Come along....

We're on the edge of our departure--less than a month away now! There are moments where on the surface I consider what we're doing and the rational absurdity of it all leaves my head spinning. We're denying the upward mobility and comfortable life we are culturally conditioned to believe we are entitled to; we've given away our dog--our "1st child"!!; we're sifting and sorting and selling and storing our every possession; we've moved from earning a generous, stable income to inviting friends and family to support us; and the thing that weighs most heavily--the thought of moving our nature and peace-loving children to the urban jungle where poverty and squalor and stench and noise come together in a dizzying, ever-present swirl.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!!
This thought comes as a haunting that keeps me awake at night or as a fiery dart of discouragement as I watch others live a life that seems more normal--certainly more reasonable.

BUT, in other moments, the veil is pulled back and I see a richer, fuller perspective that connects the past to the future and feel like we're living into something grand--a story that fits and that was written for us--an obvious and exciting continuation of our plot that's unfolding before us. To the extent that I know this for myself I believe it for my family for our stories are purposefully interwoven. We are following the One who has led us on this journey step by step and has masterfully drawn our hearts more deeply into his and has prepared the way beautifully and with loving gentleness. He broke our hearts for injustice and sexual slavery, he granted a vision for a blanket business and then fulfilled it, he led us in downward mobility to a city we despised and in that place surprised us with provision and community and beauty...., he has given assurance that the banner that hangs over our family (over each life story) is one that says "Redeemed"and we believe that is what he is inviting us to be about in the lives of women, children, and men in the hell on earth that is Kolkata's red-light districts.

Our team leader, Sarah, wrote an article for the Cry this month that should not be missed and in it she summed up so perfectly the life we look forward to in Kolkata. She says...

"I know I am helpless and mostly lost--I just happen to be found by the Good
Shepherd, who comes after me, holds me, and carries me."

"As I walk alongside those in suffering, I have the rare
opportunity to share the hope of being found, known, loved, celebrated, forgiven
and treasured by the God of the universe." (p.9)

So, in 21 days we board our plane and in the days to come we long to keep a clear vision of what this is all about. We believe there is beauty and life in Kolkata--some obvious but more of it veiled, flickering, waiting, longing to be discovered. It is the beauty of God himself that he has written on his creation--in our hearts--his marred image longing for restoration and redemption.

We intend to find it and we invite you to come along as our story continues!