Bishop Rabb in the Diocese of Cuttack, Church of North India
Bishop John L. Rabb is traveling with his wife, Sharon, in North India to establish a relationship with the Diocese of Cuttack (Church of North India), especially around the issue of educating women.
This travel diary begins with the most recent post from Bishop Rabb with previous posts below.
May 26, 2010
Dear Friends,
We are in Kolkata (Calcutta). We fly home on Friday from what has been a most incredible journey. Today we visited the orphanage where Mother Theresa lived and worked. It is not actually a tourist spot, the Daughters of Charity were kind enough to let us walk through. Never have we seen a greater witness to Matthew 25, “Whatsoever you do for the least of these you do for Christ.” We were moved to tears, and yet I have never seen such faith! As a memory to her, the order has put over the entrance the words the author Malcolm Muggeridge used describe Mother Theresa, "Do something beautiful for God." God cannot be more honored than by the work here!
In peace,
John and Sharon
May 25, 2010
Dear Friends,
We are now in Kalkota (Calcutta) and will get some rest before returning home. We went back to Cuttack from Puri, and toured the New Stewart School which I hope will be in partnership with our schools. “Stewart” is the missionary, William Day Stewart, who set up co-ed schools in the 19th century. Also it was women medical missionaries who set up the hospitals. Gender justice is very important for Cuttack and the Church of North India. While theological classes are on recess we met a most impressive seminarian, and she was with us at St. Stephen's, Benhampur. Finally, Bishop Samson had me share with him officiating at a wedding!
In peace,
John and Sharon
May 23, 2010
Dear Friends,
Today is Pentecost, and I had the opportunity to preach at St. Stephen's in Berhampur and then at Puri Baptist. The Church of North India is a union church and because the ministry is set up in historic succession it is fully Anglican. But the six bodies that joined together, each, had to give something. I was impressed with the number of young people and the whole spirit.
Puri is one of the four great centers for Hindu pilgrimages. Tonight the whole city is alive because this is the season for Hindu weddings.
Monday we will tour the great temples of Konark.
In peace,
John and Sharon
May 20, 2010
Friends,
Today we were in the village of Kirwa, the tribe of Souras. It is most remote, and we received such a warm reception. I preached for the village, and for all of them I was the first American they had ever met. We are staying now in Gopalpur, right on the Bay of Bengal. As Bishop Samson and I talk we want to have links with schools, and nothing would excite them then regular student exchanges.
In peace,
John and Sharon
May 19, 2010
Friends,
We are in Khanditar, a remote Christian community in the Shantil tribe. The Diocese of Cuttack has a wonderful child development program. The children entertained us, and we saw their ministry here. The children send Maryland a greeting.
In peace,
John and Sharon
May 18, 2010
Friends,
We are in Cuttack, India, having arrived in Bhubaneswar from Calcutta. We are being hosted wonderfully by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Samson Das, bishop of Cuttack, and his wife, Rashni Das. Today we toured the Stewart School, one the diocese’s larger schools that was named for the missionary who established education for women. We saw the spectacular Shanti Stupa Buddhist shrine where Emporer Ashoka took on Buddhism. What a rich, varied and most fascinating place!
In peace,
John and Sharon
