July 9-15 Update

Hey prayer warriors!

Well it has been an intense week with a lot of ups and downs, I have to admit. One of the highlights was seeing the other team that came from our school (which my amazing boyfriend happens to be on!). They were supposed to arrive in Calcutta on Tuesday night, but a lot of communication problems occurred and we ended up missing them. Long story short, we finally tracked them down on Wednesday afternoon. So it was a stressful 12 hours, but eventually a happy reunion. Since then we've been able to have several meals with them, and hear all about the ministry they've been doing this last month in Northern India. On Friday, Sarah and I worked our usual morning shift at Freeset, but Emily had to stay back because she wasn't feeling well. We've all been struggling with minor sickness here and there this week. One really rewarding part of my morning was getting to know Annie better. I work with her up in the marking room, and have pretty much fallen in love! She is so sweet and beautiful, and loves teaching me Bengali. I am so grateful for the connection. Pray for more! I want to learn so much from her. That afternoon Emily was luckily able to meet up with us when we went to visit a local Youth Group. We had the amazing opportunity to visit this school that the youth group is held at. It is a Christian school that only takes the poorest of the poor. They actually go to great lengths to make sure that elite don't try to sneak in, because it's that good of a school! (And their sole ministry is to reach the ones who wouldn't otherwise have a chance). They provide two uniforms, so one is always clean, and a good solid meal every day. For some kids it's the only meal they'll get that day. But they look so clean and are so happy at school, it's really easy to forget the slum they just walked from that very morning. The school administrator, Kris, is the one who runs the youth program and set everything up for us to visit. He actually runs three of these groups per week all over the city, plus the admin job, plus Pastoring a local church here. He's awesome. He is married to an Indian woman, whom he met in the U.S., and he has so much insight on the culture and spirituality. We picked his brain during the entire hour drive there! On the property of the school there is also a home for street kids. They've brought 17 girls and 14 boys off the streets and railway stations to live there as well as attend the school. It' is so amazing. It was so cute when we arrived, all the youngest girls had been practicing a dance to perform in church, but when they saw us they stopped what they were doing, ran up sooo excited, and gave us huge hugs. They squealed "auntie auntie!" (That's what younger kids call anyone older). It was probably the best welcome I've ever had. The youth group was really touching as well. There were about 30 high school kids there, and all of them are sponsored for their education. In fact every student is. The school used to be sponsored by Compassion, but is now independently run. It was an awesome thing to see. The entire day was such a blessing because all three of us had honestly just felt really burnt out. We had an emotionally charged week, and were feeling under the weather on top of that. Not to mention this week has had some of the hottest days since we've been here. You have no idea how much that drains you. So Friday was a breath of fresh air. God is faithful!

Today (7/15) we went to church and then to Pizza Hut for lunch (I know I know, it's cheating...but we really needed a taste of home, ok? Lol.) And then amazingly enough we had the afternoon to rest. It didn't last long though, because before we knew it we were all outside playing soccer! It actually ended up pouring down rain and we all got so soaked. It was really fun. Definately a stress reliever, when every 5 minutes we were slipping in the mud and laughing hysterically. So it was a good day. Yay for the Sabbath! :)

Well, this next week we'll be continuing to work at Freeset, as well as trying to meet with some other organizations. Pray for more open doors! We are having a great time, but struggle with being burnt out and occasional sickness. So we'd all appreciate prayers for strength and God's power! It's only by Him that we will succeed! Thank you again for your continued support, love and prayers. We think of you all often and pray for the States as well. God Bless and I'll write again soon!

In His Grip, Cassie