Saturday, March 03, 2007

Dear Saints and Aints.

Shalom.

Just a quick update to let you know the world is still going round and round and – we are still on it.

March marks the transition between winter and summer. It is not cold enough to complain about the cold and not hot enough to complain about the heat. How awful!

Weather besides, March is also the month of school and college exams...

Today the 12th graders (junior college) have their last exam and by tomorrow most of them will be gone – either home or to their relatives or friends. By June we will know how they did … My prayer is they did well. The 10th graders will start their exams on the 13th… The 9th graders finished their exams and for the next 5 weeks will start already on getting a start on 10th grade to prepare them for next year already.

Bapu, today, submitted his Dissertation to the Nagpur University, as a part fulfillment of M.A. degree in Psychology. He worked very hard and I trust his efforts will benefit the kids as his thesis is on: DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-CONCEPT IN CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS. This is his second M.A.

We worked hard this academic session to insure that the kids not only studied but learnt something. We will push even harder next year. Maybe there is an Einstein among our kids. Though, in this highly competitive academic climate to use your education to land a good job is still very difficult. We need to push harder and think of other avenues to make sure the kids – who want one – get a job

Next year, though we will continue to push for better academic results, we will start our computer classes and technical courses with more seriousness. The problem is we have only five computers.

In connection with that, if a church or group would love to come for helping us with a project, come with even a little project money for us to buy either computers, equipment for the technical school or even washing machines and, instead of digging holes in the ground or laying brick upon brick (which we can get done very cheaply here and help a family to get their daily rice), come for just to be with the kids and hold Sunday school classes or even a VBS. This would certainly be useful and  you would make a truly valuable contribution. We don’t need scholars for that – just people who know the Lord. The beauty in that is even seniors can come and make a valuable contribution. Or even give some guitar lesson or whatever. A reasonably good computer costs around $800 Can.

While at Bible College we coveted the opportunity to preach. Unfortunately most of us had more zeal then skill. At the end of one particular sermon where the audience bravely but unsuccessfully tried to follow the logic of the preacher’s argument, the pianist summed up their confusion by gently starting to play, “Send the light…” Don’t worry, we don’t have a pianist.

As for “seniors” … I am afraid being “politically correct” is not my forte. Once I had a meeting scheduled with a senior’s group. Arriving at the church, I flippantly asked the church secretary, “Where are the old people meeting?” “Seniors!” she corrected me kindly but firmly. Looking across the street at an old decrepit building, I was tempted to ask, “At that “senior” building? I desisted. Who wants to offend the church secretary who has the power to either place your newsletters on the bulletin board or in the trashcan?

Nearing 72, I more often qualify as old then simply senior. With the onset of warmer weather I am using the whirly-whirly (fan) and even resort to the AC at times. The result is that my bones and joints, exposed to them - by a slipping blanket, make me aware of their existence. I firmly wish they would desist. So, when I resurrect myself in the morning, I feel old and making it up that one step to the bathroom, my condition confirms my feelings.

But, carry on I do … The exterior of the dining hall is completed. It looks massive. I am thrilled beyond words. By the end of the month we hope to attend to the interior. The second half of the top floor of the school should also be completed by the end of March. We also worked on a number of smaller projects.

One of my former students, a bit of a scoundrel who, so it seems, is finally doing well, told me, “Bhaisahib, nobody can do what you do.” I happily grinned, after all a compliment from your kids is something to be treasured as it is rare. “Why not?” I asked waiting for some breathtaking insight. He shrugged his shoulders and replied, “I don’t know.”

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page."
--Saint Augustine

He just hasn’t traveled enough … There are lots of others.

I finally, started on my autobiography/memoirs or whatever you call it. Right now I am in the process of collecting material. After that comes the choosing of what I want to include or exclude. It is a bigger job than I anticipated. But – I am sticking with it. It is not a “serious” work. How could it be? It is after all about me… Anyhow, I hope to have it completed by the end of the year. Whether or not anybody will publish it needs to be seen.

People seem to have trouble getting through to me by e-mail. So I added Gmail to my email addresses and hope, within a few months to phase out rediffmail. I like the features of Gmail from Google.com very much.  Please try it if you have problems with the others. fjuelich@gmail.com. I am anxious to hear from you as, so the writer of Proverbs says,

“Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.”
Proverbs 25:25

I must wrap this up. Bapu will send it out for me as I have to prepare for tomorrow’s sermon. I am also glad I don’t have a pianist to point out its quality…
Please pray for Yohan and Priya as they still struggle with their health. Please pray for Bapu that God gives him wisdom in the execution of his duties. Please pray for the kids as they struggle with the studies. Whisper a prayer for me for strength, health and wisdom.

"Caution: Dates on calendar are closer than they appear."

Thank you for being such a blessing to us through your prayers and giving.

Love from all of us – Frank, Yohan, Bapu and kids …