'Banglish'

It's kind of difficult to share about everything that's happening here only because there's SO much happening each day. It certainly is a different world- but it's been truly special. The word that continues to come to my mind as this journey progresses is 'precious'. Everything and everyone we meet is simply precious. We're beginning to make friends with some of the others members in Albert and Metali's church which is also nice. It helps us to not feel so isolated. Many people know at least a little English so we can greet each other. We've been having informal tutorials after morning devotions from one of the church members so we've got a little Bangla under our belts too. Most of our new vocab consists of phrases like"How are you?", "Great job!", "Hot tea", and "Very beautiful". Metali has also been very excited to teach us some of their Sunday School action songs in Bangla. We are all getting VERY good at the actions...but our Bangla needs some cleaning up. But it's fun and a great way to relate to the children at the villages who already know most of those songs.

Saturday evening we went to another Hindu village. Upon arrival Metali told us that the people in that village weren't familar with the Gospel really at all. That was a little different for us since everywhere we'd been until that point had some understanding of our message, if not our bible stories. We altered our bible story plan just a little and taught The Good Samaritan in a skit. We do a lot of skits here- and we love it. Usually we pull some of the children to act out the story as one of us narrates and helps, but this time we did it. That part was fun, and the people there seemed to enjoy the story and engaged with some of Metali's questions. I didn't understand, and maybe I still don't fully understand, the impact our visit had on the group gathered there until we were all finished and essentially ready to leave. We'd done our prayer and were waiting for the OK to start heading back to the road when Metali called us back to stand in front of the group. And at that point one of the men stood and addressed us. He spoke of their gratitude for us and our visit. He said that they were moved that a group from so far away would come visit them there, across the world, in their village to tell them about the love of Jesus. And then he invited our group of six to meet the children and adults there, to literally wade into the group and have them touch us. It was something I'd never experienced before. It's hard to explain. It wasn't like a 'rockstar' or 'celebrity' thing- having the foreigners mingle with the Bangalis- but more akin to maybe a part of our story spreading through a place that has yet to hear the Gospel. I don't know. That was my experience. It was moving. We held those children and held hands and loved everyone from the newborn babies to some of the elder members of that community. And while they still hold onto a religion totally different from our relationship with God, they engaged, and I believe they really heard God's message.

Sunday morning, was relaxed and we spent time around our apartment getting ready for church. We made some chocolate chip cookies under Kristin's super-yummy leadership and we also figured out how to make pizza- we're talking home-made dough and real mozzerella cheese here, folks. It all turned out pretty good and we even shared pizza and cookies with Albert, Metali, and their family. A good taste of home. That afternoon we had church. Andrea and Felisha led some of the worship time. As always, they sounded great...even when Andrea's guitar pick broke mid-song. They finished the set a capella and, honestly, I didn't even know the pick had broken until later. They're such professionals. Yesterday was also Felisha's turn to preach at church. I wish you all could have heard her words. It was a beautiful time of learning and growing for all of us. She moved that church, and taught us all much about discipline and allowing God to work in us even amidst the difficult times. Each of the young women in our group continue to amaze me as this adventure goes on and yesterday Felisha did just that as she taught on another facit of God's love for us.

We know you're praying for us and your encouraging words help sustain us while we miss you. It's fantastic to see God moving in this place; and we are blessed to have this opportunity.

With Love,
Casey