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WRBC Mission to Kolkata 2008

Report by Gemma Wilkinson My time serving with BMS in Kolkata, India really challenged my faith. The overriding thing I learnt was complete dependence on God. God is always with us, and will never let us down. The things we saw and did in India were life changing.

I am not a teacher, and was extremely nervous before we left for India.  I remember being at Heathrow airport, thinking I can’t get on the plane, but God was so obviously with us as a team and helped calm my fears and nerves.  Also the support from the whole church, family and friends had been so overwhelming, that definitely helped me to cope with the experience right at the start.

On arrival to Kolkata, it was surreal, the traffic, the sights on the pavements, the way things were being transported, was like nothing you can imagine or explain.  I felt I would never be able to explain it to anyone who hadn’t seen it with their own eyes. 

Adjusting was hard – the heat, culture, beeping of horns, constant busyness, the food, the hostel, the fans, the rain, the way nothing was wasted, and everything, every single bit of space was used for something or someone. 

The majority of the time we were in India, we were with children.  At schools and hostels we were required to do activities and lessons for children of all different ages.  Children who often had very little and lived mainly on the street, or in deprived villages or slums.  These children would smell, be dirty and were very much in need of time, love and affection.  But they were extremely happy.  And they had such beaming smiles; they took your breath away.  You couldn’t help but want to play, sing, teach and befriend them.  They had an amazing sense of fun.

The children at the mobile school and baby care centre lived on the street, and often had just a tarpaulin sheet for a duvet and a brick for a pillow, it was extremely challenging to the whole team, as in the west we are used to all our mod cons and home comforts.

Although we taught the children (songs, crafts, stories, maths, drama etc), I am sure the whole team would agree that we learnt the most.  These children inspired us so much.  They challenged us on what really matters.  Faith.  Family.  And people.

I felt nervous when on the Monday evening, we were assigned schools and we hadn’t got a clue as to what would greet us the next day.  What would be expected?  How old were the children?  Would the three of us be separated?  That Tuesday morning and Monday evening were completely laid in front of God, I think we all knew we couldn’t get through the day without complete dependence on Him, He knew our capabilities and in His strength we could get through. 

As Pam, Andy and I set off for Ajoynagar (school number one!), I was nervous as to what we would find, but God was faithful.  We took the whole lesson, and were very thankful when the teachers didn’t want us to split the class, so we could teach all together.  I truly believe that the small team I was in that day was completely dependant on God, and He honoured our efforts and skills.  The welcome and thanks we got in the way of biscuits, sweets and a flower each was amazing and very powerful.

This answer to prayer very early on set the theme of my time in India, where I needed to be completely dependant on God.  I couldn’t get through in my own strength because the challenges I was facing were tough.  I had never taught formally before and was challenged every day as to what we might see or how we might be used.

We also spent time at children’s hostels, where at the Entally girls hostel, there was about sixty girls, but only one bat and ball between them.  They all slept in two rooms, with all their belongings hanging on the end of their beds.  We spent a few evenings there doing sports, crafts, games and singing, and the girls really, really enjoyed it.  They loved just having people spend time with them after school, and support and encourage them – it was remarkable.

The work that BMS does and supports in India is fantastic, it is so needed and the whole team of ten, are so passionate about encouraging people to get behind the charity.

But I also want to continue to challenge others, God longs for us all to be stepping out in faith, and having lives that are changed by Him.  He wants committed and obedient followers.  Whether our mission field is Kolkata or Hucknall, we should all be ready to serve.

The trip to Kolkata, has been life changing, and I never want to forget what sights I have seen, and the amazing projects and people I have met.  It does seem strange being back in the UK, how quiet it seems, and how people’s priorities are completely different.  I am also aware how easy it is to slip back into my comfy western life, and want to make sure that I act on what I have been challenged on.  Issues such as waste, contentment, joy, deepening of faith, and stepping out in new areas.  I don’t want to take anything for granted.  I want to make sure that I pray often for Kolkata and transfer what I have learnt into everyday life. 

I feel I want to encourage others to taste mission, as it is such an amazing life changing opportunity, it is so rewarding and really challenges and deepens your faith. 

Remember depend on God, He won’t let you fall, He is faithful, and longs for the whole world to see faith in Him in action.