There’s been lots of changes in the past ten years! We’re amazed at the development we see here
in Guwahati. The shopping Mall has
arrived, as have lots of foreign products, even a KFC and Pizza Hut! Along side the glitz and convenience markets
the roadside markets flourish. In fact,
most of our daily shopping for food items is done through these local roadside
vendors.
The first thing Taku went shopping for was tea….real
tea….loose leaf from the tea gardens of Assam.
He went around the corner from the CBCNEI compound to a tea seller he
used to regularly buy from. The owner
cocked his head to the side, studied Taku without speaking, mentally
calculating. Finally, face beaming, he
spoke, “After ten years!” Day by
day we are reconnecting with folks we’d dealt with years ago. A general store owner who’s converted his
shop to a bakery, filled us in on changes in the family business. Our ‘dahi’ (yogurt) and sweets shop
maintain the same personnel. The old lady sitting at the roadside selling
vegetables got out her freshest for us as she recognized and rejoiced over our
return.
Here in our new home our nearest market is one which we
frequented also years ago. Our first
evening here Taku ran down (literally, we live on a steep hillside and travel
by foot since we don’t yet have a vehicle) to the bazar. Both the man selling the live chickens as
well as the fish monger recognized him.
One recalling, “You used to always come here with your white wife!”
CONNECTING….that’s what we’re here to do – what all of us
are to do, to make a difference in our community. We are privileged to be reconnecting with
people we just routinely deal with….merchants, vegetable vendors. Years ago we talked with them, squatting
along the roadside, standing in mud, doing business in the rain, by kerosene
lamps, buying their goods…asking about
their lives. Connecting, caring for
those we encounter along the road of life.
We’ve been surprised and blessed they remember. We are excited at the opportunities to
further connect. Pray with us that the
love of God will touch their hearts and draw them to the joy we share in
Christ.
We are connecting again with the Body of Christ here in
Guwahati as well. Katie has been invited
to speak November 27th in the Naga Christian Fellowship Guwahati
where she ministered for several years.
In December we will both be ministering in the Regional Conference for
Youth With A Mission workers in Dimapur, Nagaland. Taku will preach Christmas Day in Guwahati
Baptist Church, the oldest church in the city, founded by the ABC missionaries.
As always, we count on your prayers! As partners in this wonderful venture of
faith, we need you to stand with us as we begin to engage in the purposes of
God through our lives.
May you be richly blessed by our loving Father!
Katie
