January 1976

Hi

Greetings from Aachen, Germany.

By the time you receive this letter I should have arrived safely in India.  I contacted Peter and the trip to India by car is on.  We will leave Aachen on Jan. 8th.  The vehicle is a diesel powered van seating 10 people.  Since there are only three of us, Peter, his dad and I, we will have ample room for our luggage. 

The trip will take us through Austria, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan into India.  I estimate that we will take between 10 - 15 days depending on weather - and road conditions and, not in the least on border crossings. 

The weather is usually the great unknown in a venture such as this.  However I expect nasty weather with snow and ice along great stretches of the trip.  The Alps and parts of the mountains in Yugoslavia are most likely snow bound.  I don't know what to expect in Bulgaria, but wouldn't be too surprised to encounter snow in eastern Turkey.  Afghanistan and northern Pakistan will be cold and we might run into some snow going through the Khyber Pass on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

I've no great illusions about the roads either, but will withhold my judgment regarding them till after the trip. I am too much of an adventurer as to not enjoy the contemplation of such an interesting trip.  However, in the final analyses, the trip is only a means to an end. This end is the continuation of my work among the Mawchi people in India. As you know I am no longer with Wycliffe but will work in India on my own.  It was not an easy decision to make, but it was one I felt God wanted me to make. 

Frequently people ask me as to "how sure I was about returning to India on my own".  Well here is my answer.  My one and only goal in life is to serve God.  Therefore any decision I make, which is in agreement with this goal, must, out of necessity, always be a right one.  Furthermore I believe that if God wants me to perform a particular task, He is quite able and capable to inform me regarding it.  He has a number of ways of doing so, but which ever one He deigns to use is one I can understand.  I am sure, beyond the shadow of any doubt, that God speaks my language and can communicate to me His wishes.  This is about all I will say on the subject for now.  I realize that not everybody will agree with me on the subject of guidance, but as long as you are happy about your insight into the subject and leave me to mine I am sure God will forgive you about disagreeing with me ...

As I mentioned before I went to continue my work with the Mawchi people and hope to start translation in about 8 - 10 months after my arrival in India.  How much I will get done is anybody's guess.  I am not even sure as to how long I will be able to stay in India; if I had my wish, at least 10 years initially and another 10 after a short furlough ...  Well we just will have to wait and see.

A number of people asked me how to send money to India should they decide to support me.  Bill and Kay McDonald, my parents in Christ, (I got saved through Bill in December 1964 and kept in the Lord by Kay's great cooking) offered me his help in this matter.  I gave them power of attorney and so he is able to make any and all financial transactions on my behalf.  It was decided they send me any accumulated funds on a monthly or by-monthly schedule.  This will be the safest way all around He will also forward any mail to me till I am able to send you a forwarding address.  Should you have any questions please ask him at least till we can get the mail going again. Well I am spending some time in Germany.  It was the first Christmas in 17 years I was able to spend home with my folks.  It was an enjoyable time so far, eating, drinking and getting caught up with the family gossip.... but now I feel like moving on again and get back to India. Besides prayers for a safe trip, I wish you to pray that I may find favor in the sight of the Indian government and be allowed to stay as long as I wish or need.

Well I better close.  I wish you all a fruitful New Year in the service of our God.

Lovingly in Christ

Frank.