The FLIP-FLOP DROP! Kolkata, India

"God, where do I fit? How can I make a difference? Please speak to me." Can't tell you how many times these questions have been cried out in prayer by me. After we arrived back from India in January, so many of our friends in Tennessee wanted to know how they could get children involved with our new focus, Calcutta Mercy (CM). To make an effort or cause tangible to children, I've learned you make it just that, tangible or touchable. Certain my prayer was answered with the idea, I quickly pitched the  flip-flop idea to ministry friends who spun it with their creativity to form the plan and run with it! There were the questions as to how the flip-flops were to be shipped and of the shipping cost. God worked that out, too! Our CM Team Member was to accompany the founder to Calcutta the end of July. <ding, ding, ding> Suitcases stuffed with flippy-floppies from Tennessee, they were off...even through history's largest power outage affecting 670 million people in India, including Calcutta! The following are excerpts from the experience capturing both the heart & the moment...

The Assembly of God Tennessee district boys and girls sent LOADS of flip flops for the Calcutta Blind School...

But they weren’t just any flop-flips… they were texturized with balloons, ribbons, charms… all things the kids would enjoy feeling since they could not see.

There was a huge open space and plenty of room to spread them out… so why not let the the students choose the ones they want?

And that’s what we did. We lined them up and kept some nearby in a suitcase while we invited the kids to come down.

...the children shyly began coming forward holding each other’s hands…

When the girls first touched them they giggled with delight… Then the boys– they were like kids at Christmas! I’ve never seen such a frenzy when they realized what was happening…. and then the discovery of the suitcaseIt was so sweet– they were all crowding around trying to see which ones I hadn’t pulled out. (Which  they immediately assisted in distributing)

I noticed the boys had a pair of flip flops pulled out to the side and were crowded around… I have to admit I was a little worried when I saw the pair of light-up flip flops and wondered why  these were packed… was I ever wrong.

I was stunned to see the kids hitting the bottom of the shoe and placing it close to their eyes. (The director) explained that some of them have very little vision but can see flashes of light. These flip-flops were PERFECT for those who could!

Thank you Tennessee for helping bring joy into the lives of these children!

Now that you've seen some of photos from the blind school, please take the time to record your thoughts in the comment section below. And, if you'd like to know more of how you can help, visit Calcutta Mercy.

~"Sam"

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

T.I.I. - This is India! (part two)

(part two)...

After lunch at Kolkata Assembly of God Church, Team USA boards the Mercy Hospital bus bound for a quick trip to the Kolkata Blind School. Director Jabesh Dutt greets us as the children are dismissing from class. Moving in pairs several boys have found their way to us. Their fingers are light as butterfly's wings touching my fingers and wrists and pressing all of the buttons on my watch. Another group has encircled Terry finding his bald head amusing!

The campus includes a boys dorm, a girls dorm, a chicken house remodeled into classrooms, a small farmyard, a front lawn for recreation and a building being constructed to serve as the new chapel and school. The new building is a 3 floor structure, but only 2 floors have been completed. The top floor will be a dorm for the boys, but presently there aren't enough funds to complete the structure. God, I don't know how nor how much it'll cost, but I believe it's possible for us to raise the money for this project.

The students have planned a special assembly with flowers, songs and a rockin' percussion section! These 161 blind children know, here, they are fed and clothed and Someone loves them. Their backgrounds are tragic. Some are nightmarish. Being born into a low caste system is a strike against One. Add to that being born blind and a female usually seals One's fate: left for dead in the dump or becoming the financial bread-winner of the family by begging on the streets of Kolkata. This is India.

I choke up as one group of older girls sing, "...I once was lost, but now am found. Twas blind but now I see." Then, with arms raised high, the entire school sings, "Yeeeeeees, Jesuuuuuus loves meeeee!" It's almost too much for this momma. They can't see it, but I'm smiling and tears are about to breach the levee.

The middle portion of my theme scripture for this trip comes comes forward, "...Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house." These children have received the Light. I could stay at Kolkata Blind School for the remainder of the day.

But, it's time to go.

Huldah at Wedding Reception 

I've showered and have attempted to have pretty hair for tonight's wedding reception for Bonnie & Jim Long's youngest son (Huldah's grandson) and his new bride. It's a traditional Indian affair. I've got 12 minutes to slip into my new selwar kameez and dupatta and be downstairs. I'm sweating. My hair is frizzing. Good Grief! I can't get my size 9 foot through the bottom of my fancy, red britches! Slight panic. No! Plan B: Leggings. I've never worn leggings until this trip and, now, they must serve as my pants! Oh, well. As the saying goes, "T.I.I. - This is India."