First - the "Milestone (of sorts)": after a rugged transition from India to U.S. (scheduled departure 3:00 AM Wednesday, 1/20, scheduled arrival LAX 3:30 PM Wednesday, 1/20 [it's the dateline thing that causes a 22-24 hour flight to depart and arrive on same day!], but due to fog delay and a cascade of human errors, we finally arrived at LAX at 3:30 PM on Friday 1/22), last night (2/6) we had our first, regular, uninterrupted sleep! Yeah, jet lag is over!
Second - "Surprise Developments": we recently discovered that on the day of our arrival in LA (1/22), the Indian government released "clarifications" regarding their new visa policies and regulations. We are now more confused than ever ; it appears neither our current visa - nor the alternative we were preparing - will be suitable based on these new descriptions. We have a de-brief with our leadership scheduled for Monday afternoon; we're hoping things will begin to clarify from that.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Photos From BRT II
These are some photos that go with the previous post. Notice the size of the room!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Follow-up BRT Project
[We - Janis & Chuck - are in the U.S. now, so were not able to be a part of the activity described below. This posting is gleaned from reports received from the interns. Sorry! no photos yet.]
In follow up to the initial BRT Art Project (see previous posting, 1.20.10), a group from Reflection Gallery and our two Made-to-Create interns visited one of the community agencies to have another sessions with some who had been identified as possibly benefiting from additional experience and instruction.
The initial project was outdoors in a BRT park & ride parking lot, this follow up session was in the agency's community room - a very small, perhaps 12'x15', windowless, basement room. There were 23 students, plus agency staff, plus our group of 7 jammed into this room for 4-5 hours. They also experienced a power outage for about 20 minutes during the session. Despite the hardships of cramped space, electricity outage, and a tiring time, the results were very positive.
The students were asked to do 2 paintings. In the first, they were just to experiment with color. According to one of the interns, the results were incredible. The students were very expressive and their color palettes were beautiful.
The second painting was to be another rendition of their drawing done at the initial project. Some of the students had so much fun that after completing this second painting they kept painting on the newspapers that were underneath!
In follow up to the initial BRT Art Project (see previous posting, 1.20.10), a group from Reflection Gallery and our two Made-to-Create interns visited one of the community agencies to have another sessions with some who had been identified as possibly benefiting from additional experience and instruction.
The initial project was outdoors in a BRT park & ride parking lot, this follow up session was in the agency's community room - a very small, perhaps 12'x15', windowless, basement room. There were 23 students, plus agency staff, plus our group of 7 jammed into this room for 4-5 hours. They also experienced a power outage for about 20 minutes during the session. Despite the hardships of cramped space, electricity outage, and a tiring time, the results were very positive.
The students were asked to do 2 paintings. In the first, they were just to experiment with color. According to one of the interns, the results were incredible. The students were very expressive and their color palettes were beautiful.
The second painting was to be another rendition of their drawing done at the initial project. Some of the students had so much fun that after completing this second painting they kept painting on the newspapers that were underneath!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Project
Just before we left for our unexpected 2-month stay in the U.S., a local Delhi activist research agency sponsored an activity focused on the effect of the recent mass transit project on the lives of the poorer residents of Delhi. Two community agencies (all of whose projects are funded entirely from within their own communities), and Made to Create and Reflection Art Gallery (representing the Art for Change Foundation) were invited to participate. Please enjoy this brief photo record of a personally moving day. Take note of the setting - carpet laid over a "park-and-ride" parking lot that is built over the top of an open sewer drain. After the art activity (10 am-5pm) there was a social time in the very little one-room school operated by one of the community agencies.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Back To Diversion House!
Diversion House - an activity of Catalysts, that we as Made to Create, a project of Art for Change Foundation and Reflection Art Gallery, often collaborate with on art and creative events for these young girls rescued recently from the streets of Delhi.
Always a delight! This time three nationals from the Gallery, our interns, and Janis and Chuck went for several hours. Four of the girls who are enrolled in a nearby school were given permission to "bunk" that day so they could be with us! Precious. We always feel like we gain more from these times with them than we bring to them.
On the way - even though the car was a little bigger than we usually get, it was still a little cramped with all of us.
The activity this time was for the girls to paint a prayer. We started with a short discussion about prayer, and then gave them time to think. Here is the process and some results....
Always a delight! This time three nationals from the Gallery, our interns, and Janis and Chuck went for several hours. Four of the girls who are enrolled in a nearby school were given permission to "bunk" that day so they could be with us! Precious. We always feel like we gain more from these times with them than we bring to them.
On the way - even though the car was a little bigger than we usually get, it was still a little cramped with all of us.
The activity this time was for the girls to paint a prayer. We started with a short discussion about prayer, and then gave them time to think. Here is the process and some results....
Friday, January 15, 2010
Life in Delhi - Winter '09-'10
Life in Delhi this winter has developed much differently that we had expected. Guess that fits with our theme of, "a journey of emerging discovery." It certainly keeps things interesting, though not always comfortable.
Here are a couple shots of things that are more interesting!
Delhi is full of wild street dogs, though they're usually pretty peaceful. Ocassionally you hear of someone being bit and having to go through rabies treatment, but usually they just hang around, often scrounging for bits of food. This one is taking it easy with a rare treat for a dog. Look carefully - it's actually drinking Coke from the Coke bottle!
Visitors have been quite frequent lately. We finally met up with this former student of mine in INSIGHT, and a "mentee" of Janis'. We've been trading places between the US and India the last couple of years. When we're in the US she's here in India. When we return to India, she has returned to the US. She's here now for an extended time in a study-abroad program. They're meeting in Reflection Art Gallery for this photo since both are artists.
After our last trip to the US, a couple young artists asked if they could visit us and intern the first several months of 2010. At the time, it sounded like a great idea. So plans were set. Unfortunately, early December we heard about the new visa regulations for India, which requires that we be out-of -country during the time the interns were scheduled to be in-country! Consequently, plans had to be adjusted. As it turns out, all this may be "a blessing in disguise." The interns will now serve at Reflection Gallery four days a week under the direction of the Gallery Founder and Director. They will be co-teaching the next session of Art Classes for "Made To Create" with the national artist who has been teaching with us. Now we will really see if what we have been piloting can be replicated!
Below, Janis and the interns meet one of the ladies of our neighborhood who has taken an interest in some of our creativity- and art-workshops.
Here are a couple shots of things that are more interesting!
Delhi is full of wild street dogs, though they're usually pretty peaceful. Ocassionally you hear of someone being bit and having to go through rabies treatment, but usually they just hang around, often scrounging for bits of food. This one is taking it easy with a rare treat for a dog. Look carefully - it's actually drinking Coke from the Coke bottle!
Visitors have been quite frequent lately. We finally met up with this former student of mine in INSIGHT, and a "mentee" of Janis'. We've been trading places between the US and India the last couple of years. When we're in the US she's here in India. When we return to India, she has returned to the US. She's here now for an extended time in a study-abroad program. They're meeting in Reflection Art Gallery for this photo since both are artists.
After our last trip to the US, a couple young artists asked if they could visit us and intern the first several months of 2010. At the time, it sounded like a great idea. So plans were set. Unfortunately, early December we heard about the new visa regulations for India, which requires that we be out-of -country during the time the interns were scheduled to be in-country! Consequently, plans had to be adjusted. As it turns out, all this may be "a blessing in disguise." The interns will now serve at Reflection Gallery four days a week under the direction of the Gallery Founder and Director. They will be co-teaching the next session of Art Classes for "Made To Create" with the national artist who has been teaching with us. Now we will really see if what we have been piloting can be replicated!
Below, Janis and the interns meet one of the ladies of our neighborhood who has taken an interest in some of our creativity- and art-workshops.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Home Fellowship
We've been a part of a home fellowship this past year that meets weekly to discuss the Bible. Here are some of us at Chuck & Janis' the week before Christmas.
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