DIRECTORS FRANK JUELICH & BAPU DESAI

ERROL AND MYRNA VISIT THE BOYS AND GIRLS OF PREM SEWA, INDIA

Action song in chapel

"Had it not been for the school, I don't know if I would be alive," commented one young boy during Errol and Myrna's recent visit to the girls and boys homes in India. This statement is likely true of many of the children. Errol and Myrna De Sousa, representing Frank Juelich in Abbotsford, BC, co-led a team that spent eleven days at the boy's home in Nagpur. The ten Grade 11 and 12 students, along with their 2 teachers from a Christian school in Surrey, BC, began their days at 6:30 a.m. and finished at 9:00 p.m. or later. The team painted a mural and the walls throughout the compound, helped cut vegetables for the meals for over 450 boys, played simple card games and interacted with the students whenever there was free time. In the afternoons they gave Bible lessons, discussed Canadian culture and gave English and Computer classes. Recreational activities included a sport's clinic in soccer and another in playground games. In the evenings, the team led chapels where they taught choruses and acted in skits or dramas. The spirit of God is alive and moving in the hearts of many at the schools; during chapel time the boys fervently worship God.

These team visits provide opportunities for the children at Prem Sewa to connect in meaningful ways with the visiting Canadians. The love that flows both ways is beautiful to see! Many of the children from Prem Sewa come from very impoverished homes where their parents are busy eking out a living, so they really soak up the love and attention given to them. The teams are so impacted by the children, who have nothing materially, but are so willing to give of themselves and the little that they do have.

BEYOND THEIR WILDEST IMAGINATION!

The older boys, who are being sponsored to go to college by the Foundation, overwhelmingly say that the opportunity they received to come to Prem Sewa when they were little, and to now be at a point where they can choose to enter further education, is beyond their wildest imagination. Many are taking hotel management diplomas or degree courses, some are attending seminary, studying IT or engineering.

The girls also tell of how much the school means to them. Their desires to have a meaningful life and career are actually becoming a reality. Several have now completed college and hold positions as teachers and nurses and the first doctor will graduate in just a few months.

"The boys and girls are fed both physically and spiritually, educated and housed in safe surroundings. We thank God that Frank Juelich answered the call of God on his life so many years ago and pray that he has many more years to serve in India," concludes Errol.