Fri Oct 16

The last stretch of the road to our church building is now a framework of stringed lights making a tunnel. The School yard where a Hindu temple with the gods and goddesses lit up in green lights is right next door to where we have Sunday school. The school yard has a big tent set up with chairs

It is *Sharadiya Durga Puja* — the biggest festival for Bengali Hindus.

In Bangladesh this year Maha Shashthi is *today, Friday October 16*, and it runs to Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday October 21. Mahalaya was last Saturday, October 10, which marked the beginning of Devi Paksha.

*The Goddess is Goddess Durga.*

She is worshipped as:

- *Mahishasura Mardini* - the slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishasura. The gods created her when no god could defeat him alone. She rode into battle on a lion and after 9 nights defeated him, which is celebrated as victory of good over evil.

- *Shakti* - the divine feminine energy, the source of all power and creation.

- *Uma / Mother* - in Bengal tradition she is not just a warrior, she is also seen as a daughter returning to her parents' home on Earth with her four children - Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kartikeya - for 5 days. So it is both a religious worship and a homecoming celebration.

*What does she stand for?*

1. *Protection and courage* - she stands for strength that protects the righteous

2. *Justice - good over evil* - her victory over Mahishasura symbolizes truth winning over tyranny

3. *Motherhood and compassion* - she is the nurturing mother who cares for her devotees, brings good harvest and prosperity

4. *Unity* - the puja itself is now recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage for its art, community participation and craftsmanship

This year Bangladesh is holding puja at 33,851 mandaps nationwide, with public holidays from Oct 20-22.

 Sunday School this morning here in Choygoria was 18 boys and girls that showed up.

Chakrakhali Sun school was canceled because it is at the home of a Hindu family and they are busy with their celebrations.

Shotti and Antoor didn’t make it to church due to migraine, etc. Shanto was quite emotional as he shared at prayer request time. We invited him and Spondant(youngest son who can interpret for us) in after church to share more of his burden… life is not easy for these natives, aspects of their culture add complications that seem so unnecessary,…