At the beginning of this year when Sylvia and I were in India, we visited Vijaywanti and her husband Somsingh. (She is Vasantha’s sister) They were the recipients of three Christmas goats and we wanted to visit with them. Because of the status of this union the couple had gone against custom and therefore had been ostracized from the village. Dr. Suresh felt that their need was immense, so carefully orchestrated circumstances so as not to offend any tribal customs or mores, yet give some much needed help. (Their goats now have had twins.)

This example of love and forgiveness so affected the chief of the village that he devised a scheme whereby the entire village pitched in and bought the needed sacrificial animals and held the necessary absolution feast for 250 villagers. This fulfilled the requirements so the young couple could be restored to the village. When asked, “Why?” The chief said, “You are teaching us a better way and we need to learn to forgive and restore.” A new home was even built for the little family.

On May 25, Vijaywanti gave birth to a baby BOY without the aid of doctor or hospital. The villagers do not trust doctors, as they believe doctors just take their limited money. Since they are a schedule-caste-people their entire medical bill would be free, but they still do not trust the system. (Sound familiar???) She gave birth with the help of a mid-wife from another village, reminiscent of the USA 150 years ago.

When the baby boy was born, the mother did not have any milk due to her extreme malnutrition. She has since taken some village herbal medicine and is now able to feed her son. Mother and baby are now doing fine. If the baby had been a girl, further sacrificing would have been traditionally required.

The naming of the baby will take place in a couple of weeks with a ceremony. They have asked us to name the baby. I asked if a Christian name, which would be any name that is not tribal, would be a problem for the little guy later in life. We have decided to name him after our grandson Connor. It means, “one who has great knowledge.” Our selected name will be a second name or nickname since he will have problems at school registration with an American name.

A few years ago, the thought of school for these children was not even on the radar. One person took the time to invest in one little boy and now 14 years later we are seeing God work in miraculous ways. Your investment in Prakash makes things like this happen.

In a Journal in February 2009 I was in the depths of despair over Rupali’s marriage, I wrote:

“Oswald Chambers says, “There are experiences like this in each of our lives. We are in despair; the despair comes from actualities—Jesus says, “Arise and do the next thing.” Never let the sense of failure corrupt your NEW action.”

Our prayer is that God’s masterpiece will be to use Rupali in a miraculous way and maybe, just maybe, lead a whole new flock to Jesus in her new home of Siliguri, West Bengal Hills,” (To read that Journal go to our Archives February 2009)

Many of you have asked about her, but since that time we have had little or no contact with Rupali. Her husband, Vijay, did call Dr. Suresh five months ago when Rupali required a caesarian section delivery for their baby. He asked Dr. Suresh to pray for her.

God had more than just a wedding and reception in His plans for Loren to be in India at this time. Rupali called to say she was at her Aunt’s home in Kalmeshwar, about 20 miles from Nagpur. Following is his report of a visit with Rupali and her 5 month-old SON Shaurya (meaning “Courage”)

Shortly after we were seated in the receiving room. Rupali said, “Take my son home with you.” Shocked I said, “Why do you want me to have your son? ” She said, “You will give him a better life, as you have done for me.” WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was not ready for that. It was just her desire to give the best to her child, at any cost.

We made an effort to Skype with Sylvia and did contact her for only a few minutes, but long enough for Sylvia and Rupali to exchange greetings. Where her aunt lives in Kalmeshwar, the signal was simply too weak.

Rupali’s niece (her aunt’s sister’s daughter) was there and is a student of civil engineering in Nagpur. She is a vivacious 18 years old and was a joy to have at the “party”. Actually having her there was of benefit with the aunt. I know it was a “God thing.”

Another, “God thing” was that Rupali’s husband called while we were visiting and I was able to talk with him. Vijay Khobragade is an English speaking, science degree university graduate. He works for the national railroad system, but not as a conductor, as we had been lead to believe, but is a manager for boggy-car maintenance. He is from Nagpur, but they now live in Siliguri. It is a vibrant, crowded trading hub encompassing the twin towns of Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri and is the jump-off point for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, the northeast states, eastern Nepal and Bhutan. For most travelers Siliguri is an overnight transit point where there are good meals, great shopping and a glimpse of snowy peaks. I would love to make a visit to this gorgeous area, but it is difficult for Americans.

Later I realized Rupali’s bother and his new wife were nearby. His recent marriage was a “love marriage” and not well received by either family. To add insult to injury, he is Buddhist and the bride is Hindu. Until that moment I was unaware that Rupali’s background is Buddhist. Her aunt wears the Hindu mark of “Bindi” on her forehead. This would normally indicate that she is a Hindu. These inconsistencies add to the confusion in trying to understand Hinduism and the culture. I would assume that in their historical heritage they were Hindu, but changed for political benefits. This is not uncommon to “beat” the caste
system.

Upon leaving, Rupali came to the car and with a last touch on my arm she said (in English), as she looked straight into my eyes, “I love you”. I left with a heavy heart but also a heart of joy as I could see the results of Christ in her life. She is an example of one who lives her life so others see Jesus, I understand that her husband is now open to allowing her to talk with him about what Jesus means to her. She is loving him to Jesus. What a great delight to have invested in her life and realize that she has become like a daughter. We, through Prakash, have empowered one who is loved by our Heavenly Father to reach those we will never be able to touch.

I am sure that few if any of you can relate to my experience at the State Bank of India here in Nagpur. This was one of those “deja vu” encounters. I needed to make a foreign exchange for some Rupees and had been avoiding the trip due to the heat. This transaction is usually a 2-hour plus event. “D” day could not be avoided any longer, so off to the bank with 114-degree heat and climbing and this was morning. Arriving in the dirt parking lot, I looked upon a temporary thatch entrance—that should have been a clue.

Thirty years ago I entered this same bank at 120-degrees with this same type of “air conditioning.” A koolie stands at the thatch wall and throws buckets of water on the thatch (WATCH OUT) thus letting whatever breeze there might be create a cooling effect.

Inside I was greeted with the MODERN version, which are water-evaporation-coolers. Big question, how do you have a computer-operated bank without air conditioning? The temperature inside must have been about 95 to 100 degrees, plus the humidity from the coolers.

Since I am a long time customer I know my way around the bank, of course they change everything almost every trip. Making my way to the Foreign Exchange office only to be told to wait 2 minutes! No such thing in India. There was an elderly lady, (not fair since she was younger than me,) sitting in a chair near a cooler and she motioned for me to sit in a chair next to her. Aha! She got to be closer cooler!

After about 10 minutes I was asked to come into the office to fill out the necessary papers. Usually you are given the papers and then sent out of the office to fill out the obligatory information. This time “Surprise,” the man said to stay there. As I started to list the numbers on the bills, he asked for my passport and filled out all of the other paper work except for my signature. I must have looked like a needy soul. Five and I mean five minutes later I was ushered, holding tightly onto my little number coin, by a “tiny older lady” to the money window on the other side of the bank.

When we arrived the person who gives you the money was on break, so we had to wait. Since one’s place in line or position is only as strong as the holder of that place. Everybody tried to put his or her paper work before mine, but my “tiny tour guide” and protector, made sure I was first in line. This whole transaction was made in a record-breaking time of 42 minutes. Praise God for little favors.

You might be asking what about the “deja vu”. The Last time I was in India in the month of May, at 120 degrees, to this same bank I got heat stroke and almost died. Three days to recover, which I do not remember a single event, only the extreme pain. Return I must, to that which God has called me.

To top off this incident, I came back to campus looking forward to a shower, and believe it or not, there was NO water. The tank was empty when the corporate transformer went out. Oh, the joys of India. At least everyone smelled, not just me.