Dear Friends,

I’m writing you this afternoon from our Sari Bari office, Bollywood music filling the space around me, the afternoon heat and humidity making it difficult to stay dry (and patient, if I was honest…).

I sit here in reflection at the way celebration and mourning mold into one solid path here in this city. The sadness of loss and constant struggle of many of our ladies’ daily lives mix with victories and celebrations. I find myself whispering prayers for strength and courage, for love to cover a multitude of sins and selfishness, and for God’s grace to pave our way…Consistently, in the midst of the brokenness, death, sickness, and struggle there is good pushing open doors, declaring hope and life and a new way, I can’t go a day without being attacked by the love and embrace of our ladies…and I hold hope, though often only by a string, that things are being made new here… I must allow brokenness and celebration to continue dancing inseparable in my life.

This past Tuesday marks the opening of our first Sari Bari Prevention Unit in Canning, a village outside Kolkata. It is a beautiful airy place, two stories high, that will soon enough be full of hands stitching for freedom, declaring something new in a village marked by traffickers as an easy target...

The Sari Bari Prevention Unit is our response to the growing need for employment for young women who, in the past, have had to take the risk of trusting a stranger and ending up in sexual slavery. In hiring 17-25 year old women, we are preventing them from being trafficked into the city as sex workers. Through our visits to Canning our staff have discovered that many come through the village with job offers, only to sell these vulnerable women into the sex trade once they reach the city.

This new step will not only change individual women’s lives, but the trust of an entire community! It is our dream to start more prevention units like this one so girls from desperate and poverty stricken situations don’t have to begin selling their bodies to support their families. I can’t look far without being reminded of why I am so honored to work and serve here in Kolkata…

*******

At the age of six, my little buddy Bitu is already being utilized in the evening rush hours as a broker for customers. We’ve known him and his mother for years. Prayed countless mornings for his childhood to be restored. I remember many days visiting his room, seeing him tied to the bed, locked in the room, unable to run and play and learn to write like most boys his age…His smile always lit up the room. Two weeks ago, his mother finally allowed him to be admitted to a boarding school. A gift I find difficult to describe, we have fought and prayed and hoped for this little one for so long, seeing no fruit, I often wondered what the use was in all the effort…but I am reminded of what a mustard seed of hope and faith is worth when I watch school doors open and childhood dreams begin…

*******

Our work and advocacy for friends affected with HIV continues to stir my dreams for the future. We mourned the loss of one of our ladies’ husbands, who recently passed away of AIDS related complications. Watching our Sari Bari family gather in support during such a sad time reminded me of the family I have been grafted into. I find myself continuing to brainstorm and dream for what we can offer our friends and their kids who have been affected by this disease. The problem of HIV/AIDS becomes personal when those affected are your sisters, brothers, friends…

*******

There’s only one week left until my return to the states for two months. As I look ahead to this time away, I am hopeful, in need of restoration, peace, and healing. This last season has been a lot to handle and I pray that God’s hand of peace and grace would cover and restore me.

As I continue to learn how to support and lead this field I want to thank you for they ways you have chosen to journey beside me. Thank you for your sacrifices on my behalf, your generosity, faithful encouragement, and prayers.

If you are interested in having me share with your church, small group, or organization about Sari Bari and our work of freedom in Kolkata’s red light districts while I am at home please contact me by email: beth.waterman@wordmadeflesh.org or by phone (765)963-2807.

I want to invite as many as possible into the celebration and brokenness of our Kolkata family, and would be honored to meet with you!! As always, I pray that you also are able to remain hopeful in the places you find yourself…allowing the suffering and the celebration to paint something new…and for God’s grace and mercy to cover your steps…

Peace,

Beth

For more information about how to support Sari Bari, our Prevention Unit, or me personally, please visit the following or email me for more information.

www.saribari.com

http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/support/give/