LAST YEAR-2012, MARCH 20 : THE SOCIAL WELFARE PEOPLE ILLEGALLY AND FORCEFULLY TOOK THE BOYS AND GIRLS (INCLUDING RUTH, PAYEL AND SUMILA WHO VOLUNTEERED TO GO BECAUSE OF THE YOUNGER ONES) AND KEPT THEM IN GOVERNMENT SPONSORED 'HOMES'- IN HELLISH CONDITIONS, TRAMPLING THEIR BASIC RIGHTS TO FREEDOM, EDUCATION AND CAREER- AND ALTHOUGH WE HAD NOT GIVEN UP HOPE AND CLUNG ON TO THE LAST STRAW OF FAITH IN GOD, WE DID NOT IMAGINE THAT RUTH WOULD BE PLAYING IN A CONCERT ONCE AGAIN AND IN A YEAR'S TIME! LAST SATURDAY, WE PERFORMED AT THE AUDITORIUM OF THE INDIAN MUSEUM (DOROTHY TOO SANG IN A SPECIAL SONG) IN A CONCERT ORGANIZED BY THE KOLKATA MUSIC ACADEMY! TUNEFUL AND SOULFUL DAYS BACK AGAIN! THANK GOD!!
Preparing for the concert...
More than an 100 performers performed - guitar, cello, violin, double bass, viola, vocals...it was a great evening
Sunday, we were able to be part of the worship service at St. Paul's Cathedral; last year the social welfare people did not allow the Hope Home Calcutta folks to attend Church...
The beautiful floral arrangement at St. Paul's on Easter Sunday
Ruth and Payel also received their first communion...
The Bishop of Calcutta giving special gifts to the young people who were confirmed on March 23
THIS IS US...EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31 AT THE LAWNS OF ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL...THIS IS MY FAMILY!!
IN THE EVENING, THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS JOINED TOGETHER IN A PROCESSION (BEGAN FROM THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN CALCUTTA), SINGING SONGS AND PRAISING GOD FOR THE LIVING JESUS, OUR LORD!
THE PROCESSIONS CONVERGED AT THE GROUNDS OF ST. JAMES'S SCHOOL (OPP. MOTHER HOUSE) FOR A TIME OF ROCKING PRAISE AND WORSHIP, CHOREOGRAPHED DANCES AND LIFE-CHANGING REAL-LIFE STORIES!
A WONDERFUL WAY TO END A WONDERFUL DAY...NEVER MIND ALL THE TRAVEL WE HAD TO UNDERTAKE (TWICE TO THE CITY FROM HOPE HOME AND BACK)...AND THE DAY ENDED WITH SOME MOUTH-WATERING BEEF-BIRYANI FROM NIZAMS! AND YES, WE ALL WENT TO SLEEP BY 9 P.M. :-)
