February 1990

Dear Saints and Aints.

Peace be multiplied unto thee ...

“When in the setting sun, every streamlet is gleaming;
When a tremulous glow spreads over the fields of grain,
A behest to be glad, that seems from all things being,
Doth arise in my heart with pain,
A behest to explore the utmost joy of being ...”

It is evening time. The sun, though gone, paints, out of view the sky with lovely colors stirring in the heart the same kind of emotion, that the aftertaste of some delicious morsel or the lingering thought of a happy occasion, long gone, produce. Myriads of wood and dung fires send pillars of gray smoke, saturated with that peculiar smell intrinsic to it, into the air creating an atmosphere that farmers and villagers throughout the world, throughout the centuries must have associated with food and rest ... The animals have made their way home from wherever they were and the chickens sit, some already asleep, on some perch and the ducks are settling down still filling the world with their qua„qua„qua. Even the noise of the crowd gossiping sparrows has died down as they found a hiding place in some tree. On the playground only those kids who want to get the last bit of playtime out of the day are still lingering. With the deepening darkness a quietness settles over the place that belies the presence of almost 400 people, most of which are a bunch of lively kids, and fills my heart with serenity - a sense of quiet joy.

I often wonder if not God's greatest gift to me is a sense of wonder and joy at the world around me; a wonder and delight that "feed" on sunrises and sunsets, on stars, birds, the antics of the cats, on small flowers, trees, dew drops and kids -on the multitude of the simple but beautiful things that constitute the "composition" of my world ...

The kids, who seem to have a "ready„made" smile just below the surface of a frown and whose laughter often sounds like a bell, are a constant inspiration to me. Their willingness to believe and to hope is like a tonic to a heart having grown somewhat questioning and cynical. For one who used to think of kids only in terms of "nuisance value", I have come a long way ...

Another source of wonder are my friends. Out of the mountain of Christmas mail I culled many lovely gifts: precious thoughts mewards, assurance of prayer and support, confirmation of friendship ... When I read through them the second time I was moved to tears by the many beautiful sentiments expressed and, tears still streaming down my face, I thanked God for you all and also for those whom I fondly call the "silent millions" those "whose fingers are not affectionate with pen or typewriter" but, who over the years, have faithfully supported me through their gifts and prayers. I assure you, not only do I appreciate the gifts -but also the givers. Who is rich if I am not rich, who blessed, or has reason for joy, if not I ...

By the time this newsletter reaches you, most of the Mawchi New Testaments will be in the Mawchi area and, hopefully, many will already have been distributed. A recording ministry recorded the whole Mawchi New Testament on cassettes; my kids did the reading, and now that too is ready for distribution. The money from the New Testaments will go to our other children's refuge in the tribal area.

I am feeling fine. Just before Christmas I had my prostate removed at a Christian hospital in the south of India. It was painless - except for the bill which, however, the OMD will pay and so, the real pain is theirs ... Though for the treatment I received and the way it all was handled, the price is peanuts. Of course the removal of my prostate, even if it was my one and only, will not stop the general "decay". Actually, the other day while getting up, my bones creaked so much - it scared the cat ... Yet, all considered, I am doing fine.

The kids too are fine - broken limbs, boils, scabies, cuts and bruises not counting. Right now they are all worried about the upcoming exams. Though, most of them, will do ok.

Due to the generous help of Sis. Bernice Gerard’s Ministries, we are able to complete most of the dining hall. It will be a big help once it is done. Our dream is now to add a second floor to it and then we would have a dorm big enough to accommodate another 100 kids ... It is a mere $12,000/- (apart from what we regularly need) which would enable me to help a lot more kids. This place could hold a 1000 kids and I don't mind stretching myself a little bit ... People tell me to stop. The problem is I will have to face God and I am scared that he might show me piles of stuff he wanted to pass on to some needy kid and - Frank was not willing because he got scared or lazy or indifferent ... But Saints, even with the largest of hearts - I still need dormitory space ...

In less than two months the first batch of kids will be leaving for their homes in our bus. Shortly after that, in about 5 more trips the rest will go. By the end of May we will reverse the "flow" and, hopefully add to their number ...

Committing ourselves to your love, friendship, and prayers,

Lots of love....

Saint Francis & Saintlets