March 2002

Dear Saints and Aints.

Shalom.

I never tire to watch God twisting the desires of evil men to bring about good for His saints.

Returning to India Feb. 26th after spending about 9 days in Thailand I was refused reentry into at the Bombay airport ... What happened?

When I went to Delhi last year and met the Joint Secretary I was actually given a five year visa but it never made its way to Nagpur ... and we did not know. It seems a strange thing to happen but it did. I thought the visa was only for one year at a time and dreaded already April when it was up for renewal. Neither was I aware that the airport computers had a notice that I at one time overstayed my visa. From what we now hear it had been in it for quite a few years but nobody ever stopped me coming in because of it - except on that fateful night. The young woman who checked my passport was obviously new to the job and did not know what to do with it and called her supervisor. I argued with him and even one immigration officer agreed with me that I should be permitted to enter India. All my pleading fell on deaf ears and by next noon the situation had become so that even the day manager of the immigration refused to budge on that stand. I could not enter India. I spent a night, a day and another night at the airport without sleep and with little food. Needless to say, my emotions went up and down like a yo-yo. I felt hurt, lost but I never challenged God's wisdom except prayed He would show me what was going on. Of course He did not but made things as comfortable as the situation permitted.

I at once got in touch with Bapu (at 1.00 AM) who then started the ball rolling by calling all our friends who might or might not be helpful. Finally as there was no chance to enter India, the staff in Nagpur arranged a ticket for me to fly to Germany which was brought on the night flight to Mumbai (Bombay). God true to His immeasurable love had, knowing my impending need “encouraged” the Canadian Government to deposit some $6500 in my account and an Indian friend in England added a €1000 ... Leaving Bombay at 6.00 AM it took another 29 hours before I reached Germany. I fell asleep just before reaching my home town and woke up when the announcement was made that the train was about to leave the station – my destination. I made it through the door by the skin of my suitcase ...

In Nagpur a pall of gloom descended on the home. Frank will not be permitted to enter India. The number of doomsayers increased day by day. “Buy white gowns, find a mountain top and wait for the end of the world.” Kids and friends alike felt awful. The door is finally closed!

Bapu and Vijay (a friend of ours) thought otherwise. While I was in Germany, they moved things in Delhi trying to meet various people which finally proved to be a success. They spent a harrowing 10 days in New Delhi running from pillar to post, begging and, pleading. The irony was that all the time I had a bonafide 5-year visa to stay in India. The Government then faxed the visa to Nagpur and had the "incriminating remark" expunged from the computer. The way for my return was open.

Waking up one morning in Germany and feeling awful, I prayed and wept and remonstrated with God - promising everything which I did not have and could not keep - just to go back home. The exercise in prayer left me totally dull and exhausted. Suddenly there formed a resolve in my heart: I will book a ticket back to India for the 13th (which later I changed for the 12th) never mind what would happen. I would not let the deadline - the 14th - pass without challenging it. The 14th was the expiry date for my return visa. Later that day, I received an e-mail from Bapu from Delhi telling me that the way was paved for my return to India …

Arriving in Delhi at 00.15 on the 13th I presented my passport to the immigration officer and – held my breath. The passport received a stamp and I - a smile and – I was through. I wanted to run and jump, dance a jig but did none of them lest the immigration officer thought he did something wrong that needed rechecking. Once through custom and out of the airport building I gave my feelings free reign. Bapu, John, a friend who was with Bapu, and I acted like three little children having discovered a gorgeous pile of mud. People stared at us. Who cares? I then decided to take the early morning flight to Nagpur rather than wait another 24 hours in Delhi and then take an 18 hour train ride.

At Nagpur Yohan and Priya received us at the airport and then – the way home. Fortunately most of the kids were in school as otherwise we would have been stampeded. Friends came to visit with flowers, others phoned, people I hardly know welcomed me with a smile and the news spread: Frank is back! Even a juggler of words like I lack the capacity to describe my feelings and the incredible joy and incredible gratefulness I felt to God for bringing me back home.

The good that came out of all this is that now I have a bonafide 5 year visa and know I have it and the local Government authorities have it in their possession. Furthermore, I went to Germany which I sort of had dreamt of doing during the summer but doubted my financial resources; and while in Germany had a long talk with some members of my family about Christ. Not the least, a lot of people have their faith strengthened seeing God at work in another seeming impossible situation. As for me, it is another confirmation that I am at the right place - the place God wants me to be and do what He wants me to do. Lastly I was again made aware of the vast host of friends - local and foreign - across the globe that stood behind us in prayer and sending little notes of encouragement and other help.

Right now I am trying to settle in figuring out to whom I owe what and looking after the correspondence and a host of other things. I had forgotten how hot Nagpur is at this time of the year. The nights are especially bad when you battle with mosquitoes and the heat. But, I am sure, I will get used to it.

By the 25th of this month most of the kids will be off for their summer holidays and will not return till the middle of June. The place will be quiet and we hope to do a lot of the needed repairs. Kids, by simply being kids, can cause an incredible amount of damage.

One evening alone in the almost dark I lean tiredly against the half constructed new bathrooms that border the north-eastern end of the playground next to the water tower. "Why do you push yourself so hard, I muse? Why not take it a bit easy as everybody is telling you?" I look across the playground to the big dorm all lit up for an answer. Subdued but joyful laughter of some happy little kids comes floating towards me. I listen for a while and then smile, some of the weariness leaves me. I got my answer ...

About to walk to my quarters I notice a ghost-like white apparition gently floating over the southern part of the playground.
A kite!
I neither see the boy hidden by the dark nor the string. But both are there. The kite could not float without either. The string, I muse, is the most important thing. The string that restrains it also makes it fly. I silently watch as the kite seemingly effortless climbs higher and higher till it barely is visible. I sense its desire to break free of the restraint. Yet ironically, that very freedom would destroy it.

How very much like us in our relationship to God. His restraining laws, His restraining love give us the real freedom to reach great heights.

"Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee."

The "fetters" that set free!
I laugh and wave at the now distant kite, "Hi Brother!" I whisper. "We are two of a kind."

In early May again kids come for admissions. Kids from all places - all poor, all needy. Then the staff will have to make the decision of how many new ones we can admit and whom. Pray that God gives them wisdom and a discerning and understanding, sympathetic heart. May be the birds don't worry about their "bills" but Yohan does and so do our creditors ... I always feel they are God's bills and He is not known for defaulting on His obligations.

Yohan and Priya are doing well. After her initial bouts of illnesses she is fine. Both seem happy enough. They send their greetings. So, of course does the rest of the staff and kids.

I join them in thanking you for having over all these years not defaulted on your self-imposed obligation to pray for us and support us. May you too hear in the quietness of your heart the distant sound of joyful laughter of some happy little kids.

Blessings upon you.

In His great Love.