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| Steve: (11/20/00)
I'm not sure this is the kind of question you generally address, but here goes: My wife and I are Christians and old I-V types (I'm a Fuller Seminary grad.), and our sixteen-year-old son has an opportunity to go to Hyderabad, India for eleven months next year with a Rotary Exchange Student program. In addition to the normal parental concerns about loneliness and physical safety away from home, we have particular concerns about our son's isolation from Christian fellowship. Could you give us insight or information that would help us all make a prayerful decision about this exciting opportunity? Specifically, does InterVarsity have ministries at any of the universities in Hyderabad? Thank you for your help in this matter. Steve |
| Jack: Dear Steve: What a magnificent opportunity your son has been given! You ask me for some "insights or information" which may help you make a prayerful decision. In Hyderabad OM (Operation Mobilization) has a big retreat center used by many mission/Christian agencies from India. There are also Christian churches. If he looks for it, he would find ample opportunity for Christian fellowship. However, you should be aware of the persecution of Christians that is going on in India right now. There is an "InterVarsity like" organization that functions there called the Union of Evangelical Students of India. The name of the staff worker is L. Shashi Kanth Dennis Raj. His address is : 19-48 Kalyanpuri / Uppal / Hyderabad / Andhra Pradesh 500 039. One climatic detail: the weather is HOT HOT HOT! But that is true in most of India. Why not make a family project of doing research on the country, the city of Hyderabad, and the religions and culture of India? You will need to help him understand the whole matter of "culture shock" - what it is, what the symptoms are, and how to prepare for it. May the Lord guide you as you consider the possibility of this experience which undoubtedly would have a mind blowing impact on your son and open his eyes to the great spiritual needs of this country of over a billion people. Jack |
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