A new day....another new start!!

So, we had decided on Tuesday night that we could get up early and take a river-boat ride on Wednesday to see a few of the other things around the Kakdwip area.  So, we got up a little earlier than the first couple of days and then headed down to the river.  We boarded the boat and spent about 15 minutes just waiting.....I have no idea on what.  Then, we headed down the river....toward the Bay of Bengal.  Along the way, we got to see a few ferries, some fishing boats and saw the Sunderbans from afar.  About 30 minutes or so into the ride, Andrew asked us if we have our passports with us.  We all reply, “no” and then he informed us that the place where we boarded was actually a customs office for folks who were leaving this area heading into Bangladesh.  OK....well, hopefully we won’t be asked for them when we get back.  About 45 minutes into the ride, we turned around and Andrew showed us where the border of Bangladesh is.

After our refreshing river-boat ride (which, by the way, was the first time all week that I felt a little cool), we headed to the school for a late breakfast and then our time with the kids.  When we were eating breakfast, Brooke said that they had seen the interpreter that we had yesterday heading in the opposite direction when we were on our way to the school.  She wanted to make sure that it was, in fact, the interpreter and it was confirmed.  As the conversation about this went on, we found out that the interpreter said that he wasn’t going to come back because there was too much gospel presented during on Tuesday and since he’s Hindu, he wasn’t going to come back.  So, this is the setting that God provided today.....all of the children with 1 person to interpret!  OK.....well, we'll start off with teaching them a motion song in English and a game that Megan taught us, Streets and Alleys.  So, we split all of the kids into 6 groups (3 girls groups and 3 guys groups) and taught a lesson from Mark 9 on who is the greatest.  One of the other things that we did in our groups was that the kids taught all of us Americans a "motion song" in Bengali.  We had NO idea what they were singing, but we were supposed to add a little "extra" something to the motions.....it was interesting, to say the least!

After this, we went back to the church compound for a delicious lunch and a “quick rest.”  I have to admit, I was finally able to take advantage of the “quick rest” today and actually got a little nap in.  Then, in the afternoon, we were off to visit 2 more villages.

Our time in the villages was pretty much the same as Monday and Tuesday with the structure.  One the second village visit, the people of the village started asking us questions!!!  They were asking Mike and Brooke about their little girl and asking us different questions to find out a little more about who we are.  It was so refreshing because we had been asking questions to others all week long, so it was absolutely wonderful to have them asking us questions.  Then, Mike went back to the school to teach the pastors a little more while we went back to the church compound.

First village of Wednesday

2nd Village visit of Wednesday

Today, we had A LOT of various conversation about the gospel - just amongst our team.  We talked a lot about future opportunities in this particular area of the state and how these people are hungry for truth and they need more resources that are here.  We also talked with our partners a lot about how people in the US, at times, call themselves pastors, but have no true gospel.  OR, they have elements of the true gospel mixed with works or “feel-goodisms” or “name it and claim it” type thoughts/beliefs and how because they have something in addition to Christ, it’s still a false gospel.  One of the main things that were trying to illustrate is that there aren’t nearly as many true Christ-followers in the US as most of the world thinks.  There are a lot who give intellectual assent, but do not worship Christ above all else, which is something that I think that most people really don’t understand.

Later in the evening, at dinner, we got into a fun conversation about singleness.  YAY!!!  My favorite topic!  Mainly, we talked about how a lot of men in the US don’t know what it means to pursue a lady.  Along with that, comes the fact that most single men actually expect the ladies to make the moves....I’m just not OK with that.  So, as we were talking about all of these issues, Mike chimed in (and I’m he probably had now idea how great a compliment it felt) to say that I am using my singleness exactly the way that I’m supposed to use it......to make disciples in all nations.  At the end of this conversation, Andrew told us that he is certified to find me a husband and that he could actually arrange me a marriage!!  Definitely something to think about, huh?  HAHA!!!

All in all, it was a great day!  Can’t wait to do it again tomorrow!