April 2005
Dear Saints and Aints.
Shalom.
Summer again. The kids are gone; the mercury climbs through the roof; dust devils dance freely over the playground once the domain of kids; lethargy …
With the kids gone a multitude of birds frolic in the trees and shrubs in front of my house. They probably would object to the word “frolicking” as actually they are engaged in the serious business of keeping alive. Their chirping has a decidedly raspy note probably due to the heat and the dust.
Only a couple of weeks ago there still was life ... A band of monkeys invaded my place; the dogs went frantic and the kids, screaming and yelling, tried to chase them. Watching it all I grin, “They came to their own but their own received them not.”
Now it is almost too quiet. Early morning when I take a walk across the grounds, four dogs are my sole companions. When I stop they all sit down and scratch furiously; to mind comes the dog that went to the flea circus and – stole the show.
Early afternoon. I idly gaze at the grounds. At the far end of the empty playground a dust devil forms, a mini whirlwind. It picks up fine dust, paper, plastic and whatever comes in its path and quickly dumps it again. “Small fry” I muse. It must have heard me. As I watch it suddenly increases its lateral speed and heads my way. I groan thinking of my newly cleaned computer desk and equipment. The trees break its force but cannot prevent the fine dust from filtering in through the cracks on my window frames. So much for trying to be tidy, neat and, clean.
But life goes on. We finally completed our Website: www.premsewa.com. It still needs a lot of work but we decided to put it up anyhow. When you look at it remember:
“Since no condition from defect is free
Seek not to find, what here can never be.”
If still critical, keep in mind:
“A perfectionist is somebody who takes great pain and – gives it to others.”
We linked it to our photos on Webshots as our own Photo Gallery is still small. Though we hope to upload all our photos into the Website so they will be easier to download. I am also working on my own website:www.frankjuelich.com . I put it up basically as my own "attic" where I can “store” stuff I like and want to keep and don't mind sharing with others to rummage through. It still needs a LOT of work but so what, I do it for my own amusement and enjoyment.
For those who do not use the Internet but have a computer, I made a DVD with all our photos and some short video clips. If you only have a CD drive I can send them on CDs too. I am also working on a new PowerPoint. I will send you a copy if you want one. I will send whatever anybody requests – without obligations attached ...
For those who support us, or anybody else for that matter, we can send a financial report for the asking. I want to be transparent and let you know how your valued gifts are used. On the other hand I do not want to burden you unnecessarily with unwanted information.
This year we are expecting some 600 boys here at Nagpur and some 250 girls at the Girls’ home. These, including the staff, place the number of dependants well over 900. I am also sending some 8 young people to various Bibles Colleges in India.
But before the kids come back the end of June there is an awful lot to be done. The school desks need repairing and the technical school set up. We have to renovate the two dorms; complete the new bathrooms; finish the school office and the first half of the second floor of the school building. We are also working on the dining hall as money becomes available. The girls’ home will get a new toilet block and the water tank will finally be completed so it can be used when the girls come back. “. . . and your strength will equal your days.” Jacob’s blessings upon Asher – which unashamedly and unhesitatingly I make my own. Though I must admit -- sometimes I plead for very short days …
The restructuring of the Hostel administration is almost complete. Change meets with opposition even if people are not disadvantaged by it. I guess we were for too long just a family – even if a quarrelsome one and now getting organized is difficult for some to accept. Still, I think we made fantastic progress.
As to our debts, I am finding out that creditors have a better memory than debtors ...Yet we made great strides in that direction too – paying back our debts. The impossible is becoming possible. God making it possible.
I believe the secret of staying sane lies in taking it literally one day at a time. Somebody once threatened: “I will destroy you.” That is impossible. A person might be able – should God permit it - to nudge the future on to different course – but you cannot undo seventy years of a man’s life, forty of those serving God; the vast number of people helped and blessed even death cannot undo.
This brings me to my visa. I have to renew it by the 20th of June. I already made the renewal application and it is supposed to be on its way to Delhi for the Government’s approval. We are also still working on my citizenship application. Though should the Indian Government grant me another 5 year visa, the latter might not be necessary …
What keeps me going often in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties is the knowledge that I did not build Prem Sewa; that I did not keep Prem Sewa - but God did and - that that same God will continue to build and keep. But more so, that I am special to God for reason only He knows.
In closing I want to thank you that through your prayers and gifts you took part in creating the miracle that we experienced over the past few months. Thank you for making it possible. I cannot help but come to believe that I am not only special to God but to many of you who are my friends. Why, beats me.
In His great love - Frank |
