July 30, 2004

Dear Friends,

We spent almost two weeks in the United Kingdom catching up with friends and family. One of our sons, Daniel, is staying on in Louisville after graduating from college in Wisconsin, so we feel like part of us is still there. We landed almost at midnight on July 20th. We were met by a taxi and a jeep (for our luggage) from Mussoorie, the town where we lived for three years last time we were in India. Once through the airport we loaded up and headed straight for Mussoorie, six hours to the north. For most of the journey it was pretty warm in the taxi even though it was late night and early morning. It began to cool off as we started to climb up into the foothills of the Himalayas where Mussoorie is. Dheradun, the city closest to the town where we live is at 2000 feet above sea level, but as we go on to Mussoorie we climb another 5000 feet in a matter of 45 minutes. We arrived early in the morning of July 21 at the same house we had the last time we were in India. We were greeted by the shop owner of the shop just opposite the house. It was wonderful to be greeted by someone we know so quickly after we arrived. Although we moved into the same house we used to live in last year there is lots and lots to do.

Luckily, my boss in the Emmanuel Hospital Association was out of his office for the first few days we were back home in Mussoorie so I was able to spend full time getting our house together. It’s Friday now, and I will meet with Ashok, my boss, on Monday. I have my own ideas about how I want to take up my job in the EHA, and Ashok told me over the phone that he has plenty of ideas as well. Melanie has already arranged to begin volunteering work in the office at Woodstock school. Her organizing skills were in demand, the second day she was here she was asked to be an interim office manager for the development office!

The kids too are getting into their old school very quickly. Hilary (13) moved into the dorm three days ago, and I haven’t seen her since! Timothy (16) still chooses to live with us and go to school as a day student. This is the first weekend of the school year, and he has said he will be down at the dorms for most of the weekend.

So as you can see we are well and truly back. Many of the people I have met were very surprised to see me, since when we left a year ago it was very much as a final thing. I think most are happy to see us, hope so. At any rate, it is a new chapter with its own problems and opportunities and it’s good to be back. Just wanted to let you know we are here and getting settled.

Scott and Melanie

The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 182