After leaving Australia on 6th April we travelled to Kolkata via Bangkok arriving in there at around 1.30am on 7th April. By 9am the next morning we were back at Kolkata Airport for the flight to Mizoram with Brother & Sister David Reynolds who had joined us from the USA.
When we arrived at Aizawl Airport we were met by the General Superintendent, Brother Lalrinsanga and other church officials. After a brief welcome ceremony where we were presented with flowers and photographs taken, we proceeded to Aizawl Police HQ to present our permits. After an early dinner with the Executive Board we left for Kolosib arriving at the orphanage around 9pm; all the staff and most of the older children were waiting up for us and we were received with great warmth.
After a very sound sleep and after being roused at sunrise by the 5.30am bell for chapel service we faced a busy day showing Brother and Sister Reynolds around the compound. After that we received a briefing regarding the dedication of the Older Boys’ Quarters and the new extensions to the school to take place the next day. Brother Downs also had meetings with the orphanage Superintendent, Brother Damhuala, and the school Principal, Sister Shanti to receive reports.
The Reynolds were very impressed with the total project and very moved when they saw the Older Boys’ Quarters almost fully completed except for some electrical work and the plumbing. Brother and Sister Reynolds contributed most of the funds for these quarters in memory of Douglas their deceased son. The new building is called the Douglas Reynolds Memorial Building.
We also inspected the new tower built on the side of the orphanage servicing each of the three levels. This tower will replace old facilities to be demolished which are suffering structural decay. The new tower incorporates bathrooms/toilets at each level for children and staff as well as a new laundry and storeroom.
The main wing of the school is also complete. It is four stories and has classrooms capable of accommodating up to 400 students and dormitories for 60-70 boarders.
On Wednesday 9th April 2008 the Dedication of the new facilities took place. A good number of UPC officials were in attendance along with Government officials and officials from other denominations. The Commissioner of the Kolasib District represented the Government of Mizoram.
The dedication of the buildings and the service which followed were a moving experience, especially for Brother and Sister Reynolds. All students from Year 3 up from the school attended the dedication and the service with the orphan children and the boarding students presenting choir items. A local UPC member sang the moving song “I’m nobody’s child” and the orphan children sang the song composed in the early days of the orphanage which expresses how God blessed them with loving carers who provide a home for them.
On Thursday 10th April we were to proceed to Aizawl; however, due to there being a large government conference in the city we had to remain at the orphanage until the Saturday. So that day the Commissioner of the Kolasib area insisted that we visit his office for afternoon tea. We received a very warm welcome and talked about the project and the Pentecost experience. It appeared that he was a member of the Salvation Army. He once again expressed that he thought the UPC project in Kolasib was wonderfully cared for and a great asset to the Kolasib area. He stated he was very impressed with the project and that our regular visits showed how much we cared for what was happening. Whilst in Kolasib town we took time to visit the shops and buy come needed equipment for the orphanage along with sweets and biscuits for the children.
Friday 11th April turned into a rest day and any matters of business that were incomplete were cleared up. We also attended an assembly of all the school children where they entertained us with a number of hymns and choruses in English and Mizo. Sister Downs was also able to initiate a new garden program for the older boys. She had been planning for them to grow vegetables but they showed greater interest in flowers.
Saturday we travelled back to Aizawl spending the night at dinner with a friend who is a member of parliament. On Sunday morning we attended the Annual Conference of the UPC Youth Department where Brother Downs preached to about 5,000 youth. Brother Reynolds preached in the evening. Both the morning message and evening message went very much in hand and after the evening service the youth worshipped the Lord until after midnight.
On Monday morning we travelled to Aizawl airport to leave for Kolkata. At check in time we were still in a traffic jam in Aizawl with a 50 minute journey ahead of us. Fortunately our flight had been delayed one hour. Every visit to India is full of the unexpected along with various anxieties.
Once again we are happy to report that both the orphanage and school projects are progressing very well. All of the sponsors would be very pleased not only to see how their children are fairing but to feel the beautiful atmosphere of love and caring in which they live. All this is happening because a group of wonderful people care enough to make a difference.
The staff of the orphanage and school are to be commended on their dedication to God’s service and the children. We are always moved to hold up these folk in prayer who work so sacrificially. They certainly shine the light of Jesus in a country of such physical and spiritual need.
When we arrived at Aizawl Airport we were met by the General Superintendent, Brother Lalrinsanga and other church officials. After a brief welcome ceremony where we were presented with flowers and photographs taken, we proceeded to Aizawl Police HQ to present our permits. After an early dinner with the Executive Board we left for Kolosib arriving at the orphanage around 9pm; all the staff and most of the older children were waiting up for us and we were received with great warmth.
After a very sound sleep and after being roused at sunrise by the 5.30am bell for chapel service we faced a busy day showing Brother and Sister Reynolds around the compound. After that we received a briefing regarding the dedication of the Older Boys’ Quarters and the new extensions to the school to take place the next day. Brother Downs also had meetings with the orphanage Superintendent, Brother Damhuala, and the school Principal, Sister Shanti to receive reports.
The Reynolds were very impressed with the total project and very moved when they saw the Older Boys’ Quarters almost fully completed except for some electrical work and the plumbing. Brother and Sister Reynolds contributed most of the funds for these quarters in memory of Douglas their deceased son. The new building is called the Douglas Reynolds Memorial Building.
We also inspected the new tower built on the side of the orphanage servicing each of the three levels. This tower will replace old facilities to be demolished which are suffering structural decay. The new tower incorporates bathrooms/toilets at each level for children and staff as well as a new laundry and storeroom.
The main wing of the school is also complete. It is four stories and has classrooms capable of accommodating up to 400 students and dormitories for 60-70 boarders.
On Wednesday 9th April 2008 the Dedication of the new facilities took place. A good number of UPC officials were in attendance along with Government officials and officials from other denominations. The Commissioner of the Kolasib District represented the Government of Mizoram.
The dedication of the buildings and the service which followed were a moving experience, especially for Brother and Sister Reynolds. All students from Year 3 up from the school attended the dedication and the service with the orphan children and the boarding students presenting choir items. A local UPC member sang the moving song “I’m nobody’s child” and the orphan children sang the song composed in the early days of the orphanage which expresses how God blessed them with loving carers who provide a home for them.
On Thursday 10th April we were to proceed to Aizawl; however, due to there being a large government conference in the city we had to remain at the orphanage until the Saturday. So that day the Commissioner of the Kolasib area insisted that we visit his office for afternoon tea. We received a very warm welcome and talked about the project and the Pentecost experience. It appeared that he was a member of the Salvation Army. He once again expressed that he thought the UPC project in Kolasib was wonderfully cared for and a great asset to the Kolasib area. He stated he was very impressed with the project and that our regular visits showed how much we cared for what was happening. Whilst in Kolasib town we took time to visit the shops and buy come needed equipment for the orphanage along with sweets and biscuits for the children.
Friday 11th April turned into a rest day and any matters of business that were incomplete were cleared up. We also attended an assembly of all the school children where they entertained us with a number of hymns and choruses in English and Mizo. Sister Downs was also able to initiate a new garden program for the older boys. She had been planning for them to grow vegetables but they showed greater interest in flowers.
Saturday we travelled back to Aizawl spending the night at dinner with a friend who is a member of parliament. On Sunday morning we attended the Annual Conference of the UPC Youth Department where Brother Downs preached to about 5,000 youth. Brother Reynolds preached in the evening. Both the morning message and evening message went very much in hand and after the evening service the youth worshipped the Lord until after midnight.
On Monday morning we travelled to Aizawl airport to leave for Kolkata. At check in time we were still in a traffic jam in Aizawl with a 50 minute journey ahead of us. Fortunately our flight had been delayed one hour. Every visit to India is full of the unexpected along with various anxieties.
Once again we are happy to report that both the orphanage and school projects are progressing very well. All of the sponsors would be very pleased not only to see how their children are fairing but to feel the beautiful atmosphere of love and caring in which they live. All this is happening because a group of wonderful people care enough to make a difference.
The staff of the orphanage and school are to be commended on their dedication to God’s service and the children. We are always moved to hold up these folk in prayer who work so sacrificially. They certainly shine the light of Jesus in a country of such physical and spiritual need.
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