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THE
START OF OUR JOURNEY
On
our arrival at Hyderabad airport we were met by Fr. Emmanuel, and
he took us to a community house in Hyderabad and was given a
room were we could freshen up and rest before we continued our
journey on to Eluru by an internal flight, this was a new service
that had just been introduced. After we had rested and had
something to eat we were taken on a tour of Hyderabad by Fr.
Emmanuel, he took us to see a monument which stands in the middle
of the town which dates back to 1569 A.D. The monument is called 'CHARMINAR'
which means four towers. Fr. Emmanuel explained that it is made
completely of clay and that it had only recently been re-opened to
the public because an entire family, father, mother and children
had thrown themselves off the top and all were killed because of
the poverty they were in. We saw mothers with babies walking among
the traffic risking theirs and their babies lives signing for
food. We then went to visit a Hindu temple but it was closed, so
we went onto a park were we had to hand in our shoes and walk bare
footed which raised laughter and smiles from many local people as
Dianne walked very quickly, hopping and jumping because the
pathway was made of marble and was very hot from the sun. We then
returned to the Community house to get ready to take the plane on
the next step of our journey to the diocese of Eluru in Andhra
Pradesh an hours flight away.
On
arrival at Hyderabad airport we went through at least six security
checks before we got onto the plane. All the seats were taken up
by reporters except for three seats that we occupied with Fr.
Emmanuel, the reporters were in a playful mood they joked with the
air hostess throughout the journey.
On
arrival at the airport we where told that the Bishop is here
waiting for us. He welcomed us and then we got into his car for
the last lap of our journey which took around a hour and half to
the Bishop's house were we stayed for the two weeks we where
there. As we drove through the gates and up the driveway a statue
of Our Lady greeted us and over the doorway read 'A HEARTY
WELCOME' in bright colors. A group of people where awaiting
our arrival and each was introduce to us, we were then taken to
our room to freshen up and rest before we went and shared a meal
with him. Afterwards we went to our room tiered and weary but with
an excitement of what was to come.
A
JOURNEY THAT GOD HAS STARTED AND WE KNOW NOT FULLY WHY.
Tuesday
14th October
The
first full day of a journey that took us to many places and see
many things that would change our lives and but overwhelming
desire in our hearts to forward the work of Unity that God had
given us to do, to draw His body the Church into one accord with
each other through Reconciliation and Forgiveness and honoring and
respecting each other.
After
breakfast the Bishop said that we were going out with him, first
to pick up Bishop Matthew and then onto a funeral of one of the
sisters who's life had expired. The funeral was taken outside
under what we would call a 'gazebo', we where both treated with
great dignity. We were both given a hand full of flowers, then we
waited our turn to pay our respects, as we moved forward towards
the grave of someone we had never met in life, a sense of grief
could be felt of the sadness of those that knew her and loved her.
Afterwards
the Bishop took us to visit a Leprosy hospital which now included
those that had AID's/HIV. We met a mother and her two children the
youngest with Aids, she held in her arms looking new born and so
tiny and fragile hanging on to life yet looking so peaceful, the
other child hung onto her mothers skit was a health looking
smiling little girl who's eyes sparkled as she smiled and laughed,
but all the mother could do, was look down on the oh so tiny
bundle she held in her arms.
We
then went on to see Mother Miriam and the Poor Clare Sisters 17 in
all, what a wonderful place of peace and the presence of God
there. They where so pleased to see us, pure joy shone from there
faces as we passed on gifts given to us by Mother Bernadett of the
Poor Clares in Shorpshire England. We were brought a class of of
what the Bishop called 'spoiled milk' it was a acquired taste,
with ginger and chilly being part of it. Ray took a mouthful to
the delight of the sisters who all laughed at the look on his
face. Before we lift Mother asked one of the sisters to sing for
us, which she did with great joy while all joined in the chorus.
Before leaving we were invited to look at the chapel where
adoration was also available, such beauty to behold as you entered
and the presence of Our Lord Jesus could be felt.
Then
onto visit homes for children with server learning disability,
which Mother Theresa's sisters had started. The children were
outside when we arrived and they were excited to see us. The
Bishop took us around there rooms where they lived, which was very
basic with just a bed, were four or five in each room. What care
is given in what seems such difficult circumstances, but now at
least they have a bed to lie on someone who cares. Next onto the
male hostel, both men and women are kept separate as is the
custom. The hostel also housed some elderly people that had no one
and no where to stay. Each hostel had its own chapel, we were
given the opportunity to spend a short time in prayer. At each of
these places we visited we where offered refreshments. When back
to the Bishop's house to freshen up before our evening meal which
we found hard to eat as we had not stopped eating since we got on
the plane at Birmingham airport.
Wednesday
15th
Having
slept very little again that night we decided to get up it was
around 6am, we showered, dressed and tided up the room then went
down for breakfast about 8.30am. After breakfast we both went to
the chapel as we both needed God's intervention and wisdom in why
we were here. The quite time was so good, it gave us time to stop
and pray, listen and seek God's will. Afterwards we returned to
our room to try and get some work, and read but ended up just
resting, then the Bishop came to our room to say that we would be
leaving at 10.30am so we just rested on the bed until one of his
trainee priest's came to get us.
So
off we set once more this time to visit schools, at the first one
which took children from 3 years to 14 years. Some paid towards
there education while others who could not were given free
schooling. All the children are given the opportunity to study,
some boarded, and some went home. As the Bishop entered the class
room all the students stood up to salute and call out 'Good
morning Father', the Bishop introduced us as "Our friends
from England" the one thing the Bishop insists on is that all
students learn to speak English.
The
children were very excited to see us and all had a big smile upon
their faces. We were taken around every class room and all greeted
us in the same way, the youngest being the most enthusiastic with
there welcome, smiles and laughter at these two funny people from
England. Again wherever we went we received refreshments. Then
into the air-conditioned car to the next schools which are
outreach schools which are known as 'The Bride Schools'. First to
the girls school as the boys are kept separate from the girls. As
we got out of the car we where greeted in the traditional Indian
way by 3 girls, one with flower petals, one with a lighted candles
and the other with henna with which to put on our foreheads, they
then danced as others sang a song of welcome.
We
were then taken to the classroom where some 60 + girls were
sitting, we were given places of honor along with the Bishop. Once
more we were greeted with there traditional welcome, garlands of
flowers were put around our necks and a head shawl was placed
around our shoulders with words of welcome. A group of the girls
did a motivation dance which they had made up about no matter what
the land lord did to them they would still want to be
educated, in the dance they performed actions as they
singing, 'even if you broke our bones or beat us we would still go
to school', it was a very serious and moving performance.
After
the dance the director of the school Fr. Moses shared with us how
and why the school had started. He said that these were all bonded
labour children, which means that there parents borrowed money
from a land lord, and when they could not pay back they would have
to sell one or more of their children to the land lord to work in
the fields with the buffalo to pay off the debt, some of the
children were taken from the cradle, so knew no other life.
They
would start at around 6am and work till about 7 or 8pm seven days
a week, so they had no childhood, no playtime and no friends all
they had was work. Bishop John's workers went out to the parents
and the land lords and talked with them and also to the children.
This they did over a period months, they spoke with elders of the
villages trying to re-educate them to allow the children to come
to school to study and gain a better life for themselves, it was
an hard struggle. Then one night the director received a phone
call from one of the sisters to say, that twenty boys had turned
up at the door asking for help, help to leave the buffalo and come
to school. It seemed that they had got together and took matters
into there own hands and decided that this is what they wanted,
PRAISE THE LORD'. So on the 20th August 2002 the school was
born.
The
schools are not like others schools, the teachers who are employed
are all single and they sleep eat as well as teach the children.
this is for 12 months while they bring them up to a standard that
they can go into the mainstream school each according to there
ability. For the first two to three months the teacher will stay
with them to help them adjust to the new formal type of study.
Most of these children are achieving high grades in the government
exams and those that do, can go on to the Dental College where
they can study to be dentists or study medicine and therefore
break the chain that they have been caught up in from birth.
All
the boys and girls where given the chance to take control of their
lives and decided for themselves what they wanted in life. These
schools not only gave them an education but more importantly it
restored their childhood and gives the child value and worth. To
keep one child in school, cloth, feed, educate and provide
accommodation, only costs around £100 per year,
Another
rewarding day in which we now think God has given us the answer to
our question, 'Why are we here Lord'?.
Thursday
16th
Slept
better, woken to the sound of the breakfast bell, after breakfast
we had time for prayer before leaving to go to see Fr. Michele
Director of all the children's education, a vast task, but he does
it very well. Afterward the Bishop said we were off to visit the
tribal area's were they have started some schools a hospital and a
church. The journey took around 2 hours over tarmac, dirt and some
times rocky roads, it was a slow process and the roads through the
villages were crowded with people, bikes, rickshaws as well as the
herd's of cows and goats.
On
entering the tribal lands the roads were some what empty, then
there wasn't much of a road. We reached our destination, a Covent
with a small community of sisters who even when they were ill
themselves to the point of dying refused to leave. The school
caters for the tribal children and it as taken a couple of years
to get them to come to the school, as they are a shy race and do
not take to strangers easily or leave there village. The children
are provided for in every way, they are clothed, feed, educated
and given accommodation, because some of the children that go home
may not return, so the whole system will have to start again.
Again we where welcome as is there custom, with garlands of
flowers and a song of welcome, all were smiling and happy to see
us. We were then shown around and given refreshments. After being
feed and watered we then went on to a tribal village, which was
amazing. The houses were made with bamboo for the walls and banana
leaf for the roofs with a bamboo fencing around them. We were then
taken to the church which came about by one of the tribal women
giving them some land , the locals built the hut which is the
church, one donated two chairs another a clock, another a simple
sound system. They have Mass every Sunday for around 36 Catholic's
but they get others who are not Christian come. In all in that
area there as been 132 people baptized, a shrine built with a
cross that stands on top of the highest hill and can be seen for
miles around, a pilgrimage is held there once a year, when
thousands flock to and the word of God can be preached and shared.
It is a great witness in a place which is mostly Hindu.
We
were taken into one of the huts to see how they lived, it is a
very simple existence, just two cots (beds) all neatly made, from
a bamboo pole family photo's and calendar of our Lord hung.
There was a simple separation were two bikes were kept along with
other belongings. Even with the dirt floor the place looked clean
and tidy. We walked through the village, most people stayed away
until we passed by, then a few of the children would venture out
to see the visitors. Then we went on to a small hospital which had
been called the 'Infant Jesus Dispensary' it consisted of an
examination room, a ward of six beds, off that was a labour room,
then a small room for the nurses and store cupboard. Every where
was spotlessly clean, they had an ambulance (Jeep) which they took
the more server cases to the nearest general hospital. While we
were there, they had a delivery of one Suction machine, an oxygen
bottle, they ordered them after losing two patients due to lack of
this equipment. It had cost them 12000 Rupees, around £200. There
was room that was empty, but proudly shown to us as the lab, they
said one day they will have the equipment to carry out the test's
that they need to do. All are so positive in their work, no one
complains that it is to much for them.
To
keep one child in school, cloth, feed, educate and provide
accommodation, only costs around £100 per year, the same cost for
the children at the Bridge School. For so little a cost in our
terms these children are given a chance to believe in themselves
and know that someone cares and believes in them enough to give
this new life to them, all they have to do is say yes,
I
want this. God is surly working his miracles here.
Friday
17th
Start
of yet another day of surprises. After breakfast it seemed that we
were to go to the sea side which was some distance away, to visit
a newly established Church in the middle of nowhere, with one
priest who had to travel very where by motor bike out to the
surrounding villages to spread the word. This is a brand new
parish with much work to be done to convert the locals. We arrived
unannounced much to the priest delight and surprise. We were give
some refreshments and made very welcome, while we were there the
heavens open, which is not good on dirt roads. Next stop was the
Bay of Bengal and a shrine that had been built a few years
earlier, it was a site to be seen, steps leading you up to the
crucified Christ who's cross was in the middle of a map of India
and when you turned around you looked across the sea, you could
hear the waves and even though it was raining it was still warm
which was just as well as neither of us had coats. We then moved
on to the seminary were several young people were gathered waiting
the Bishop's arrival. After the Bishop had spent some time talking
with them it was off to convent to have some lunch, we where made
very warm welcome by the only one sister there as the others were
out working in the parish some distance away. As usual were ever
we go the Bishop sends word 'NO CHILLI'.
Fr.
David the priest we meet earlier joined us for lunch which was
good as we did not have much time to talk with him. It was all to
soon time to leave, we said our farewells as we were leaving we
were invited to come again, which hopefully will one day. It was
during the lunch that the Bishop spoke about us receiving
communion and I hoped I did not misunderstand him, as he has said
that he will be celebrating Mass that evening at 7pm which we were
invited to go.
So
we thank God for another fruitful day.
Saturday
18th
Slow
start to the day, Ray as a slight tummy problem. after a light
breakfast we went with the Bishop to visit the Dental College, a
big building already and more building work under construction a
hive of activity with builders and students all going about there
tasks. What surprised us was that there were no heavy machinery to
lift or transport materials around everything was carried by the
workers and constructed by hand. Once inside we were shown around,
first into the dental surgery were they have 50 dental chairs, the
Bishop told us that they have to get another 200 dental chairs for
next year, he said that they do not have to be brand new, any that
are no longer of use to other dental hospitals or dental practices
that they no longer have a use for. He went on to say if that were
willing to donate them to help the students and the college grow
he would find away of getting them to him.
We
then went on with the tour of the dental hospital which is also a
Medical hospital as well, they not only train students for the
dental profession but also for the medical profession to.
We
were shown around the the different departments, the Pathology,
Micro-biology, Pharmacy and the Anatomy were students where in the
middle of an exam and some students were conducting their
investigations on a body. We were told that they require them from
the state hospitals, they are unfortunate people that had died and
no one had come forward to claim them, so they are sent to various
teaching colleges were they are kept in large cement tubs which
contain embalming fluids. We were taken to one of the large
lecture rooms where the first intake of students have just
completed the first year were gathered to have a small celebration
as it was decided to hold off the main celebrations until January
04 when there was going to be a big convention and that someone
from Rome was coming to celebrate with them.
For
now it was to be a small private gathering were the Bishop and we
where invited to attend. The principle invited students to come
and share there thoughts over the past year, both good and bad,
all were reluctant but eventually some were persuaded to speak.
The Bishop then address them, telling them that they should not
waste any time while here, but be always be studying and even when
qualified to kept studying in order to keep up to date with
progress. After the Bishop invited both of us to address the
students, first Ray then Dianne. Not sure how much they understood
our brummie accent, although they are all taught English. Then we
returned to the Bishop's house for lunch and a rest before leaving
at 4.30pm to visit a complex of convents (French Sisters) and a
seminary, it seems they have no problems in getting vocations here
in India. We then returned to find that they put in place the
statue of Mother Theresa ready for tomorrows big celebration. It
was time to retire as it would be an early start in the morning,
but first we attended Mass again with the Bishop who is still
awaiting news from England to see if we are to be allowed to
receive communion here.
Sunday
19th
Up
early and on the road for 7am, off with the Bishop to bless and
open a new Church in the tribal village. After traveling for an
hour we stop at Fr. John Wilson an Indian priest who was named
after a land owner his parents worked for, then on to the village.
As we drove up the dirt track into the village we were greeted
with fire works and a large crowed, who all wanted to see the
Bishop and be first, as we walked up to the Church the young
children held our hands.
First
the Bishop gave his blessing and spoke to the people, then he
asked us to cut the ribbon on the door of the Church, a grand
occasion. The Bishop then unveiled two plaques, one naming the
Church "Mother Theresa" with the date opened and the
Bishop's name, the other one was to commemorate the beatification
of Mother Theresa and 25 years of Pope John Paul II Papal, we were
truly part of history in the making here, many photo's and video's
where taken. The Bishop then planted two shrubs, we all then went
into the Church were the Bishop addressed the people. The Church
was decorated out beautifully, the people had painstakingly cut up
strips of colored tissue paper and made garlands that covered the
whole ceiling along with balloons, what a wonderful site and us
with out a camera, we have asked the Bishop for copies of any
photo's taken he gets.
Time
to return to the house for lunch, Dianne was told that a women
will becoming to dress her in a Sari, ready for that night's
celebration's, The women arrived with much laughter and very
little English, but between them they managed to communicate. She
had made it herself as instructed by the Bishop that morning. It
was made of Red and Gold material like silk, it was a little tight
around the arms but they managed to get it all on with the help of
a few pins to keep it in place. she then put some flowers in her
hair and with a smile said 'NICE' then left while Dianne sat on
the bed for the next hour and half daring not to move. a knock
came on the door and a man with his son came to give Dianne a set
of Rosary beads which his son had made for her. The man had been
someone who beat his wife for going to the Catholic Church, then
one day he had an experience of Christ Jesus for himself.
A
few months later he lost his wife but he never lost his faith, now
every night he comes to the Bishop for a blessing before going out
to proclaim the gospel. He now wears the garments of the
Franciscans instead of all black of the Hindu's he use to wear.
It
was time to go to the shrine of Mother Theresa at the bottom of
the road. The Bishop unveiled and blessed the statue, once again
we were asked with other dignitaries to put garlands of flowers on
the the statue. Then back to the Cathedral which was next to the
Bishop's house for Mass, both of us went of with one of the
priests to make our confessions before receiving the Eucharist
from the Bishop. The Bishop had got permission from the Vicar
General of the Birmingham Diocese in England for us to receive.
What a joy for both of us to have the opportunity to share in the
body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with our brothers and
sisters, we felt that we were truly in unity with, there are no
words to describe what we felt at that time. The Mass was a long
one because there were 8 adults for baptism, new converts that the
man mentioned above had brought to Christ. The cathedral was
packed with people even outside as well, the music was a joy to be
heard, done by one family of musicians absolutely amazing. A very
long day, yet a perfect end to the day.
The
first week over and what a week, we have seen and experienced some
much and received God's Blessings in abundance in the few day's
that we have been.
What
as our Lord got in store for us in the last few day's before we
return home.
Monday
20th
The
start of our second week and the reason for our trip to India.
A
late start to the day as we over slept so was late for breakfast.
We were not going out with the Bishop that morning as Pastor
Samuel John who invited us to India was arriving at 10.30am to
speak with us about Unity. Today of all days Dianne's stomach was
playing up. When Pastor Samuel arrived we were called and taken to
the lounge. Pastor Samuel welcomed us with garlands of flowers.
Fr. Emmanuel joined us, and tea was served and soon the
conversation started after prayer. Ray outlined who we were, how
we came about and what Unity did in England, and what we did at
our meetings. He shared with him the prophesies the Lord had give
him and what he believed would happen if all the Churches stood
together as one body in unity (not unification) honoring and
respecting each others traditions.
Then
Pastor Samuels shared with us what he wanted from Unity, he
explained that he was a Pastor to an independent Church called
'Church of Distant Ministries' he told us that there were many
independent Churches around and that he was in dialogue with some
of them. He also shared his vision us, it was on the same lines as
we have for the Churches. We both shared many things that morning.
We finished with prayer and then went for lunch before Pastor
Samuel returned home which was around a 2 to 3 hour journey by
train. Before he lift we told him that we would be visiting him
the next day and that the Bishop would bring us and that he would
ring him to let him know about what time we would arrive as
it would take us about 3 to 4 hours.
On
our return to England we sharing with the team leaders about
Pastor Samuels and we all agreed that we would invite him to be
our Unity
Regional Coordinator in India.
We
now have our first Unity Regional Office out side of
England.
Please
pray for Pastor Samuel John in this new challenge in his ministry
and that the message and vision of Unity reaches the heart of all
the denominations there.
It
was back to our room for a rest as the heat was taking it out of
us. Not long afterwards the Bishop knocked on the door to say that
we could go and visit a school in the desert with him and to be
ready for 2.30pm. On the way the Bishop explained that he did not
want to put anything there as it was where all the Hindu's
went on pilgrimage to worship as it was where the main Hindu
temples were. As we drove closer to the area you could see the
temples far of in the distance, it stood above the trees, it was a
vast expanse of a building. The Bishop explained how the elders of
the village around came to him asking him to put up a school so
that their
children could be educated. He explained that if he were to build
a school we would put in sisters to teach and doing so would
have to put a priest in as well which meant that he would have to
build a place for them to live and a Church for them to worship
in.
They
agreed and told him to build them first and then the school.
So
he built the school along with the convent with boarding for some
twenty children the rest he bused in daily, he as 127 children
attend ranging from 4 years up all spoke and understood English,
among these children only few were catholic the rest were Hindu's.
Five of the elder girls sang a song about Jesus as being their
comforter and healer in English, word perfect and in perfect
harmony, the Bishop explained that all five girls were Hindu's yet
still sing about Jesus. We were then shown around the garden and
was given flowers and one of the sisters put a flower in Dianne's
hair, which everyone has taken great delight in, as Dianne wears
it the same as an Indian lady it seems; long plated hair, then it
was time to go to the dispensary which was doubling up as a
convent for the sisters to live in. We had refreshments, we shared
about our different cultures and laugh then it was time to say
goodbye and head back for a short rest before Mass, after Mass we
had our evening meal and retired to our room once more away from
the heat and mosquitoes who were enjoying biting Dianne despite
the insect repellent and spray, still a good experience to date.
Tuesday
21st
Today
we are off to visit Pastor Samuel John at is home in Rajahmundry
some 2hrs or so away, but first we were to stop at a shrine we had
heard about so much, it was a big retreat center were pilgrims
from all over and all denominations came. It stood high on a
hillside and had recently had a Church built on the site by
donations from a couple in the U.S.A. whom we meet at the
unveiling of the statue of Mother Theresa. As we drove through the
gates you see the full glory of the shrine and why so many people
would come. We only stayed for a short time to take refreshments
and a rest before we carried on to Pastor Samuels home, the parish
priest joined us.
To
get to his home you have to cross over the second larges river in
India, the Godavari River the bridge was 3 kilometers
long. The Bishop had arranged to meet up with Pastor Samuel
at a certain place, we found him and he led on his motor scooter
us to his home were his wife and two daughters were waiting to
greet us. He as a small neat house. It was obvious that Pastor
John was delighted to have Bishop John as well as ourselves in his
home. The Bishop had a short conversation with Pastor Samuel, then
we were taken into another small room for tea and biscuits, then
to Pastor Samuels dismay we had a power cut, he got a book to fan
the Bishop, but he was having known of it. We exchanged gift's and
before parting we prayed together, then the Bishop spoke to the
whole family in there own native tongue, we do not know what he
said but they all looked very pleased at what he said. After
taking some photo's we we said good bye and traveled back to the
shrine to have proper look around but not it seemed before
lunch.
It
was so humid the cloths stuck to you, we were taken to an
air-conditioned room to freshen up and rest for 3/4 hour before
the Bishop celebrated Mass for us, he as given us so much honour
that we can not re-pay him or find the words to express how we
feel. Inside the Church was beautiful as with all we have seen,
the floors were of pure marble and the view from the door way, you
could see for miles. We once more received communion from the
Bishop, God was truly blessing us on this visit. then we went and
had something else to eat. Afterwards we were taken around the
sight, there was a big conference hall which held 500 + and a
block of sleeping accommodation with 32 rooms, another with 22
rooms plus 24 small cottage type house, some could sleep 2-4
people, there was a soup kitchen were people gathered everyday for
food which was given freely; around 300 to 400 people each day. We
then went on to the shrine, up the steps which were quite high up,
inside children from the boarding house reciting the Rosary in
English before the Blessed Sacrament. Around the outer walls were
the stations of the cross, on the inner walls were displayed the
mysteries of the Rosary, down two columns leading up to the alter
were statues of Mary each one as she appears in the different
countries a truly wonderful sight, you have to see to feel the
presence of Our Lord and Mary.
We
were told that Saturday and Sunday were the busy days when people
will travel miles to visit to pray, they would break a coconut as
a symbol of their sinful broken hearts before the crucifix.
Hindu's and Christians coming as one before the Lord, a true
symbol of Unity at work, none are turned away, every one is made
welcome. Before leaving the Bishop arranged for us to go to the
souvenir shop by the main entrance to by some gifts to take back
home with us. After choosing what we wanted we went to pay for
them the young girl said that they were a gift to us and refused
payment. Before we stated our journey back we went and visited a
home for the elderly across the road run by some lay members of
the St. Vincent De Paul Society, about 25 in all lived there, we
again shown around by the Bishop before claiming into the
air-conditioned car and the long journey back. We drove back
through rain and flashes of lightning lighting up the sky. We
thank God for all the blessing he as blessed us with again today.
Wednesday
22nd
Today
it is Dianne's birthday. Not long after we got and was getting
ready to go down for breakfast a knock came on the door, Dianne
went and opened the door and who was standing there, was the
Bishop with bunch of silk roses singing happy birthday, God bless
him, then Fr. Emmanuel came and gave her a single red rose with
'friends forever' on it and a card with 'Special Mom' on it, then
Ananda the Bishop's driver came with a fresh rose for her. Very
one I met greeted her with happy birthday, It seemed we were to
have a special meal today and a birthday cake to celebrate. Later
on we were of to the Dental College for the inaugural ceremony and
Dianne was to wear her Sari given her by the Bishop. There was to
be one of the Government Ministers there to officiate with his
armed guard in attendance. A few minutes after the Minister
arrived and was seated, just in front of us; the power went down
which tends to happen quite often, there was such a commotion in
the dark after about five minutes the lights came back on and the
Minister was surrounded by his guards.
This
was a big event for the College because it is the first and only
Christian Dental College in India and one that takes all
denomination and non-Christians, they all know that it is
Christian but still choose to send there children there. Every
student as to achieve top marks in their exams to gain a place,
this because they will be the future Dentist's and Doctors for
India or were ever they choose to go. The whole event was being
covered by T.V. and the press, who knows were our pictures will
turn up. That evening the Bishop invited us to see his office and
to give us some letters and gifts for the Sisters at the Poor
Clares back home. Bishop John also gave us some gifts for the
Unity members and friends back home, these were what he called
straw pictures, 200 beautiful handmade scenes of the countryside
and boats on a lake and 20 religious ones of Christ. Bishop John
signed everyone of them and put his official stamp on each one,
what beautiful gifts.
Another
just perfect day and now we have thunder storms too, hopefully we
will still be able to fly back to Hyderabad tomorrow.
Thursday
23rd Homeward bound.
After
breakfast the Bishop had arranged for his driver to take us to the
shops in the town to buy some sandals and shoes to take back with
us.
We
thank and praise Almighty God for giving us this opportunity and
for the blessing that he poured out on us in abundance.
We
wish to thank all of you that prayed for us during our
visit,
we
could rely feel the power of your prayers.
Please
help us and others
like
us to have a new life.
Bishop’s
House, Xavier Nagar,
Cathedral
Road, Eluru-534007,
West
Godavari Distrect
Andhra
Pradesh India.
Tel:
91 (0) 8812 30437
Fax;
91 (0) 8812 36537
E-mail;
sscelr@rediffmail.com
For further information
contact Ray & Dianne
How
to Find us
|
Hyderabad
'CHARMINAR'
The
Park
The
Bishop's House
Entrance
to the Bishop's house
The
Bishop with the Poor Clare Sisters
Entrance
to the Poor Clare's Convent
The
very young pupils
14
year old students
Traditional
Indian welcome
Garlands
of flowers and a head shawl present to us
The
Motivation Dance
The
girls praying before we left
Saying
good by
Meeting
one of the villagers
Touring
the village with the lady that
donated
the land for the hospital
The
tribal children
'Going
into the Infant Jesus Dispensary'
Bishop
with the Sisters of the
hospital
and school
A
Church in the middle of the forest
The
shrine facing the Bay of Bengal
Standing out side the
Dental College
New
departments under construction
Training
room awaiting for equipment
Students
having just completed their first year being addressed
by the Bishop.
Dianne
giving a word of
encouragement
to the students.
Dianne
in her Sari
Having
a cupper before leaving
for
the shrine
of Mother Theresa
Ray,
Dianne and Fr. Emmanuel
Children
welcoming us
Five
Hindu's girls sing about Jesus
Meeting
Pastor Samuel
at
his home.
Together
with Pastor Samuel
and
his family
Having
tea and biscuits
View
of Our
Lady of
Nirmalagiri
Church
Grotto
that predicts the
tomb
of Christ
Inside
the Church
Soup
Kitchen which feeds
300
to 400 people a week
Our
Lady of Nirmalagiri Church
Having
a rest after selecting the
sandals
and shoes to take back home.
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As
we answered the kind invitation of Rev. Chaitanya
Kumar.Kali,
little
did we know just what God wanted from us. As we told
friends and family we go trusting in God and sure that He
would show and let us know the other reason he wanted us
there besides to set up a Unity Regional Office, this he
did through Most Rev. Bishop John Mulagada. If we had not
made inquires about accommodation through our friends at
the Poor Clares in Elesmere Shropshire we would never had
experienced the things we did.
What
we found was that although the people were very poor
martially they were very rich spiritually and this made us
feel very humble. Know
one we met ever complained about anything, wherever we
went we were met with open arms and always with a smile
the children were always full of laughter and delighted to
see us. What
amazed us about these children was that they would
walk miles to school to get an education, because they
knew that this is the only way of them getting out of the
social position they were in and that it would not only
help them but there families to. During
our stay there we realised that the Lord wanted us do
something to help Bishop John continue this work he is
doing for the poor people in the diocese of Eluru.
So
we are calling on you our brothers and sisters in Christ
to help us were you can to forward this special work that
the Bishop is doing.
We
know that every penny that you donate will be used for the
benefit of the people.
Each
persons name will be forwarded to the Bishop for him to
add them to his list of sponsors that are helping him. Or
you can send your donation direct to Bishop John.
Thank
you for taking the time to read this appeal and we pray
for God’s blessing and grace upon you in abundance.
Yours
in Christ Jesus
Ray
& Dianne
|
Finally
a message from
The
Most Rev. John Mulagada Bishop
of Eluru,
Andhra
Pradesh
Our
Mission is to enable the poor and the
distressed in pursuit of there human dignity through community
empowerment processes.
"It
is my firm Belief that the people of East and West Godauari
Districts and a specially the Dalits economic poor and tribal,
would grow in their awareness of their human dignity who struggle
through their perseverance to restore their own human dignity and
together march towards the formation of a society where Love,
Peace and Equality are nurtured and lived. Our task is to be in
solidarity with the people as the solid rock of strength and
motivate them to march ahead in establishing the just society and
equality of status that everyone is bestowed with from
creation"
Dear
Friends in Unity
Greetings
of peace and love in the name of the Lord Jesus.
I
am very happy to have met Ray & Dianne Russell here in Eluru
the Diocesan head Quarters. There concern for Christian Unity is
very ideal. I appreciate their interest in getting all Christians
united and what a wonderful idea this is! Here in the Diocese of
Eluru our primary aim is to evangelize and this evangelization
should bring about unity for everyone.
Because the Lord says “go
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” evangelization
has a two-fold affect.
1.
Direct Evangelization
is
done among all those who
are willing to know Christ and His Message.
It is also done among the lapsed Christians, which occurred
because of the ignorance of the Holy Scriptures. Direct evangelization
has to be imparted to growing Christian
children and the youth. Because during their childhood they are
baptized as they are being born in Christian families. That is how
it is needed direct evangelization is imparted to different groups
of Christians.
2.
Indirect Evangelization
This
has to be done among non-Christians who may not be even interested
in knowing Christ and His message. So this indirect evangelization
has to enter from different angles in to different areas for these
kinds of people. The following are the ways we use indirect
evangelization: Education line, health line, social line and
charitable line.
Education
Line: The Church runs pre-primary,
upper primary and high
schools, junior, Degree and Post Graduate colleges,
Professional colleges like Colleges of
Education, Dental, Nursing. Vocational
Training Centers and Bridge Course Camps
for the village children to eliminate Child labour. In this
educational line we try to impart Christian oriented moral values.
Health Line: Our rural health
centers, Dispensaries, Health Centers and Hospitals play a great
role indirectly in evangelizing the people. When they are in grave
illness or in any sickness we will ask them to pray to God and
they will, when they get rid of the illness they thank God and
will keep coming again and again to find out more about God’s
power through Jesus. Such
people become evangelizers too.
Social
Line:
To make the people more able to be self sufficient, we help them
put up there own houses as they are very poor, we get them to dig
a well or bore wells to cultivate a piece of land, if they have
land. By educating them in social awareness they become
self-reliant and we place before them Evangelical values, as the
Lord Jesus did this.
Charitable
Line:
We
are running Homes for the Aged, Disabled, People with Learning
disabilities homes for school going children, Leprosarium, centers
for HIV/AIDS infected people. Because all the residents are
non-Christian they are coming to know the Lord Jesus through our
charity and then they embrace the Lord. The children who are
getting educated through our boarding homes or orphanages, the
inmates who are in different homes are in need of your kind
support.
If
you kindly come forward to support these unfortunate brethren of
ours with 5 pounds (£5) a month you will be doing a lot of
evangelization through your charity.
Therefore I appeal through these few
lines of mine to each and every friend to feed the helpless people
in the name of Lord Jesus. I firmly believe that you will come to
know more through Ray and Dianne.
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