Greetings from the hills of Mussoorie! My week of "lasts" went well in Kolkata, and I am sure that I was being carried by those who prayed that I would "finish well"! Thank you!!!
The Fri night dinner with friends and fellow residents of Pauline Bhawan went well on the 16th! Sat was just a day of hanging out and finishing up practical things. Sun at church was very special. Prashanto and his wife Malabika sang a song, like a traditional Hindi bajan, that they had sung before and that I like. Several people gave thank yous after the service was over, and then I was asked to say a few things. I was able to do so without breaking down, something that I was grateful for.
As I headed down the stairs on Mon a.m. for the Assembly, I thought I was going to loose it, and I cried out to the Lord for His help! The Assembly was lovely with the entire student body in front of me singing the school song, and then two students saying nice things about me and presenting me with cards. Of course, the principal asked me to say a few things, and I was able to do it without "loosing" it! Thank you, Jesus.
The hardest good bye was the final one with the residents of PB encircling me and Deep in my arms. Debbie, newly returned from N. Ireland, assured me of their love and prayers. Prayers, hugs, tears and off I went to spend the night at Premila's. Emotionally exhausted, I dropped into bed that night shortly after dinner. Premila and I agreed that one of the highlights of the time in Kolkata for each of us was getting to know each other! Though we have known each other for more than 40 years, we didn't really "know" each other until now. She is such a special person and oh so compotent. We have spoken by phone a couple of times since I left. I pray that the Lord will really bless her!!!
The flight to Delhi went smoothly, and my taxi driver managed to find the Wetherby's place with the help of dear Carolyn coming out to the street to wave us down! Though hot upon arrival, a wind blew through on the 20th night, and cooled things off for a bit of running around the next day. The highlight was having lunch with Probhita, Premila's daughter, and her family! Carolyn is Ria's piano teacher!!! (Ria is 10 years old, a girl.)
On Thurs a.m. when the taxi came just after 6 a.m. to take me to the train station, it was down right chilly!!! Getting on the train with the help of a coolie was easy, and the trip went smoothly and arrived on time. Mohan Chacko, President of Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Dehra Dun was there to meet me. I thought it would be just someone from campus. Driving onto the campus reminded me of how much I enjoyed my seven years on this side of India! I had a delightful time with the Chackos, the Grace Academy teachers and the Newtons, and felt at home every moment of the time. I also got in a visit with the Calvin Taylors, and ate more than my share of Tibetan food . . . yum!!! One of the highlights was seeing Maria Chacko, Class of 2001 from Woodstock . . . I haven't seen her since she graduated, and meeting her husband Ramesh.
Sun I headed up the mountain. It has been a wonderful time. In my unrealistic mind there are always so many long walks that I am going to take, etc., but . . . most of them won't happen. However, reunions with people have been very special!!! I am not the only former staff member that is visiting at the moment, and tonight we are gathering at Criders for a meal . . . old timers and even some new timers with old timers connections.
I head back to Delhi on Sat the 31st by train and will be at the Delhi airport by about 10 p.m. on Mon night to begin the long trip home. (My flight is scheduled to leave at 12:50 a.m.) The scheduled travel time is 27 hours!!! I have a great book to read, and just hope I will still know my name when I arrive!!! I also pray that my bags will arrive on the plane with me. I have to pick them up in JFK to clear Customs and Immigration, and then they get rechecked for the flight to Richmond. As I am gaining time all the way back I am actually due in at 6 p.m. Richmond time!
The Fri night dinner with friends and fellow residents of Pauline Bhawan went well on the 16th! Sat was just a day of hanging out and finishing up practical things. Sun at church was very special. Prashanto and his wife Malabika sang a song, like a traditional Hindi bajan, that they had sung before and that I like. Several people gave thank yous after the service was over, and then I was asked to say a few things. I was able to do so without breaking down, something that I was grateful for.
As I headed down the stairs on Mon a.m. for the Assembly, I thought I was going to loose it, and I cried out to the Lord for His help! The Assembly was lovely with the entire student body in front of me singing the school song, and then two students saying nice things about me and presenting me with cards. Of course, the principal asked me to say a few things, and I was able to do it without "loosing" it! Thank you, Jesus.
The hardest good bye was the final one with the residents of PB encircling me and Deep in my arms. Debbie, newly returned from N. Ireland, assured me of their love and prayers. Prayers, hugs, tears and off I went to spend the night at Premila's. Emotionally exhausted, I dropped into bed that night shortly after dinner. Premila and I agreed that one of the highlights of the time in Kolkata for each of us was getting to know each other! Though we have known each other for more than 40 years, we didn't really "know" each other until now. She is such a special person and oh so compotent. We have spoken by phone a couple of times since I left. I pray that the Lord will really bless her!!!
The flight to Delhi went smoothly, and my taxi driver managed to find the Wetherby's place with the help of dear Carolyn coming out to the street to wave us down! Though hot upon arrival, a wind blew through on the 20th night, and cooled things off for a bit of running around the next day. The highlight was having lunch with Probhita, Premila's daughter, and her family! Carolyn is Ria's piano teacher!!! (Ria is 10 years old, a girl.)
On Thurs a.m. when the taxi came just after 6 a.m. to take me to the train station, it was down right chilly!!! Getting on the train with the help of a coolie was easy, and the trip went smoothly and arrived on time. Mohan Chacko, President of Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Dehra Dun was there to meet me. I thought it would be just someone from campus. Driving onto the campus reminded me of how much I enjoyed my seven years on this side of India! I had a delightful time with the Chackos, the Grace Academy teachers and the Newtons, and felt at home every moment of the time. I also got in a visit with the Calvin Taylors, and ate more than my share of Tibetan food . . . yum!!! One of the highlights was seeing Maria Chacko, Class of 2001 from Woodstock . . . I haven't seen her since she graduated, and meeting her husband Ramesh.
Sun I headed up the mountain. It has been a wonderful time. In my unrealistic mind there are always so many long walks that I am going to take, etc., but . . . most of them won't happen. However, reunions with people have been very special!!! I am not the only former staff member that is visiting at the moment, and tonight we are gathering at Criders for a meal . . . old timers and even some new timers with old timers connections.
I head back to Delhi on Sat the 31st by train and will be at the Delhi airport by about 10 p.m. on Mon night to begin the long trip home. (My flight is scheduled to leave at 12:50 a.m.) The scheduled travel time is 27 hours!!! I have a great book to read, and just hope I will still know my name when I arrive!!! I also pray that my bags will arrive on the plane with me. I have to pick them up in JFK to clear Customs and Immigration, and then they get rechecked for the flight to Richmond. As I am gaining time all the way back I am actually due in at 6 p.m. Richmond time!
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