Kitchen Garden

A predecessor of mine left the legacy of a kitchen garden at St. Michael's Church Compound. It seems like it has been puttering along for the last few years, but I have been working with a local Brahman farmer and three of the older boys who also live on the compound to take the garden to the next level. It is not the best season for planting, but we have been putting together a plan and we will be planting monsoon crops in the next couple days, and I am arranging for many fruit trees to be planted in the 'back 40' (more like two acres). I am soaking it up because I think that this might be the only time in my life when I have to make a choice between mango or guava trees ... or maybe bananas? I can't make up my mind! 

The boys (and Arun, the farmer who is about my age) have been learning the English for many farm related things, and I have been learning the corresponding Bangla names. 

Opening of Durgapur United Church School

The very next day (what a pace!!!), I was invited as an honoured guest to the inaugural ceremony marking the opening of a new school in Durgapur for children from some of the more impoverished communities. This school was the fruits of a project spearheaded by a young lady from Australia named Akino. If I have my numbers right, it is the eighth school in Durgapur for children from families that could not afford an education for them. Despite some fears that the children were going to be force converted to Christianity, or sold off, the Bishop's (and others') speeches at the ceremony seemed to have alleviated the fears of the childrens' mothers; twice as many children as were enrolled were brought to the school the next day for its opening. The bishop has a wonderful philosophy of tolerance towards other faiths, and I have met many children who attend the various diocese schools who maintain their Hindu or Muslim faiths. The rhetorical question was posed in one sermon: "Who is your neighbour?"

I am a bit embarrassed because I really did nothing other than sit there on that day, but Akino, Emma and I got our photo in the local paper (which is not a small publication). 

Bro', this next photo is for you. You have got to get a face plate like this for your bike.

Ground-Breaking Ceremony in Khejuri

The next day, on our return to Durgapur, about an hour from Mandarmoni we stopped in Khejuri. Two years ago a cyclone wreaked havoc on this area. The bishop mobilized the diocese to provide aid to local populace. During this relief effort, the bishop became aware of a group of Christians that had first heard the gospel from missionaries, but had been subsequently persisting in their faith in isolation. Upon learning of this small, independent community Bp. Probal quickly set about linking them up with the Diocese of Durgapur. We stopped in Khejuri for a ground breaking ceremony for a new school being built by the diocese. Many of the people in this area are involved in the making of cigarettes, and the hope is that this school will allow the youth of this community to gain better employment. I had the honour of cracking a coconut over the cornerstone of this building, in the local custom (one crack, one crack only). What I wasn't aware of was that the Indian coconuts are not nearly as tough as the Hawaiian ones we get at home. I just about broke a couple bricks when I pulverized the coconut. Oh well, so I got a bit of coconut juice on me!

Don't tell the cook at St. Michael's Church Compound, but the curry was the best I have had in India yet!

Youth Council

On Sunday, May 22nd, Emma and I were invited by Bp. Probal to accompany him to a Youth Council of the NCCI (National Church Council of India?) in Mandarmoni, a seaside community about 2 hours south of Kolkata. The bishop gave the keynote address to the attendees. Talking to some of the young boys and girls afterwards, it became apparent that the bishop's down-to-earth message had a significant affect and resulted in much excited consideration.

It was nice to see the ocean, but it was still hot. Did I mention? This is the hottest time of year in India. I feel a little better when I hear the Indians complaining about the heat.

Shanti Niketan

On my second day in Durgapur the bishop arranged for me and another guest (Emma, from the UK) to visit a famous school in the area: Shanti Niketan (Peaceful Abode). This is the home of the great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore. His poetry is absolutely beautiful. I found it strangely reminiscent of the prayers of St. Anselm. They are very moving. I have to say, I love Tagore's vision; he was a lover of gardens and a proponent of outdoor education. I can't think of anything I'd rather than class under a Banyan tree. A mandatory day off when it is raining wouldn't be such a bad deal on Vancouver Island either.

Voyage to India

After about 50 hours of traveling (with a little 8 hour rest in there), I arrived in Durgapur, about 3 hours drive northwest from Kolkata on the Grand Trunk Rd. Early in the 1900s Durgapur was developed as a planned steel town. Interestingly, the city suffered a lot after India's independence from the British Empire, as the citizens of West Bengal voted in a Marxist government, which favoured strong labour unions. Consequently, a lot of industrial production shifted from Bengal to other Indian provinces ... with cheaper labour. 

As an interesting side note, Bengal's Marxist party -- which was the longest standing democratically elected communist government in the world -- was ousted in a landslide election just five days prior to my arrival. There's an interesting anticipatory air to the place at the moment. 

For my stay I am based out of St. Michael's Church Compound in Durgapur. It's kind of a cross between a school, the synod office, and a monastery. Those of you who know me, it is not a far cry from the dream I have for the Church back home in BC. There are a lot of interesting people here, although quite a few are not that fluent in English. Consequently, I am picking up bits and pieces of Bangla (the Bengali language). I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a good bookstore because I could use a decent Bangla grammar and a dictionary. Though, I probably won't need it for my farming and dining vocab. Isn't it funny how incentives can push one to learn a language.