Quick update

It is 18 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity is 70%. Sun sets at 5 PM and rises again at 5:30 AM. Absolutely no wind--not even close to kite-flying weather--much to Wilf's disappointment! He has crafted several models of kite in the last couple weeks.

 

The major earthquake in Indonesia and the Baby of Bengal had absolutely no effect here. Pictures on TV indicate devastation in a lot of places including south India.

 

Wilfred & Laura Olson leave tomorrow afternoon for Kolkata, Delhi, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Calgary, Regina by December 29. It has been a delight to have them here this month. Autumn and Andrew will miss them. Ellen & Laura put together a fabulous Christmas dinner last evening. Christmas is a big deal for most here in Mizoram.

 

It has been four years since Wilf was in these parts before. He, and we, were quite disappointed when we were unable to obtain permits to visit Manipur.

 

School year follows the calendar. The new year begins January 17.Harmony McMillan, John McMillan, Robert & Melissa Orr, Bob Parker, Mike Parker,  Joyce Taylor arrive January 9. A retreat to which we have invited friends from all over the NE will take place here at Silver Oak January 9-12.

 

 

 

Back from Shillong

Here it is almost a week since we returned from our trip to Shillong. We thought that we would be home only a few days but as it turned out we were unable to get our permits to go to Manipur and so we are staying home and enjoying the company of Wilf and Laura!! Dad is still very busy with school stuff so it is nice for Autumn and Andrew to have Wilf and Laura to help them with their Canadian schoolwork and do other fun stuff like building and flying kites, baking gingerbread and cookies and decorating a gingerbread house that Laura brought with her. Great to have them!

We took a vehicle to Shillong a very long windy road it was very interesting to pass through several different cultures and to think about the changes in clothes, appearances and the countryside was quite different on the 3 hours of plains that we drove through. the rest was mountainous. Andrew was sick most of the morning , poor little guy. Even the rest of us suffered from uneasy tummies. We got to our friends house in Jowai and were greeted very warmly, Tina, ThyWill be Done(yes, that is her name!) and Don as well as Mother Grace and little girl Sharon. Ray has visited them many times and always enjoys a visit. They fed us fried chicken and french fries etc and we really enjoyed that. Thy Will and Heather especially connected in 1995 and Thy Will was so happy to see pics of Heather and all the rest of our family. They remember each team that has come and always have a story to go with each one so we had lots of laughs!! Of course they had to sing for us and it was so beautiful. They sang He leadeth me.

We arrived at our guest house, after an hour delay by a truck jam, actually that happened before we got to Jowai. On the way to Shillong in the dark we passed many many trucks since they only let them go at night. The guest house was wonderful. We enjoyed it very much for the whole week. The next day we went to Umroi a place that we used to visit often and have mtgs, but this time it was to the airport to meet Wilf and Laura, at the airport we met up with the singing group PETRA who had finished a concert in Shillong and were flying to do one in Aizawl. I had seen hundreds of posters in Aizawl so recognized them so we had a little visit with them. They were very friendly. I told them Billy that you used to listen to them as a teenager!! Andrew was quite delighted unfortunately I didn't think of getting an autograph.

The rest of the week was very interesting, a little stressful and mostly delightful!!. We visited what seemed like dozens of old friends and all of our houses that we lived in and all the places ABC was held and had dinner with old friends 4 times, it was wonderful. We enjoyed especially the times we got to be with our wedding party. The bridesmaid, Basra, the bestman,Shellson, Portia , Rissla and Bilansy , the flower girls, we were all delighted to spend time with them. They all have large families and we enjoyed meeting all of them and sharing the story of our wedding day with them. WE had a nice visit with Brother Lester whose wife passed away this last year. This is the man who taught Ray Khasi and who translated for him many many times. Malki his wife was a very special lady to me. Ray and I went our for supper as a last celebration of our 40th to the Pinewood Hotel. It was fun and connected with a waiter who had probably served us many times 35 years ago. I'll have to admit way back then it was very British and elegant, but we often got sick!! This time we didn't!! The food was lovely and because of the cold in Shillong they lit a fire in the fireplace so we lingered quite a while!! Wilf and Laura stayed with the kids, many thanks for them!!

It was the consensus of all of us that we fly back to Aizawl, which we did and enjoyed leaving Shillong at 10AM and arriving back at the school at 3PM!! rather than the 14 hour trip by car. Shillong has changed a lot in 30 years and I found myself struggling to remember places. I did remember our homes, some store names and the places were we went a lot. The market has burned down and so was all different. We were able to find lots of different and useful things in Shillong so came home loaded!! I enjoyed the whole time very much and having Wilf and Laura to share it with was a real bonus!! WE visited Elephant Falls and Shillong Peak were we always picnicked at this time of year. Of course the best part was the people we were able to connect with and to encourage. They were a real blessing to us.

When we got back there were lots of things to do. School was finishing up and there were grades to give out, Farewell to participate in, and goodbyes to be said to the students. Since we got here we have been to places for tea, served tea to students and staff and done shopping and baking. One night we made pizza (found some cheese in Shillong that sorta melts!) . It took ages to bake since the voltage was way down!!.. It was tasty when we got it baked. Laura is finding that it takes ages to do anything here but is enjoying the little quieter atmosphere of Silver Oaks as compared to Delhi and Calcutta. We love having them here and sharing our lives and the lives of students and staff here, as well as the little group we meet with on Sunday. The days are quickly passing and soon it will be Xmas, we plan to have a few more people over between now and then and then to have some in for the day as well. Laura and Wilf leave on the 27th. That will be a sad day but we are so thankful for their visit. The children have especially enjoyed Wilf and Laura. Well, Ray has returned from yet another trip to town to get the internet and computers all working. We were without it for several days upon our return, we don't like that!!

I wanted to get this written so you would know we are all well. I also wanted to wish each of you the blessing of a joyous Xmas with many happy family memories and especially the Gift that we have been given and that we share with folks at this time of the year. Have a wonderful holiday,
Lovingly
Ellen

Check out these pictures!

Here's our photo site - enjoy!

Hi!

I understand that the days are nice in Regina these days, a little wintery in Yellowkinfe.  It is a little on the cool side here.  I am not complaining, it is still very warm through out the day until about 4:30PM.  At that time it starts to get dark and cool, since we have no heating in the house.  So we close all the windows and put on a sweater, socks and shoes and have a cup of tea!  The people here find it really cold so they put on turtlenecks, jackets scarves and tougues, and sometimes even a blanket.  We don't find it that cold.  We have added  blankets to the bed and Ray says he is thinking it might be a little cool to be showering at 6:00 AM.  The children don't seem to notice it very much.  The sun comes up early so it isn't long till it warms up outside.

 

The last week had several exciting happenings.  The first was on Monday when I taught my first class in this school.  This was in Autumn's classroom because her teacher is off having a baby.  It was a fun English class and I will do that for the next couple of weeks.  The teachers are just covering for her since the course work is all finished now and it is all review.  They would like to have me teach more but so far I have hesitated.  I will consider doing more in January when the new term begins.  

 

On Tuesday the excitement was about the new baby on campus.  We hesitated going too soon and then missed the visiting hours so waited until the next day to see her.  Ray did see her that day and most of the staff were up with Supreme (the father) when the announcement came that it was a baby girl.  Fathers are not permitted in the delivery room, so it was a long wait for him.  None of his or Mary's family live here.  The baby is beautiful and the parents are very happy.  They have said we are to be grandparents to the little girl and we are happy to be that.  We are just not sure what all that means yet!!  The baby doesn't have a name yet. They arrived home this afternoon and treated us to a special dessert as soon as they got home.  Autumn and Andrew are quite fascinated and Mary is happy to have them visit often.

 

On Wed. night Ray showed some pictures that we had taken of the school, students, and staff to the students after evening devotion.    It was very fun to hear them laughing at themselves.  Not much studying tht night as plans were being made for the school picnic.  I walked out to the dining hall and they were painting a big sign for the front of the bus, and just out in the yard they were in the process of skinning the little goat that had that afternoon been enjoying the grass in the yard!  Andrew was sitting on the bench with other little boys thoroughly enjoying the proceedings!!  One boy showed me proudly that he had the eyeball!! and Andrew was delighted to show me that he had been given the horn and ears!  Of course there were many details that he had to share.  An unforgetable experience for this little city kid!!

 

Thursday morning two buses came to load everything up, children, food, pots, water, everything one needs to cook for 100 people.  We went on a very windy and bumpy road for over an hour to a nice place in the hills. It had a swimming pool which the boys patrticularly enjoyed, Andrew was interested  in the fact that the little boys just took off their shorts and went naked.  He couldn't quite figure that! and even more interesting was that the little girls went in their panties!!  The girls here are very shy but Autumn and a few others did enjoy the pool after the boys tired of it.

 

I enjoyed the cooking or rather watching the cooking.  Several of us joined in peeling onions and slicing them-a very large pail of them.  There were several cooks.  The onions and piles of garlic and ginger went into the pot with lots of masala (spices for meat) tumeric and coriander, as well as the goat and lots of oil.  There were about 8 special dishes cooked that afternoon and when it came time to eat the students and staff had a wonderful feast.  Andrew just smelled it and gave his plate to Grandpa.  Autumn is more adventuresome and is loving hot and spicy these days so enjoyed it.  I tried most of them and enjoyed some of them!!  The goat was quite tasty actually. 

 

We arrived home at about 6:30 PM.  It was a fun day.  The next morning all of the children were gone home when Ray went down at 8:00 AM to see them home for the long weekend!!

  

On Friday two of the staff here, Cathy, a teacher, and Muani, a warden for the small boys, and I went up to the orphanage.  It is actually a home for children from troubled and split homes.  They have about 220 children.  They also train some of the girls to do weaving and that is why we went.  I was interested in some Mizo cloth for a skirt.  They have two weavers fro Myanmar who do the weaving and instructors that come out from Aizawl to train some of the girls.  Cathy and Muani also wanted to look around at the home which is really quite impressive.  I did buy some cloth and am having a piece made for me.  We then went to the hopital to see Mary.  I enjoyed the outing with these young ladies. 

 

Saturday, Muani (who calls me "Mom") and I went out again and this time it was for a hair cut!  It was right here in Durtlang and it was a lady.  She didn't take long to cut my hair and charged me Rupees 40 which is just over $1:00!!  On arriving home I did notice that one side was longer than the other!!  So, Muani had to repair the damage.  I was just happy to be able to get it trimmed here.

 

On Sunday we travelled into Aizawl for service.  I am teaching the children and am quite pleased with how well they are learning.  We have learned all of the books of the Bible and can find almost any scipture I ask them to look up.  After we do that then we have a Bible story and I usually have an activity fro them.  After church yesterday we came home because we had invited the staff that were still here (the others had taken advantage of the holiday to go elsewhere) for tea.  That included Bojen, Ali, Muani (the only lady), Jeremy and Muana.  We enjoyed having them. I served, egg sandwiches, carrot sticks, cookies, carrot cake, and apple crisp and tea.  In the evening we enjoyed a slide show of our family at home, our trip over and the Regina church and lots of other fun times.  The kids loved it.  

 

So begins another week.  God has been very good to us.  We are healthy and being well cared for  in every way.  We look forward to what God has in store for us in the next few weeks. We are headed to shillong on November 30 to meet up with Laura and Wilf. Love and Blessings to each of you. Ellen         

Providing an Opportunity

PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY

Adjacent to the Tropic of Cancer (comparable to mid-Mexico), Silver Oak School is located at the northern end of Durtlang village (of several thousand people) in the picturesque Mizo Hills of NE India. From the northern extremity of Aizawl, the capital of the state of Mizoram, your taxi takes a steep climb up to an elevation of some 3,500 feet before utilizing an impressive pass to the eastern slope of the mountain range. Monsoon rains are often heavy from mid-April to mid-October. Temperatures range from 10 to 30^o C.

Silver Oak is a private, Christian, English medium, co-ed boarding school with a current enrollment of 90 students studying in classes (grades) 1 -10. The school session follows the calendar year. The campus consists of 10 acres of sloping, quiet, scenic landscape. Facilities include a three-storey main building, a two-storey dormitory, and a three-storey teachersÂ’ quarters, as well as several outlying dwellings.

This delightful setting is providing us with an opportunity to provide opportunitiesÂ…

·        For students, ages 5 to 15, to expand their limited English as well as encounter the One who expands life itself for all those who come to know Him. There are regular Bible classes plus devotions four times a week.

·        For introducing teachers to some basic essentials for fostering creative learning experiences for the students. Of the 13 teachers and wardens, none has had any formal teacher training. Most have college degrees. A couple even have graduate degrees. Beyond academic improvements, there is a vacuum of spirituality which is looking for fulfillment.

·        For ministering to parents. Most homes are inviting—begging—us to enter!

·        For Autumn and Andrew to learn languages, cultures, and create fascinating—hopefully, long-term—friendships. A common sight is to see either of them between friends—strolling arm-in-arm!

·        For our long-time and new-found friends to reconnect and be renewed. Many of our former acquaintances have been affected by a theological narrowism which openly portrays our valued friends--such as Anderson, Fudge, Lucado, Shelly—as “imposters and false teachers”. Silver Oak is providing us with an opportunity to present a more grace-oriented perspective. January 9-12, a retreat-reunion, “Onward and Upward”, is planned here for many from all over the NE. Bob Parker and team from Saskatoon plan to be with us for that event.

·        For you to partner with us in making a difference.

1. Coming. We pan to return to Canada for the months of June – August, 2005. Our home, on the third floor of the teachers’ quarters—150+ steps up from the main building—will be available for some(s) to come and teach Bible and English for 2 or 3 months.
2. Sending. We are in the process of establishing a library for students and friends. At present, there is not even one shelf of books for reading. A room is being designated for this purpose. Story books. General knowledge books. Max Lucado books. Bible studies. I know that postage is expensive—but you might consider collecting and forwarding some books for our library. You just might make a real difference for a young (or old) person!

 

Ray & Ellen McMillan and Autumn & Andrew

Silver Oak School, Durtlang Veng Thar, Aizawl, Mizoram 796 012, India

011-91-389-236-2093, http://heartwarmers.blogspot.com, www.heartwarmers.ca

NEI News

Some NE (India) NEWS

November 7, I shared the sad experience of the passing of my former student, B. Kapthanga. He and his little (and poor) family came to Shillong in 1970 to study at Alpha Bible College. Even though Ellen and his wife, Buki, did not have a common language, they developed a close friendship. Kapthanga died of diabetes complications. His family was so appreciative of our presence. A really precious experience.

November 9. Supreme and Mary Sinha are teachers, class IX and class IV, respectively, here at Silver Oak. The birth of their first child(daughter, yet to be named) was born in the local Presbyterian Hospital. This created lots of excitement for all of the Silver Oak family—especially for autumn and Andrew… Ellen who, in my absence, even got to say the prayer as Mary headed off to the hospital.

November 12 is a Hindu holiday and November 15 is a Muslim holiday, so our school gets a break. I used a little persuasion with the management to allow this extended holiday. They said, if the children go home it takes too long to get them back into the groove! However, I made points with children, parents, and even teachers, by voting for a long-weekend! The school has suffered from a deficiency of leadership so the management is leaning on me to do some coaching in administrative areas.

November 11 was of no significance as far as Remembrance Day is concerned but the school did celebrate an annual picnic. Two buses were engaged. We went to a picnic spot about 20 kms—80 minutes—away  where the children swam in a pool and the adults cooked (all day) for a 3:30 PM feast of goat and dozens of other items. The goat was butchered the previous day here at the school by one of the teachers. Andrew witnessed the entire procedure and—you will be surprised—he found it quite fascinating and supplied his grandmother with the details!

November 30, we plan to head down the (mountain) road to Shillong for another reunion. Last month it was 40 years since our wedding in Shillong. We have been blessed with lots of celebrations but want to add one more by being reunited with those who served as our wedding party in 1964. And, an extra special bonus will be getting to spend that time with Wilf and Laura Olson who will meet us there, travel to Manipur with us (December 10 – 20) and then return here for Christmas before they return to Canada.

Ray & Ellen McMillan and Autumn & Andrew

Silver Oak School, Durtlang Veng Thar, Aizawl, Mizoram 796 012, India

011-91-389-236-2093, http://heartwarmers.blogspot.com, www.heartwarmers.ca

 

Autumn and baby

Baby (no name yet!)

Mary and her baby

Mary Sinha has a baby!

Connecting (Ellen)

Hi everyone, Thanks to all who have responded to my new email address. it is working much better and we are able to check our email much easier. Thanks too to all of you who are praying for us on a regular basis. We are adjusting very well to our new home, new surroundings and new work situation. All have provided us with much to think about, be thankful for and wonder about! Andrew and Autumn are making new friends almost daily and our house has become the new play place for many children. Andrew would much rather be outside climbing trees, digging holes, taking apart every bug or flying insect he can find or playing hide and seek or just exploring than being inside. He has piles of friends (young and older, girls and boys, ) . Autumn is a bit more selective in whom she brings up (150 steps from the main school building) here but still enjoys the newness of the place. She and her friend, Angeline arrived up here the other day with a big green fruit they had plucked from a tree. I do not know its name, but it is in appearance like a large grapefruit. They asked me to peel it. It has a thick white layer under the skin and we take all that off to find a pink or red fruit (if it ripe, green if it isn't) and then they tear bits of it off and dip it in salt and sit under a tree and enjoy!! It tastes and looks like grapefruit. Twice as big though. The children are doing fine in school. Andrew is not crazy about learning Hindi, that is of having to write it (Hindi has its own script). He is quite fine with learning to speak it. Mainly because he has to write pages of the alphabet and learn the vowels and how to print them. This is brought home for homework. We are all looking forward to a school picnic next week. We will take buses and travel for a couple hours, prepare special foods over an open fire and have all kinds of fun!! There will be over 100 of us to go. School finishes here on Dec. 7 I think it is.

On December 1, Ray and I and the children will go by Sumo(a big jeep) for 12 hours to visit Shillong and meet up with Wilf and Laura Olson. Ray is planning many activities for us while we are there. I am looking forward to meeting old friends and living in the "pasture" for a few days. We hope also to visit Manipur. The situation there is a little unstable so we are not sure that will work out. We will all be very disappointed if we cannot go there. I am looking forward to a good visit with Laura and of having them in our home here and showing them what goes on here. We will have Xmas with them here. I imagine we will do lots of entertaining and be entertained in many of our friends homes.

We have really enjoyed being able to see most of our children on MSN, using the webcam and the Skype (computer telephone system) program. What a blessing that is!! From Harmony in China, to Steve and Tim in Yellowknife, to Billy in Calgary, and Heather in Regina, we are able to communicate quite freely. We love it! Holly has a telephone now, so we phoned her yesterday. It was nice to visit with her as well.

Ray and I have been thinking a lot lately about the servant attitude. Many people here have paid servants. Someone said it is a status thing, if you can have a servant -- then you are really somebody! I really didn't like that comment since I am thinking I may need to have someone to help me!! I don't want to be a "somebody" in anyone's eyes. We have been watching the people in this school who serve so willingly, and we are humbled. They always seem to do it with a smile! Ray and I are pretty independent. We like to do our own work, if we can. Ray was burning the garbage for a few days. As soon as they noticed him doing that, along came a boy to gather and do it for him. I decided to paint the window casings in my living room. During the day along came several people to comment on me painting. Then soon along came Mr. Sinha with a former student of his who would like to volunteer to paint the rest of the windows and whatever else I wanted him to do! When I go to market, and arrive back in a taxi, almost immediately, one of the boys runs up the stairs to meet the taxi at the top of the hill so he can carry the groceries up the long flight of steps. In this case, and in all the others, I am very grateful!! The dorm mother of the small boys knows how to sew so offered to sew the curtains for me; she is doing the kitchen ones for me today. She has many duties besides the dorm work and I am so grateful for her willingness to help me out. These are only a few examples of the serving that we have been the recipients of in the last six weeks, and it has really caused us to think about our role here and how we also can be of service to these people. We came here wanting to be of service and find ourselves being served !!

Well, I think this will be enough for this time. If you sent an email, I will eventually answer it. I love getting them. There are many things to write about, so till next time, Love and Blessings.
Ellen

Ellen the Cook II

(a paraphrased msn chat)

I went to Baunkhun today for marketing. I found some kitchen curtain fabric and went down into the market and found some seeds for the garden and some chicken and veggies. Quite a feat on my own.  Carrying the stuff is the hardest. The chicken was a half and it was about 3 lbs for l60 rupees. Probably paid too much but the lady was sweet and probably won't hurt me to be out a few rupees. It was clean and in a screen covered box. I was impressed!  I like going to this market as it is only half as far as Aizawl and I can leave at 10 and be home for lunch. I can't get all the canned stuff or stuff like TP though.  I need to learn to speak Mizo a little though these ladies don't speak much English. Cooking and Cleaning washing clothes, doing dishes all take a lot more time than ever. Oh well, I have the time so far!  Sometimes supper is a bit late or confusing because I don't allow my self the time for cooking the meat. I am getting better and learning to do things ahead of time. They have these neat hot pots like a thermos bowl and they keep the food very hot so its quite possible to do things up ahead of time.

Ray and Ellen. August 2004

Don't Count On It

The Indian culture and country has so very much going for it. Two of its obvious strengths are generosity and hospitality. If you want to be looked after and even “babied”, come to this great corner of God’s earth. This remote, northeasterly corner specializes in these essential qualities. I have often commented to those who have been here that I fear the day when visitors from here would drop in on me in Canada… because I would never match their care and concern for the guests’ welfare.
I’m repeating myself (if you’ve read what I’ve written recently) but it deserves repeating. Mizoram is a gorgeous place and the people, in general, are fantastic. So, anything I say now is not meant to demean this culture or country in any way. I love them both.
But things are different here, and contentment comes not from trying to impose changes, but from the blessing of that old gem--acceptance. The electricity comes and goes and frequently fades and then spikes! The telephone follows much the same routine. Water supply ebbs and flows. Internet… well, the last few days it has been unable to supply a web browser. So….
I got to wondering this afternoon: “How and when did these utilities take over my value system?” Last Sunday our class looked at the beatitudes of Matthew 5. Even now, after many readings of this passage, it shocks my Canadian mind-bent to be reminded that our God smiles on “the poor”, “the mournful”, “the meek”, “the hungry and thirsty”.
Could it be that we often long for, pray for, and preach about things—health, wealth, safety—that represent a skewed value system? “Consider Jesus,” the encourager urges: Was rich, became poor. Was safe, underwent the worst of tragedies. Was exempt from pain, endured the excruciating cross.
You might experience comfort, consistency, health, wealth, predictability, security. But… don’t count on it (them). I doubt that these are the destinations of our journey. Last evening, with our class, grade ten students, I worked through Charles Dickens’s “Christmas Carol”. Ebenezer Scrooge came so close to missing the essence of it. So might I. Might you?
In brief, we are called to be different and to make a difference. I am grateful to the opportunity to do just that here in NE India… with God as my strength.

Ellen the cook

I found some pasta yesterday so had that for supper last night. The kids loved it. Of course they did - it had velveeta cheese on it! I think most of the canned foods are pretty good, though they cost about twice as much as at home. There is not much variety in fresh veggies and fruit, mostly people here eat leaves, and sqashy type things, pumpkin. We can get green beans, expensive carrots and tomatoes, someone gave me beets that are really nice,and onions and potatoes. Last week I found a cabbage but none this week. So far for meat we have had beef (very tough,even ground) and chicken which I pressure cooked and it was good. I am finding it a bit of a challenge to get used to the cooking, how much time it takes in particular.

Almost a month!

Well, it almost a month since we arrived in Aizawl. We have just gotten our email up and running after a rather frustrating month of trying to communicate. However here we are and it seems to be working wonderfully well. We were able to talk on msn with Harm, jand s and Billy, and Heather,and Steve using the web cam so we could even see them. It is quite amazing and exciting for us and especially for A and A. We will talk to Tim tonight and Steve said he would try and get one for at home so we could see the kids, wouldn't that be great? It just really makes it so much easier. We feel so blessed to be here. We have been so well received and everyone is so kind and accomodating. We really could not have asked for anything more. When we arrived we stayed at a guest house and ate with the manager of theschool. His name is Lalfela and his wife Muanpuii. They have been so kind and the children have really loved being with them. Their driver Biacca came to get us whenever we need ed to go anywher and their servant girl became a real favorite with the kids. Netae is her name. We spent three weeks ther e and a week ago we moved out to the school (45 min from Aizawl in a small village) . We live in the staff quarters. They have made an apt for us. It has four rooms. Quite large. It is built from cement. There are several other apts. in the building. Our neighbors are teachers as well. They are Sir Sinha and Miss Mary (Autumn's teacher) , they are epecting their first baby any day, and Sir Jeremy and Miss Kathy. They have a 2year old boy. We are blessed with a bathroom off each bedroom since they joined two apts for us, a living room and a kitchen. There are small hot water heaters in both bathrooms, as well as Flush toilets and hand held showers. WE have everything we could want and the people are so kind to us. The carpenters are still her fixing whatever we ask them to do , like building shelves, putting in extra plugs, etc.
The children have adjusted very well. They are in school here and are doing well. They are very popular and do not lack for attention. They are doing well in classes and are learning Hindi and Mizo. Andrew has homework every night in Hindi, mostly learning the alphabet. The teachers give a lot of tests here and Autumn has found that a little hard to get used to. She got them all right on Friday so she was happy. They have lots of friends and for the most part are content to be here.
We have been going to a little church in Aizawl. Ray is preaching every Sunday now and I am teaching the sunday school. They are very happy to have us to help them out. They mostly do it in English but sometimes if there is someone there who does not understand then they translate. IWe have visited with Ginpu and Alemla a lot. They have children same age as Aand A and so after church we go there for tea. This Sunday she served tea and sticky rice with pork in it. Last week it was noodles just like at home and the kids love it. The food has been very different for them and they are happy for me to be making mashed potatoes for them since we moved here. WEll, this is getting long so I better stop fior this time. Hope all is well with each of you. If you promised me you would answer my emails please do ! I will look forward to hearing your news. We are well, and feel very thankful for all our friends who are supporting us.

From Ellen

Well, it is almost a month since we arrived in Aizawl. We have just gotten our email up and running, after a rather frustrating month of trying to communicate. We live in the staff quarters. A large, four room cement apartment has been prepared. We are blessed with a bathroom off each bedroom--since two apartments were joined, a living room and a kitchen. There are small hot water heaters in both bathrooms, as well as flush toilets and hand-held showers. We have everything we could want, and the people are so kind to us. The carpenters are still here repairing whatever we ask them to do-- building shelves, putting in extra plugs, etc.

The children have adjusted very well. They are in school here and are doing well. They are very popular and do not lack for attention. They are doing well in classes and are learning Hindi and Mizo. Andrew has homework every night in Hindi, mostly learning the alphabet.

We have been going to a little church in Aizawl. Ray is preaching every Sunday now and I am teaching the Sunday school. They are very happy to have us to help them out. Services are mostly in English, but sometimes, if there is someone there who does not understand, they then translate.

Arrived!

We are into our apartment at Silver Oak School in Durtlang, a northeasterly superb of the fascinating hill (mountain) city of Aizawl in northeastern India. In his family-parenting videos, Gary Smalley suggests that men, more than women, are eager to arrive, to conquer the road and reach their destination. However, in this case, I think Ellen’s eagerness surpassed even mine for getting in our own dwelling, setting up house and making a home! Our new home is a four-room apartment on the second floor of a two-story cement structure built for staff-quarters. A larger dwelling is being built for us on the top floor. It will be sometime before that is a reality. Basic kitchen appliances include of a 242 litre refrigerator, a butane powered four-burner stove, a 6-litre spin-drier washing machine, a small electric-toaster oven, and a 30-litre, candle-type water filter.

We hope that no one is feeling sorry for us! The scenery is majestic. You need to come to realize how good God was when he created this corner of his earth. And, to re-quote a famous apostle, as I have said before so say I now again, the only thing more spectacular than the landscape is the people that inhabit it. Now, the weather (for those of us accustomed to the arid prairies) is tediously rainy! The result is that clothes maintain a dampness that can easily turn into mildewiness, and more annoying, our roof is leaking at several junctures. Oh, well, the rainy season will soon (maybe) come to and end and winter (with its chilly plus 10ºC nights will soon be upon us! How does that sound to you brave prairie folk?

Silver Oak School has two more months of regular classes before examinations take place in early December. The new school year will commence on January 17. Opportunities to make a difference with students, staff and parents are many. My English and Bible classes seem to be going well, as does my English class at the Mizoram University.

Today, a 12-hour bandh has been imposed on all of northeast India by the students’ union of all seven states. They are sympathizing with grievances of students in the state of Manipur. For those of you who, to date, have not been privileged to experience a bandh, it is a forced shut-down of all traffic—not offices, school, and very few shops. Joy!

However, since it is anniversary time, I have arrange to take Ellen out for supper—rice, curry, dalh down 140 steps at the student mess (cafeteria)! Enjoy!

One last item. Our plan is to return to Canada in June and, then, return to Silver Oak in September 2005. The May – August segment would be a very opportune time for two or three college students to replace us—teaching classes here at SOS. Or, there may be teachers who would like to spend the better part of July-August making a difference here in NE India.

The first ten day in Aizawl

Would it be too trite to say that the last two weeks have been “very full”? The last couple days in Regina did not afford much sleep. The “up side” to that is that one is more apt to sleep on the plane. Autumn claimed that Papa slept all the way from Vancouver to Korea (11 hours). As usual, she exaggerated… considerably!

What a wonderful memory our church-family made for us on September 5! Some much careful thought went into the entire morning, lunch and afternoon program. Scott has blessed us with a delightful DVD of the day. Thank you over and over. The next morning at the airport was the usual emotional parting but wonderful for the four of us. Later in Vancouver, we were blessed with the company of more friends sending us prayerfully on our way.

And Korea. What a place! Extremely modern and so welcoming. Snowy’s family treated us to such royalty and a fascinating variety of experiences. Snowy’s father is director in a huge ship-building company in Ulsan (south-eastern Korea). They build 60+ ships per year. The countryside and the people are marvelous.

We had one restful night in Singapore. I got to meet Dave Hogan. That was a treat. His Dad, Gordon, visited us in Shillong back in the 60’s.

And Kolkata… late on Saturday night. Quite a contrast from Singapore and Korea. However, we were fortunate to engage a couple taxis to transport us and all our bags to the Host International Hotel, about 15 minutes from the airport. We had a decent sleep and enjoyed the next morning in a service with Swami and Violet Das. They are few in number. Swami has a Bible school in which he has 5 students. Monday morning we thought we were headed for Aizawl but, due to cloudy weather in Aizawl (not uncommon this time of year) the flight did not leave on Monday nor again on Tuesday. So, not wishing to return to downtown Kolkata (where the airlines put us up Monday night), we took the one-hour flight to Silchar… followed by a 12 hour (4 PM – 4 AM) bus ride up the mountain to Aizawl!

Aizawl was dark, dark, rainy, and (seemingly) deserted when the bus dropped us off (with eight large suitcases and 7 small ones) on the side of the street! Fortunately, another passenger went to his home and telephoned Lalkhama who sent a couple vehicles to rescue us and deposit us at the synod Guest House, where we have been for the last 10 days.

A usual day goes something like this:

Up at 6 AM. Breakfast of cornflakes and toast in our room. Picked up at 8 AM and arrive at Silver Oak School (70–mostly boarding--students, grade 1 -1 10) by 8:45. I teach classes till noon (Monday – Friday) at Silver Oak and Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at the Mizoram University (2^nd year M.A. English). Ellen usually stays at the guest house (busy with washing clothes, writing letters, cleaning up the mess we leave). Autumn, Andrew and I take sandwiches for lunch. At 2:20 PM Autumn and Andrew finish their classes and the vehicle returns to take us back to the Guest House. The Guest House is located on the south (west) end of the city while the school is situated about 5 kilometers northeast of the city. At about 5 PM the vehicle picks us up again and we go to Fela & Muanpuii’s for supper. (Lakhama owns the school, but his son, Fela, seems to do most of the operating. Supper usual takes a couple hours.

Somewhere in there the kids try to do their homework (which is in good supply over here) and head for bed by 8:00-8:30.

We have been disappointed in our inability to access the internet. However, we are discovering some possibilities that may help our communication desires. Internet is all dial-up and, of course, takes time. If you wish to use the post office: c/o Silver Oak School, Durtlang Veng Thar, Aizawl, Mizoram 796 005. I hope to soon purchase a fax machine to use from the school. The school is preparing a four-room for us on campus. The heavy, persistent rains make it difficult for the carpenters to make noticeable progress.

We are happy to be here. We are blessed with some of the most majestic scenery on earth... and the people match the landscape. We love the Mizo people. Their singing causes me to suggest that they are part angel! At breakfast this week, Andrew suggested we build some kind of a bridge so that we could just go back and forth from Canada to Mizoram!

Blessings,

Ray, Ellen, Autumn & Andrew