah Buntain and one year old baby, Bonnie, steamshipped to India, thinking they would give one year of their lives until the real missionaries would show up allowing them to pursue a post in China. Soon after arriving in Calcutta, they discovered the deplorable conditions and severe poverty which forces millions of men, women and children to pick through dumps and slums for their next bite of food. Mark knew he must start a feeding ministry. 

Today, Calcutta Mercy Ministries feeds 25,000 people six days of every week! I have a feeling that number receiving one modest meal of rice and Dal is conservative. 

Last Wednesday, Scottie & Stephanie Adams - Youth Pastors of Trinity AG in Decaturville, Tennessee, hosted a simulated village feeding in their student ministry service! I prepared a huge pot of basic Dahl to be dished out to each student with special instructions to eat using only their right hand. Terry shared stories and videos of Calcutta. At the conclusion, Scottie challenged those 30 students to fast for 1 day while raising $1650 which will feed 25,000 people in Calcutta for 1 day.

For 24 hours starting Wednesday, November 14, at 7pm, the students, their youth pastor and leaders have chosen to refrain from eating and raise $3300 to cover 2 days of feeding 25,000+ adults and children in villages, schools, dumps and clinics! 

Scottie explains why he and the students will fast:

God's word tells us in Isaiah 58:6-7 that a fast that God accepts is one that loosens the yoke of wickedness and shares bread with the hungry. I read in a John Piper book that if you ate 1 meal today and own a car you are one of the richest people on the planet. We eat 3 meals and have 2 cars so we are already blessed beyond measure. God has dealt with my heart to show me that as an American there is not much reason for me to ever ask for more materially, but it is my goal to MAKE MORE GOSPEL in the world with what God has given me. If we love mercy then we will make more of it, and that is what this fast is about. In Calcutta, people are like the slave girl in Acts 16. Her future is lead by other evil people and she is tormented by demons. Our fast can break those bonds through prayer and giving of the money that we all have so much of already. My prayer in life is becoming more and more not that I will be leader of this or executive that (which is where my heart was a few years ago) but that when I die there will be more mercy in the world and less lost people. I get my students on board with this by reminding them of 3 things. 3 reasons why we fast: 1.) Jesus loves Calcutta, and His blood is for them. 2.) Jesus deserves worshippers all over the world. He emptied himself for us (Philippians 2) so the only proper response is that we do it back. The Moravians said as they sold themselves into slavery to reach people "Let the lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering". The very lifeblood of the Christian life Jesus! 3.) Jesus suffers to identify with and reach those who suffer. We are like Jesus when we sacrifice to bless others. On the cross, Jesus is in darkness in the middle of the day for 3 hours. This is a powerful way of showing that He enters our darkness, our isolation, our hopelessness to have us. We want the people of Calcutta to find Jesus in a dark place, because those are places where Jesus goes. We know it because of the cross. I don't drive them with condemnation (you spoiled brats!), I pray that they are compelled by grace (look at Jesus!). 

Terry and I believe in you and plan to join your fast!

If this sounds like something you'd like to be part of, please contact me for additional info. Your group could host a village feeding night, too!

~"Sam"

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. 

2-on-Tuesday Recipe: Easy Home-Brewed Mocha Iced Latte

During these long, hot "dog days" of summer, I do enjoy an iced latte or iced coffee and have watched enough baristas to get a bead on a pretty good attempt at my fave flave: #DecafSoyMochaIcedLatte! With a couple of changes, you can stir your inner barista to life, too!

"Mercy Coffee" - Bold Roast 
Hershey's Chocolate Syrup (I chose Special Dark, but milk chocolate would work, too)
Silk Vanilla Soymilk
Ice Cubes

• Brew "MERCY COFFEE" a bold roast (we're working on a decaf blend) and allow it to cool
• In a tumbler that has a lid & straw, swirl the chocolate syrup around the sides and bottom
• Add some ice cubes
• Pour brewed coffee over cubes leaving room to add vanilla soymilk
• Attach lid and swirl to stir...it's all in the wrist!

I'm sure you could use caramel syrup OR caramel & chocolate syrups. I've been told the difference between iced coffee and iced latte is a shot of espresso. I dunno, but our Mercy Coffee is a great bold blend for this recipe! Don't get all weirded out over the soymilk. I haven't experimented with vanilla syrup to know how well it would work with your choice of cow milk.

So, after you've barista'd in your own kitchen, let me know...

~"Sam"
P. S. "Mercy Coffee" (whole or ground beans) may be purchased from me at $15 per 1 lb bag. The proceeds from each pound will feed, educate & medically-assist approximately 50-100 people! We're working on an online source where you may order. 

I Got My Flippy-Floppies!

My husband, Terry, and I have been walking in this new patch of God-Fog since April, when we officially resigned as District Youth Directors, state leaders for student ministries in our denomination. We took on the responsibility as representatives for Calcutta Mercy Ministries. When I say we, I really mean he.

Working hand-in-hand in ministry with him even before we  said, "I do," I know how to observe, find a need and, then, try to meet it. But, we aren't the lead pastors or on the staff at our local church. We aren't directing camps or coordinating statewide events. To walk through this particular God-Fog of Faith has --occasionally-- had me more than a little disoriented. As a result, I --occasionally-- have felt lost, disengaged and, sometimes, bordering on feeling obsolete. 

Unsettling, huh? Until several girlfriends-in-ministry asked how they could partner with us. They love Jesus. They love me. And, they love kids! Now, that's a defogger if ever I've  seen one!

In January of this year, I visited the Kolkata Blind School. It's a resident school meaning, the children live, are educated, eat their meals and play on campus, like a boarding school. There were 160+ beautiful children who knew they were loved. Some completely blind and some with partial sight. I fell in love with them! So, when my girlfriends-in-ministry asked how they could partner with us....<DING, DING, DING>...God cleared some of the fog!

Different Tennessee boys and girls ministries took on projects of purchasing and providing flip-flops for the sweet children in the Kolkata Blind School! I've been told most of the flip-flops have been decorated with complimenting materials to add texture for little fingers which will be eager to "see" their gift from the USA.

More photos from these events...

Think you may want to get involved? More projects... (1) Presently, another girls ministry group is working on handkerchiefs for the children during cold and flu season. (2) I'm anxiously working on the shipment information for the flip-flops and hankies. (3) Recreation equipment specifically designed for blind children. (4) Child Sponsorship! (5) Top floor of new dorm needs to be completed so children on the waiting list can attend!

I'm grateful to my girlfriends-in-ministry. Although you may have thought you were blessing Indian kids, my G-I-Ms, you were ministering to me as precious GEMS! Thank you!

~"Sam"
Samalee@buntain.org

Really, I'm Exercising!

Wow! When God changes the direction of your present life, things can quickly pick up speed. I can, now, sheepishly admit to being a sometimes-blogger, which is a huge step from being last year's newbie-blogger.

Does such a thing exist as "rules" to blogging? If so, I'm sure I've unconsciously broken many an ardent blogger's commandments. Chalk it up to my lack of university or my non-hipster status. Know that I'll continue to work the teeny-weeny, literary muscle that blogging provides to anyone who is willing to workout or for you to take a gander.
Soon --I cross my heart-- a new post, "I Got My Flippy-Floppies," will enter cyber infamy and, hopefully, will cheer at least 2 minutes of your day.

~"Sam"

...Oh, I have a new email to go along with that new direction in my life, Samalee@buntain.org ...But, to make me feel like I'm strengthening as a blogger (and that someone, anyone is reading these posts), please, please, PLEASE drop a comment, here.

New Post Coming Soon: I Got My Flippy-Floppies!

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!