When you arrive in the evening, the morning is a surprise. It was dusk as we entered Steward and Nyapu's home, just enough light to give impressions, but not to really know the world we were stepping into. As we had no real concrete information of what our living conditions would be, we were pleasantly surprised. Would we be sleeping on the floor, all sharing a room, or surrounded by things which would make Jen's skin crawl? We did not know.
A small guest house is our home, with a room for the boys with two beds, and a private room for Jen and me. It is a warm climate, so the windows are glass free, but they do have curtains for privacy (where necessary). Each bed is equipped with a solid (no foam or springs) mattress, small pillow, mosquito net and a wonderfully soft, thick and fuzzy blanket which takes care of the cool mountain air in the evening. (it is winter after all)
The biggest difference requiring a definite adjustment in the day to day is related to the bathroom realities. For the home and the guest house there is one closet sized room with a squatting toilet. This is the place for everything bathroom related - or at least it was - until lunch time on day one.
A room where there was no room.
As the sun rose early in the morning, we were awakened by ducks, trucks, horns, songbirds, and anything else which could make some noise to announce the new day. [note: there is only one time zone in the entire country of India - here in the northeast the sun always rises early and sets early] With anticipation we opened the door and entered our new world. We could look over the entire town of Likabali. We could examine the poinsettia trees, bamboo stands, and the structures which make up the Himalayan Bible Training Centre.
During the tour of the small plot of rugged land where so much ministry happens, Steward says he is thinking of building us a bathroom for our visit. I didn't know exactly what he had in mind, but he gathered some of the students, pointed at some bamboo lying around, and set them to work. Within hours, wedged behind one building, and next to another; a floor of wooden planks, surrounded by a wall of black plastic, became a washroom with a ceramic pedestal sink and a 30 gallon bucket of water.
This created space has been one of many little blessings as we have been spoiled here. A place to wash our teeth, comb our hair, and even pour buckets of heated water over us to clean off the dust of the day.
It has been wonderful to see the boys focus on the hospitality we have been receiving more than the conveniences we are going without.
Yes, this is a very different world, but we could not be treated any better.
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| The main house |
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our guest house |
The biggest difference requiring a definite adjustment in the day to day is related to the bathroom realities. For the home and the guest house there is one closet sized room with a squatting toilet. This is the place for everything bathroom related - or at least it was - until lunch time on day one.As the sun rose early in the morning, we were awakened by ducks, trucks, horns, songbirds, and anything else which could make some noise to announce the new day. [note: there is only one time zone in the entire country of India - here in the northeast the sun always rises early and sets early] With anticipation we opened the door and entered our new world. We could look over the entire town of Likabali. We could examine the poinsettia trees, bamboo stands, and the structures which make up the Himalayan Bible Training Centre.
During the tour of the small plot of rugged land where so much ministry happens, Steward says he is thinking of building us a bathroom for our visit. I didn't know exactly what he had in mind, but he gathered some of the students, pointed at some bamboo lying around, and set them to work. Within hours, wedged behind one building, and next to another; a floor of wooden planks, surrounded by a wall of black plastic, became a washroom with a ceramic pedestal sink and a 30 gallon bucket of water.
This created space has been one of many little blessings as we have been spoiled here. A place to wash our teeth, comb our hair, and even pour buckets of heated water over us to clean off the dust of the day.
It has been wonderful to see the boys focus on the hospitality we have been receiving more than the conveniences we are going without.
- A maid providing tea and cookies before breakfast and in the afternoon.
- Special food prepared for a seven year old boy who's taste buds had been overwhelmed with spices.
- Stains washed from clothes which an inexperienced handwasher could not get out.
- Countless bags of chips and snacks provided as American boys explore Indian junk food.
- Private rooms to sleep in when the students sleep in common rooms.
- Battery powered lights for the many times when the electricity turns off.
- and the list could go on....
Yes, this is a very different world, but we could not be treated any better.
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| Prince Corbi |
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