Bob Evans and Peg Mc Intosh belong to that group of dreamers inspired by Bobby Kennedy’s words, “Some men see things as they are and ask why? I dream of things that never were and ask why not?”
Following an early retirement in 1992 they took a step back and asked themselves “what have we always wanted to do, but haven’t had the chance to do? We’d each raised a large family, watched them grow, complete their schooling, marry and have families. We had set them free to follow their dreams, and now we found ourselves in our mid-fifties and free to pursue our unrealized dreams. Both of us knew immediately what that dream would include: travel, education, and cultural experiences. Our journey began with a year of service in Elgin Texas, which gave us the courage to apply for our first assignment overseas, which was two-years in Bangladesh Job Creation Program for women. This involved travel, learning another language, living and working in another culture. It was difficult but amazing; at times it was a heart-wrenching experience of personal growth. It was educational, but more than that it was life changing. As predicted, we would cry three times: 1st, on our arrival; 2nd, on seeing the poverty, and 3rd, on leaving Bangladesh. They would be tears of love, sadness, frustration, and joy, but we continued to serve for 3 more years in British Columbia and in Cambodia to support Peace and Justice for minorities and nationals.
İçerik tablosu
Table of Contents
ii. PREFACE
1. Retirement, As An Adventure
2. Get Ready, Get Set…
3. Our Arrival in Bangladesh
4. Off to Mymensingh and Language Training
5. Pirgacha and Father Homrich
6. Life Outside Our Window
7. Language Study with Miss Nath
8. Brothers of Taizé and a Single Flower
9. Ramadan and Eid in Mymensingh
10. Sheila’s Story
11. The Children of Mymensingh
12. Our Return to Dhaka
13. MCC Bangladesh and Personnel
14. MCC Job Creation National Staff and Producers
15. Getting Around — Rickshaw Wallahs
16. The Saga of Tippy, our resident pet
17. The Passing of a Parent
18. Brother James
19. The Children of Dhaka
20. Nurjahan’s Story
21. Durga Puja—Hindu Festival
22. Being a MCCer in Bangladesh
23. Ramadan and Eid in Dhaka
24. Problems in Projects
25. Entertaining and Being Entertained in Dhaka
26. Nepal and Trekking
27. Christmas at Mymensingh, Brothers of Taize and the Hindu Temple
28. Trip to India Retreat and the Golden Triangle
29. Saidpur and Independent Projects
30. Conclusions, Transition, and Culture Shock
EPILOGUE