November 3, 2008

Dear Friends,

Light on the streets

Today is “Diwali” here in Delhi, a festival of lights. When we were in Nepal it was celebrated quietly with tiny oil lamps placed around the outside of houses, but here in Delhi, it has been taken over by what we call Christmas lights, strung in long loops over the edge of buildings. In the background, there is a continuous background of fireworks and firecrackers. It makes me feel a bit lonely being surrounded by a festival but not included. I am also very aware of being a foreigner, a stranger, and wonder how many visitors to Christian countries feel like this during Thanksgiving and Christmas, when they see all the excitement but aren’t invited to join in. This is certainly one time of the year that “loving our neighbor” can be put into action everywhere.

Light in the factory

We moved to Delhi in August so that I could work with Open Hand Trading Company, which works on the theory that giving employment in the sewing industry to people who can not normally find a job is also “loving one’s neighbor.” Good quality home furnishings, sheets, douvet covers, napkins, are made to order and exported to large companies overseas. The work is done under good conditions, with fair wages, as a model of ethical industry and commerce, bringing a bit of light and hope to those on the edge of surviving.

Such activities are being started by many Christians these days, as an alternative to the usual forms of mission work. What do you think? Would you or your church support this as a credible part of the church’s mission in the 21st century?

Scott’s work

Scott encouraging involvement in the learning process.

“Yeah, but what do you do on a day to day basis?”  How many times have I been asked that question from family, friends, supporters, and pastors? I now work out of the central Community Health Office for the Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA). I work in a support role for the 12 community health projects. I mostly plan and participate in meetings and trainings, spend hours online booking and rebooking tickets, then actually I do the actual traveling (36 hours on buses for the last one) to some of the member hospitals and projects. This last month I spent time writing job descriptions, compiling annual reports from the many projects into one report, and planning the logisitics and agenda of a five-day  meeting to look at strategic planning with 20 of the project leaders.

Leaders in the spotlight

The EHA doctors and top leaders could all be in easier and more financially rewarding jobs, but they see their work with EHA as service that is part of bringing Christ’s kingdom to their own country.

Robert Kumar carefully making a point in the meetings.

Robert is one of those leaders. He leads three separate projects at the Herbertpur Christian Hospital: a community development project, a program for physically and mentally challenged children and their parents, and a project that’s creating the first women’s production cooperative in the district. He is very capable and committed.

Subhash, is a preacher’s kid from West Bengal. His dad would love for him to join him in his evangelism ministry, but Subhash feels committed to a more holistic ministry through the community development project of the Duncan Christian Hospital in Bihar state. Their activities had to be put on hold this year because of the floods in that part of Bihar.

Subash, on the right, at a reporting session.

Subhash reshaped the project into a relief distribution project for several months. Now he is trying to move communities from relief to recovery and on to a development mentality. It is a challenge to get it just right, but Subhash and his team are determined not to allow disaster to turn once self-supporting rural families into aid-dependant, hopeless people.

I could go on and on. I am so privileged to be working with such dedicated and caring Christian men and women. Although my title is “Community Development Consultant,” I feel most days I am learning  real practical lessons from my colleagues.

The lights of our life

Timothy, Hilary, Kelli, Daniel Smith at Kelli's wedding last summer in Iowa.

This summer our eldest daughter, Kelli, was married in Iowa City. There was a great celebration of family and friends, with a definite south Asia flavor. We often wonder how much their Asia upbringing  has affected their lives. Daniel has several projects going on in Louisville, but has added teaching English to refugees to his week. Kelli works as a trainer in the Iowa hospital system, Tim is working on an engineering degree in New Jersey and has enjoyed working as an intern for Fisher-Price. Hilary, a senior in high school, is applying to colleges and co-chairing the Social Activity Committee at Woodstock School.

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 114