Ryan just called me from Ben's skype account. They now have wireless internet service in their room at Seva Kendra. Skype allows communication via the internet from computer-to-computer for free.
With their camera I was able to see Ryan and Ben's room - they have their own beds with mosquito nets and their own bathroom. They are provided with breakfast and dinner of rice and curry. Ryan says they usually get some chicken as well and today they had mango. He won't eat the okra and eggplant that are provided as vegetables and says he doesn't eat veggies at home so not to worry ;)
Ryan says that they are being stretched physically -- the heat, the sweating. It's 20 minute walk to the train then a crowded train ride to the school with a reversal in the evening. They teach a morning class and an afternoon class to youngsters and it's hard work. The slums are dirtier and more crowded than in Kenya. The air is more polluted. The crowds are thicker. Spiritually he said that to minister in India you really need to know your stuff because getting into heaven for the muslims and hindis requires them to know everything about their faith. He shared with me about a prayer meeting they attended this evening and the worship was in bengali and Ben gave the sermon in english. Then lots of prayer - Ry said it was awesome. Ramesh and Raja serve as their translators and one of them is usually with them.
Ryan said that the four of them love calcutta and they are never leaving. I asked whether "never" was with a big "N" or a little "n" and he assured me (with a bit of sly grin as he paused) that they are coming home as planned at the end of the summer :)
Ben grabbed a short shower while Ryan and I chatted and they were hitting the bed for the night. I was able to pray with Ryan for the team before we hung up. Now, I need to figure out how to get my camera working so that they can see us at home as well. I sure do like this extra communication verses the silence from Kenya during his two-month trip last summer!
