Summer in the HOT

Perhaps some of you know that we were considering going to Switzerland. Switzerland is NOT hot. Actually we were more than considering. We prayed and felt confident that the Sadguru was guiding our plans.

For the last 10 years I have been living in India. Since arrival I have not had any refresher course in the University of the Nations. My last training was the 'Introduction to Community Development' program run by Mercy Ships in Tyler, TX back in Spring of 1997. Beginning in New Delhi in summer 1997 as a young fresh 25 year old with a commitment to the poor and destitute I began to work with MERSI (Medical Educational Relief Service Int'l). Then later in Mussoorie, as a Hindi language student, I began to develop a totally new course in the University of the Nations called 'School of Hindu Studies'. It came as a result of interaction with the good and the lovely of the Hindu world. Using Hindu forms filled with the Sadguru's meaning.

After marriage to Aarti we were invited to serve in our present locale which included leading discipleship training and eventually joining the leadership team of a local NGO that operates a 'Widows Home' among other activities. In 2003 we were able to strike out on our own and take up the 'School of Hindu Studies' again. It was officially registered with the College of Humanities & Int'l. Studies that same year. We also partnered with a few others and a 'Hindi Language & Culture' internship was registered. Two SHS followed in 2003 & 2005 and our NGO grew to about 17 people!

By that time we were ready for a time of refreshment... yet it was not to be. Aarti's visa came 1 week later than our tickets and we had to make a hard choice to reorient our lives to spend the summer in India. Why do these things happen? Is it providence, determinism, government red-tape or human error?

We ask our selves these questions, but in spite of having to live through the summer in the HOT we will survive in the grace of our Sadguru.