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Tuesday, August 29, 2006
No drive through window, no renovation and little efficiency
The post office where we receive packages is like a movie set of a scary film from World War II. It is completely covered in cobwebs and the entrance inside the door is flanked by two large out-of-service rusted three wheelers that used to deliver the mail before I was born. They could look interesting if maybe restored and cleaned up but presently they collect dirt and serve as a cheap hotel for rats. Inside the dark musty building no less than 50-60 workers scurry around from rotted wooden desks to cage-like offices bringing pieces of mail and other documents to be stamped or sealed. The post office opens up each package and inspects it. It is then haphazardly bound up with string and sealed with a hot wax blob which is then stamped. Recently when I went to get a few packages that some people had sent full of books for the library I was interrogated as to who Colleen Kuehn was, this was the name written on the packages. Previously my husband had been getting packages, so they were unsure who I suddenly as. I confessed that I, truly in the flesh was Colleen Kuehn. The interrogators squinted and asked who then the man that normally retrieved the packages was? They had for sure thought they had gotten me with this tricky question. After explaining we were married they reluctantly allowed for the package retrieval system to begin. First step is to stare at the receipts for a long time and share with others the papers. Second step is to yell at an office peon (sorry that is what they are called here) to come and take the paper to the next lower man, this happens so the first officer does not have to stand up. Third step, the number two man yells for another guy who will eventually do the job of finding my packages. Fourth step is to ask the 9 people using the lid of the big wooden box as a writing table, where my packages are in, to kindly move away so he can open up the box. This takes a certain amount of patience and then anger. Fifth step is to try and pull the heavy boxes out of a tall box nearly half the size of the man. Once completed, we are nearly done. Now the staples on yellowed torn slips attached to each package need to be neatly removed and I need to start signing slips for each of them. Each package requires 3 signatures. Sixth step is to pay the customs fee; exact change is not required but recommended if you desire to pay the real amount. Seventh step is maneuvering yourself and the 3 heavy packages past a crowd of men who have not learned in kindergarten to take turns, share, or let others pass. Once outside you are home free and can take the package back to the orphanage which takes about 1 hour.
posted
by Colleen at 4:25 PM
Monday, August 28, 2006
Three little people celebrate!
Phoebe, Alio and Gideon celebrated their special day at our Birthday party some time ago.
It was a full party with many different drama acts, poems, dances, a contest and speeches. The kids got dressed up in their good clothes for the afternoon.
The children like to have visitors whenever they perform, so you want to come and join us one day?
posted
by Thomas at 2:41 PM
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Entrance
Here you can see a bit of how it looks when you drive into the Home of Love. Mr. Golap our boys' supervisor tries hard to make the grounds look pretty. He plants different plants so they bloom at different times. We thank him for his good work.
posted
by Thomas at 11:44 AM
Friday, August 25, 2006
Soccer
Last week we had a soccer game between the boys of "Home of Love" and some of the older people working in our organisation.
posted
by Thomas at 7:52 AM
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Snacktime!
Here are: Morium, Isita, Sheila and Asha (from left to right). They are great friends. They are all in nursery class together.
posted
by Thomas at 2:34 PM
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
A week of accidents and Dr. visits
Please pray with us, this week we have had many minor accidents happen. Dorothy had to have stitches on her face. We would ask for added protection during these days.
posted
by Thomas at 9:47 PM
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Bicycle
We would like to say, "THANK YOU" to Mike and Sue who gave the "Home of Love" a bicycle, recently. We hope that the kids will learn how to take care of the cycle responsibly and also put it away nicely after use. If the children learn good stewardship we might consider buying a few more bicycles.
posted
by Thomas at 7:22 AM
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Guest house gets a pretty blue roof!
We are happy that the workers were able to complete the roof on the new guest house even during the rainy season. They struggled with frequent power cuts, rain and slow delivery of materials but finally its on!
posted
by Thomas at 4:58 PM
Monday, August 14, 2006
A summer guest from Germany
Andi is using his 6 week school vacation to volunteer at the Home of Love. Andi comes from the same village as Thomas in Germany. We spoke in his youth group last year and he then decided he would like to come and work with us.
Andi was quickly accepted the very first day after the boys heard he can play football! Now he has many friends and is making good investments in our boys. We appreciate his help and the time he gives to the children. Andi plays piano well and has been a blessing musically also.
posted
by Thomas at 7:12 PM
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Bamboo bow and arrows
Jonathon and Nobojoy pictured here are showing you their toys. Living in the countryside we have become to understand that toys are not always made of plastic but more often than not, out of natural materials and the vast imagination of young boys.
posted
by Thomas at 8:12 PM
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thank you North Hills Community Church in SC!
We received a big gift certificate from the NHCC to buy books at Amazon. It was so fun to order so many books all at once. It did take Thomas about 6 hours on the Internet because of our slow dial up connection but it was worth it! Some friends who visited us last week were able to bring the books out with them. We would like to really thank all those involved. It is exciting to see the library shelves filling up little by little and to know so many people from all over the US have been a part of this project!
posted
by Thomas at 5:40 PM
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Hop on, but hold on!!!!
The sight of people hanging off the side or back of buses is very normal here. Many ride for a discount on the top of the bus with their vegetables or fruit into the city.
posted
by Thomas at 7:51 AM
Monday, August 07, 2006
Friends from Hawaii
Home of Love was glad to welcome back Jordan Seng from Honolulu and to meet two new friends, Steve and TJ. Their time was short but fruitful as Jordan and team were able to help us see many things about God more clearly. Thank you to Jordan, Steve and TJ for making the trip to Chittagong to visit!
posted
by Thomas at 9:00 AM
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Teacher Strike Continues
The government high school teachers have now been on strike for 30 consecutive days. Their demands include pay raises, maternity leave and better conditions. The students from "Home of Love" have been studying every day for hours in our new upstairs study room trying to not fall behind. Of course it is very difficult to remain attentive and disciplined when you study on your own. We hope for an end to the strike soon.
posted
by Thomas at 7:47 PM
Friday, August 04, 2006
Girlfriends
Morium and Sheila came about 6 months apart from each other. Sheila is from the Tripura tribe and Morium is Bengali. The two have become close like sisters. We are thankful that our children have such a love for others and each other. We could all learn from children who have the capacity to give and receive affection so liberally.
posted
by Thomas at 7:07 AM
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Today at Home of Love
With 65 people living essentially under one roof a lot is bound to happen in one day. Today was no exception. Andy, who is visiting from Germany, went along on a big grocery trip into the city. They were gone about 5 hours buying rice and potatoes for the next 1 month and vegetables for the next couple days. Noodles and flour for breakfast, along with essentials like lentils, tea and sugar. It is a big job packing 400 lbs of rice and potatoes around without shopping carts!
Our housemother spent all her spare time today embroidering initials on each new pillowcase that we recently bought for the children. Without visible proof, we have trouble keeping track of the children's personal items!
Elementary school was held today but the high school students remained home as their teachers are still on strike. The strike has been going on about one month now. The nursery class was full today as our son and some of the older toddlers joined in learning their ABC's. Thomas and I worked in the office on emails, reports, set up the schedule for who is speaking the next month in church among a hundred other little things. I made paper airplanes with Luke and Paul, organized all the guest room bedding and baked bread. Workers are completing the roof and now inside of the new guest house upstairs. Pounding and ladders are everywhere. One of our staff, Beauty cut her finger badly while she was helping me cut pomelo (Asian grapefruit) for the children's afternoon snack. We almost had to take her into the city but our cook made a special poultice of plants and finally stopped the bleeding. Football is being played as I type and many are playing in the yard. Soon the evening bell will ring for all the children to come inside and clean up. I had better post this before that happens...
posted
by Colleen at 9:39 AM
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