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Block Newsletter January 2008 |
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Dear Family and Friends,
Christmas is a great time to see how things have changed and grown over the year. The holiday break has refreshed me and also let me spend time at Bethania, which lets me have a better feel for how things are going than the flying visits I can occasionally make during the school year.
I started my holiday break with a real treat - a trip to Bhutan! This mountainous kingdom up above India and Bangladesh, and next to India, Tibet and China, is not easy to get to, as they protect their culture strongly. Tourists normally pay $200 plus per day just to go there. Because the couple I went with were representing KIS and doing a promotion for prospective students (we have 24 students from Bhutan at KIS now, and a Bhutanese teacher who teaches them language and culture), we only had to pay $65 per day plus transport and food, and three nights stay (the rest of the accomodations were covered by school or complimentary thanks to one of the parents of some of our KIS students. There were two working days , and the rest was exploring the Buddhist monasteries and mountains. It is a beautiful country and has retained its traditional architecture and clothing (enforced by law), which makes it very interesting from a cultural viewpoint and very scenic. Some short hikes and picnics , with Bhutanese meals which included yak meat once, noodle dishes, red rice and vegetables and chillies in a cheese sauce, were some of the highlights.
When I returned, I spent some time just relaxing in Kodai - Christmas parties included, but also three days down at Bethania. We now have 35 children in residence, about 5 more than is ideal space wise, but children came with such needs it was impossible to say no. We are designing and working on building the sleeping space for the boys upstairs , thanks to funds raised by Atlanta Internaitional School, though it seems likely we will need to raise additional funds beyond theirs to complete the building as we would like. Some changes to the bathroom placement have raised the cost around 2 lakhs more, around US $5 to 600. ( If any of you would like to help with this, or know of others who might be interested, money can be routed through MBMSI via CO 319, and receive income tax reciept .)
Once this is in place, our 10 boys will have comfortable quarters and the 5 who are studying in residential schools and college will also be able to fit in when they return on holidays. We can probably then also take in around 5 more boys (and a warden ).
In addition to those in residence, we have 4 HS boys in a residential school nearby, one boy in his first year of college (also supported by funds raised by the senior class of Atlanta International School), one girl in a one year lab technician program (support is needed for her fees, to help Bharati out, you can send money through CO 319, MBMSI). We support a few other children who live at home, where the mother did not have the resources to keep them in school but the desire to keep the family together. Many of our children do have a parent - but due to health issues or abuse/alcoholism issues, are safer with us.
We also support 6 families at present with parents dying of Aids/HIV. Our money helps provide food and milk for the families, with some gifts of clothing and monthly support sessions at Bethania. Most of these families have already lost the father and breadwinner to Aids (one is still alive, but unable to support his family ). We are really looking for a long term donor to help with this program - perhaps a corporation or business? If you have any ideas, do let me know.
Bethania celebrated Christmas on Dec 23rd with a program of dances, scripture recitation and song. This was the 20th Anniversary of Bethania as well! I celebrated with the children the day before by taking two different groups down to the local stream to swim and play, with another staff member taking a third group of older girls later in the day. This is a favorite outing for them and one which I usually try to do when I am there for any length of time. Heavy rains (we had a huge cyclone) meant lots of water and new waterfalls coming down the mountain behind Bethania!
At KIS, I feel things are going well, though there are still long term issues of lack of trust between staff and administration which have yet to be resolved. As Staff Representitive to the Council and Staff Concerns, I have to help mediiate and work with all involved when conflict errupts. Going to the MBMSI's Asia Retreat in October was a real affirmation to me in many ways from different individuals there, that I was doing the right thing in my role here at KIS. KIS is unique in that it is a Christian International School. It is sad that last year many of the conflicts were between Christians. This has been improving this year. We are working as a community to move forward. Pray for the witness of the Christians at KIS to be a good one, that we can work with our common commitment to Jesus Christ.
In two days I go to Chennai to meet my aunt and uncle (Ron and Gail Kessler, my mom's sister) on their first visit to India. We'll spend 10 days together in Tamil Nadu. I'm looking forward to this.
Thanks for all of you who pray and support. I am especially grateful to Forrest Grove and MBMSI for the support they give me personally. Bethania is appreciative of the support Atlanta International School has given for several years now! For more on how to contribute to help Bethania or me, see below.
Love Barbara Gail Block
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