HBI, an institution of  50 years standing is now headed up by Bobby Gupta son of the founder, Paul Gupta, whose widow continues to maintain an active interest. Bobby was sent to the US for education and reflects strongly that influence in the way the institution is conducted and funded. His children find the US home and more congenial leaving a challenge in these dynastic institutions of how to maintain the continuity and hold on to the assets and vision.

My responsibility is to the Bible College whose main programs are B Th, M Div and M Th. My course is in the M Th stream 'Relating to People of Other Faiths'. In this period it is a half course teamed up with Dialogue which is being taught by another lecturer.

I am in a comfortable single room with attached bath so have the necessities. I am eating in a mess which is serving western and Indian adapted food for the numerous foreigners who pass through as ministry teams, visiting lecturers or interested friends. Of interest also are committee members who come through using the facilities offered to hold their periodic meetings.

The menu offers normal Western style breakfasts, cereals, juice eggs and toast. Lunch often Hindustani modified style and the evening meal forms of western diets meat dishes, chips etc. Some of the more affected Westerners from the US subsist on bread and peanut butter if their stomachs are in trouble or they dislike the Anglo- Indian type food offered. In other locations I have eaten with the students or enjoyed home cooked Indian food which would be my preference!

The local bazaar is just outside the main gate. My pilgrimages are to the Internet Cafe on the corner, an air conditioned facility well patronized by many young people who send e mails and  carry on chats headphones on and talking into the mikes to their friends over Internet lines at far cheaper rates than the phone companies are offering. Other pilgrimages are to the laundry man, the newspaper and magazine shop.

Colleen Redit and Mercy Missions

I have never made real contact with her before but knew of Colleen Redit, a renowned NZer from Wanganui, who has established a mercy mission for young women and others left out of the prosperous India. Starting from modest beginnings this faith ministry has been built up into a sizable institution. It has its own story of miracles and provisions of the Lord over a life time of service and ministry by this remarkable woman. Ministries of this kind have been a feature of mission through the centuries of western involvement. The place is an amazing ant hill of activity with every square in motion. At night it functions like a homeless shelter with bodies sleeping on the floor all around. 6 stories with two lifts, a full scale hospital with visiting consultant doctors. Orphanage, feeding centre, schools you name it! Just shows what one really dedicated, passionate, honest woman with organizational ability can do. It all depends on Compassion, child sponsorship and the like together with Samaritan boxes etc etc. The future challenge is of course when Colleen Redit goes --a woman now in her 60s, what then? I could not spring her free to come out to lunch as a container was being unloaded and required her presence. Maybe next Thurs. I was asked to speak at the chapel with the comment from Colleen - we have really deep bible study here can you speak? !! I performed ok and have been invited back by the Big Boss – all important but much more rewarding to me was the comments of the listening group about 75% women that the message was helpful as I knew it was. Compassion is shown and the gospel faithfully preached to all these groups of people.

Madras Theological Seminary

The area around here affords opportunity for a number of Christians institutions. It is in these parts around Vepery and Kilpauk that missionaries became established. Older institutions include a Lutheran Seminary and this one MTS.

My interest is in the Principal Dr Samuel Jayarajah who has written a defining thesis and then book on the Dalit Mission in Tamil Nadu. I have gained much inspiration and help from this source. So was happy to consult again with Dr Samuel and gain some further insights and idea which I hope will make it possible to complete some of the remaining gaps in the thesis.