kolkata

Hi all! My friend Jon and I arrived in Kolkata last night. Honestly, I was anxious to be back here knowing the poverty that rocked my world nine-years ago. The poverty prevalent everywhere you look here, there is no escaping it. If you read my first prayer letter earlier this year about stepping outside the gates....I had that same feeling on the comfortable plane ride here. Not sure what to expect when I arrived and in my heart resisiting facing it. I prayed much of the plane ride for God's best for my few short days here and that I would not resisit it!

God is good! We were met at the airport by two Word Made Flesh staff, Kristin and Beth. Much of the taxi drive to the hostel they were telling us about the amazing work God had been doing here in just the past weeks and months. The WMF women here spend time with women who prostitute in a large red light district here. Many of these women are forced or trafficked into prostituiton for many reasons and have a very difficult time breaking free. The WMF staff here have just started an opportunity for women to work and sew sari blankets that will eventually be exported to the US for sell. The business is called "Sari Bari." God has brought some amazing pieces together in just a short period of time, which is amazing here in India where the wheels can turn extremely slow! There are currently three women who have finished training and will be employed by Sari Bari, women who are now set free from prostitution! Praise God! I will be learning more about Sari Bari in the days ahead, so I'm sure I will write more soon.

Today I came with Jon to the International Justice Mission office here. Such dedicated staff and lawyers working to rescue girls from prostitution. An amazing and difficult work here.

I got off the plane expecting to be bombarded with desperation and hopelessness. But, instead I was met with stories of compassion and hope of what God is doing through His faithful servants here.

More soon....