Words by Wendy

Home Safe

2009-09-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe I've been home for a week now. Got in last Friday. Was a bit jetlagged, but finally recovered...Still a bit sluggish in getting back to work. That may have something to do with the heat. Thought I was escaping it by coming home, but that has yet to happen.

Exciting things taking place now being home. First I got to see my baby niece. No photoshoot yet. Will take some soon. Went to a great anti-trafficking event last night in Laguna Beach. Was nice to be able to just attend. Have many events scheduled already for the fall. Every weekend in September is booked. Trying to find a little more balance in life...will be working on delegating more, plugging in volunteers to specific positions...excited to see the organization continue to take shape. So top priority here is to find office space, that can also act as a vocational center so we can work with survivors in Orange County. Funny that Steph and I are both working on finding space. Prayers would be really appreciated.

;)

Crunch Time!

2009-08-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

I'm only here a couple more days! Hard to believe it's almost September already. Glad to I'll be home to enjoy the last couple days of summer.

Really trying to take as many images as I can before I leave.

Photoshoot

2009-08-24T11:10:00.001-07:00

So it's a little difficult to have a photo shoot when you have so many onlookers. And since staring is acceptable in India, there's not much to do about it. I try staring back, but it doesn't seem to get the hint across. Su told me today, "don't worry about them. We have work to do." So i went back to looking behind the camera and took another 50 pictures. At one point I stopped, looked up and saw a crowd gathered on either side of me. Then I stopped and said, "Really? Really?" and stared at all of them. Then I decided to snap a picture. They didn't seem to be fazed by it, but Su thought it was funny. I bet these guys didn't know they'd be published on the world wide web!

The Greatest Dancer!

2009-08-24T11:04:00.001-07:00

Driving in the taxi the other day I was trying to be so incognito when we passed some of the slums. I love taking pictures of everyday life. But this little boy, as soon as he saw my lens started dancing and giggling. He was SO funny. I'm hoping to go back and get a few more of him.

Steph

2009-08-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Steph and I have had a lot of fun the past week. Got some good shots of her and the girls. Just wanted to share one of them. Can't post them all. We've got to save some for iSanctuary newsletters...etc.

2009-08-19T01:09:00.000-07:00

Traffic

2009-08-17T08:30:00.001-07:00

How do you describe traffic in Bombay. It's worse than LA. organized chaos...

Our Sunita!

2009-08-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

She's so beautiful! and does an amazing job of coordinating iSanctuary here in Mumbai.

Crunch Time

2009-08-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

It's been a little busy. i didn't get a chance to do my blog posts this sunday. It's almost crunch time. Stephanie returns tomorrow, and i have a little less than two weeks left. Still a lot to get done. Went out for another photo shoot today, and hope to bring my camera each time we go to the homes from now on.
This image was taken as we were driving through the market. Su asked the ladies to smile for the camera. They're pretty cute.

Rickshaw Rides

2009-08-09T03:39:00.000-07:00

So the other day I was meeting Su at the home. She had gone with me plenty of times and showed me how to get there. I had set my landmarks, and knew what to tell the rickshaw driver....(Aggi right, fire brigade) turn right at the fire station when we get to this certain point...well i hop in the rick, give him the location...ten minutes into the drive i realize i had forgotten to say Curla Road. Meaning take Curla road, which is the way I knew how to go. So i'm sitting there thinking...ok how am i going to find this place. Cause my landmarks now were out the window. So i say my prayers...and sit back knowing that worrying about it wouldn't help. I didn't have a cell phone to call Su cause it had died and I was certain that I would eventually have to turn around and go back home. Traffic in Mumbai is really bad, and it takes forever to get anywhere, so going home and starting over wasn't an option. Well, I started to recognize things. We were just down the street from the home. I got there no problem. God is taking care of me!

Comments

2009-08-09T03:35:00.000-07:00

If you're reading this, don't be shy to comment. I'd love to hear from you! I understand if you want to be incognito. I prefer to stay that way too. I'll try to post more pictures now that I've started shooting.

Girls' Stories

2009-08-09T03:15:00.000-07:00

I could go on and on about the girls. Each time we visit the homes I walk away with one funny story, or something interesting that happens. So...2 stories.

One of the first times we went to the home I met one of the new girls. She was stern and didn't show a lot of emotion. She didn't know how to make jewelry so she sat with me and worked on some Christmas ornaments. Well the next week when we returned I asked her her name again cause i couldn't remember. She got all mad, saying in Hindi, that i just met her last time and how could i not remember her name. So, I made sure to remember it. 5 minutes later, i was speaking to her and said "Here, Sabiya," she gave me a look and smiled. We were both laughing cause i used her name. She knew. We've bonded.

There are many many languages in India. One of our girls at a home doesn't speak Hindi cause she's from a different region. None of the other girls in the home speak her language, so communication is a real challenge for her. She's become kind of a scapegoat for them. And though she doesn't understand the language she knows full well that she's getting blamed. People are constantly saying, she can't do that. She can't do this...So the girls were signing my arm cause it was Friendship Day. (a holiday) It's just something you do. and of course they're saying, Oh no, she can't do it. She doesn't know how. She even was saying she couldn't, shaking her head. But i encouraged her to try. I figured she could draw a happy face or flower or something. So she copied a few letters from one of the other girl's names. She was very happy. She has an amazing smile. And considering all she puts up with I can't believe how happy she is all the time.

Last story...I hadn't seen my Geeta since I had been here. She's one of my favorite girls from last year. She's been working at a beauty parlor 6 days a week so she's never home when we're there. On Saturday I forgot to ask if she was home cause she hasn't been there yet. So i'm sitting working on a project and I look up and there she was. Of course I got all excited and ran over to her. Communicating the story in words doesn't really sound as good as if you're living it. But we had a few exchanges through translation. I was just glad I got to see her.

Stephanie's taking a Break

2009-08-09T03:12:00.000-07:00

GOOD NEWS!

Steph is taking a break! She was suppose to return to India this Monday, but I finally convinced her to stay another week. Su got to take a trip with her friends, and I got my relaxing week in Scottsdale. ;) She hadn't taken a break since, I don't know how long. ...and with Christmas coming, it's going to be a mad dash through the fall.

So on that note, if you hear from her it better not be about work!

Tuesday

2009-08-09T03:03:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we went to one of the homes and we planned to start making a Christmas ornament that my friend Tori had designed. About an hour into it, the ornaments are starting to take shape and let's just say i'm thinking..."I've got to call steph and tell her we better buy that domain name pitypurchase.com cause i don't know how these things will ever sell." The ornaments are little felt mittens that are stitched around the edges. Not too difficult, but it does require straight and careful cutting; a skill most the girls don't have. But they're trying. One of the girls sat down and then got up to go work on something else. She had decided she didn't know how to do it. I called her back and told her I'd help her. A few of the other girls had been working on it, and their mittens came out looking all...let's just say you couldn't tell they were mittens. I smile, and say "great job. Great." and then try to help them get a little better shape and move them onto the next step. Well the one girl that had called back turned out to be amazing. Her mittens were perfect! I was so proud of her! She was too.

One of the girls says to me in her very broken English, "Didi you married?" (it's a really big deal in India.) "no," i said. "No problem." she says. "I pray for boy." i was laughing. she was too.

Jewelry Making

2009-08-09T02:56:00.000-07:00

So i definitely have a new found respect for Stephanie and the girls. I don't know how to make jewelry but have had the opportunity to learn more while I've been here. It's NOT easy! It takes me SO long to do anything. I was laughing at myself. Su was laughing too. I'd have it just about right and then it would drop and the whole thing would fall apart. It takes time, patience and skill.

Grant/Vocational Centers

2009-08-09T02:48:00.000-07:00

There's a grant that Steph and her mom have been working on. I took a few pictures that I'll submit to go along with it. You can please be in prayer for this. It would be a really great help with starting the vocational centers. We've put looking for a property on hold until we complete our registration. We've been advised that this is the best order to complete things.
Through the OC Human Trafficking Task Force Coalition, we've had a few meetings to discuss involvement working with survivors in the US. They have a great need for vocational training. Looks like we are going to start something in Orange County in the next 6 months. Prayers for office space and a place the survivors can come and work are really appreciated. The main project would be internships with Tori Higa Stationery: the greeting card company that was donated to us 6 months ago. www.torihiga.com

Tea Anyone?

2009-08-09T02:42:00.000-07:00

Every morning I make tea or coffee. But the mornings we have to rush out of the house early, i usually don't get to finish so i've poured it in a cup and taken it with me. (Steph gives me a hard time for being a slow drinker.)Well, as you can imagine, Indians aren't walking around with cups in their hands. They have their tea, drink it, and are done with it. But of course, us Americans love our to go cups...lids, etc. So drinking my tea in a rickshaw has been a skill that I've attempted to perfect. You really have to time it right. The pot holes, gear changes, and bumps in the road make it a bit of a challenge. So far there haven't been many spills. One morning I even got Su to bring hers with us. Steph would die if she knew.

Sunita

2009-08-09T02:34:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned Su before. I can't say enough about her. She's amazing. She's great with the girls. They really open up to her. She always knows how to handle situations, as you can imagine the things they are discussing with her. There's more that I'd like to say about them, but out of respect for the girls and the caretakers I won't. Considering the circumstances, I'd say everyone is doing all they can.

It's Sunday Funday

2009-08-09T02:32:00.000-07:00

So i'm doing my postings for the week. Sorry i wish i could post them gradually, but it's a challenge to get to it during the week. I needed a new addiction and since I don't have my Alias, or 24 dvds here i decided I should give LOST a try. Haven't been a fan. Will let you know if i get hooked.

Trash

2009-08-09T02:29:00.000-07:00

The trash man comes everyday. Well he's suppose to. He wasn't coming to pick up our trash and we ended up having a creature visit us. a rat. not my favorite. this was a problem for about a week. until i got some rat cake at the store. He ate it all and hasn't come back. Now I make sure to set an empty water bottle outside to lure the trashman upstairs to pick up our garbage. They recycle the plastic so it has some value. So far it's been working.

Baby Faith is Here!!!

2009-08-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

7lbs 4 oz. She came a little early. On her expected due date, though they didn't think she'd come for another week. Wish i was home to see her...and that I had a picture to post. She's my first niece! I'll meet her in 20 days!!!

Making up for lost time.

2009-08-02T12:20:00.002-07:00

Sorry to go dark on you! No I didn’t get swallowed by the monsoons, and thankfully I wasn’t down for the count. Just had a busy week and then the internet was down all weekend. Thanks for your emails & interest!

This Week

2009-08-02T12:20:00.001-07:00

This week we have a few meetings to try to register iSanctuary here in India. Please pray for us, that we get the right contacts to help us accomplish this task, and that we set it up the best way possible. Also, it’s time for me to start on some photography, which will be the beginning of a large project. Thanks to Mark our graphic artist and photographer, I’ve got what I need. Pray I’m able to capture the images we need. Photographing the girls anonymously is going to be a challenge.

The girls

2009-08-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

The past few times at the homes, I’ve gotten a chance to just hang out with the girls. We hadn’t gotten any of the items we needed for the Christmas projects yet, so we couldn’t start on them. And since I don’t know how to make jewelry I was little help there. I’ve been able to speak a bit of broken English, learn some dance moves, learn an Indian magic trick, and get all my knuckles on my fingers and toes cracked. So one of our conversations we were talking and the girls asked, “Didi, (sister) you eat chicken?” I nod and said yes. “You eat fish?” I said yes. “You eat snake?” No. “You eat pig?” Sometimes. “You eat rat?” “NO!” I said, and they all started giggling and laughing. They don’t know how much I hate the creatures.

“Are you kidding me?”

2009-08-02T12:18:00.001-07:00

I had it as a goal of mine to get Su to add a saying to her vocabulary by the time Steph got here. Su’s always adopting Steph’s sayings. It’s pretty cute. All week I’m hearing her say, “Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?” and I’m thinking, ‘where’d she get that? Steph doesn’t say that.’ Then it dawned on me that my friend Erin told me once, after I had said, “Are you kidding me?” how many times I say that. LOL mission accomplished!

Market Shopping

2009-08-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

We went to the infamous Crawford Market yesterday, which is where Steph buys all the supplies for the jewelry. It makes for a really long day. The heat, the crowds, the chaos of traffic and finding your way through junk to find quality materials is a chore. Then to haul everything that’s bought back an hour home on the crowded train makes for an exhausting day. (Steph and Su are saints!) So funny story. Steph always inspects items before she buys them. Su & I were in this one shop and I asked the man, Joe Cool behind the counter with the diamond in his ear, if I could see this one in particular clasp. He hands it to me, standing in front of me. I took it and bent it and it snapped in half like a cracker. I looked up and his mouth had dropped open. He gasped, “Madame! What are you doing?” I said, “What? I wanted to see if it was good quality. It’s clearly not.” He said, “Yes, but you should have asked me!” “Everyone is saying ‘Good quality, good quality, and it’s not. If I’m working with it and I’m going to have people buy it, I want to know that it’s strong.” “You should have asked me. I will tell you.” I started apologizing profusely cause of course at that point I was laughing. It was funny. I said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll pay for it.” The item only cost 6 rupees which is equivalent to less than ten cents. Clearly it was equivalent to the cost. We bought some nice beads and were on our way.
Story #2 We were walking down the road, and I see some scissors at a stand. As I mentioned to find quality of anything here is a challenge. So I recognized the packaging on the scissors to be the good ones, so I asked Su to ask him the price. “Kit gnaw?” she says ‘how much?’ 20 ruppees for the small and 40 ruppees for the large. “Great,” I say. “Let’s take 5 of each.” Then he looks at me and goes, “oh, no this one,’ pointing to the small one, ‘is 40 and this one….” I look at Su and go, “did he just change the price?” “He just changed the price!” We both walked away shaking our heads, taking our business elsewhere. I taught Su a new word. Audacity….Just because businessmen see a foreigner they double the price. Most of them are quick enough to give it as the first quote though.

Vocational Search

2009-08-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

So last week we looked for real estate for a vocational center. It was quite an interesting process. We met with a property agent and he took us around to see a few different places. The first was bright, clean, spacious, and several thousand per month for 1000 sq. ft. The next several were under construction-literally. The agent was trying to describe where the walls would be placed, and I was asking when the completion date was to be expected. Red flag was a new term I taught Sunita. He showed us several office spaces that were over priced and not large enough to have a main classroom. At least we’re starting to have an idea of what’s out there. We’d appreciate your continued prayers in this.

Poverty

2009-08-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

India never ceases to amaze me. I went to the train station on the other side of town and there were all these slums lining the road that weren’t there last summer. A baby sitting there (at home) behind a brigade, staring at the traffic 5 feet from him through the bars, exhaust, honking, chaos, while a woman washes her pot from her morning cooking…It’s not uncommon to be approached by beggars in a rickshaw several times before making it home. Some small children with a baby on their hips, and some mothers carrying their infant children, in addition to the beggars in the train stations, crippled or blind. The elderly blind man sitting out in front of the mosque is still the same man from last year. What do you do with that? I don’t have the answers. Just wanted to give a perspective from the other side of the world. Something to consider.

Sister's Earrings

2009-08-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

The other day we were having a class at one of the homes. The girls were all sitting around making jewelry. One girl finished a pair of earrings and showed it to the head caretaker. Suddenly I look up, and they’re all giggling and laughing. The sister (nun) who is very minimal, no makeup, a brown sari, glasses with her hair tied back, had these bright blue little bead dangling earrings on. It was the funniest sight ever. I think she actually enjoyed wearing them. She was smiling proudly, but giggling too.

Baby Faith arrives in 2 weeks!

2009-08-02T12:12:00.002-07:00

My sister is having a baby in 2 weeks. It’s the first girl of the family-well, for the next generation. I have a feeling she’s gonna be the spoiled princess, coming after 5 boys. Her baby carrier that my mom made is filled with pink and lace. Quite a contrast from my marine nephews!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-08-02T12:12:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom! Wish I could be with you to celebrate! We'll do something fun when I'm home visiting. Lots of love sent from India!

Happy Birthday Margie!

2009-08-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Margie! Two women I love share the same birthday! Margie attended the first informational meeting back in January, committed to volunteer once a week and has become an amazing asset to iSanctuary. I am so thankful for her. (She keeps me on track! I knew I liked her when I found out she grew up in Oakland- 35th Ave.)

Back in the Neighborhood...

2009-07-26T03:42:00.000-07:00

So i was really looking forward to coming back to see our neighborhood friends, the tailor, the ironing man, the shopkeeper etc. Not much has changed around these parts. The same elderly man still sells bananas down the street, the same blind beggar sits outside the mosque, and Manjoj still runs the shop downstairs. It was one of my first days here and Su and i went down to pick up a drink, I was beaming as i stepped inside the shop and i looked at the man (Manjoj) with a big smile on my face. He just kind of looked at me & looked back at this man that was in the shop. [Indian people are so funny sometimes cause they're so NOT amused at things we would be, which makes it even funnier.] so i say to him, "Hi! i'm back...member me?" all excited, and he's like oh, huh? "yeah" and barely smiles. it was quite anti-climactic. Indians have an amazing sense of humor & they love to laugh & are very relational, but at the same time, they can be SO unpredictable. Su said, "Don't worry, he didn't recognize you," trying to console me. We'll see how long it'll take to get a wave from the tailoring man we pass everyday. His shop has been closed since I've been here.

Sunday Funday

2009-07-26T03:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday Funday is not so funday without Steph. But I went to church with one of the other interns, came home and I'm listening to my Sunday Funday CDs that my friend Lydia & brother Patrick made me. (Thanks guys!) I made masala peanuts which I'd recommend to anyone. Peanuts, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, a little salt, and A LOT of lime. You can't overdo the lime. It's raining and i'm taking it easy today since this week is gonna be a busy one running around the city.

Saturday we went to one of the homes and spent the day working on a few projects. I was kind of nervous to see them cause I wasn't sure how much had changed since I've seen them. It's been a full year. They were really sweet. The ones that are outgoing were excited and friendly and the ones that are shy were pretty quiet but I still got a couple smiles. A few of them have really grown and matured. Still waiting to see a few of my favorites since they were working at their jobs when we were there.

2009-07-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

I’m sitting her at 4am like clockwork. Took my sleeping pill so I can get back to bed, but it hasn't kicked in yet. I haven't felt very jetlagged during the day. I just keep waking up in the middle of the night. The neighbor's alarm just went off. He'll snooze it a few more times before he actually gets up. Indians wake up really early to start their daily activities. Cooking, daily laundry, etc. It's very routine.

Yesterday Su & I were in a rickshaw on our way to one of the homes. We were stopped at a major intersection and I look out and see this huge billboard of Michael Jackson. “The Legend Lives On” She caught me staring at it, and says sadly, “Michael Jackson died.” I looked back at her with raised eyebrows cause I didn’t think she knew who Michael Jackson even was. She responds in her cute accent, “What? It was breaking news in India.” Some of the things she says is so sweet and sounds so innocent because of the way she says it. Anything with an accent always sounds better.

We are looking at properties for the vocational center on Monday. Please pray that we find something that is suitable. Working with the property agents, negotiating, etc. can be quite a skill. We've got to be careful how we play our cards. We’re also in the process of registering iSanctuary in India, so all the details of these tasks are beyond us. Your prayers are much appreciated!!!

Summer 2009

2009-07-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

Another August in India. Well it's not August yet. Arrived here 2 days ago, and surprisingly have had SO much peace. Though I love India, it's not a place I would describe as peaceful, especially Mumbai.

Have spent the past few days with Sunita, getting caught up...visiting...i can't believe I haven't seen her in a year. (Scroll down to last year's posts and you'll see how gorgeous she is.) I can't say enough about her. She's bright, independent, has an amazing sense of humor, she's so sweet & feisty at the same time. She truly is a gift from God to iSanctuary. She's been holding down the fort and running things the past 2 months while Steph has been in the states. We are SO THANKFUL for her!

Today we went to one of the homes, where I was able to meet some of the girls. As we were walking in, one of the girls came out to greet us. We stopped to talk, until a downpour of rain came down without any warning. We couldn't get our umbrellas up fast enough. She ran off screaming!

(it's started to pour as i'm writing this---Monsoon season)

We worked on a new project making Christmas ornaments. They did so well. They're so smart and have really great skills. I only had to demonstrate once. Couldn't believe how well they caught on. We finished the afternoon with some Indian dancing. They loved it. So did I.

We're off to another home tomorrow. I'm really excited to see the girls I got to know last summer. Thanks for all your love, support, prayers & encouragement. I'll post some pictures once I start shooting.

MY summer in INDIA

2008-09-10T01:32:00.000-07:00

all documented....the proof is in the pictures. I tried to make up for lost time, so don't be overwhelmed by the amount of photographs! Better late than never!!!

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TB=tuberculosis
don't be mistaken. spitting is a HUGE!!! problem in India.

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The trains are very over crowded.

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A common sight while Steph and I waited for the train in the morning.

India

2008-09-10T01:24:00.000-07:00

This is a perfect example of the extreme differences in India. The shacks and slums right next to the million dollar building. The Grand Hyatt hotel is right around the corner from all the slums. Sitting inside, walking in the lobby, and sitting down in the cool air conditioned padded lounge chairs, you would never know there is immense poverty just yards away. But sight from the slums on the street is quite clear their is affluence steps away. It's quite heart breaking. There is so much poverty-it's overwhelming.

Our SuperWoman

2008-09-10T01:19:00.000-07:00

We would be nowhere without this woman! She does it all!

Our Beautiful Sunita

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2 very happy muslim boys on an Indian holiday!

2008-09-10T01:16:00.000-07:00

Washing clothes. Fortunately we had a washing machine a few blocks away at a friends apartment so we didn't have to wash by hand too often. But we hung clothes to dry. Our whole living room would be filled with hanging clothes after we did laundry. We couldn't hang them outside cause the rains would come.

2008-09-10T01:14:00.000-07:00

Sadly, I've seen people carry things twice as large as this on their head. I don't know how they do it. Trying to manuver through a crowded train station??? And their poor necks...and I think my back aches...

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These little guys were darlings! Wish you could've seen their giggles!

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He kept the mice away. I was always happy when I saw a cat near our house cause I knew he'd add to the dead count I had. 20 total for the summer. 10 on average a month. Not bad. I didn't enjoy seeing them. But squooshed or dead was better than the 5 I saw alive.

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All these pictures were taken one evening on a photoshoot with Sunita. We were driving around in a taxi and were stopped waiting on the side of the road. A woman standing there struck me and I asked if I could take her picture. She sort of smiled and posed. She was so beautiful. (The one below in green.)

We got out of the taxi and in a matter of moments were surrounded by children circling and smiling...wanting their picture taken. Sunita and I realized we were holding up the taxi, as the meter was running up so we decided to pay him and send him on. Neither of us had the right amount of money. I looked in my pocket and all I had was a large bill.
(100 rupees = $2.50) The ride was 10 rupees = $0.25 We didn't know what to do.

Then this dear man came over, a father of some of the children, took out his wallet and paid the taxi. I was incredibly humbled. We were on one of the poorest roads in Bombay. Truly the slums. I couldn't believe this man was willing to pay for us, especially because I knew he didn't have much money...and as a Westerner....it was just an amazing experience to have him giving to us.

We must have stayed on the road for at least a half hour. There were just shacks lined up next to each other made of aluminum siding, covered with tarps...on a busy highway. All the children came out while the women sat around talking out front. After a while even the women were willing to jump in a picture. They were quite entertaining. ;)

A few days later I got a some of the photos printed and brought them back to the families. They seemed very pleased--accepting them with huge smiles. I let them know I'd share the photos so people in America would know how beautiful the people of India were. Looking at these pictures you would never know they are some of the poorest in Bombay.

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The girls

2008-09-10T00:38:00.001-07:00

for security and confidentiality we can't photograph the girls' faces, but these are a few of them working on projects.

HOme saFe

2008-09-10T00:36:00.000-07:00

Fortunately I arrived home safely a week ago. My sister (& brother) cooked an amazing dinner for me upon my arrival. BBQ steak, salad, rosemary potatoes, what more could I want. It's been a good week home. Lots to do, but time to rest as well. Thank you for all your love, support, encouragement, & prayers.

WrApPing it uP

2008-08-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was the last day at one of the homes. It was a good time with the girls. I felt I was able to "pass the baton" ...that they have learned a lot and will be able to continue on their own now.

We are still trying to get some business accomplished here. Business cards, signs and brochures printed, bags, tags made...Every item is an ordeal. I keep telling Steph it's going to be a miracle if we actually get them completed. So we're heading to the printers this morning. We've been there everyday this week. They have ensured that they take one day to print and yesterday when we visited he said he'd need a week which means they won't be complete by the time I leave. !!!! Typical business in India. ---frustrating---

Please pray for the production and completion of these items.

THANKS!

Post Office

2008-08-21T22:18:00.001-07:00

So I finally made it to the post office yesterday with Sunita. (I know...I'll get home before the postcards even reach the US...) so we walk in and people are sitting behind the counter working. I show the guy my postcards and he calls to the back. A woman walks out, I hand her the cards and we follow her to the back to a room with a few desks where papers are strewn everywhere and people are snacking on some peanuts. She threw the cards down on a desk and nodded to us. I looked at Sue and she motioned to walk out. I said, "Do you think they'll get there?" she nodded. It was after 5:00 and I guess the delivery for the day had already gone out. We walked away as I wondered and hoped my postcards wouldn't fall behind her desk. If you don't get a postcard from me, that's where yours is. (Rob, I still need your new address.)

Sale: Orange, California

2008-08-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

Our next sale will be at The Dragonfly in Orange, California
on Sunday, September 7th 11:00am-4:00pm.

www.dragonflyshopsandgardens.com

260 North Glassell Street, Orange, CA 92866
Telephone: 714-289-4689

Thanks to isanctuary representative, Norma Pollaro. This would not be possible without you.

Vocational Training Center

2008-08-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

We have been praying for a vocational training center, a place where the girls could come and learn different skills at the professional level. This would create independence and help with the girls' transition; providing a daily routine of school or work that they must attend. It's a challenge traveling to the homes, carrying all the supplies needed, etc. Today we have just returned from our long Wednesday. We leave the house at 6:50am, travel by taxi and train until we finally reach the home at 9am to start classes. Makes for a really long day.

Recently we met with a partner organization that is local here in Mumbai. They've been established for 25 years and have a beautiful facility. As a teacher walking in and seeing the programs that were taking place I was really impressed. They have invited us to be part of the training for their girls in their aftercare program. This would allow us to work with girls from several different homes, and employ our current girls with apprenticeship opportunities. Much needs to be arranged before this is established, but it's an exciting development.

Oakland Sale

2008-08-20T06:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Northern California isanctuary representatives: Amber, Carla, & Jennifer the Oakland sale at the beginning of the month was a huge success. They sold the majority of the inventory and were able to share about isanctuary at the Laurel Street Faire. THANK YOU Ladies!

Back to Business

2008-08-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

Didn't mean to go silent on you....It has been a busy couple weeks. We've had some really long days, but the weeks have flown by. We're just trying to wrap things up, and get all the last minute things done: business cards & brochures printed, supplies purchased, products completed, photo shoots, etc. There's definitely been some frustrations along the way...doing business in India is not easy. But we're here and doing all we can. It's scary to think I only have 10 days left. There's still a lot that needs to be accomplished. Stephanie will stay for another two months and return in November in time for the holidays. Keep us both in your prayers as so many things are out of our hands.

Team Pollaro

2008-08-09T01:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Team Pollaro for holding several sales while Steph and I are in India. Norma, Dave, Sara, Josh, Claire & Erin have all made it possible. Thanks to them, we have been able to continue with product sales. Visit isanctuary.org for additional events and sales in the Long Beach & Bay Area.

This Week

2008-08-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

This week was a really long week. Long long days, leaving early in the morning and not getting home til 7:00 at night. We even intended on getting home one day at 3pm, but it just didn't happen. We have gotten a lot done, but running all over Mumbai just wears you out. The traffic, the travel, the heat, the exhaust, the noise, the crowds....it's tiring. Thank God for Sunday when we can rest.

Not all Work:

So Friday we had plans to go to the movies with our roommate Melissa and see Hancock. We found the schedule times, the theater, and caught a cab to the other side of town. It was a really nice area. Stephanie and I gasped as we saw the Mac store. (Makeup--not computers) The theater was upstairs from a huge department store. They even had a Chanel makeup counter...not something you would expect to find in India. (I've blown my cover...I like makeup ;)

So we go to the window to buy the tickets, and it's not playing anymore. We missed it by one day! Since things don't usually work out the way you hope, want or expect, or things don't taste the way you hope, you get use to disappointment, and try to keep your expectations low.

I was sure we had this right though. After searching the newspaper and online, and coming across web pages with movie schedules from 2006 we finally found one that was current that said it was updated every Friday. Well, it wasn't. As Steph says, she can't figure out how this is the technology capital of the world, and yet they can't keep up on technology.

Fortunately The Dark Knight, the new Batman movie was playing so we were able to watch that. The theater was really nice, clean, huge...felt like I was at Irvine Spectrum, except they have designated seating. Melissa knew that and asked for center seats so it wasn't a problem. She also warned us about the intermission. Apparently in India they have intermissions during movies. Well The Dark Knight is quite an intense movie, full surround sound, it was almost too loud...I was plugging my ears at gunshots and explosions, anyways...it's about midway through the movie... mid-sentence, and the screen goes white---INTERMISSION----hmmm...you'd think they could break it at an edit between scenes, but that would make too much sense. Sometimes India just leaves you wondering...

Highly recommend the movie, quite action packed, very Hollywood, very intense, a good summer movie, Heath Ledger does a great job at the Joker...scary character...maybe I liked it cause it was a piece of America. Don't blame me if you don't like it. If you were in India you would! ;)

Computer

2008-08-02T21:36:00.001-07:00

I finally got my computer back yesterday, though the man said nothing was wrong with it. Good news and bad. I did get a new battery (Dad you were right) so that will improve things. Hopefully I'll be able to add some pictures soon.

Girls Transition

2008-08-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

This Saturday on of the sisters was transferred from the home to a different position in the Catholic church. After being the home mother for eight years she said good bye to the girls. Please pray for them as they are adjusting. The new sister who is replacing her is very patient, knowledgeable, and experienced, but it is still a difficult transition for everyone.

Before the sister left, a partner organization gave her a cell phone as a farewell gift. The sister, though she's a minimalist as a nun, not wearing any jewelry, makeup, and dressing simply, she has a great sense of humor. She is constantly cracking jokes, bursting into laughter and giggling; but we had never seen her quite this excited. This day she was so giddy she was like a child on Christmas. You should have seen the social workers sitting there trying to teach her how to use the phone. Testing a sample call, "press the green button, hit 'OK'..." and teaching her how to lock and unlock the phone. No one really knew how the phone worked but they could all figure it out, so the phone was passed around to figure how to unlock it until Stephanie was brilliant enough to read the manual. Quickly looking up Lock Phone in the index she found the button to lock & unlock. The phone was a really thoughtful gift that will help the sister maintain relationships with the girls.

Oakland Sale

2008-08-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the sale taking place this next weekend at the Oakland Laurel Street Fair. Thanks to isanctuary representatives, Amber, Carla, and Jennifer who are staffing it. Please pray for success, exposure for the organization, and ease in the whole set up. (If you have an event to recommend we attend or are interested in staffing a sale please let us know...we are always looking for representatives.)

Happy Birthday to my Mom!!!

2008-08-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom! Sad I didn't get to talk to you...Hope you're celebrating! We will when I get home. Love you!!!

We're Official!!!

2008-07-28T21:32:00.001-07:00

We got a call this morning from Norma, Stephanie's mom, announcing to us that we got 501c3 status! This is a huge answered prayer. Steph's been working on the non-profit status, application process since back in January. The government offices were back logged 6 months and kept sending letters that they needed more information. Finally, finally, finally!!! This also allows us to formally apply to events as a non-profit organization. It's a huge relief.

Water

2008-07-25T05:37:00.000-07:00

The rain is really coming down out there. Monsoon season. Yesterday we drove through a foot of water where it was flooded. Thank God for our safe dry house. Well, most of the time. The other day Steph woke up to an inch deep of water in the kitchen. They fill the tank everyday and for whatever reason, that morning it didn't stop. So we mopped up bucket after bucket. The irony of it all was that we couldn't get water from our kitchen faucet or the drinking filter cause it was broken for days. It happens every couple weeks, then they send the plumber, he comes to fix it, we have water for another couple weeks until it stops again. They can't figure out what the problem is.

So after we mopped up the kitchen floor the plumber came. His wrench in hand was the only tool he arrived with. Steph and I were working in the front room, until I hear this... "uhhh..." and I go in the kitchen to see water all over the floor. Apparently he opened the pipe without placing a bucket under it. This happened the last time he came too. I don't think we really would've cared except we had just finished mopping up the entire kitchen. We throw him a couple towels and I'm telling him this is the second time today, but of course he doesn't understand a word I'm saying. After I explain my frustration I say the typical "No problem, no problem..." which he understands.

30 minutes later he has it working. We have water coming from the sink faucet and it's trickling out of the filter which is normal. As he's walking out the door Steph yells, "Thanks! See ya next week!" I was dying laughing. You had to be there.

Tonic anyone?

2008-07-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

Today I took my computer to get fixed...Sometimes when I go out I take a drink with me just to prevent dehydration etc. So today I went out with my tonic in hand...I love drinking tonics. Steph thinks they're too bitter, but I love the lemony taste.

Anyways...I take the taxi to the train, take the train 3 stops, get in another taxi and finally make it to the computer shop. I dropped my computer off, left and hopped in a taxi. With my tonic in hand, I pop it open and suddenly it starts spraying everywhere. I'm yelling and holding it out the taxi door. (They're open air rickshaws.) He pulls over, looks back, and can't figure out what was happening. He was high as a kite. It was hilarious. It had sprayed all over the man's back. I felt horrible for that and kept apologizing profusely, but it was raining so everything was wet already. I guess reading the article in the newspaper yesterday about the 4000+ potholes in the city sort of affected my tonic. I should've known better, but it was pretty funny.

Making Cards

2008-07-25T05:05:00.001-07:00

When Stephanie and I started working in the homes we set up different groups based on ability levels because not all the girls were good at making jewelry. Well some of the girls were not too happy about this, but their skills were just not up to par. Not everyone can be a jeweler. We wanted to give the girls other opportunities to excel.
Well my group, being the new skill was viewed as the "low" group. They were sulking and had attitudes like all teenage girls can. I just gave it time, knowing that eventually once they actually learned how to make cards, they'd really enjoy it. So of course the glorious day came this week when finally the girl that gave me the most trouble came up to me with a big fat smile. She says "Dee dee" meaning sister, "I like making cards." and I just smiled and smirked to myself and said "I'm so glad." It was pretty cute. ;)

The neighborhood

2008-07-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

I wonder how we come across to our neighbors. We live down an alley of a small street. It's a small town feel cause you see the same people everyday. There's the corner store, the tailor, the pharmacy, etc. but we stand out. Everyday we return with large bags. (They're filled with all the supplies we're purchasing to create products.) Then we bring the supplies back and forth from our house to the homes. We pass the tailoring man everyday. He's given us some looks as we've passed by with bricks. I always say to Steph, I wonder what they think as they see us exit the taxi with our hands full, carrying random things.

We Stole 4 More Bricks

2008-07-25T04:48:00.001-07:00

We were in need of shelving and had looked at some furniture that was quite expensive. ($100 for a wooden shelf you could get for $20 at Target or Ikea, and it wasn't even stable.) So Steph comes up with the brilliant idea to build shelves. All we needed was some bricks and some glass. (She's out purchasing the glass as I type this.)
A few days ago we were riding in a taxi and she tells the man to pull over. "Ekk minute," she says, meaning "one minute." She comes back carrying 2 bricks and then threw another two in the taxi. The man just stared at her, turned around, and resumed driving us home. Not amused, no slight smile, or strange look...just a dead straight faced stare. Indians have an incredible sense of humor and are very funny people in conversation. They just aren't amused by some of the silly things we are I guess.

Eat Crow

2008-07-25T04:43:00.001-07:00

So I never really understood the phrase "eat crow" but now after living here I can say I've grown to hate the buzzards. They never shut up (they're repeatedly squawking even now...) they dig through the garbage and eat the nastiest things. Last week I saw a crow eating a dead rat twice in one day.
(...just a few of the details about india i thought you would appreciate. ;)

Home Visit

2008-07-25T04:18:00.001-07:00

Last week while we were at one of the homes we had a visitor. The home is a Catholic retreat that sits on more than ten acres of property. They have several different projects taking place on the grounds: a school, a home for unwed mothers, AIDS/HIV children, an orphanage, etc.

While we were sitting there getting started, one of the sisters (nuns) walked in with a man and stood there quietly exchanging a few words. The sister eventually introduced the gentleman. He had been a orphan there 30 years ago and wanted to come back to visit. It was quite a powerful moment; a testimony to the home and to the girls. It was an example for them to witness the success of someone who had been in a similar situation as theirs.

Feeling Better

2008-07-25T04:15:00.000-07:00

So Stephanie and I have both been sick the past week. We're feeling much better and just have a little cough left over. Thanks for your prayers.

The Sounds of India

2008-07-19T09:06:00.000-07:00

As I was waking up from a nap yesterday I counted all the sounds I heard....

The man on the bicycle ringing his bell...
The children yelling and playing in the alley below...
The people talking downstairs...
The dog barking...
The distant sounds of the taxis honking on the street...
The door shutting two doors down...
and then, just in time-my favorite "call to prayer" from the mosque.

Sunita

2008-07-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Sunita is Stephanie's right hand. Before I got here, all I heard was, "Sunita, sunita, sunita." After meeting her I could understand why. She's graceful, patient, loving and beautiful... at the same time she has an incredible sense of humor, and is quite a fire cracker--- she's only 22 yrs. old!

Isanctuary is so blessed to have her. She of course is our saviour in translating, but adds so much to our days and is so good with the girls. Please pray blessings for her as she's transitioning right now in her life: career, living situation, etc.

2008-07-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

So I'm up....can't sleep...listening to my ipod and checking email...4pm CA time!
Tonight Steph and I planned and did some sample products for the home we're going to visit tomorrow. Who knew I'd actually be using my teaching skills. I get to be an art teacher after all! ;)

Prayer please...
As we're preparing for the fall and winter sales, the demand is increasing. Expansion is wonderful but it's also a little nerve racking. We are only in two homes right now and to think of the logistics required to establish ourselves in another at this point is overwhelming. Please pray for all the details entailed in the future direction, & that we may be able to move forward wisely.

International Sanctuary

2008-07-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

www.isanctuary.org

International Sanctuary, a non-profit organization, offers H.O.P.E. to survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

Stephanie's not feeling well

2008-07-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

Please pray for Stephanie as she's sick right now.
We have a lot to do over the next few days, and a home visit on Saturday.
It takes a lot of energy to be out and about in India. Please pray for her healing.
Thanks

Our Angel

2008-07-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Melissa had prayed for a helper for us because it's quite difficult to find what you need in a city like this. It's like a scavenger hunt-except the weather is hot and humid and you can't speak the language ;) So after our long day in the market we had one last stop at the paper store before we returned home. You never know if your trip to the shop is going to strike out, or be the discovery of the century. After purchasing all the paper we needed, one of the men that worked there took it upon himself and calculated the exact measurement, how many pieces we needed of each to make our cards and envelopes. Since it was closing time, he walked us down the ally and made a left, directing us exactly to the cutter shop. He communicated to them exactly what we needed and in 10 minutes our paper was cut perfectly. Then he walked us three doors down and led us to the shop that could make our envelopes, and then around the corner to the place where we could get them folded. We would've never known they were all there. He was our miracle. At the end of our day, we were too tired to even think. We had a box of chocolates we were going to give to the man, but after carrying them around all day they were completely mush! We'll stop by with a thank you tomorrow when we return to pick up the orders.

Market Day

2008-07-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a market day. We went to downtown Bombay, similar to the fabric district in downtown Los Angeles, and purchased all the supplies we need to start creating new products for the girls. Stephanie will be continuing on with jewelry, creating new designs, and I'll be working with the girls on greeting and Christmas cards.

So we're downtown shopping and walking for miles. We come across this one stall where I see a template that was perfect which we could use. I start to step into the shop and this man starts shaking his head and waves us out. He refused to sell to us. It was so bizarre. We were right next to a mosque though and I assume it had something to do with the fact that we are American women. funny...

While we were there, the mosque had it's call to prayer over the loud speaker. Listening to the beautiful singing we wondered why our neighborhood mosque has such a bad singer. Steph says he sounds like the pelican on the Little Mermaid. He only sings for 2 minutes, 5 times a day....and yes in the middle of the night. ;)

Toward late afternoon, Steph & I are both getting tired and worn out. We decide to take a break to eat, but we stumble upon this man selling fabric and trimmings on the street. We finally nickle and dime him down to a fair price with broken English, we're trying to figure out how many meters we need. We're both looking at each other like "?????" It was just quite comical. I'm squatting down, wiping the sweat out of my face, hunched over the piles of ribbon trying to decide what colors, how much we need, and if this is something we could actually use. The man is getting impatient wanting to close the sale, while Stephanie is making faces at him apologetically for my indecisiveness. Meanwhile all of Bombay continues with the traffic and the honking, as we're inches from the cars driving by.

Home Visit

2008-07-10T06:16:00.000-07:00

We went by our main home on Saturday where I was able to meet the girls. Stephanie gave her presentation and report about selling the jewelry. They saw the website and photographs of all the earings they made. You could see they were so excited and felt very proud of their work.

The girls are so full of life. Many were more energetic than I was... (I get worn out by the heat.) Most of them look like they're about 15 years old. Since they appear as such normal typical teenage girls, it's hard to believe they've been through such difficult trauma. Looking at them and meeting them you would never know it.

While we were there two European flight attendants who were passing through the city stopped by to purchase some of their handmade products. While Stephanie was home in America the girls used the skills she had taught them, and made more jewelry from the beads the nuns had purchased. I was so impressed. The ultimate goal is to teach them skills they would be able to use themselves, and here, just a few months later they are already accomplishing it!

Mission Accomplished!

2008-07-10T05:55:00.001-07:00

So Stephanie, Melissa (our roommate) and I all sleep in the same room. 3 snug bugs in a rug! (It's the only room with air conditioning.) So in order to make it feasible we needed to put Steph's bed up on cinder blocks. You have to understand that the majority of Mumbai is "under construction" and there are bricks laying around left and right. So we had been eyeing piles of bricks for days, trying to figure out how we were going to get some...."Can we purchase them from the construction guys?" "How would we ever explain to them that we want to buy bricks?" Finally we found the perfect site. It had a ton of bricks since they were laying the pavement on the street. So Stephanie and I, carrying two canvas bags, "inconspicuously" walk down the street. (There's no such thing as inconspicuous. We stand out like two sore thumbs.) So we pass the place where the guys are primarily working, and see 4 perfectly square cinder blocks. They are just sitting there in a pile of "trash" on the side of the road. So Steph goes, "quick, pick them up and put them in your bag!" This is all in broad daylight, though we had discussed going at night. So I'm trying to pick up these blocks that barely fit in our canvas bags, while she's keeping an eye out, watching. A man who we assume is the foreman begins walking over and we're thinking he's going to tell us to put them back. Meanwhile, we're oblivious of the whole crowd at the bus stop that is watching us. (Staring is completely acceptable in India.) So the foreman walks over, shakes his hand motioning "no problem" and waves down a rickshaw (small taxi) for us. We loaded the four heavy cinder blocks in the taxi and we were off. It was pretty funny. We were laughing. Maybe it was one of those "you had to be there type moments."

No pictures yet!

2008-07-10T05:52:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I'm not able to post any pictures yet....It doesn't make for a very exciting blog. Pictures are the best part!!! But with the internet as it is, and my laptop being down, I can't upload photos. I'll try to continue to paint visuals with my words.

Irony....

2008-07-10T05:49:00.000-07:00

So Stephanie was in the market purchasing supplies for all the products the girls are going to make. She's in one of the fabric shops and there's one other customer there. He's purchasing all this flashy fabric. After he leaves the shop keeper tells her the customer was buying things for the girls in the redlight district---and here was Steph, buying things for girls who have been rescued out of the redlight district. Quite ironic!

Happy 4th of July!!!

2008-07-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

Love from India!

Eat a burger for me!!!