Lots of rice, lots and lots of rice. And some tea. At least twice a day. But I learned today, that if you add a little instant coffe mix the tea drinking experience rises to a whole new level. It is a luxury that I have come to experience here in B-desh at the language classes I am attending. Today was the first class, a little discouraging in the middle as I felt like I knew nothing (because I dont) but I tried to remind myself that it was my first official day. I have yet to study the things we learned in class but need to do so before tomorrow. Class is every day of the week for 4 hours so that will be my focus for the next month. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and i really hope that it enables me to conversation once I am back in ktown. i really hope for deep conversations, but i will stay practical at least on here and aim for standard communication/conversation.

It was a little hard to leave k-town as it was just becoming familiar to me; but now that im out i realize it is good. i will be ready to return once the time comes. i am a little nervous about my new friends at the daycare that they will forget their auntie, but I suppose I should just wait and hope not. they are sweet sweet little kids and i have grown a love for several of them. i wont have a ton of time when i get back to spend with them but i hope to go visit them during some free times.

Today I am wearing my red,green, and yellow tye-dyed salwar suit for the first time and though it sounds bit exotic, i blend it quite well here. as far as clothes go anyway. it's fairly comfortable as well. balloony drawstring pants, a long top and a dupatta (scarf) draped around my neck which comes in handy for wiping my face in response to humidity. it's not quite as warm here as it has been in ktown but this is our first day here so i will have a better idea later. we are in prime time for monsoon action and dhaka doesnt have great drainage systems so i may have some excitment awaiting me in the next month. im glad ive had time to think about this reality though, it has definately helped me get more comfortable with the idea.

So tonight i will study bangla, as well as many more nights to come in the next months. I think this time in bangladesh could serve as good reflection/thinking time as well. I struggled getting hold of that in kolkata; i really didnt let myself actually. The city is so busy it is easy to get caught up in it. you have to create space for reflection, for prayer. And so much of what I have seen I have trouble thinking about because I dont know waht to do with it. What do you do when a lady comes alongside you places her hand on your shoulder with a baby on her hip and asks you for some money? waht do you do knowing the reality of girls your own age and younger are being worked as prostitutes just a few blocks from where youre sitting so that they can eat? even women who are older. its hard thinking. yet we have seen the redemption of some of these women's lives through businesses like SB working in the Red Light District. and it really is a beautiful thing, these ladies I have met are beautiful. you would never know the lives they have had to live to get to where they are now. Some of them have even come to know the freedom of Christ, I hope many more will.