December 15, 2006
Dear Friends,
Namaste and Happy New Year from the Thomas Family at Woodstock School in northern India! We hope this finds you inspired and rejuvenated from the Christmas holiday season. We are currently on our winter break and will be back in the classroom in early February.
Surprise! Just when we think we know northern India, something in the environment surprises us. Yesterday began as a sunny, cool day and just before dusk it suddenly began to hail. Not too unusual for the mountain, but it continued to pour Trix-cereal-sized ice pellets until there was a two-inch accumulation on the ground -- enough to amass and make a small snowman in the school courtyard! Jeff had driven his motor scooter down the twisting mountain road earlier in the day for a tune-up (tricky even in good weather). He came back up after dark on slick roads, making it home by 9pm. Barb was particularly relieved when he got home safely.
New Opportunities to serve: Two charitable projects have been close to our hearts lately. One is financially supporting a young local Christian woman in her nursing school studies. Nishima Chand is the youngest child of a member of the Woodstock Hindustani Church of North India. Although her father, who works for the school, and her older siblings are all contributing what they can to her school expenses, she will need additional help to complete the course. Nishima is attending the Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences College of Nursing in nearby Dehra Dun. A new supporter of our work here recently gave a gift to this project that made it just in time for the registration deadline for her first semester. We believe this was God's providence! Nishima's expenses for the four year nursing course will total about 300,000 rupees or approximately 7,000 US dollars. Barb knows from her recent surgery here that well-trained, English-speaking nurses are needed in India. We want to help Nishima succeed.
The other project to which we are committed is to improve the housing of some of the school's poorest employees - the sweepers and porters and gardeners, most of whom migrated from surrounded mountain villages in search of work years ago. This cause was brought to the fore by the Interserve mission projects manager who came to Woodstock when we did. He has already designed and renovated six units, with twelve remaining to be done when more money is raised. Mennonite members of the staff have set up an employee fund to try to raise money for two more units this school year. We need to raise 500,000 rupees, the equivalent of about 11,000 US dollars. Imagine the twenty-five people who share an outside toilet and take bucket baths, having their own four-person unit with flush toilet, hot-water shower and separate kitchen - things we take for granted.
If you feel moved to help either of these projects we are involved in, you can ear-mark a check to the Thomas India Mission Fund. We will let you know how your contributions are benefiting the deserving poor here in Mussoorie. Both of these projects and the people who can benefit from them also need your prayers. Please let us know if you can commit to praying and we will report back to you on the progress of these worthwhile projects.
Joys! Thanks for prayers for our two sons, Chris (15) and Coleman (12). Cole made the honor roll for 7th grade, and Chris did well on his exams, excelling in Hindi. Chris will need to study during the vacation time for exams that are taken when he returns to school in February. Please pray for motivation!
Jeff successfully completed step one of a new pilot project to introduce special laptop computers (Tablet PC's) to some staff in preparation for their use in classrooms and with 11th and 12th graders soon. Over the winter break, he will be visiting schools that already employ this new technology.
Barb is completely healed from her recent gall-bladder surgery, walking the 200+ stairs to school every day. Now, that's a miracle!
Requests: Barb will have some minor dermatological surgery done in January (the price one pays for growing up in sunny climes), with other, more serious surgery likely in the next semester. Please pray for clear minds free from fear and worry to make the right decision, and for strength and faith.
Woodstock School is in a state of flux as the current principal steps down and a search is underway for a new leader who can carry out the vision of this Christian international school. Please pray for the search committee and for the school during this transition.
Please let us hear from you, and let us know how we can best work and pray for you. Thank you so much for your continued interest and support.
Barb, Jeff, Chris, and Cole Thomas
Woodstock School
Mussoorie, U.A.
248 179 India
Thomas India Mission Fund
Doris Kersten, Coordinator
Pleasantville Presbyterian Church
400 Bedford Rd
Pleasantville, NY 10570