Testimonies

The family that was a blessing even in their absence

Your presence and support for the students of AAI had been great and beyond what words could express.  I have heard many testimonies about your love, care and support.  I have a personal testimony to share.  When I came to AAI (in 1994), I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus.  A live-in camp was arranged at Naini and the EU group invited me to join.  That was when I came to your house – your open house (heard that you had gone away to Tamil Nadu for a vacation).  I slept at your bedroom and attended the camp at another house where your family later moved in.  Those three days were the alpha of my spiritual life.  I accepted Jesus in that camp.  It was the beginning of a fantastic journey with Jesus in my life.  After three days, my life was totally transformed and I went back with a fire in my heart for the Lord.  21 years later, it is still alive with a desire to serve Him.  Though I never maintained great contact with anyone at EU, I fondly remember and share with my fellowship as to how the people at EU birthed me into Christ.
 - Ahalya Ravi

Gleanings from the memorial service at Allahabad

Last night I biked to and from Varanasi to Allahabad to attend DS Emmanuel Uncle's memorial service. Somethings I noted that challenged me
1. He stood for values at gun point (literal gun point)
2. He served his wife (unlike demanding husband)
3. Their maid was treated like a family member
4. Will not miss a class in the guise of other responsibilities
5. His classes had 95% attendance
6. Very precise
7. Took time to visit pastors and full time workers (usually people want full time workers to visit them)
8. Pure in terms of dealing with wealth, women and money
9. A consistent person
10. Person with a compassionate heart
11. Took time to visit people and invested in individuals and families
12. Very systematic and updated
13. A voracious reader
14. A man who does not panic fast
15. Impacted and influenced the institution he worked 

Benalin (EU staff worker, Varanasi)