Chilling in Kushtia

This is a wonderful representation of our time in Kumerkhali with my parents:-) The air was clean and fresh. There were lots of animals wondering about. Somehow everyone seems to know which one is theirs! We took lots of walks and like the photo above shows with my dad, we attracted quiet a crowd. Most people know my dad as Mr. Don. Below is a photo of my favorite animal the moish or water buffalo! How can you not just love that face. The owner said it was OK to touch them but their ears kept slapping me and must have weight 10 pound a piece. What a cool part of God's creation!

This does not even begin to describe the crowds that Adam could draw! In this instance we visited the home of the famous poet. Adam stood in front of the gates to take a photo and then about 75 people decided they each wanted to take a photo with him. It was incredibly hilarious and I wish I had thought to get a video of it but I might have been laughing too hard. We had someone then take our family photo after we snuck off to the side. Adam learned a little about what celebrities feel like when they go out into the general population!

Afterwards we took a walk bu the lovely river. It was cool but sunny and a great day to explore a little more around my parents house! We had lots of visitors while we were there. Below is a photo of Roshan our helper from when my parents lived in Kushtia. Everyone wanted to meet the Jamai (this means son-in-law) which Adam was. In Bengali culture the engagement period is only about 3 weeks so the concept of a 6 month engagement was difficult to translate so to most people he was the Jamai or son-in-law. The Jamai has a very special place of honor in the culture as you want to treat him nicely so he will treat your daughter nicely (not a concern in our case). People continually wanted Adam to eat (again why I was glad he would try new foods) and wanted to give him the best of what they had. It is a very generous culture and they really liked how peaceful and tall Adam was! I of course was very proud to get to marry him and to have everyone meet him!

This is a photo from our Landlord's daughter's birthday party. They love to party in Bangladesh. The power went out a few times but that did not stop the festivities! This was the first day of 2010!

Dad and some of the men

The party crowd!

We spent New Years Day at Jahangir and family's home. We ate a wonderful meal. Jhangir has been working with my dad for years and helps run the arsenic program now as my dad has taken on an additional position as director of the health and outreach project in Kumerkhali that my mom works with. They were such gracious hosts which is a theme you see in so many Bengali families!

This was taken before church one Thursday. There is not really an organized 'church' but it is growing. It was special to be able to worship with brothers and sisters in Christ from across the world. They made a time to pray for our upcoming marriage which was really special to Adam and I both.

We spent our evenings and nights playing games and doing puzzles. There is not really a living room there so most of our time was spent on the porch which is where the photo above was taken. Otherwise were were at the dinning table. Adam stayed in the empty apartment next door. I was glad he could stay so close!

Below and above are just a random assortment of photos from different walks and outings that we took. I loved the goats and how they would be dressed in t-shirts at any hint of a chill. The cows had sacks tied around their backs anytime the temps reached in the 50's. It is normally so hot in Bangladesh that 50 degrees seems like frost bite potential! It is cold when you are taking showers without hot running water. Adam took a few cold but I always heated up water on the stove for a bucket bath!

I loved this view of kids just hanging out in the rice field! Below you can see beans and lentil drying. The women sift through them with they feet. You can see the lines in the beans where their feet have been. These beautiful blue king fishers could be seen all over!

We went out with my dad one day to several of the homes in the area that he has provided arsenic filters to. They were all so excited to have him come to their home and then to show Adam the filters. If the arsenic poisoning is caught quickly enough and the affected individual stops drinking the water they can avoid the end organ damage that causes death. It is amazing how these filters can help change the outcomes of stories and build bridges with people in the community. My dad continues to direct this project and other health care project. Needless to say they are very busy! This photos was taken outside the house with the lady that helps my mom out three days a week. She loves these goats and wanted to take a photo with us and the goats. They belong to our landlord but everyone helps to keep them fed. I love that the little goat is wearing a t-shirt!