Oh, Kolkata

 No, this is not a raunchy 1969 theatrical revue, this is just my trying to paint some kind of picture of the city we find ourselves in. 

The first thing that comes to mind is that this is a city (and country) of immense contradictions, We found ourselves this evening driving in a stream of traffic. On one side, tuk-tuks, rickshaws, normal cars and beat up buses. On the other side of the car, a brand new, luxury Maybach Mercedes, probably worth £100,000-£200,000. There are glitzy malls, only doors away from dim, shack-like stalls selling food. This is a country where 70% of the population live in poor, rural villages, yet the country has a space program and nuclear weapons. From the very top down to the street, the contrast is stark. And yet there is no visible hostility between rich and poor, no sense of tension as we walk around. 

So we have now visited rural villages twice now, with one or two more ahead of us. I was very nervous before each visit - I did not want to feel like some "poverty tourist", or some colonial know-it-all, but I feared I had very little to offer. 

I should not have worried so much - the welcome we received was open, warm, and sincere. The children in the villages were a joy and a delight. And the people of faith there were utterly inspiring in their conviction to follow Jesus, their strength against adversity and persecution, and their honesty facing their future. 

The villages were indeed poor, with little access to education, or adequate healthcare. And life must be tough, constantly trying to put food on the table, growing every calorie needed by farming or fishing. But their spirit was of people trying to improve their lot, and for those around them. Education was a precious resource, and the only book anyone seemed to own was a Bible. 

We also visited a church "Celebration" - not a Sunday service, but rather a time to worship and pray together. We participated in their joyful worship. We were treated as honoured guests, even though in this visit we are here o learn everything we can from them and their Three-Thirds practice. An wow, did the passion of their prayers blow us away.

And back to the city - Kolkata is a riot of colours, smells, sounds (including fireworks that sounded like artillery at 4am). Everyone seems to be struggling along to make a living, feed their families, and make the future better for their children than for themselves. In this the only thing that separates them from me is my privilege. I am no better than them, no smarter, I work no harder (quite the opposite I guess). The only advantage I have is my western privilege and wealth. And that truly drives it home that despite the distance and the difference in privilege, they truly are my brothers and sisters. Those in the faith are my brothers and sisters in Christ, but they are all my brothers and sisters.