The Dentist's Chair

It was one of those numerous times when I have wondered, ‘Where is my camera when I need it?” It was also a “That reminds me” moment. Back in 1964, I remember a dental experience that lingers vividly in my “unique experiences.” I was clinging to the rudimentary dental chair of Dr. Chandra as he balanced himself on his right foot and peddled confidently with his left foot to keep the drill whirring on a cavity deep in my mouth. Dr. Chandra and his little, street-side office in Shillong (NE India) is long gone but I believe the filling still functions in my back molar.

Last June, in Regina, Dr. Kent Goldade installed braces on Autumn’s wandering teeth. He declared the process to be a two-year project. A year ago I had contacted an orthodontist here and tested her abilities by allowing her to clean my teeth. I am sure autumn is now thinking, “That was really brave, Grandpa. But it doesn’t hold a candle to what you have put me through!” Today was Autumn’s third visit to Dr. Lalrintluangi. It was really the first major adjustment—three wires inserted and tightened—ouchy, tonight!

About three-quarters of the way through the ordeal, the lights brightened up wonderfully. Then … darkness for the next 30 minutes. The doctor lit a candle and had me hold it, but I guess I wasn’t certified for that task. She informed me that, if we weren’t in a big hurry, that we would have to wait. So, I left autumn resting in the dentist’s chair went to a nearby to shop of groceries. When I return 20 minutes later, the assistant had two candles burning brightly on a tray and the orthodontist was busy at her assignment. Fortunately, the electricity returned for the last ten minutes of the 90-minute ordeal. So Dr. Laltluangi got to make sure every clip and brace and wire was where she wanted it.

Fortunately, it was Autumn and not her Grandmother or Andrew. Last week, I was with Autumn in the little dentist’s office. Andrew and his Grandmother were waiting on a bench just outside the door. Andrew’s curiosity could not be contained. He had to sneak in for a peak. The assistant made small conversation with him and then asked him about his teeth. (Last month, I had to take him to another dentist to remove a baby tooth). Now he has another baby tooth that has almost said good-bye to him. So, I suggested that the orthodontist take a quick look at that tooth. Andrew bolted for the door and down the steps—curiosity cancelled!

Contrary-wise, Autumn never whimpers. The only thing she asked for was a bottle of coke on the way home. Brave girl, Autumn.

NO ROOM

NO ROOM
The time of year is fast approaching when Luke 2:7 will again be an appropriate text for sermons asking the question as to whether our hearts, homes, lives, families, churches are as congested as the Bethlehem inns of two millenniums ago. “There was no room in the inn.”

Sometimes the “No Vacancy” sign clearly displays the “stay out of my territory” warning. Or, those welcome signs on businesses, “Absolutely no soliciting”! I remember when I (like many parents) stuffed mailboxes with advertisement fliers. What a novel idea to initiate ones children to the work-world … and, while they were swallowed up by the demands of their sports teams, you trudged through the snow to keep the business afloat! Remember those “no junk mail” edicts? Then, you had those articulate, old ladies who called the distributing agency complaining that they hadn’t got any fliers … for the last month! And, I expect you had one or more of those nasty old men who banded his door open to swear at you and inquire as why you can’t read English (in a blinding snow storm). “’No junk’; that means no fliers, you ….” How’s a guy supposed to win? Or, is he?

No room. Sometimes it isn’t that easy to read the signs. Have you ever dropped in (unannounced, of course) on a close friend, thinking you might have a quick chit-chat only to be greeted by, “What do you want?” or, perhaps more tactfully (or, tacitly), “What can I do for you?”

Time, energy, resources are all used up. Over-loaded. Over-committed. Learn to say, “NO,” at least that’s what our wise counselors tell us. No more room in my mailbox, my inbox, or my life.

Churches have learned to fend off fund-raisers, especially those crafty missionaries with the neat formula: “No room in the budget”. “You can come and talk to a few people—but absolutely no fund raising. Talk all you want about what you are trying to accomplish for the poor, the lost, and the Lord, but do not mention money.” Recently, I told our story under the auspices of those by-laws. I stayed half-a-globe away from money-matters but one brave saint ventured to give me a small cheque with the qualifier, “Please do not put me on any mailing list.”

I don’t remember ever receiving complaints that my reports where too long and/or too frequent. However, yesterday, from an acquaintance (he likely wouldn’t consider me a close friend), a retired professor of a Christian university, I received this memo: “Ray, please remove my email address from your mass mailings. … If not, unfortunately I would have to block your email address from virtually all correspondence.”

On the other side of the coin, I remember another college professor. It was registration and class scheduling time. My little brother was and the end of a long line of new students. Considerably after noon, he arrived at the door of Dr. Raymond Kelcy’s office. John apologized for being late and meekly suggested that Dr. Kelcy would likely want to go for lunch, since he was already quite late. (“The late”) Dr. Kelcy’s response (along with his positive influence) lingers with us, “Jesus always had room for one more person and so do I!”

And so, I wonder about my own "protected space"!

NOW THERE IS WATER

NOW THERE IS WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE, BUT …

From mid-May till mid-October, the monsoon season usually brings an abundance of rain. During that time the mountain spring provides a generous supply of excellent water which is collected in a huge reservoir for the Silver Oak campus. However, about two months after the rains cease the spring dries up. From early in the new year we are faced with purchasing water from truckers who bring it up from the river.

Years ago another large cement reservoir was constructed just below the spring. However, it has been neglected and overrun with weeds and dirt. For the last month we have had a couple men working on cleaning and re-plastering and covering this valuable hole in the ground. If my calculations are anywhere close, it should contain more than 80,000 litres which will be very precious in a couple months.

Precious stuff, that water! I wonder what all might be included in Jesus’ claim to provide “the water of life”.

Steep Climb

Steep Climb

The structure for our bible college here at Silver Oak School in Mizoram, NE India is borrowed from NationsUniversity, “a school without walls that offers affordable, accessible higher education to build faith and develop culturally rooted Christian leaders around the world.” Our fall quarter of studies consists of four Old Testament subjects. Each subject (course) is arranged in 5 modules which are, in turn, subdivided into three units. Our study schedule allows for three weeks (15 class-days) per subject. If you have followed up to this point, you might also conclude that each day (3 class-time hours) is given to each unit! At the end of each module there is an examination via the internet.

On September 25, eight young men--we hope some women will join in the future--from various points in NE India embarked on a steep learning curve due to:

• No familiarity with the Old Testament


• Zero typing skills


• Strangers to computers


• Deficiencies in English

As though those were not challenges enough, their schooling to date is of another kind. I think it would not be far off the mark to state that the majority of schooling in these parts depends on the art of memorization. Teachers provide probable test questions accompanied by expected answers. Hours are spent memorizing “questions and answers.” Many teachers publish books which supply students with the “set of possible questions and required answers.” Analyzing, summarizing, discussing, questioning, exploring, interacting … are (unfortunately, in my opinion) supplanted by the “prepare-for-the-exam” syndrome. So, when faced with a subject as vast as Survey of the Old Testament, the traditional method of out-guessing the exam and memorizing answer comes up rather short!

On top of all that, a passing mark in these parts is usually around 30%. NationsU uses 70% as the passing mark!

However, I think we are all getting “in the groove.” NationsUniversity (http://www.nationsu.org/) provides a flexible structure with appropriate objectives for the making of disciple-makers here in the NE. The facilities are very adequate and the climate is ideal for those who wish to concentrate on studies.