Sudder Streets

Today has just one word to describe it:amazing!

Today we had the chance to work with the street kids that live on Sudder Street, right across from Kolkata's biggest market "New Market." This place is swarmed with economy, tourists, and local business yet there is great need. Right under the highway there are hundreds of families that have been forced to live on the streets because of the lack of work and money, many live in villages but can't afford to go back and live there either.

So today we went out with some of our friends to just be with these children. Our friends have been hanging out with these kids for over 2 years and working to impact their lives and they have some many awesome plans and ideas for the future! But the heart of the matter begins here. I speak no Bengali, and these children speak no English. Today we came to be with them, and we took them over to the park to play, sing and share stories. These children embraced us, they climbed all over us, they hugged us, and some even kissed us goodbye! They did not know English but we spoke the language of our hearts, words such as joy, grace, love, and care. Some things the streets do not offer. They responded in kind. Even more they sang for us songs about our Father, and of who he is, and even shared things about our Father's character that many still don't understand in their hearts, but they see everyday. Things like real grace and miraculous works of provision and protection.

As I come back to the village for the evening, covered in dirt, and sweat I know I feel complete. This is life, and life to the fullest. I can't wait to continue to share their stories, as they are all part of His story for all things, and for restoration for all things!

-Sean

Today while at the Market we also got the change to buy the B!bles you, our partners, purchased! We purchased 10 in Bengali, and 5 in Hindi to be prayed over and to seek who God would have us give them to, one at a time.

Today was a tremendous blessing, it started out with me in near heat exhaustion, and ended up with an epic battle against the hundreds of red ants found living in our sheets tonight - but in between those to was LIFE and life to the fullest.  God is so good to grant us friends here who share our heart for children and ministry to the poor. As sean wrote, we visited with the children who live in the median of the highway and their families. We played hand games, and laughed as the hundreds of people in taxis, rickshaws, and motorcycles drove by with some of the most hysterical quizzical expressions on their faces. We then took the children to near by field where we played our favorite game "stop go chicken" (holla out to my homie chels!) and sang songs and told about Jonah. They told us back what the stories meant to them and how they should live. These children are so young and learning so well the Truth! As sean mentioned we came back about as grimy as possible - and loving every inch of that dirt. Our friends kept apologizing for making us work too hard and for our clothes - to which we kept replying - no, this dirt proves we are doing right - this is how we SHOULD look.

Please pr@y for our friends as they continue to seek a room for these kids to meet in and land to purchase to build a house for them. They are still pr@ying over details as they want to work with ALL street children and their families, not just the orphaned. They want to be partners with Chr!st to bring restoration to whole families and not just the young ones. Please lift them and their great ministry up as they seek guidance.

We love you all, this week is going by so fast, but G0d is working even faster and is doing so much in us and around us!

<3

Sarah