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Salaam from India #29

2008-02-20T08:25:00-05:00

Last Days in India
Feburary 19, 2008 email #29
I am writing this as I sit in the PII Board meeting, watching the men (there is one woman, but she is not in attendance) from all over Maharastra State making decisions about Prakash and its’ future. They don’t come from all over India because of the language barrier. It is hard to believe it is a country with more than 22+ major languages and 400 or so dialects. The languages are as different as English and Chinese. English truly is the only unifying language. It takes commitment, to ride all night on a train or bus just to get to Nagpur. No one flies!!!! Thankfully, they are dedicated men of God who want for Prakash to flourish. Only thing is---they still do not know about cell phone etiquette. I guess some us don’t either!

Now it is our next to last day and I will continue this email. Life at Prakash is at full steam ahead, BUSY, BUSY. A poisonous snake was found and killed on the new Soccer field today. I’m glad it wasn’t there on Sports Day. All of a sudden, it has turned dreadfully hot!!! I mean HOT!!!! Maybe that is what brought the snake out??? Thank goodness we only have a day or so left. It is hard to believe the change can happen so quickly.

Before we left home, Loren made a connection with a guy (a former missionary kid) who makes a water filter that requires no electricity. We brought one with us. God has truly worked some miracles! As we were having a casual conversation with a man from the Hindu extended family he offered to import all the filters for us. WOW! This was a huge concern IF we were going to be able to make an impact on a number of villages, not just one or two. Today we put our first prototype in a village and gave them clean drinking water for the first time in history. The cost of each unit is a mere $150 installed and will change a village forever. Dr. Suresh is handling all the details for us, because he is Prakash’s main contact with the villages. His Vet-Med ministry has been very rewarding. If we can just get this project funded we will be able to manufacture the containers for the filters and water here at Prakash using the students which will also give these students some practical training.

Abhay went out to the little Hindu lady’s new little house. I thought you might like to see the results. Isn’t she clever?? I thought she did a great job.

Sunday, I took all the girls OUT to lunch. It was the first time many of them had ever eaten in a restaurant. There was a play yard as part of the “Hotel” (any place that serves food is called a Hotel) and the girls went wild. You would have thought they were much younger, but truly they are not very mature compared to our teenagers. Even using a cloth napkin was an experience, not being quite sure what to do with it. They watch every move I made. but I am soooooo glad I was able to give them this special treat. Funniest thing happen while we were on the bus, they asked, “Nani, can we touch your hair?” Before I came, none of them had ever seen a blue eyed, light haired person. “Sure you can.” So I had many little fingers going all through my hair all the way back to RGI. During this last week the girls are feverishly making some jewelry for me to take home. This is one of their courses and they have even sold a few pieces. Maybe this will turn out to be a way for RGI to make some income???

Another project we would love to have funded for RGI, is to buy some desks. Right now the girls all sit on a carpet/rug for most classes. We found a desk/chair combination for $20 each, and we only need 32 at the present.

God has made this a most productive trip and we are so thankful for all we have been able to accomplish. I will be packing my computer in the morning, so this will be my last email until I get back to Georgia and the good ole’ USA. What a wonderful time we have had together.

Thank you once more for all your replies.

Salaam (Peace be with you) from India.

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India

Salaam from India #28

2008-02-18T09:04:00-05:00

Valentine’s Day in India
Feburary 14, 2008 email #28
Happy Valentine’s Day---I don’t think so!!! Loren and must have eaten something that didn’t like us so we spent the whole day in bed and keeping the “throne” warm. We are much better tonight. Thankfully, this is really the only time we have been this kind of sick. Nupi and Suresh came by with two red roses and a card. It was so sweet of them and it did help to cheer us up. Oh, there is something I meant to tell you and simply forgot with all the activities that happened at the end of Demme and Bob’s visit. Remember, Loren’s cleaning spree??? Well, as the guys were cleaning out the go-downs (storage garages) they made a pile of OLD deteriorated wood---doors with terrible dry rot, drawers, boxes, doors casings and poles---just plain junk. Purely by chance? NO! but surly by God’s divine intervention a little---and I mean little---Hindu lady spied the pile through our gate and asked the House Father, Ahbay, whose home is near the gate, if she could have some of the wood to build a house. Ahbay came to us and Loren said, “I want to meet with her before I say yes or no.” So after several attempts and doggedness on her part we finally had an opportunity to hear her story. Loren had a nagging feeling that things were not as they should be with her and didn’t want to cause a predicament by giving the wood. What a pitiful life she has had---beyond our imagination. Her husband has run off with another woman, thankfully this stopped the beatings that left her unconscious. Now that he was gone she is the sole support for her two small girls. By some miracle she found out about some government land where she could have “squatter’s rights” and she herself had put a thatch hut on the plot to secure the land. Out of her MONTHLY income of 800 rps (approx. $21) she was paying 500rps in rent. As I sat and listened to her tale, a sob escaped and I could no longer hold back the tears, neither could Demme. We had no qualms about giving her the wood when she assured us that her husband would not steal it from her. Loren arranged for a 5-wheeler to come and pick up the TWO LOADS. She was going to walk each piece the five or so miles to the plot. Not only did she get the pile she had seen from the gate but materials for a roof, more fairly good doors and a couple of windows. All stuff that is not useable for Prakash any longer. I am sure some of the staff, were eyeing the pile with craving, but with heartfelt gratitude we thank God for His bringing this dear little lady into our lives. She was so inundated with emotion that as she climbed upon top of the load her whole body shook with sobbing. I understand that while we were on our trip north she alone has completed her new little home. We have encouraged our House Father to go out and take some photos for us. It probably would not be wise for us to go out and inspect for ourselves, as there has already been questions from her neighbors about this school and their generosity.

We are on the “short-chain” ( a navy term for counting the days until we return home.) The projects that need to be finished make every day super busy and I am also trying to take a lot of pictures that will tell the story of Prakash. There several big projects that are truly becoming necessities where funding is needed. Pictures are worth a thousand words.

I will try to get at least one more email written before we leave India.

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India

Salaam from India #27

2008-02-18T09:02:00-05:00

The Taj Mahal of India
February 10, 2008 email #27
A trip north with Bob and Demme was a wonderful interlude from the stress and pressures of life at Prakash. Loren had not been to New Delhi or Agra since 1989 so he was excited about seeing all the tourist sites again. Many changes have happened in that length of time---like a charge of $20 per person for foreigners ($00.25 for Indians) to tour the Taj Mahal. 911 has caused many of these changes. India is CHANGE and India is ADJUST!!! You can no longer fly into Agra, so it is a 7-hour car trip from Delhi to Agra. By doing this Bob had a chance to take tons of photos and recover some of his loss. All the way to Agra and back on the theoretical highway, plodding along, were many camel trains carrying enormous loads of cotton. Down in Nagpur area you rarely see a camel.
Yes, I took this picture with my little old Kodak. Isn’t it great???
I have to say, it still thrills me each time I see this awesome Taj Mahal, a “Wonder of the World.” God was so good with the weather, it was cold and a trifle windy, but that is more desirable than heat and we were not deterred one bit from enjoying the beauty of the magnificent architectural wonder of love. Don’t you just love the hairdo??? As an added bonus, our guide was an Indian National Soccer player, a center back, I think. Bob and he really connected and Bob ended up giving him a treasured National Federation Soccer Patch. The historical sites of India are many and are now well kept, breathtaking and awe-inspiring, but to be honest I think Demme enjoyed the Gypsy Market (Dilli Haat) the best. Shopping is always fun for women

By gathering all the goodies that the hotels gave, today I was able to give each of the girls four cherished items. They were completely overwhelmed. Not one of them has ever been in a real hotel so getting this kind of treasure was like Christmas. In addition, only one of them had even seen a photo of the Taj Mahal, so I took my computer and showed them pictures. Of coarse, it could not end with just those pictures so I showed photos of the girls putting on the Valentine’s Day event. It was so cute to see their reactions while seeing their own photo.

Now we are on the count down to our leaving. Each of the executive staff has, with great relish, presented a list of things they would love to have completed before we leave. I can see Loren drooping at the thought!!! There will be no time now for chitchat, only priorities

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India

Salaam from India #26

2008-02-18T08:58:00-05:00

Bob and Demme in India
Feburary 8, 2008 email #26
There was a flurry of events as the last days with Bob and Demme, here at Prakash, wound down. Having a village tour was a must. (Bob was always in the front seat as we traveled by car and has promised never to complain about Atlanta drivers or traffic again---we'll see!!!) So with a picnic lunch in hand we started out to see, The Farm where Self-Reliant training is taught, the "Veggie Tales" village, Rupali's village to see her small school, the orphanage (they doled out 400 pieces of candy for the kids---stampede) and ended with my favorite village of Nandagomuck. This is 200+ year-old village of unusual cow dung huts, winding paths, goats, and chickens, cows, farmers and people watchers of "bright" skin. One of the old farmers that Loren has befriended proudly gave us a tour. We loved it even though sometimes the pungent odor of decay and human waste stunned our senses. Oh well, as long as I don't step in it, I am OK! We are pleased to say there are several alumni of Prakash from this village. All in all it was a LONG hard day, but well worth the effort.

One of the very impactful and interesting things to Bob and Demme were the church services. We attended two and then had dinner in a staff home where unbelievable stories of being raised in an orphanage were told. Many of our staff were brought up in orphanages. As you can see it has been more than hectic trying to fit every little thing into the schedule. Overload? Perhaps. In any event, some of the most impressive time of their whole trip has been the giving of their testimonies to the students, staff and then to the pastors. No one here can believe the complete transparency of his and her life stories. In India, personal and unpleasant life experiences are kept VEYY secret. We are so grateful for Bob and Demme's ability to touch hearts and show God's loving forgiveness.

Tragedy did strike when somehow Bob lost ALL the pictures on his camera. It seems impossible, BUT it happened! Thankfully, I have taken many, many photos of them and they will have more than enough to share when they return back to Atlanta.

More about our trip North next time.
Goodnight and God Bless.

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India

Irene’s Journey of Faith

2008-02-09T19:45:00-05:00

Mission:Equip is intended to be a portal which provides online tools for missionaries worldwide. All of us, missionaries included, find ourselves at times facing difficult struggles along our journey.

Recently, one of our partners, Dave Dias, and his wife Irene have been undergoing a difficult journey as Irene courageously battles a rare, terminal disease called Primary Amyloidosis.

We thought the visitors to this website might be interested in reading more about how God is sustaining this couple as they face life circumstances which they never anticipated. Feel free to check out the blog at IreneDias.com and also read about the new book recounting their battle, Irene’s Journey of Faith.

Our hope is that the story of Irene and Dave will be of great encouragement to those in the Lord’s service who are facing frightening circumstances as you read about the God who promises to uphold you no matter how difficult and painful your life’s journey may seem.

Salaam from India #25

2008-02-06T09:13:00-05:00

Party Day in India
Feburary 3, 2008 email #25
The big party day arrived and the air was vibrating with excitement. The girls begged Demme and I to wear saris, so, Alishiba came to my room and put the saris on us. I can do this, BUT not in India where each pleat has to be perfect. I have to say, the ladies had planned the day down to the last detail. It was pleasing to see how they had organized everything around their theme of “Unconditional Love.” Demme gave the main talk with a beautiful presentation of Christ and His love for us. She used several visual aids, which always is good for the Indians. In attendance were about 200 ladies for this Valentine Party, some late and a few on time. The party program included songs, games, and “Lucky Draws,” in addition to the RGI girls doing skits---"The Prodigal Son” with darling costumes including pigs and “The Cracked Pot.” The girls did the Stick Dance with brightly-colored-gorgeous-mirror-studded Rajesthani dresses.

Of course, there is NEVER an event without a lot of food. The catered lunch was held in the gardens of PBI and was a VEG (no meat) meal so that the 50 or so Hindu women, who attended, would not be offended. The food was of the quality that even we could enjoy it. The comments were, “This is the first ladies event that wasn’t BORING.” All in all it was a magnificent time of fun and fellowship.

While the women were having their party the men were out in the fields having a Sports Day. Bob, as I said before, is a soccer referee, so there were competition games between staff and students, staff and pastors, etc. Bob was giving some exercises and
running skills when he took an end-over-teakettle fall. Good thing the bullock’s cow patties had been clean off the field. Well, maybe he wouldn’t have skinned his knees and elbow so badly if he had hit something a little softer!!!! The fall didn’t stop him one bit though. There were also javelin throws and races. Every once in a while, as we ladies were in the Auditorium doing our thing, we would hear loud, exuberant shouts and cheers. I don’t think many of these people have ever had so much just plain fun. The men were served the same meal AFTER the women had finished. Then they completed their day with a big volleyball tournament. Loren with Bob (in his referee uniform)

To be sure, everyone would love for this to become a “tradition.” The next morning we met with staff to overview the entire event and see what was good and what we would carry out differently---IF we were ever to do it again? This kind of training is not cultural, because they don’t tend to think future. The lack of future planning in their lives is a true hindrance. But, they were thrilled with the outcome of the day, as they saw what good planning could produce.
Goodnight dear friends, and again thank you for all your encouraging emails.

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India

Salaam from India #24

2008-02-05T08:57:00-05:00

Shopping Day in India
February 1, 2008 email #24
There is no rest for the weary at Prakash when you are on a Missions Trip. We had Bob and Demme up-and-at-’em by 8 am on Thursday. After breakfast we had a long leisurely tour of the entire campus and all the classes. It is always entertaining to see the students in the classroom or doing practical work. For some reason the students were particularly serious, but then we found out it was exam day. While touring Bob realized that the goalposts for the soccer games were not positioned correctly, so that caused a mild panic. All afternoon was spent correcting the error. Bob was a national soccer referee and a certified instructor. He brought his uniform, and even his TWO whistles so he was ready for the Sports Day games.
Later in the day as they unpacked all the things they had brought for Prakash I couldn’t understand why there was such an abundance of foodstuff. Bob brought all kinds of goodies with him, because he was SURE he didn’t like Indian food and he would lose 10 pounds while being here---WRONG!!! Demme said she has tried and tried to get him to take here to an Indian restaurant, with no luck. He has fallen in love with the food and the people.

Demme and I had a nice long session of Q and A with the girls. She had brought cute small bag full of samples of Mary Kay for each girl. Talk about excited---they were in heaven. It will be so cute to see them Sunday with lipstick on. Having someone re-enforce the principles you have been trying to teach is such a blessing. Without any prompting from me, she was really on the same page. Among other questions she asked, “ What do you liked best about RGI?” Again the answer was discipline and Starting Point. When she asked, “What is it about Starting Point that you like so much?” Instantly, everyone began to answer. “When we try to read the whole Bible is becomes confusing, but Starting Point is so simple and easy to understand. Also, when someone tries to argue with us about the Bible we now know how to defend our faith.” WOW!!! It makes my heart glad.

Thanks again and again to North Point Church for sponsoring this program for us.
We are starting to translate the second edition of Starting Point so we will have a two-year program.

There was shopping to do for prizes for the “Lucky Draw.”
(Not necessarily what I would call it, but they don’t understand the terminology “Raffle Drawing.") So off to Itwari, our favorite place to shop, to purchase gifts for RGI’s Women’s Valentine Party and tee shirts for the soccer teams for PBI’s Sport Day. Now Itwari is a true Indian experience for Bob and Demme. See in the photo how little Demme is. She would have gotten lost in the crowd if Loren had not protected her. Bob is so social that he had to stop and talk to everyone, especially the little girls on bikes who wanted to try out their English. The fact is, this was not even a crowed time of day, but was still overwhelming. We had a really good laugh when friendly Bob began talking to a little boy and the boy asked in perfect English, “What is your name?” Bob answered, “Bob Pluta.” Everyone around burst out laughing---puta in Marathi is fanny! So he decided he is just plain BOB.

Tomorrow is the big day, so there will be more to tell.

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India

Salaam from India #23

2008-02-04T09:08:01-05:00

Bob and Demme arrive in India
January 31, 2008 email #23
Wednesday, bright and really early Loren and I flew to Mumbai to meet Demme and Bob Pluta. These are friends from North Point Church in Atlanta that we met in our small group. They felt a real desire to come to Prakash and just be of help in any way. We met them at the hotel then toured all of the touristy sites in the city---Crawford’s Market, the Gateway to India, Victoria Train Station, the Taj Mahal Hotel, small streets for shopping, traffic, traffic and of coarse, the Cottage Industries shop. In the evening we all boarded the plane and flew to Nagpur. Demme was going to sleep, but as women, what did we do????? TALK, TALK. The greeting at the airport was with the traditional flower garlands (lies) and bright smiles. They were overwhelmed and didn’t know the best part was yet to come.

Upon arriving at the gate of Prakash they were told they needed to get out of the car and walk. Confusion showed on their faces, but as they rounded the corner and saw the fully decorated Bullock cart and bullocks with all the students lining the drive sparklers in hand and singing songs, they smiled and climbed in for the ride of their lives. Several of the boys did a traditional Maharashtraian dance while playing tambourines leading the bullock cart all the way to the front of the building. Bob and Demme were covered with rose petals that had been thrown. One of the students had made an eight foot diameter SAND rug. (Shown in picture) and the pathway was made of flower petals. More garlands were given and songs sung and just when I thought it was all over the computer class students said they had a small skit. Out walk two boys, one with a sign LOREN and the other with a sign SYLVIA. LOREN had a notebook (any of you who know Loren well, know he LOVES notebooks). He was looking over the students and writing in his notebook, and then Sylvia would check things off, be listening and picking up papers saying, “Jala doo!!! or Petoo!! These are the Hindi and Marathi words for BURN IT!!! I am constantly picking up papers, the students will run over and take them out of my hands, BUT instead of putting them in the trash they will stick them under a rock. So learning the words for “burn it” was an important first language lesson. Also, SYLVIA would flip her hair---I thought I would die laughing. They catch every little action you do. I know I constantly put my fingers in my THICK hair and lift it because my head gets so hot, but who knew how closely I was being watched. It makes me realize how much living each moment in a Christ like way is extremely important. Then the BOB and DEMME boys arrive with their signs. Naturally, DEMME is the one pulling the suitcase. SYLVIA and LOREN hug them. The boys truly had no idea exactly what Bob and Demme were going to be doing here, but they did know there was to be a Sports Day, so they acted all that out. Then BOB and DEMME leave and LOREN and SYLVIA get on their knees and thank the Lord for bring BOB and DEMME to help at Prakash. It was toooooo charming.

By now it is 10:30 PM and straight away dinner is to be served. I know Bob and Demme are ready to drop, but they were good sports and enjoyed a time with executive staff.
Even though our Indian beds are hard as rocks, I don’t think they cared a bit. Just give me a bed!!!

I will write more about their trip in following emails. They have already been an enormous encouragement to the Loren and Sylvia---without the signs.

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India

Salaam from India #22

2008-01-30T07:36:01-05:00

Village Trip in India

January 29, 2008 email #22

Finally, after having been here for two months we were able to travel out to a village. Each village is so unique and such a fun experience that we find a trip such as this to be a genuine highlight. We made this excursion especially to visit a young lady who was one of the first converts of the Vet-Med ministry’s sewing program. I first met her years ago when we filmed in her village to help the “Jesus Film” people do a promo. Rupali was an enormous help to me in controlling the crowds that day. Some of you will also remember the picture---I sent a few years back---taken of the little fellowship group that met on her family’s cow dung veranda, and me freezing my too-too off sitting on that floor. She has since come to know the Lord, gone to Bible school and now has her own kindergarten school. Her mother died suddenly in December of a brain tumor. We just found out about it, so felt a real necessity to go and visit. Rupali is beautiful and is of an age that marriage is in the picture BUT she wants to marry a Christian young man, and now she is living with a Hindu aunt and uncle. They don’t seem to be too hostile to her choice, but only time will tell, when the arrangement is actually made. She was thrilled that we would make the journey out to see her and our concern for her welfare.

Unbeknown to us there is a Government run tribal orphanage next to her Aunt’s home. The orphanage has over 400 kids living there, so we walked over for a visit. Needless to say, I was mobbed!!! You see, I had the camera and each one wanted their pictures taken.

They were all smiles and hands waving. These kids, eat, sleep and have classes in the same room with each room housing about 50 to 60. Each child has only one little bag or a small metal suitcase and a small blanket. I didn’t even see a sleeping pad for the greasy floor. On the same compound with the orphanage is a teacher’s training school, so in reality the children are being taught by student teachers, not certified teachers. Three cooks, cook all the meals with wood burning on a DIRT floor---sanitary don’t you think? The smoke was soooooo bad we all chocked when we walked in. What a difference from our Prakash kitchens. Loren said, “ And you thought ours were not as clean as you would have liked.” It breaks your heart to see the conditions of these precious little ones, but it is much better than NO home at all!!!. When we got back into the car I was covered with dirty little handprints all over my clothes. Oh well, clothes will wash.

On the way back to Prakash, we stopped at the farm where Dr. Suresh holds his Self-Reliant programs and had a picnic on the farmhouse veranda. This farmer has never charged for the use of his land for this program. We also wanted to see his new venture in the cultivation of earthworms. This is something we may consider doing at Prakash in the future. Before we left, he insisted that we take some oranges home with us, so out to the orchards we went to pick oranges.

All in all, it was a very good day to clear the cobwebs out between our ears and also it gave us a real sense of joy to show our love and sympathy to a hurting girl and her brothers.

Sylvia H. Eckhardt

Prakash for India

Salaam from India #21

2008-01-27T20:50:00-05:00

Republic Day in India
January 26, 2008 email #21
Cultural events are always a most colorful and interesting occurrence. Through some very special connections of our Vet-Med doctor we were given a VIP treatment at the Orange City (Nagpur’s fame) Craft Mela (special event) and Folk Dance Festival. Oh my, was this entertaining!!! Indians really know how to put together this kind of event with a craft show, handicrafts from all over India all in Pendhals (colorful tents). I had a terrible time shopping
---not because there were not plenty of things I would love to have purchased---but because if I stopped at any stall every woman around swarmed the booth to also start buying. Padmaker said, “It must be good if YOU like it.” The fantastically costumed dancers were extraordinary!!! Each set of dancers was from a different part of India and amazingly can put their bodies into positions that seem humanly impossible. I was unable to get any good pictures to send because it was too dark. Maybe the video turned out.???

Today was Republic Day---India’s Independence Day. It is a holiday, but because it fell on Saturday everyone called it an INJUSTICE AND DEPRIVED holiday---it was already a day off---so they had no real holiday. There is always a flag raising ceremony, songs, and speeches, and each year there will be some dignitary to give a speech. This year it was the topmost head guy in the government for all Technical certification of ITI schools. He is THE one who approves or can cancel our certification for all the trades we teach here at Prakash. After all the hoopla we invited him for the customary tea and he gave glowing praise for Prakash and the quality of our facilities and education. He said, “There is NO other private ITI school of this quality in the whole of my district.” He would love for us to add more trades. Loren said, “We would too, but money is always the issue. The government schools do not have this problem.” He simply wiggled his head side to side in the Indian “YES” way.

After the ceremony and tea all the staff, students, pastors, etc. had an AUCTION of all the junk that has been recovered from the multiple Go-Downs (storage rooms) from all over the campus. I truly think Prakash has never thrown anything away. Some of this stuff is over 40 years old and was broken and useless. At the beginning of Prakash’s history, I am sure it was very difficult to get some items, so everything was saved ---old traditions are hard to break! Loren is having a hay-day cleaning out all of the bits and pieces and actually being able to sell it and make a few rupees. The Auction was absolutely hysterical and in their words, “ AUCTION WAS QUITE A COMPETITION.”
---one wife even bid against her husband, which nearly made us all collapse with laughter. It was also interesting to see what they considered to be valuable. One of the pastors bought an OLD metal covered cake carrier. Later he came to me and said, “Madam, what is this used for?” Someone from America must have brought it ages back and so he bought it without even knowing what it was. Too funny! We saw a totally different side of individual personalities during this occasion. All in all it was a fabulous, fun time together

As John Maxwell so applicably says, “As leaders we want to discover the hidden, encourage the uncertain, develop the untrained, and empower the powerless.”
This is truly Loren and my desire as leaders here at Prakash. Scripture says that we all need to work together to strengthen the body toward making this happen.

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India