The Durgoutsav Festival!

The Shri Shri Durga Puja, commonly known as Durgoutsav in Bangladesh, is a five day Hundu festival that began here on the 24th of September. In the Bengali cultural and traditional folk literatures, Durga, who is the Hindu War Goddess, decends upon the earth during these four days accompanied by her children.

Idols of the Goddess Durga were displayed around the city in pandals for the public to worship. The festival is a symbol of her triumph of good over evil, and there were several processions and musical programmes with dancing and singing.

We were able to head to the Dhakeshwari Temple in Old Dhaka and go and see the festivities. This is one of the largest and most well known Hindu temples in all of Bangladesh so it was interesting to see it during this time of celebration. There were hundreds of people there including the local news station.

We were able to wander quite freely through it, although there was a consistent amount of staring and following, people coming up to us and looking at us... and MANY MANY men wanting thier pictures taken with US. We became a bit of a novelty, since it is apparently VERY rare to see people like "us" in the heart of Old Dhaka (this is the oldest area of town where not many, or any at all, expatriates go), and therefore ended up getting interviewed by the local news station.

Although I was trying to be removed from the situation and tried to take pictures of Debbie and Jamie being interviewed, they caught me and put the camera right in my face and asked me (in Bengali) if I had anything to say.

I looked straight into the live camera, and said "Jesus is Lord, and I will pray for the country of Bangladesh to know Jesus as your savior. The gods of Hinduism do not exist, and you are following a falacy."

.....

Not sure how I had the "guts" to say that in the midst of a festival, but needless to say they had nothing to say back to me, dropped their cameras, and walked away...

We left shortly after that...

What an experience!

Take a look at some of these pictures of idol worship that I have posted below of people bowing down and lighting candles and praying to these wooden statues...

Scripture tells us in Exodus 20:4-5 " You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is the earth beneath, or that is the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your GOD am a jealous God..."

There are several other passages on Idol Worship in t

he Bible. It was hard to see.

Here are some pictures of the festival, I was able to see the inside of the temple, and look through the markets. I bought another wooden flute which was a blessing!

May the grace of God be known to each of you,

More soon!

In Christ,

Corinne

Dreams....

What does a child in Dhaka dream? What are their ambitions?

I am forced to question this as I see so many of them laying in the street or foot paths... or crying in their mothers' arms as they beg for food... ...

The other day I was walking down Gulshan Avenue (a "major" street here in Dhaka), and children who could not have been more than 3 or 4 years old, just barely old enough to speak, came stumbling towards me with their hands out yelling at me "Madam! Bhakshish!".... which means money in English...

I couldn't really believe it.... children so young.... running in ragged clothes towards me, taught to beg from such a young age.... what do we teach our children of that age? When is it that we start telling them that "they can be anything if they would only put their minds to it?".... or when is it after that that we start asking them "what they want to be when they grow up?".... What does a child in Dhaka get asked?

What opportunity do they have? What are their hopes? What are their dreams? I wish I could understand but I cannot.

I was raised in a wonderful home, with parents who have taught me that I can do anything if I work at it...that I could go to University and take any courses I wanted in any subject and they would be a support and encouragement to me... such big dreams I had... and still do. Even here... but I cannot comprehend those of the children... or those lost in the mothers...

I look at the Rickshaw drivers and wonder if that was their dream... or if somewhere in their mind they are wishing that they could be more like the person who is paying them to peddle their bikes around the city.... if they ever dreamed that life could be different for them...

I was forced to go to scripture and prayer for an answer to this, and I do not think that we are supposed to completely understand God in His ways (Isaiah 55:9 - look it up!!), nor do I question His purpose for our lives...

God states that we are not supposed to have our eyes set on the things of this world.... but on the things above in heaven. (Col 3:1-4)....

I think often in this life we forget that we can't take any of it with us.... that the reason I look at these children and want "more" for them is because I have forgotten what it is like to have less...to not put worth and value and joy in the things that will pass... I will not likely understand what it is like to be a child growing up here, nor will they know what it is like to grow up in the infamous West, the world of opportunity that we present it as...

As I am here in Dhaka City, a metropolis of poverty, I am faced with the question of what exactly I plan on taking away from this experience, and how I am supposed to compose thoughts about these children in the street... I am not sure if I can really pull that together for you, as I feel like it is beyond my current understanding, yet I am changed by it.

More reflections later on, thank you for reading and for your prayers everyone, they are much needed in this challenging place...

In Christ's love,

Corinne

(Psalm 29:11)

Parent - Teacher Night

Hello Everyone!

I managed to survive my first Parent-Teacher night. Of course, I had to take pictures, since this may only happen a few times in my Bengali life. The evening went well and most of the parents were supportive of my efforts here. I was pleased to know that I am at least giving the impression that I am doing a good job :)

Anyways, I have a few interesting stories to pass on about Eid going on this weekend. More on that soon, just thought I would send a quick update saying that I haven't gotten myself fired yet or anything :)

I did have a chance to speak with one of the parents about how God has brought me here. It was great to know that their children had been praying for a "good" Physics teacher. Isn't it amazing how God knows far in advance how things are going to happen? I often think about the day the seed fell from the tree that would plant the one they would use to make the cross for Christ. God knew about that seed from the moment it was first formed, fell to the ground, and began to grow. He knew that His Son would hang from it in order to save all of mankind from their sin.

Unbelievable.

The Divine providence of God is something that we cannot understand. Therefore we should Praise Him, as His ways are far above ours, and He always wants what is best for us.

More soon,

In Christ,

Corinne :)

Savar Dhaka's National Monument

Dhaka's National Monument, which is found in Savar, Dhaka, is a monument to the national martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Bangladesh. The monument was designed by Arch Syed Maiul Hussain and is about 150 feet tall.

I was interested to find out that there are SEVERAL mass-graves in front of the monument.

It was interesting that while we were there, people were literally following us around taking pictures of us!! Finally, myself, Tena, and Hannah (some fellow teachers) starting striking "poses" for them, and then we really caused a stir. We had CROWDS around us. If you don't let it get to you, you really do feel like a movie star! :)

You can really see here, on the grounds surrounding the monument, firstly how beautiful they were, and secondly some women in the corner who are completely covered...we decided to keep our heads covered as well to draw less attention...although it didn't work!

Anyways, it was a good trip and interesting to see the monument. More updates again soon!

Much prayers needed,

In Christ,

Corinne :)

A Triad of Events

Hello Everyone!

I am so thankful for those faithful few who are still reading this, I always appreciate your comments! I cannot believe that I am just over 1/8 done my term here... As I am curriculum planning and lesson planning it is hard to believe!

I was hoping to post this yesterday when I wrote it, but alas, there was no internet, and after being hit by a car a few nights ago I decided to sleep for a few days :) All is well, just bruised on one side, it was bound to happen since walking home from school through our streets is a risk I take daily.

Just a few days ago a unique occurrence came to me as I realized the date. I realized that three major events in our history occurred not to far from one another .

Firstly, 20 years ago the falling of the Berlin wall in 1989 a symbol of infamy and hatred...allowing freedom and democratization of Europe.

Secondly, exactly 8 years ago yesterday, the fall of the twin towers in New York City, a symbol of American wealth and materialism... have we ever really looked at each other the same way?

Thirdly, the collapse of the Northern Rock in England along with other major banks, just 2 years ago, became what we call the credit crunch....which seems to have somewhat put to end the belief in free market capitalism.

We can be sure about a few things concerning these events...First that they changed the world forever, Secondly, that they all celebrate anniversaries about the same time, and Thirdly, that no one really knew they were going to happen.

I suppose that made me think back to how this applies to our own lives. Again I can say that we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, and I think that most of us can say that we understand this. However, I think it is also important to think about what these events have changed in us.

As I am here now in Dhaka thinking sometimes about how it doesn't feel like home and I miss some of the comforts I used to have... I have come to the point that I really need to cherish these times. Do you think that the people who walked into the twin towers knew that they were going to die that day? Did the husbands and wives say I love you that morning? Did the parents hug their kids goodbye? Did they soak up every moment?

I often wonder if I am letting this time pass and look forward to other times. Isn't that what we often do in life? Look forward? Hope for the future? Does our society not teach us that? That we should just wait and make more money and get the NEXT biggest thing and that THEN we will be happy?

I can't say I am here making heaps of money and buying big things, but I currently catch myself from time to time looking forward to Christmas....seeing my family. Am I making the most of what is now?

How can we know?

Just a thought today.... How do you make the most of it? .... I suppose you need to figure out what is important to you.

I have had some great times in prayer here, and am enjoying the fellowship. I have attached a picture of some of the teachers and me at church. More soon!

In Christ,

Corinne

Quick Update

Hello everyone!
It has been a very quick few days since I have last written. I am often up very late (like now), attempting to complete everything before the sun rises the next day. I am quite exhausted and could require some prayers! I haven't had internet or power these last few days so I haven't had a chance to write to you. I have some interesting updates I would love to post soon so please stay tuned for this weekend where I will hopefully have a chance to tell you some more "Only in Bangladesh" stories and post more pictures.
Thank you for all your prayers, I am doing well, just very tired and working very hard.

In Christ,
Corinne
Psalm 29:11

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The Durgoutsav Festival!

Posted by: Corinne

.....

Not sure how I had the "guts" to say that in the midst of a festival, but needless to say they had nothing to say back to me, dropped their cameras, and walked away...

We left shortly after that...

What an experience!

Take a look at some of these pictures of idol worship that I have posted below of people bowing down and lighting candles and praying to these wooden statues...

There are several other passages on Idol Worship in t

he Bible. It was hard to see.

Here are some pictures of the festival, I was able to see the inside of the temple, and look through the markets. I bought another wooden flute which was a blessing!

May the grace of God be known to each of you,

More soon!

In Christ,

Corinne

6 comments

Dreams....

Posted by: Corinne in Col 1:3-4

What does a child in Dhaka dream? What are their ambitions?

I am forced to question this as I see so many of them laying in the street or foot paths... or crying in their mothers' arms as they beg for food... ...

What opportunity do they have? What are their hopes? What are their dreams? I wish I could understand but I cannot.

God states that we are not supposed to have our eyes set on the things of this world.... but on the things above in heaven. (Col 3:1-4)....

More reflections later on, thank you for reading and for your prayers everyone, they are much needed in this challenging place...

In Christ's love,

Corinne

(Psalm 29:11)

5 comments

Parent - Teacher Night

Posted by: Corinne

Hello Everyone!

Unbelievable.

The Divine providence of God is something that we cannot understand. Therefore we should Praise Him, as His ways are far above ours, and He always wants what is best for us.

More soon,

In Christ,

Corinne :)

8 comments

Savar Dhaka's National Monument

Posted by: Corinne

I was interested to find out that there are SEVERAL mass-graves in front of the monument.

Anyways, it was a good trip and interesting to see the monument. More updates again soon!

Much prayers needed,

In Christ,

Corinne :)

2 comments

A Triad of Events

Posted by: Corinne

Hello Everyone!

Just a few days ago a unique occurrence came to me as I realized the date. I realized that three major events in our history occurred not to far from one another .

Firstly, 20 years ago the falling of the Berlin wall in 1989 a symbol of infamy and hatred...allowing freedom and democratization of Europe.

Secondly, exactly 8 years ago yesterday, the fall of the twin towers in New York City, a symbol of American wealth and materialism... have we ever really looked at each other the same way?

How can we know?

Just a thought today.... How do you make the most of it? .... I suppose you need to figure out what is important to you.

I have had some great times in prayer here, and am enjoying the fellowship. I have attached a picture of some of the teachers and me at church. More soon!

In Christ,

Corinne

Cori in Dhaka