Thomas Family Newsletter – November, 2007 from Woodstock School in Northern India
This
month, we reflect on what God showed us during Activity Week – experiential
learning in the out-of-doors.
Hanuman Chatti Hike –
by Chris
This
year, I spent my activity week hiking in the Himalayas. While it was a fun and
rewarding experience, this hike proved to be a difficult one. We began our hike
in Hanuman Chatti, a small town in northern Uttarakhand so named because of the
river that runs by it that was supposedly created by the monkey god Hanuman
after he put his flaming tail out in the snows of the Himalayas.
We hiked to Seema, a high altitude meadow right below the tree line.
Our campsite was pleasant enough in the daytime with all the fresh air
and amazing views, but it became quite unpleasant as soon as the sun went down
and the cold set in. The next day
we hiked up to 4000m. The hike to
Darwa Top was challenging, with around 10km of steep uphill climbs through snow
sometimes knee deep. Once we reached Darwa Top, we decided not to camp there as
our gas stoves refused to light and there was no wood for a fire.
Instead, we decided to push ahead to Dodital, a beautiful lake situated
at about 2000m which was unfortunately 12km away!
When we finally reached Dodital, we were exhausted.
We had just covered 22km of steep snow covered terrain at high altitude,
with full packs in 12 hours. This
proved to be the toughest and the most exhausting hike I’ve been on so far. However, the amazing scenery of these Himalayan peaks has
helped to inspire me to climb Mount Everest before I leave India.
I will never forget the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas.
Out of the north comes golden
splendor; around God is awesome majesty. Job 37:22
Nature All Around Us –
by Barb
My
First and Second Grade students studied God’s creations around the Woodstock
campus. From discovering a huge bees’ nest in a dead tree and watching the
bees dance, to pulling the illegal-alien weed kalighas
from the hillsides to make way for native species, to differentiating between
moths and butterflies, to picking up litter in the nearby town and then taking
it to the school’s recycling center, we appreciated and took care of the
nature in our midst. We took a hike to Fairy Glen where we listened for evidence
of animals, birds and insects – can you imagine how much you can hear when you
are silent for ten minutes? We identified and sketched the myriad of flowers
that grace the grounds of the Elementary School residence Edgehill. We were awed
by the delicate veins of a leaf and the moist slimy skin of a slug seen under a
microscope at the school’s Outdoor Education Center. I enjoyed watching my
students take time to appreciate and care for God’s creation, and their wonder
in all that they saw.
O Lord, how manifold are your
works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm
104:24
Faith Lessons
– by Coleman
My
class went to Nature Village, near Corbett National Park.
We were challenged with tasks that excited and sometimes frightened us
– river crossing, climbing up and then rappelling down rock walls, milking
cows, riding camels, and swimming in the fast-moving Ganges River.
At each new step, we had to have faith in our guides.
Though we could not see below, we trusted the instructors who guided us
through the ropes course, and the “trust-fall.”
We came away stronger individually, and more confident as a class group.
Now faith is the assurance of
things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Travels to South India
-- by Jeff
Our
family name is well known in India, as St. Thomas reportedly traveled to south
India and died there after establishing a church presence.
The main indigenous Indian Christian denomination is named after him --
the Mar Thoma church. That
denomination is in communion with the Church of North India and the Church of
South India, both of which are unions of Presbyterians and Anglicans (and
others) in relatively recent history. During
my week of school-without-walls, my high school students served as delegates to
a model U.N. conference in Chennai (Madras) then visited old Hindu temples and
various Christian churches. We
noted the elaborate iconography that decorated the Roman Catholic spaces,
somewhat mirroring similar statuary in the Hindu temples. The Portuguese-built Mylapore Cathedral holds the sacred tomb
of St. Thomas – some believe he brought Christianity to India.
The hundred-year-old église de Sacre-Coeur in Pondicherry is now hip and relevant, with
bright colors and statues and signs and video screens, led by its modernizing
rector, Father Thomas. He described
efforts to expand his ministry with the Mass broadcast on cable television!
St. Mary’s Church, built in 1640 – the oldest British church in Asia
-- was all white, with few statues and few congregants, but lots of memorial
inscriptions. The newer CSI (Church of South India, the
Presbyterian-related presence in the region) building was the newest and
plainest of all. We saw the
differences in theology and worship style, and the focus of different faiths.
In every place we listened for the words, “Peace Be With You.”
I pray that our students, and others that we touch, hear those words
through us, through the Church, the body of Christ.
Thomas was with them.
Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said
‘Peace be with you.’ John
20:26
Joys!
Thank you for the communication we have had with so many of you this
past month. Letters, emails and packages have been much appreciated. We miss
seeing our family and friends, so your outreach to us here in India means so
much. We gratefully acknowledge new supporters Rye Presbyterian Church and
Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, both from our Presbytery of Hudson River in New
York. Multiple copies of books and cassette tapes of the stories were lovingly
sent by the Sunday School at Pleasantville Presbyterian Church. These will
certainly enhance the language and reading development of Barb’s first and
second grade students, some of whom need extra practice with English vocabulary.
And the church cookbook recently sent from our home church brought back some
wonderful memories of times spent together over a church meal.
This
month, through the Thomas India Mission Fund, we were able to help with school
expenses and loan repayments for the Meher family, who are struggling
financially after an accident with a drunk driver. Thank you so much for your
contributions and prayers for these local neighbors.
Prayer Requests
Fifteen
youth came forward to plan and lead the Thanksgiving Service held at our church
in India, St. Paul’s. We are overjoyed at their response and ask you to pray
for their continued commitment towards using their gifts to worship God.
Barb’s
10th grade girls who meet for weekly bible study on Friday mornings (FMBS)
are getting sporadic in their attendance. Although they are certainly busy at
this boarding school, please pray that they would make studying the Word of God
a priority and that they would see its relevance in their daily lives.
Christmas
time comes early here at Woodstock School, and after December 17, we will be on
our way to south India for a much needed time of rest and reconnecting as a
family. Please pray for safe travels and meaningful times together.
We
ask God’s richest blessings on your celebration of the Advent and Christmas
seasons.
Barb,
Jeff, Chris, and Cole Thomas
Woodstock
School
Mussoorie,
U.A.
248179
India
Thomas
India Mission Fund
c/o
Doris Kersten
Pleasantville
Presbyterian Church
Pleasantville,
NY 10570