It is about 7:55 p.m. here in Dehradun. I arrived back just after noon, and have enjoyed an afternoon to myself. I have unpack and started repacking! No one asked me about taking devotions tonight with the 'kids', and I decided not to volunteer. They have had a couple of people from Scripture Union on campus all week. At first I thought maybe they weren't having devotions, but the singing started at 7, so I guess they had them without me!
Last Sat night, all of the 91 students in boarding were present at devotions! I felt so incredibly free as I shared my story, and they interacted with me nicely which I was happy about. I then went to dinner with the girls, and enjoyed talking to a couple of the girls. I think maybe different ones are being 'assigned' to eat with me which is nice! I will see them in the a.m. as I am going on the GA bus with them to church at Presbyterian Theological Seminary. There are several congregations that meet on the grounds in various Indian language groups. I attend the English service! I love it when I hear all of the languages singing as you walk across campus!
It was really nice to be there last week and to get to touch base with Mohan and Judy Chacko. I commented to Judy, "This feels like home!" as we sat on the porch drinking coffee. Ramesh, Maria and their two daughers joined us later. Maria is Mohan and Judy's daughter. Ramesh teaches at PTS and is finishing up doctoral studies that he did in Holland for a couple of years. He grew up at Bhogpur Children's Home and told me once if he hadn't grown up there, he'd be a rickshaw driver!!! I just love the ministry of giving people a 'leg up'!
The car picked me up at 2:00 as scheduled, and by 3:30 I was in the home of Dana and Judy Crider, long term residents of Mussoorie. They have been at WS for 36 years, but Judy was there as a student. She started Woodstock when was 6!
One of the reasons that I didn't 'volunteer' to do anything tonight here at GA is because I arrived back really very tired. This is day 10 in India, so my body is over jet lag, but the sheer 'demands' of the terrain of Mussoorie was harder on my body than I expected it to be. All of the up and down, and then also all of the excitment of seeing people. I loved every minute of the time, but man I generally woke up still tired every a.m. So, I'm going to bed early tonight, but I did think 8:00 was too early!!!
One of the very rewarding things about the week was to meet one old student, there are several on staff, but this one left WS making very unwise choices. I had heard that he had turned his life around, but to see him, hear others speak highly of the job he is doing, to meet his wife and his children . . . special . . . thank you so much, Lord!!! Yesterday during the lunch hour, I had a chance to tell him how proud I was of the man he has become. I'd known him since 7th grade! The irrestible grace of God!!! Love it!
All of this said, I am going to put my 'wonderings' about whether or not I should return to work at WS to rest. I will always have a special place in my heart for this very special place, but . . . I'd have to start all over on relationships with students which was the most meaningful thing about being there to me. The pace of life there is more than I want to take on again, or even think it would be wise to do. And, I just cannot climb those hills like I used to be able to!!! I have real peace and confidence that this is a right and good decision. I didn't even talk to anyone about coming back. This is a big answer to the VISION part of the REV . . . reasons for going!
After working at it all week, though not very consistently, I finally have a working Indian phone!!!
That adds a level of 'security' in that I can call someone if I need to . . .
I expect a fairly quiet day tomorrow and don't leave until the evening on Mon for Kolkata. Wonder what that week will bring! I'll let you know!!!
Last Sat night, all of the 91 students in boarding were present at devotions! I felt so incredibly free as I shared my story, and they interacted with me nicely which I was happy about. I then went to dinner with the girls, and enjoyed talking to a couple of the girls. I think maybe different ones are being 'assigned' to eat with me which is nice! I will see them in the a.m. as I am going on the GA bus with them to church at Presbyterian Theological Seminary. There are several congregations that meet on the grounds in various Indian language groups. I attend the English service! I love it when I hear all of the languages singing as you walk across campus!
It was really nice to be there last week and to get to touch base with Mohan and Judy Chacko. I commented to Judy, "This feels like home!" as we sat on the porch drinking coffee. Ramesh, Maria and their two daughers joined us later. Maria is Mohan and Judy's daughter. Ramesh teaches at PTS and is finishing up doctoral studies that he did in Holland for a couple of years. He grew up at Bhogpur Children's Home and told me once if he hadn't grown up there, he'd be a rickshaw driver!!! I just love the ministry of giving people a 'leg up'!
The car picked me up at 2:00 as scheduled, and by 3:30 I was in the home of Dana and Judy Crider, long term residents of Mussoorie. They have been at WS for 36 years, but Judy was there as a student. She started Woodstock when was 6!
One of the reasons that I didn't 'volunteer' to do anything tonight here at GA is because I arrived back really very tired. This is day 10 in India, so my body is over jet lag, but the sheer 'demands' of the terrain of Mussoorie was harder on my body than I expected it to be. All of the up and down, and then also all of the excitment of seeing people. I loved every minute of the time, but man I generally woke up still tired every a.m. So, I'm going to bed early tonight, but I did think 8:00 was too early!!!
One of the very rewarding things about the week was to meet one old student, there are several on staff, but this one left WS making very unwise choices. I had heard that he had turned his life around, but to see him, hear others speak highly of the job he is doing, to meet his wife and his children . . . special . . . thank you so much, Lord!!! Yesterday during the lunch hour, I had a chance to tell him how proud I was of the man he has become. I'd known him since 7th grade! The irrestible grace of God!!! Love it!
All of this said, I am going to put my 'wonderings' about whether or not I should return to work at WS to rest. I will always have a special place in my heart for this very special place, but . . . I'd have to start all over on relationships with students which was the most meaningful thing about being there to me. The pace of life there is more than I want to take on again, or even think it would be wise to do. And, I just cannot climb those hills like I used to be able to!!! I have real peace and confidence that this is a right and good decision. I didn't even talk to anyone about coming back. This is a big answer to the VISION part of the REV . . . reasons for going!
After working at it all week, though not very consistently, I finally have a working Indian phone!!!
That adds a level of 'security' in that I can call someone if I need to . . .
I expect a fairly quiet day tomorrow and don't leave until the evening on Mon for Kolkata. Wonder what that week will bring! I'll let you know!!!
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