Showers of Joy

Since we've been here the weather has somehow managed to get hotter and hotter with each passing day. Yesterday the heat was taking its toll, even on the locals. After dinner, mom (Mrs. Waid, the orphanage's founder), decided to bring out the hose to get the children wet. At first, we thought we could make a dry escape. We were wrong. We joined the children and pure joy ensued. The caregivers had the brilliant idea to turn this into the children's bath time! Bubbles and giggles filled the air as the children ran around trying to give us a bath as well. By the end we were drenched with water and happiness. Thanks to the sudsy donations, our clothes haven't smelled better since we arrived.

-Elise and Cassie

Over the past two weeks here in Bangladesh, we have had the opportunity to leave the orphanage compound, to journey into Hili, a number of times. We should begin by explaining our modes of transportation. 

Mode 1. The Put-Put (The name is self-explanatory)
The put-put is a motorized tricycle with a flat bed, where we ride. Side effects: the illusion of being on a roller coaster, spinning vision, white knuckles and/or arthritis, and the occasional mouth-full of dust, exhaust, or splattering of poo. 

Mode 2. Rickshaw Van (Disclaimer: This is not a van) 
The rickshaw van is a tricycle with a make-shift wooden bench attached above the two back wheels. The trick of a rickshaw van is to fit as many people as you can and then add three more. Side effects: Spinal re-alignment, loss of feeling in lower body (i.e. bum, legs, feet, ankles, toes), renewed sense of bonding with companions, as well as the risk of loss of upper extremities. 

These rides have given us a new meaning for the word "gawk". Some of the villagers are shy in their approach to staring, while others are bold enough to run right up to us. There are those who yell out the few phrases of English they know: "Hi!", "How are you?", "What is your name?", "What is your country?". Others take pictures- some from afar, some closer than we'd like any camera to be. Once a young man riding on a bike turned around to get a second look at the white girls and to his dismay rode straight into the wall of a road-side shop. We even had a rickshaw van full of policemen snapping shots with their their cell phone cameras! We try to return the favor though, and capture everything we see along the way.

-Elise and Cassie 

Late Thursday night we arrived in Bangladesh.  That is when we realized we were far away from home.  At the airport, we were met with the constant staring that is beginning to feel normal now.  Stepping out of the airport, we were hit by a wall of hot, muggy air and crowded streets lined with garbage and children watching us as they played on the makeshift tin roofs of the slums.  Since we arrived late, we stayed at Bangla Hope's dental clinic in Dhaka.  The next morning we awoke early for an 8 hour drive to the orphanage.  This was not just any drive.  The driving here is beyond chaotic.  Finding proper words to describe vehicle transportation is seemingly impossible.  Drivers weave and pass constantly with literally inches to spare.  The driving is lawless and everyone uses their horns constantly.  Being a passenger under such circumstances isn't easy at times, but we decided to trust the ability of our driver and relax.  Both of us were extremely tired, but our eyes were glued open to the new world around us.  Bangladesh is a country with more people and garbage than any place should have.  Words seem like useless descriptors when trying to explain a world so different than we are used to. 

Traveling is exciting, but after three days of cars, buses, and planes we were exhausted.  We finally arrived at the Bangla Hope orphanage around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  Passing through the gates into the orphanage brought a sight that neither of us could have been prepared for.  One hundred and thirty-three children were lined up perfectly from the smallest itty-bitties to the tallest.  All of them had the most beautiful smiles and bright eyes.  Our hearts felt as though they would burst and it took all of our willpower to fight back tears.  When we got out of the van we were ushered into special seats and the older children sang and danced for us while the younger ones hung garlands around our necks and threw flower petals into our laps. 
This was followed by introductions, handshakes, and hugs from each of the children and staff.  

We have now been at the orphanage for a week and are beginning to settle into our lives here.  Each day brings us new adventures and we find ourselves falling more and more in love with our new home and family.

-Elise & Cassie

Today our journey begins, officially at least.  For years we have both had the desire to go abroad to serve as student missionaries.  This year we felt that God put a special burden on our hearts to go to an orphanage in Bangladesh, called Bangla Hope.  Making the decision to go to Bangladesh was simple, but there were many road blocks along the way.  Numerous times we thought it would be impossible for us to go, but we never gave up hope.  We found that with God, truly nothing is impossible.  God has blessed us with many obvious miracles.  Being the first student missionaries granted an extended visa to Bangladesh, unfailing support from friends and family, and the ability to safely enter the country, despite previous political unrest, are just a few of the ways God has shown His presence in our journey.  We are so excited for the opportunity to serve.  We would love to have you join us.  Experience Hope.