Education Special_The Call_GEMS Eng Mag_2019

The CALL (English magazine of GEMS)

“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.”

– C.S. Lewis

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Education Special 2019

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Painting by R Joseph

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THE CALL Take Heed! Venture Forth!

Education Special General Secretary

D. Augustine Jebakumar

Chief Editor Mariyosh Joseph Team Sumithra Esther Dara Peter Jayaraj Ashish Daniel Angeline Joyner Christopher Murugan Design & Layout Elisabeth

The Call is the English magazine of GEMS.

GEMS (Gospel Echoing Missionary Society) is a Christian mission organization that serves to bring about wholesome transformation in all the lives that it touches staying true to its motto ‘Transforming Peoples to Transform Nations’. It touches the hearts of the people through the gospel of Jesus Christ and serves as a beacon of love and hope to the deprived, disadvantaged, exploited, destitute and homeless thousands fulfilling this vision through Spiritual, Educational, Medical and Humanitarian Services primarily in Bihar, other Northern States of India and beyond since 1972.

Disclaimer: The views & opinions expressed are of the authors and not necessarily of the organization.

GEMS (Gospel Echoing Missionary Society) Sikaria, Indrapuri (PO), Dehri-On-Sone, Rohtas Dist., Bihar, INDIA – 821308 Ph: +91 6184 234567

www.gemsbihar.org gems@gemsbihar.org thecall@gemsbihar.org 3

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Contents

From Bihar With Love:

Another Exam D. Augustine Jebakumar Executive Director’s Desk:

& Missions 10 Education Rajesh Duthie Standing @ the GAP:

Church Cure Illiteracy?

13 Can Sumithra Jayaraj Children’s Chronicles:

Raised Me Up 15 You Anita Franklin New Gen Thinking:

17 Is it Biblical to do Higher Studies?

S p e c i a l

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Young & Full of Life:

21 Studies, Depression & Suicide Ashish Daniel

MK Memoirs:

26 You are God’s Mission Abigail Olive

Get Equipped:

29 Teachable Teachers Esther Dara

MK Memoirs:

yet Chosen 35 Failure, Richard Abraham Makers: 37 History Dr John Scudder Tentmaking:

are Transformers 39 Teachers Ruby Manoharan The Call

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E d u c a t i o n

Laura Delano

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From Bihar With Love

Another Exam Greetings to you in the name of the Lord, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it (I Cor 10:13).

Generally, in the month of March our school going children face term time or annual exams.

Even as they get busy with preparations, we as parent also get busy helping them, teaching them, etc., so much so many a ministers of God hesitate to conduct spiritual meetings during this season. It is a time where even the parents of a L.K.G child will have to labour hard to teach the child. With these examination fervour, in many a homes, the daily devotions get sacrificed.

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Another Exam that We Need to Face But I want to share with you about another examination that we are called to face: Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves (2 Cor 13:5) ! The principle of the Bible is that if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged (I Cor 11:31). There are a number of areas in our life that needs examined and the equipment that we use to conduct these examination is an open Bible. When we allow the x-rays of God’s word penetrate through us, we can receive much changes and transformation in our spiritual life. And if we do this exercise regularly, we will attain continual victory.

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It follows from 1 Cor 11:31 that if we do not examine ourselves God may have to deal with us and often He can use Satan to accomplish that. The devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death (Rev 2:10) was the counsel given by the Holy Spirit to the church in Smyrna.

But the church of Philadelphia, which was obedient to the Word, was promised that they will be kept away from the hour of testing (Rev 3:10).

There are a number of ways we can be examined. We can do it ourselves, let others do it or let God do it as we can see from the following scriptures: Each one must examine his own work (Gal 6:4). Let us be aware that in the last days our work and ministry will be tried in fire and our reward will be based on its outcome (1 Cor 3:13). What we do must endure. We will have a place in heaven only if we try and know the will of God and do it on earth (Mat 7:21, Rom 12:2)

We can allow others to try and test us as was the case of Jewish captives (Dan 1:12).

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But if our heart is guilty, we may not get an answer to our prayer (1 John 3: 20-22).

Jeremiah said, Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord (Lam 3:40) because he knew from the Psalmist David that God searches and tries our heart.

Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart (Psa 26:2). Some of us may be tried in fire (1 Pet 4:12) just as Job was: when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).

Areas that Examined

need

to

be

Here are a number of areas that we can examine ourselves on a regular basis. They are not in any specific order but given as a useful guide.

1. Love 2. Faith 3. Thoughts 4. Work 5. Patience 6. Friendship 7. Relationship 8. Hope 9. Conduct 10. Holiness 11. Concern

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12. Vision 13. Intention 14. Growth 15. Strength 16. Wisdom 17. Knowledge 18. Maturity 19. Integrity 20. Honesty 21. Simplicity 22. Commitment 23. Dedication 24. Priority 25. Usefulness 26. Slackness 27. Carefulness 28. Cleanliness 29. Purity 30. Process 31.

Helpful attitude 32.

Caring attitude 33.

Considering others better than ourselves 34.

Our spending habits 35. Words 36.

Sacrifice 37.

Soul winning 38.

Evangelistic fervour 39.

Kingdom concern 40. Passion 41.

Prayer life 42.

Confidence 43.

Walking the second mile 44. Reactions 45.

Decision making 46.

Treating subordinates 47. Submission 7

48.

49.

50.

Wealth accumulation Time for the Lord Crucifying our dreams and desires

The Holy Spirit Helps Us In a master health checkup we get our blood, urine, stool, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. tested by using various laboratory method and also by use of x-ray, MRI, CT Scan, etc. to determine our physical health. Likewise the list above helps us to do a spiritual self-examination. Only then will we be able to receive spiritual nourishment by allowing the Holy Spirit replenish deficiencies.

Depending on what physical deficiencies are discovered out of the master health check-up, we may have to do changes in our food habits, exercise routine, etc. to make up what is lacking. Similarly by examining ourselves according to the list above, by submitting to the x-ray of God’s word, we will discover spiritual lacuna in our lives. Then we can seek the help of the Holy Spirit to make up spiritual lack. This may come about as we read God’s word, attend spiritual meetings, read spiritual books, receive help from mature believers, etc.

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Here is a list of things that the Holy Spirit does: 1. Help (Rom 8:26) 2. Guides (Joh 16:13) 3. Teaches (Joh 14:26) 4. Speaks (Rev 2 :7) 5. Reveals (I Cor 2:10) 6. Instructs (Act 8:29) 7. Testifies Jesus (Joh 15:26) 8. Comforts (Act 9:31) 9. Calls (Act 13:2) 10. Fills (Act4:31) 11. Strengthens(Eph 3:16) 12. Prays for us (Rom 8:26) 13. Prophesises through us (Rev 22:17) 14. Bear witness to the truth (Rom 9:2) 15. Brings Joy (I Thes 1:6) 16. Brings freedom (II Cor 3:17) 17. Help to obey (I Pet 1:22) 18. Calls for return of Jesus (Rev 22:17) 19. Transforms (II Cor 3:18) 20. Lives in us (I Cor 3:16) 21. He frees us (Rom 8:2) 22. Renews (Tit 3:5) 23. Produces fruits (Gal 5:22-23) 24. Gives gifts(I Cor 12: 8-10) 25. Leads (Rom 8:14) 26. Convicts (Joh 16:8) 27. Sanctifies (II Thes 2:13) 28. Empowers (Act 1:8) 29. Unites us (Eph 4:3-4) 30. Seals us (Eph 1:13) The Call

31. Gives access to the Father (Eph 2:18) 32. Enables us to wait (Gal 5:5) 33. Casts out demons (Mat 12:28)

As David said, Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Ps 143:10), when we examine ourselves, we will be able to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and lead us along the path of victory.

Discovering Ancient Paths The modern thinking that it is enough to praise God by singing, dancing, making merry and melody will not help us discover our lack. It requires quiet waiting in the presence of the Lord with an open Bible. The formal leads only to failure in ministry and deception. Let us not be deceived.

Instead, stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. (Jer 6:16).

This truth may seem bitter to those who measure themselves with their own standards (2 Cor 10:12), to those who believe in the power of fame, money, talent and crowd sizes. They are clouds without water, carried by

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wind, raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of the darkness forever (Jud 1: 12-13).

Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life and few find it (Mat 7:14).

May the Word of God be the lamp to guide our people who are confused about what to follow and what not to? When darkness floods let the delightful lamp of God’s Word bring deliverance and hope. Let us not be confused ourselves and let us not confuse others. The Lord is coming soon.

They that open their hearts to be examined, Become vessels right for God;

They that walk in the light of His Word,

Surely be loved by our Lord.

There is victory when we examine ourselves,

When we hold on to what is good for us;

Nothing to fear while in the arms of the Shepherd,

When the Sprit guides us to Himself.

For His word is enough to satisfy us.

To do righteously and walk along straight paths,

And set every crooked path of life straight.

The self-made fire will get quenched,

The way that seems right will disappear;

For goodness to appear and bless others,

The Word will have to constrain us.

This is the dark ages, and we are in the last days,

May we not harden our hearts but live by His grace;

Even if we tread hard paths in this race,

Let us see joy in His ways.

In His Vineyard,

D. Augustine Jebakumar

 

General Secretary, GEMS

His Word does provide Course correction, 9

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Executive Director’s Desk

Education and Missions Dear in Christ,

I greet you in the name of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It’s my pleasure to write to you in this issue which focuses on Education.

Missions and Education has good, justifiable connection with each other. Missions which can be aptly called as ‘the Great Commission’ given to the church

by Lord Jesus is an umbrella under which all our ministries and Christian activities are expected to be. We are called to bring those dwelling in the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light through the light of Gospel.

Apostle John introduces Jesus as ‘True Light’ in John 1:9 “The TRUE Light The Call

who gives light to every man was coming into the world”. Jesus being the True light came into the world to dispel darkness and he has called each one of us to be the ‘Light of the World’. Sanskrit word for the one who ‘dispels darkness’ is ‘Guru’(Dispeller of Darkness) which means ‘Teacher’. Teacher is an educator and education is an enlightening experience. Any form of education, formal, informal, non-formal etc. has the ability to enlighten us, Intellectually, Spiritually, Socially and Culturally.

The passage “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and

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teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” (Mathew – 28:19, 20), has four action words Go, Make, Baptize and Teach. Hence Teaching is a vital part of the great commission.

Jesus commands His disciples to teach everything that he has taught them. His teachings were holistic covering spiritual, social, intellectual and cultural aspects of life. Jesus spoke about Life issues, work, community living, science, banking, accounting, agriculture and so on. He then passed on the task to us to teach what He taught.

Hence by educating people we move them from the darkness of ignorance to light of Knowledge.

Education plays an important role in Missions.

Although the literacy rate in India is currently 74 %, still around 25% of the population are illiterates, which is a large population. Studies say that in India, the illiteracy rate of Hindus and Muslims are the high compared to Christians and Jains. Six Indian states account for about 70% of all illiterates in India: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

It has been observed that it is quite challenging to teach about Christ to illiterates as they 11

seem to be ignorant and negligent.

There are instances where they believe in Jesus for their healings and deliverance but to stand firm in the truth and grow in it, illiteracy becomes a hindrance thus making them unresponsive to the wholesome gospel.

Early missionaries, through education where able to bring a transformation in the economical, socio-political situation of the country. Education was in the hands of Christians who understood that the superstitious beliefs and blind practices could be eradicated by educating the illiterates in India. When we see the models that the missionaries left behind especially in southern part of India, each church they built had a school beside it, along with medical and social development works. That is how the schools got the name ‘pallikoodam’.

Evangelism and church planting ministry backed-up by our contribution to the society gives us an identity and access to relate with people meaningfully and to share the Love of God.

Sadly, today we see that because of socio-political threats, corruption within the institutions and diverted motives of people towards making money rather

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than providing quality education, our educational institutions have deteriorated and we have given away our hold on education to business-motive, anti-secular ones.

As Christians, our focus must not only be on academics, co-curricular or extra-curricular activities but must ultimately lead the people towards the True Light, Jesus for holistic transformation.

Although, many educational institutions focus on molding the character, teaching moral values and so on, the completeness comes only when students come into the Lordship of Christ as He is the source of all good things.

Peter Marshall puts it this way “Let us not fool ourselves - without Christianity, without Christian education, without the principles of Christ inculcated into young life, we are simply rearing pagans”.

Throughout the world, many renowned Christian universities, colleges and school were started with a purpose to transform society, inspired by the Word of God. May the Lord protect and sustain them all from falling into this trap of rearing pagans in our educational institutions.

missions and churches in India to redeem education and bring back the true motive of building people and the nation as a whole through education.

Reference: https://www.speakingtree.in/ blog/illiteracy---literacy-in-india-sme-cause

In His Service,

Rajesh Duthie

Executive Director, GEMS

There lies greater responsibility on the shoulders on The Call

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g Standin

AP

@ the G

Can Church Cure Illiteracy?

I was interacting with a believer who was working as a domestic help, asking her about her family, her spiritual life, Bible reading and so on. She said, she was the bread winner of her family with four kids and a husband who was a drunkard. Also she added that, she doesn’t read Bible as she is an illiterate but listens to songs and messages. After that interaction, many questions started to flood my mind. Yes, audio messages, audio Bible etc are some of the best alternatives for such people to know about God and His words. But are they a permanent solution for such people who have thirst to read but cannot? Is illiteracy an incurable disease in a person’s life? If they have lost the privilege of going to school in their childhood, can’t that 13

Sumithra Jayaraj

be redeemed? Does an illiterate need to remain illiterate life-long?

Thinking of these questions over and over again, the next time when I met her, I asked her If she was willing to learn to read and write? A broad smile lit up her face and she said “Yes, I am”. So I gave her my son’s kindergarten Hindi book and began to teach her letter by letter.

She gladly took the book with her and after all her day’s work, she would diligently sit and learn those letters. Everyday after she finishes her routine work, she would come to me with that book and a smile on her face.

Once in a prayer group, interactive Bible study was going on where each one had to share their thoughts from a particular Bible passage. People were enthusiastically sharing their views

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one after the other as it was kind of mandatory for everyone to share.

At the end, one person was left out.

When asked to share, that person hesitated and another person out of concern said “She cannot read as she is an illiterate”. Everyone took it casually and moved on.

However, she and her husband were embarrassed and were upset with the person who said that. Again my questions began. It is quite natural to be embarrassed in such a situation but why was he angry? Did he take any efforts to teach his wife to read and write?

Have they concluded that once an illiterate will ever be an illiterate?

Church must certainly take up the responsibility of eradicating this disease called ‘illiteracy’, not only within the church but also in the community they are located. Adult Literacy Program within the church can surely act as an answer for this problem. Equipping our believers and also people in the community to read and write would help them in obtaining employment, helping the education of their own children, in becoming efficient leaders in the churches who can teach the Word of God with clarity and finally creating a positive impact in the society.

The influence of active and passionate believers in the church, family and society more often gets limited because of their inability to read and write. A learned person can make much greater impact than an unlearned one.

We may argue saying, didn’t God use Peter who was an unlearned man? Yes, God did use Peter.

But certainly the influence and impact made by Apostle Paul was much greater. Jesus did read the scriptures, Moses was educated in all wisdom (Acts 7:22), Ezra taught the Israelites (Ezra 7:10) and there are number of such examples in Bible. Then why must our people be deprived of this ability?

Adult Literacy Program through churches is a simple and workable solution. All that we need is Passion, Place and People.

Churches can be the Place (centre for teaching), literate believers or pastors with a Passion to teach can be voluntary trainers and unlearned People with a Passion to learn can be the students.

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“The task of modern day educators is not to cut down jungles but irrigate deserts” – C. Lewis

May the Lord enable us and our churches to turn deserts into streams of water (Isaiah 35).

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Children’s Chronicles

You Raised Me Up

Hadassah came from her school and went straight into her garden. She admired every flower in the garden but with a sobbing heart.

‘Why Lord………… why………’?

‘Every flower here is so beautiful & unique, everyone in my class studies well or play well.

“Why Lord………… why………’?

‘I’m not gifted with anything. I struggle to get pass mark, in all the subjects. I’m unable to shine neither in sports nor in studies’.

She went to the stone bench and sat underneath the Peepal tree.

Her heart’s ache was revealed through her tears flowing over her cheeks.

Why am I abandoned?

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“Hadassah! Hadassah!”

Anita Franklin

Her mother was screaming from the kitchen. “Change your uniform, refresh and do your homework.”

Though she heard her mother’s voice, her little lips were whispering, ‘Lord answer me, speak to me, why have you created me. My parents have great ambitions. I really tremble to show my performance to them.

Every time I give them hope and even I want to do better but why everything remains only a dream.’

“Hadassah! What are you doing here, I’m calling you, and didn’t you hear me?”

“Sorry Mom” she uttered clearing her tears in a fraction of second “Tomorrow is Sunday Mom, I’II do my homework tomorrow. Please leave me today…….”

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“Ok, go change your uniform”. She started looking at her mother who went. ‘How I’m disappointing my mom and dad.’

Hadassah was a fourth grade student born and brought up with Christian values in the family.

Her father was a business man and her mother helped her father in business. Hadassah woke up the next day and went to church with her parents.

Sunday school was her world of joy. She enjoyed all the stories narrated so well by Vero Aunty. She enjoyed Reuben and Sam Uncle’s songs and skit. She waved her hands and bid bye to her parents and ran into the Sunday school hall.

After all the jumping, hopping, singing dancing and worship got over, her beloved Vero Aunty came forward. Vero Aunty started the session, “Today I’ll tell about a simple lonely boy who became a King’s Counsellor and the Chief Justice. Can you guess?” No answer. “Mm……….

He is Samuel from the Bible.”

He listened to God whenever He called, the result, he became King’s Counsellor. He was acknowledged by God and men till his last breath. Another boy Joash, became a king when The Call

he was only 7years old. He ruled Jerusalem for forty years. He was successful because he was taught and trained by Jehoida the priest.

Joash also did what pleased God as long as he lived.

Vero Aunty continued.“Dear kids, do you want to be successful? Be somebody great in the future.”

“Yes Aunty” Hadassah too said loudly with others. “Then be like Samuel listening to God and obeying his commands.Be like Joash listening and obeying God’s people who are kept over you. God can use anyone, now you may be thinking it’s all impossible but for God everything is possible”.

Hadassah prayed sincerely with Vero aunty and went out with her questions answered.

Dear Children, just like Hadassah you also may be wondering what is actually happening in your life and why is God not listening to your prayers.

Everyone wants to achieve something in his or her life. In order to become great, you have to do only one thing. You should listen, read and obey God’s word and one day it will make you great.

First, search God’s kingdom and His word. God will raise you to be a great man or woman in future.

(Mt: 6:33).

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New Gen Thinking

Is it Biblical to do Higher Studies?

This question somehow seems to suggest that it is not Biblical to do higher studies and many people still think higher studies will not do much good to the kingdom of God. Let us first discuss why higher studies are looked at suspiciously by the church and Christians.

Firstly, it is common knowledge that most people who go for higher studies or research become agnostic and slowly draw themselves away from their early faith in God. Those who have gained a respectability in society because of their higher studies like to maintain a status quo and slowly become embarrassed about sharing their faith in Jesus Christ. This happens too often.

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Laura Delano

Intellectual pride and occupational pride take hold of our hearts. It is also an ever present danger from which God should deliver us.

Secondly from a theological point of view, after the Age of Reason or Enlightenment that was in the 18th century Europe, Biblical texts were subjected to higher criticism which questioned the miracles of Jesus, the Creation and anything that required faith to believe in. In those years in Europe the seminaries adopted this kind of rationalistic approach and produced Christian ministers who were intellectuals but did not follow Jesus Christ. This is one of the main reasons for the decline of the established European church.

Biblically

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argue

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that since Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God in eating from the tree of knowledge, higher education is sinful. It was God who put the tree of knowledge of knowing good and evil in the garden. The sin was in disobeying God’s command. God had not given it to humans as it was not the right time. And satan deceived humans to gain knowledge of evil even before it was their time to know it. God had not forbidden the knowledge of good but only the knowledge of evil.

In the light of these above discussions let us now get back to the question, “Is it Biblical to do Higher Studies?” Yes, the chance to do higher studies is a gift and a privilege from God. Any knowledge and wisdom that comes to us must be under the dominion of Jesus Christ. It rests on the individual how s/he will one day use it for God’s Kingdom.

There are two kinds of knowledge in the world. The source of all wisdom, knowledge and revelation is the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet so much knowledge is distorted and is used for destruction and annihilation.

James writes thus, “ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, The Call

willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (3,17) Knowledge and wisdom when it is under the Sovereignty of God will bear good fruits and will further God’s kingdom in this world. That is what James calls “wisdom from above.”

I was not a very good student in school. Looking back, I realize that I was not able to memorize which was the way education was in the school. But when I went to college for my BA English I was fascinated by studying and there was no turning back.

It was also the time when my heart opened to God. I had self esteem issues at school, but the moment I personally realized Jesus loved me enough to die on the Cross, it changed a lot of things in my heart.

It didn’t matter now who hated me or rejected me, but just that Jesus loved me. This actually healed my heart and because of that my mind worked better. I wasn’t preoccupied with what others spoke about me nor was I depressed. My mind cleared but I started studying well. I used to read at least two novels a week.

I was also careful what I read. I

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avoided reading lust filled novels.

I was careful what I let inside my heart and mind. I was among the toppers. Then in my post graduate course I topped in all the courses and became the best outgoing student of the entire PG stream.

Then I did my MPhil in the university where I teach now and it was there apart from my class hours I worked at least five hours in the library for the UGC NET exam for six months and at the end of the MPhil course I completed my thesis and by God’s abundant favour I cleared NET (National Eligibility Test) with JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) in June 1999, which was so rare then. It meant that I could do PhD with full funding for five years. God also had prepared a good research supervisor for me and the bond is still strong till today.

Once I started working on my PhD I had to read books that would not be classified as ‘biblical.’

Yet I cannot turn my back on that and so I always prayed that the Holy Spirit should guide me and keep my heart safe so that I will not be swayed by the strong anti Christian thoughts. I have also seen the danger some books have caused on the souls of well meaning believers, nevertheless 19

God would keep our hearts safe when we entrust our learning into His hands. This is what I learnt in the process of my higher education.

I had read Nietzsche who vociferously declared “God is dead,” and read on to find out how one man’s persuasive rhetoric had turned the hearts of many nations away from God. Then came Sartre, Marx, Derrida and the list continues. But then I knew when our knowledge is under God’s anointing, God will use it for His kingdom. I realized that God Himself is training me in the faculties of the world, the way He trained Joseph, Moses, Daniel in the most carnal of nations.

My professor often used to tell me that if you want to fight effectively you should know your enemy well. But there are many dangers in that, like knowing how far to go and where to stop in knowing your enemy. The Lord also gave me the wisdom where to stop. He has been preparing me for standing up to the aggressive and distorted intelligentsia of today. This is another kind of battle for which God equips whom He has called. Looking back, I see that God has prepared me in using words and ideas to counter the

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big lies that are lying all around us today.

My point here is that if God has destined a higher education for you, go for it by all means. It is surely biblical to do higher studies when you submit your knowledge under the lordship of God. Study hard, work for it. Do not cheat, do not get a pass grade by bribing.

Do not employ someone else to do your project or write your thesis. God is careful to see how you have reached your goal. The way is as important as the end.

Just going for higher education only for self betterment, better employment or just to feel proud about the degrees will steal God’s purpose for our lives.

hearing wisdom down the ages, should be pure, lift people out of darkness and lead them towards that Celestial City.  

God has a purpose in everything also in enabling you to do higher studies. So higher studies in whatever discipline it may be, when submitted under the Sovereignty of God will surely advance the Kingdom of God. There is no shame in not being educated and no pride in being educated. God calls one person who has never studied to preach for the learned and again He calls the educated to preach for the poor and marginalized. It only matters that our knowledge whether it comes by reading books or by The Call

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Young & Full of Life

Studies, Depression & Suicide to

How help students Overcome?

“Engineering sucks”— read the message left by 18-year-old IIT Guwahati student from Bangalore, who allegedly committed suicide in her hostel room, recently. The two words spoke volumes on the volcano of pressure that the young first year Mechanical Engineering student was carrying within her. Perhaps her disinterest in Engineering and inability to make a choice drove her to take the extreme step.

Students in professional colleges top the list when it comes to depression and mental ill-health.

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Ashish Daniel

Peer pressure, tough syllabus, parental expectations are some of the prominent reasons for this.

“Mental health issues manifested in young adults tend to be lifetime with issues ranging from depression, anxiety, obsessions, suicidal behaviour to substance dependence, schizophrenia and bipolarity.

India, the world’s second most populous country of over 1 billion, has one of the highest suicide rates among those aged 15 to 29 and accounts for over a third of global suicides among women

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each year. Academic stress is a major reason for suicides among both female and male students in India.

Let’s look at the main problems in our culture:

Indian Education System: Time and time again

many complaints have been made against the Indian education system which is more inclined towards memorization and takes long systematic study hours thus leaving less time for recreational activities and socialization which is an essential part of the development of a child.

The performance of a student’s 12th grade determines the choice of college or university he/she will get admission in.

Students from science stream goes into further stress by giving entrance exams for different universities and colleges. And the competition is ferocious!!

Pressure from parents and school: Fear of failure to

do well in studies is causing anxiety among students which has substantial negative effects on their academic and social success.

In a recent survey, two-third (66%) students reported that their parents pressurize them for better The Call

academic performance. Stories of successful students securing high salaries make the headlines and play a significant role in parents pushing their children to earn the same.

Low Threshold: Many

Impact of technology:

of the students are brought up in cocooned surroundings, which also accounts for their low threshold of pain. Sleep deprivation (brought on by video games, social media and mobile phones) is the other consequences of ‘brittle minds’ (students with increased reactivity to stress).

In the almost two decades of the 21st century, technology has irreversibly changed our lives. Ever since smartphones invaded the human civilization, people seem to have become more mechanical and insensitive. They have become bereft of real emotions and have started to reside in a fake world. Consequently, depression amongst students is also at an all-time high.

The omnipresent selfies have replaced real photographs and the social media has replaced social interactions.

The recent happenings of children who committed suicides while playing the blue whales

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challenge or accidentally dying while posing for selfies on cliffs and beaches constitute an alarming trend. This is an indicator of the faulty psychological development of children. It is really sad that the number of depression cases in India is one of the highest in the world.

honest with your friends about your feelings.

Take medication as directed. If you are prescribed medications, take them exactly as directed. Never stop the meds simply because you are “feeling better.” This can lead to a rebound effect.

There is a need to empower teachers and parents to help students cope with financial, familial and career-related issues. Institutions must deploy ‘professional counsellors’ to keep a watch over ‘high-risk’ students to provide counselling and report vulnerable cases. Students should be taught life skills, emotional hygiene and the ability to have fun.

Warning Signs of Suicide:

When depression gets to be too much:

Everyone gets depressed at some point in their lives. How long it lasts is one of the key factors in determining how severe the problem is. If depression has lasted for more than two weeks and it is affecting your day-to-day life, there are a few things you can do to help ensure your health and well-being.

Get in touch with a Spiritual counsellor. There is absolutely no shame in getting help.

Talk to friends. Be

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Talks about suicide: “I’m going to go kill myself,” “I don’t deserve to live,” any discussion about suicide is a warning sign.

Drastic change in personality: Increased aggression, irritability, anxiety or feelings of sadness.

Pursuit of dangerous objects or supplies: An attempt to acquire items that could be used to end one’s life such as poison, firearms or knives.

Disposal of important possessions: Giving away, destroying or selling (for an unreasonably low price) objects that were once highly prized by the individual.

Increased or beginning use drugs or alcohol: A significant rise in the consumption of alcohol or drugs, or the use of such substances when the individual never took them before.

Reduced interest in

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activities commonly enjoyed: No longer engaging or participating in things once enjoyed. This can include ceasing long-term hobbies or other important causes.

Unusual level of calmness: An abnormal level of peace when one was usually or recently uptight, depressed, anxious or upset.

Isolation: Spending less time with friends, family, co-workers or other people whose company was previously enjoyed.

Change in sleeping habits: A substantial increase or decrease in sleeping patterns without a medical reason.

A Prayer to break the yoke:

Lord, help me to understand that you are enough, because you are everything I need and more. Remind me that when I feel hopeless, you have hope in me and for me. Remind me that when I don’t have the words to cry out to you, your son Jesus is praying for me, and your Spirit intercedes for me with groanings too deep for words. Let this remind me that I am seen, heard and deeply loved.

I often feel out of place in this world. I don’t fit in and I’m not sure I want to. Remind me that this world is not my home and while, as your child, I will never fit in here, my time here isn’t over. Not yet. Please, The Call

give me the desire to live.

When I feel like I don’t matter, remind me that I was created with purpose. When I don’t know or understand why I feel the way I feel - remind me that you know the depth of pain in my heart, in my body and in my being. You know me better than I know myself… and yet you still love me.

When I feel like my death would go unnoticed because my life seems to go by uncelebrated, remind me that you celebrate me and that you hurt for me when I’m in this dark place. Remind me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I am worth more than I know. Remind me that this life is not mine to take. Remind me that suicide is not the only option. Remind me to love you and to love myself. Remind me that Jesus did not come to earth and die for me so that I could live a defeated life. Help me to desire life and to live fully in you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Does God promise that you’ll never have another problem? No. But He does pledge to give you the power to face life’s trials with confidence, knowing that He will cause all things to work for your good. He promises either to deliver you from afflictions, or give you the strength to endure them.

There is only one real

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source of hope for a life that possesses meaning, fulfilment, and joy. That source is Jesus Christ. Speaking about His followers, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can experience overflowing love, forgiveness, peace, and joy in your life. That is a promise from God found in the Bible.

Bibliography: Lewinsohn, P. M., Hops, H., Roberts, R. E., Seeley, J. R., & Andrews, J. A. (1993).

Adolescent psychopathology: I. Prevalence and incidence of depression and other DSM-III-R disorders in high school students. Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

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MK Memoirs

You are God’s Mission

“You are never too old to set another goal to dream a big dream”- C.S.Lewis

I’m extremely thankful to our God Almighty for this beautiful opportunity and my deep sense of gratitude to my GEMS family.

The life’s trials and struggles had developed three fins in my life. They are my hostel life, educational life and spiritual life. These three fins helped me to swim deeper and harder so that I could face the storm however strong it might be! My mother’s words have always been the foundation and motto of my life.

She told me “To search the Triune God and give the best education is all we can do”. Her words were powerful and helped me to make my own decisions in every aspect of my life. Even though I lack in The Call

Abigail Olive

many ways, yet the word of God, the right education and counsel of my parents led me until today.

Since I was pampered in every way at my house, a sudden change in my life turned my expectations upside down.

I had never been away from my parents. Due to my parent’s transfer to another mission field, they had to admit me in the hostel.

But it became my foundation so that I could be bold and brave.

Despite my weakness I was able to be independent. After getting admitted in the hostel, I found it really hard to bear. It had been a struggle for some months as I had to face my daily schedules of taking care of myself on my own.

I was unable to express myself in those times. The questions like ‘Who am I? What is my purpose?

And where will my life end?”

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haunted me like a nightmare.

During that period of my life, I became an average student.

Due to lack of concentration and fear of loneliness, I started to face failures in all the fields. Fear engulfed me like a thick blanket.

That affected my daily prayer and I found it difficult to pray. All these gave a major blow in my pre-board examination. At that particular period my parents met with a major accident, which pushed towards anxiety and depression.

I started to seclude myself from everyone. After sometime I started praying. It helped me to renew my studies with a new hope. With that renewed hope and strength I finished my schooling.

After my school, I had to enter the next phase of my life.

Embarking into a college life was not that an easy path to tread. But I could see God’s favour in my life as a missionary kid. God guided me right from the admission to college and hostel. It was His sheer grace that I got both. Finally, I joined Bishop Heber’s College at Trichy. In that same campus my life started to be peaceful in every aspect, where I got to draw more closely to Almighty God. I pursued UG and PG in the same college 27

and that was really a big miracle which God worked on! After getting there, I did well and good in my UG. But I found it hard when I pursued PG. I found every core papers and practical seemed like Goliath that couldn’t be defeated.

I would always be in tears during my semester exams. Whenever I saw the question papers, it terrified me. Due to prayer and God’s grace only, I passed in my papers. Even in the project, I saw His mighty hand leading me in the wilderness of my life.

During my second year of M.sc semester core practical, I had to do the practical which I was not at all through with. But I remembered Psalms 32:8 i.e. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eyes on you’. As I was strengthened by this verse, I prayed a short prayer and left everything in God’s hand. I trusted that God would see me through. While I was in the practical room, I found that my instruments were not working. So the invigilator had to change the question. Oh! What a relief I got!

What a wonderful God who heard my cries and answered my prayer instantly. This might look childish to many of us. But in every path

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of my education, God did wonders after wonders. His wonder working power had seen me through right from paying my college fees to the end of my semester exam.

My Triune God who has the ability to bring life into dry bones was with me in the five years of my life in that campus. It was a great delight to see my parents who are my backbones and my teachers supporting me in all aspects.

What do we want apart from this if not God’s care and love? Don’t ever feel sorry that you are a MK. You are God’s mission when your parents are doing His mission.

God’s word has been sown in me since my childhood and it has become my pillar and my light to my path. I always remember this particular verse in my heart whenever failure knocks me down i.e. ‘Those who go out weeping carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with them. (Psalms 126:6).’I thank God for helping me to cope with different ambiance and different people. I thank all my mentors who played a great role in shaping up my life.

When you are a MK, remember that God’s unconditional love and care will be always upon us no matter what. I sensed it in the last five years of my college life. That’s the blessing that our parents prayed for and longed for so that we MKS could receive it.

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Get Equipped

Teachable Teachers

A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the former President of India,said,“Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber and future of an individual. If people remember me as a good teacher, then that will be the biggest honour for me.”

What a striking citation on teaching! This makes me lift up my collar with pride. Looking back at my journey as teacher of 18 years, all I could say is ‘wow! I’m proud to be a teacher.’ I’m indebted to God for helping me to choose the right profession. I was at my crossroads wondering which path I should take. The Supreme teacher led me

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Esther Dara

towards this great profession.

A teacher is the one who moulds the unmolded souls. He/ she is the potter of an educational institution where he/she sits at the potter’s wheel (classrooms) and moulds the clay (students) flawlessly. The profession of teaching is neither a trouble-free road to trek nor a path strewn with roses. But it becomes pleasant when teachers do it whole heartedly.

Un-updated Teacher

Since we live in a world

filled with gadget and gizmos, it’s paramount for teachers to gain knowledge and to update

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themselves with modern age development. A teacher’s learning should never stop with their degrees. It is more than that.

They need to be on their toes of learning more than ever needed.

When I think about my days in the school, I was taught by my English teacher how to write a letter and essay. That’s it. Just take a look at the present day children’s level of English learning. They have to learn how to write a proposal, email, report, article, book review so on and so forth. Even the format of writing a letter is wholly new. As teachers, we cannot go on teaching the students that there are nine planets in the universe.

The students will evidently poke fun at us. Why? Is it not right?

Ever since the discovery of Pluto, we grew up learning about nine planets. But now it is not. A teacher who updates himself /herself with current affairs will know the precise answer that the international Astronomical Union made a highly controversial decision in 2006 and called Pluto a dwarf planet. Thus it reduced the list of real planets in our solar system to eight. The world is moving at a faster pace.

As teachers we can’t simply rely on our bookish knowledge of what we have learned or are taught.

The Call

We need to compete with the society, students and the present educational system. Students of today are the global citizens of tomorrow. They live in a hightech age, where cyber world has spread its own tentacles changing the belief system of every one.

The internet and social media have shrunken the world smaller and smaller. So it is not a big surprise that tends of education is getting transformed dramatically day by day. In such a situation like this, teachers also must evolve by updating themselves to modern-thinking of present education system. That’s why it is a tremendous need for teachers to update themselves and they should be teachable.

It is the trait of the teaching profession that its members continue to learn so that they can continue to teach. Now-aday’s students have ever-evolving needs of learning. Teachers must understand that today’s careers do not look like as it was 20 or 30 years back. Even the field of education evolves so fast and it is important for a teacher to play the role of lifelong learning.

It not only boosts them but also empowers the students to face the challenges. Gerhard Fischer

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said‘Lifelong learning is an essential challenge for inventing the future of our societies: it is a necessity rather than a luxury to be considered.’

Teachers are educators.

Educators who are lifelong learners are more successful. Such learners know how to conquer challenges in the classrooms, teach innovatively and act as role models to their students. Being Christian teachers, we need to make a lasting impact on the lives of our students.

Transforming Teacher

When teachers become teachable, they will be transformed into something new and beautiful. I still remember the first year of my teaching in GEMS English school as an English teacher. With all sincerity I would say that my first and then the following year was the biggest disaster. Since I was brand new to teaching, I didn’t learn first what was it needed to become a good teacher. I felt like that my whole world was spiraling and I grumbled at God and my leaders for putting me in that complicated state. I pity my students of that year. I pray that let them find a place in their hearts to forgive me for being such an impertinent teacher. The third year

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of my teaching career brought a turning point in my life as I surrendered myself genuinely at the feet of my Supreme Teacher i.e.

Jesus Christ. Then I understood the need of learning as a teacher. I remember those days how I poured myself into books. Not only learning from the books helped me but also seeking the presence of God transformed me a lot.

In the consecutive years, I worked under a remarkable leader i.e. the then VicePrincipal Mrs. Pearly Esther who taught me the necessity of being a teachable teacher.

That was my breakthrough. She appreciated me when I did right and admonished me when I was off beam. I still deem it my utmost dispensation of working under her as a teacher. Of course I had to start from the scratch but it was of worth. God helped me to accept all corrections and enabled me to be a good teacher I believe. My handwriting got changed and my spoken English was brushed up.

Reminiscing all those years bring tears in my eyes even now. I just imagine if I wouldn’t have accepted the correction and admonishment, where would I be at this instant?

and

Accepting our mistakes giving ourselves into

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correction is always hard. It’s not painless. When we go under that phase, we transform into a stunning butterfly. When we start learning, we change ourselves inside out unknowingly. A teacher should be adaptable for any kind of changes. If our authorities or HOD’S or senior teachers counsel us, we should accept it instead of opposing it. If the style of teaching needs to be amended, we should modify it. It’s always safe to get the advice of our experienced teachers. When we agree to corrections, it infuses constructive characters like meekness, integrity and persistence. Teachers who are learning continuously become better persons. Such teachers are always applauded by their students. The school, students and the society will regard such educators for their contribution.

Undiscerning Teacher

As I have emphasized on the need of teachers of updating themselves, it’s also to be taken in to note that teachers can become ineffective when they fail to learn or update themselves.

No subject is a rocket science when teachers are learners.

Teachers tend to become passive and unproductive. It is very well seen in the way they handle their

The Call

classes. Classes become boring and so the students start their chit-chat. The result is complaints from the parents and degradation of students’ grades eventually leads to the downfall of a school’s standard and fame. Teachers can be ineffective for a variety of reasons. Some may have a weak grasp of the material or difficult to understand; others may be bad at controlling classes. Some may be too aggressive or too passive and end up being either feared or not taken seriously by the students.

Whatever the reason it may be, a teacher is accountable to discern her/ his shortcomings and to learn a way to curb it for the betterment of the students and the school.

Unproductive Teacher

The Bible warns us clearly in Romans 14:10, 12 “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God”. The word of God admonishes clearly not to frustrate God’s work.

Teaching is God’s work. We are accountable to God if it becomes fruitless. An unproductive teacher is a catastrophe to the society. A mediocre teacher or a teacher who doesn’t learn can damage a student’s confidence and self

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perception. Students may become pessimistic. Studies have already shown that a teacher’s quality has a lasting effect on students’ performance. A student who has an outstanding teacher will remain ahead of his peers for the next few years. Unfortunately, a student who has an ineffective teacher may not catch up with his peers even after three years.

How dismal it can be! What chaos will it bring up in the life of that student! Finally, teachers who don’t learn tend to be ineffective for all students regardless of their ability level. A teacher who doesn’t learn continuously will become stagnant water. Stagnant water is of no use so does the teacher who doesn’t learn. Such teachers will become ancient antiques. But teachers who have a craving to grow will always be teachable and will always update themselves no matter what.

Updated Teacher

Winds of change are blowing from one era to another era. New concepts are shaping up the old theories. The teaching community must keep up with the changes to implement new and modern methods in their teachinglearning process. Teachers should concentrate on the following areas

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of their lives in order to keep themselves updated.

Personal: Self-centered development: Attending conferences, webinars, seminars etc that will help teachers to update themselves with latest concepts. Writing articles or book and publication of research papers can also be helpful. Attending in-house training sessions are always advised. This creates awareness about new issues in the field of education and it enhances the creativity of teachers. It helps the teachers to learn novel techniques of teaching, methods of assessment and evaluation of testing the learners. Teachers can pursue some certified courses or degrees of their need.

Professional: Studentcentered development: In order to allow the students to learn, it’s mandatory for teachers to get adapted to the changes from time to time. Today’s students want to achieve everything instantly.

As I mentioned earlier extensive internet accessibility kelps the students to keep information abreast. If teachers are ignorant about it, obviously students will look them down. It may hamper the students’ development in the long run. Hence it’s obligatory

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for the teachers to learn the present educational facts, political news, reading books, articles and current affairs and so on.

How many of us really know about Brazil’s indigenous tribes who committed themselves to fight to stop Amazon rain forest fire? Are we even aware of the fact that Amazon rain forest is the lungs of this earth? Do we know what happened to MH370 flight that disappeared from the radar on 8th March 2014? Or are we aware of the current economic meltdown in our country where people are losing their jobs? Probably many of us may not because we too are stuck in spending our time in social sites. Spending time on social sites is not a fault. If it occupies our time and restricts us in doing something profitable, and then we should question ourselves. God has not called us to be His slave and not to be enslaved by worldly affairs.

Hence let’s not limit ourselves to what we have always known. Let’s go beyond our comfort zone.

challenging. If we want to make an impact, we should strive for excellence in all areas of our teaching career. It starts with updating oneself and learning new things. Therefore, let’s embrace the change. Explore novelties and make new paths and new destinations in our teaching career. Above all let’s keep in our mind that God always wants us to give our best shot and let’s give our best shot depending upon His wisdom and grace.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: https://the long-term effect of ineffective teachers https://teachers4the heart.com https://www.progressiveteachers.in

NIV Bible

Teachers have big influence on the younger generations’ future. Teaching is a demanding career which needs full devotion and life-long learning.

It has become innovative and The Call

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MK Memoirs

Failure,

yet

Chosen!

Education is a phase of life I’d rather forget. It reminds me only of all of my failures. My parents who were missionaries got transferredto Jharkhand when I was in my 4th grade. For practical reasons I was sent to a residential school to further my education. That residential school was akin to a jungle where only the fittest survived. I was a weak child and small of stature and so I hated going to my school. Every summer vacation, when I came home, I would cry and plead with my parents not to send me back to that residential school. But my parents had no other option but to send me back there.

Growing up in those years I always saw myself as a person without any talent. I was 35

Richard Abraham

not good at sports and not the best in studies as well. When I observed other people excelling in both, I got frustrated and often thought that God must be partial or unloving to allow this. I always complained or questioned God as to why He created me weak and small with no talents. Whenever, as a kid, I pleaded with my parents to take me out of the school, they never seemed to give an ear to it.

This made me think that even my parents didn’t love me. Being in that place of assuming that I was neither loved by God nor by my parents, I had thought of ending my life. It is only because I lacked the strength and courage that I did not go through suicide.

One day while in my 8th grade our Scripture teacher gave

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us an assignment to write down an incident in which God saved our lives in order for us to understand that He has a purpose for our lives.

My immediate response to the teacher was that there was no such incident where God saved my life and therefore I was a person with no purpose in life. But my scripture teacher was insistent that there must be at least one incident in the past and that I should think hard.

Suddenly I recalled an incident from my kindergarten days when I was saved from a disastrous accident. My mom was taking me back home from the Creche in her cycle and we were hit by a bus.

Mom and the cycle fell on one side and I fell on the other – under the bus but between the wheels.

The wheels stopped just short of an inch from my head. When I was reminded of this incident I immediately realized that “God indeed has a purpose for my life”. I didn’t know what it was then but later in life I found that it was ministry. I must confess that it was tough yielding to that call but I did it reluctantly.

whom we cannot cheat with our cooked- up stories because he knows us as persons. As I kept pondering with this question one day God showed me this verse from 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” It was God

speaking to my heart directly.

After knowing this verse, I knew the HR (God) was different from the HR of the world. God is no human that He looks at the external or what we are good or talented at. He doesn’t select us for His purpose based on our human abilities but based on our in-capabilities and failures. If you are discouraged because of failures or weakness and you’ve been complaining to God for that, I am here to encourage you that He wants to use you just as you are.

He can perform marvellous things out of your weakness and failures.

I gave up my job and began doing small ministries but I still had a question – ‘‘why God chose me”. Because I feel God is a HR (Human Resource Manager) The Call

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History Makers

Dr. John Scudder

Bicentenary year of first arrival of Dr. John Scudder in India 1819-2019

Dr John Scudder was born in Freehold, New Jersey, USA, on September 3, 1793. He was the second of twelve children to his parents. He completed his medical degree in 1815. He quickly established a good practice in New York.

One night while visiting a patient, his attention was caught by a pamphlet lying on the table, calling missionaries for the salvation of the world. He read it through. As he pondered on this, God made His call clear to him 37

saying, “Go heal the sick and preach the Gospel to those who have never heard of Christ”.

When he consulted his wife, after weeks of prayer, she told him, “Wherever you go, I will go”. But his father threatened to disinherit him if he went as a missionary. In spite of this, on June 8, 1819, he and his family left Boston on a four-month long journey going to Calcutta, transiting on their way to Ceylon, their first place of service, with no thought of return.

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While at Calcutta, little Maria was stricken with dysentery and died within 3 days. A few months later in Ceylon, their second daughter died soon after birth. Read his words of faith.

and college education. His sons contributed significantly to the work in and around Vellore, contributing to the formation of the Church of South India and laid the foundation for forming Vellore Diocese.

“Perhaps our dear parents may be ready to say that we are sorry and repent of our coming.

No, we rejoice and thank the great Head of the church for putting it into our hearts to leave America and come and live among this people. I would not exchange situations for a world.”

Over a hundred years later his granddaughter Dr Ida Scudder started the Christian Medical College besides many other institutions started by his other descendants. Many graduates of CMC Vellore have carried on his legacy by serving in a number of needy areas of our country as well as different countries of the world.

We celebrate his life and service during this bicentenary year and pray that his life would motivate many servants of God in the future, with the tagline, ‘Celebrating the past. Motivating for the future.’

Besides preaching and carrying on his medical work, he started many schools in Ceylon. Mrs. Scudder provided excellent support as a dutiful and ideal missionary wife. After their sacrificial and dedicated service in India, their mortal remains lay buried in Scudder Memorial Hospital, Ranipet.

They had thirteen children; three died as babies, one died later as an adult. The rest - seven sons-all ordained ministers and five physicians came to India in response to the call of Christ. His two daughters married Europeans and settled in India for some time.

As missionary kids, they bore the pain of being separated from their parents during their school The Call

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Tentmaking

Teachers are Transformers

When I joined the ministry as a missionary teacher, somebody asked me, “What are you?” I said, “I’m a missionary.” That person replied, “Then what are you doing within these four walls? Go to the villages and preach the gospel.”

I answered, “God has given me a ready-made audience in the classrooms without any effort of mine. In the village I may meet their parents. If I’m not able to turn a small stone within these four walls (transformation), how will I be able to turn a rock or a mountain in a village?” This is how I started my missionary service.

More over, when we went to our native place for our first vacation, people enquired about 39

Ruby Manoharan

what we were doing in the ministry.

When I replied that I joined the school, at once their reaction was so discouraging and the comment was, “Oh, you are working as a teacher only! Incidents like these burdened my heart to go forth and do exploits in the young minds for the sake of God’s kingdom.

We need selfless souls to lead the nation. Class rooms are the work shops where minds are moulded with thoughts motivating and the youth are made into useful vessels of future. Correction on time saves otherwise a fallen society. Great responsibility lies on the shoulders of the heart movers… teachers…. educators….

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Teachers play an important role in the reformation and transformation process. This process starts within the four walls and the finished products are brought to the streets where every product is tested by various factors – time, climate, situation, people, etc. If instilled and trained strong with good values and principles could get through all factors successfully and come out gloriously.

teachers for advice and help with academics as well as with struggles or conflicts in their lives. A heart mover, I mean a teacher who is very strong in moral behavior and has strong moral values only could guide them in the right way. Wise directions can be given only by wise teachers. Wise teachers are the ones who follow the path of knowledge and wisdom. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. The teacher who fears the Lord is wise enough to lead the students in the paths of righteousness.

Teachers are Role Models

It is very important for an educator to be educated in the aspects what he/she wants to educate his/her students. Keeping the integrity in tact at all times at all cost is very much required of an educator. They

The impact of the educators on their students is a tremendous one which is commendable if it makes a positive rippling effect.

Every movement and gesture of a teacher touches the tender hearts of these innocents and makes a mark - positive or negative- on their lives.

Such marks sometimes never fade away. Some are even carried to the graves.

A special remark must be made in this context that the teacher must be a role model in the lives of their students. Students value the words of their teachers above their parents. So the teachers have to be extra careful about their behavior, character, mood, words, deeds, actions and everything. Even the minute changes in their mood or behavior are noticed and recorded in their minds.

need to be positive examples. One writer has said, “The best teachers show four loves: love for God, love for their students, love for their subject and love for showing others the first three loves.� Well said, I should say. Not only guiding the students to be the best examples in the society, but being the best examples themselves is the need of the hour.

Teachers Values

Inculcate

Good

As a part of wholesome education teaching moral values and principles is very essential. It is very important to prepare and present to a society intellectual

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and educated wise citizens than to present intellectual and educated fools and idiots. The educators must know how to infuse values in their daily teachings.

Any concept of any subject can be taken as a base to teach and inculcate such good values.

Let me give some examples.

To be in the place where God has kept us is always safe than a place what we think as safe for us. Sodium metal is preserved in kerosene, which is highly inflammable whereas sodium burns in water, which is used to put out fire. This is only because of the nature and character of sodium. God knows what is best for us as He knows our nature. We may not know the hidden dangers in the place where we want to be.

We may think water is safe and kerosene is dangerous. But our assumption about situations may go wrong. So always wait upon the Lord to decide what to choose.

Proverbs16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and ways will succeed.”

To add good and positive qualities to our behavior remove the evil and bad characters for which we need power from God. This is same as to have a positively charged ion from a neutral atom 41

we have to remove negatively charged electron from it, which requires energy. Also if a neutral atom gains electron and becomes a negatively charged ion, it has to spend energy. So it implies that if you get a bad nature you have to spend energy/ pay for it.

In the early days, men wanted to be immortal as well as rich. For that they were searching for an elixir which could give them immortality and a base metal which could convert other metals into gold. Those people were called as alchemists and finally they ended up in discovering many elements which really existed but could never find anything they wanted to find. So if we are in a pursuit of something which does not exist at all, we could never find it. But the word of God says that God is very near to us so that we can feel him and find Him. Many are chasing the wind in order to find the truth.

But God has revealed himself to the mankind through Jesus Christ.

Knowing Jesus is to know God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the Life.”

Teachers are Kingdom Builders

Education plays an important role in the transformation of societies and communities, town s and villages and above all

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minds and souls. It is considered to be an instrument to bring about tremendous and magnificent changes in areas where there are no breakthroughs. God wants to bring about positive changes by touching every soul; on the other hand, the Evil one, the Destroyer, the Adversary, the Liar, the Prince of Darkness also wants to thwart all the divine plans and destroy the peace and harmony by breaking down everything to ruins.

The Educators, Teachers, the heart movers play the main part in building up God’s kingdom.

Nowadays some subtle efforts are being taken by some people to change the History and make the events fit into their own fits and fancies. In this way they think that they can change what has happened in the past and make people believe what they say.

This is tried with the system of education.

The subtle evil spreads like an epidemic and in the course of time may corrupt the core values of education system if not curbed in the early stage itself. The symptoms of deterioration remain unseen and become disastrous if not treated on time. The educators must be extra careful, vigilant and prudent to identify such evils and The Call

teach moral values which are positively instilled in the young minds so they are protected from this infection.

Accepting the Divine presence of God reforms and transforms their inner being by which a wholesome transformation takes place. Simply transfer of knowledge is not enough; but imbibing moral values through education is needed.

May the Lord help every educator or teacher to efficiently carry out this task of transforming the young minds towards their ultimate goal by changing their hearts.

Hearts loaded with love and compassion, Passion to guide young souls towards destination,

Teachers are the heart movers with tremendous skills and talents;

Young minds would never forget to salute a teacher, who is more than a preacher,

Yes, more than a preacher, a teacher is a guide, not a guide post,

But a guide moving with the taught as an example;

Correcting with a strong motive to mould and build but never to break and knock them

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down.

Simple truth, understood brings happiness on the corridors, love and peace prevail

In every temple of learning there dwells the DIVINE INCARNATE.  

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