It Really Works: An Update from Mike Woodruff's Trip to India

February 2007 Happy 2007! I’m writing with two things to share with you. It Really Works: Late last year Sheri and I cashed in a whole lot of frequent flyer miles and took our three boys with us to India. We were anxious to visit with Varghese and Suja Thomas who had returned to Madras (recently renamed Chennai) after he completed his PhD at Trinity just over a year ago. While we were there we also made time for a six hour train ride to Bangalore to visit with four other CISF scholars. A detailed report of our trip – along with some theological reflection on what we saw – is available on our web site at www.cisf.org. But allow me just a few highlights. · We were surprised and encouraged by the outstanding work being done by these leaders. I’ve been in a number of developing countries and have a general idea of how much ministry can be done on limited budgets. But I was shocked by the work Varghese and Suja are involved in. Schools, orphanages, churches, mission work, tsunami relief, job training, hospitals, micro loans, and on it goes. What a joy to see them thriving where God has planted them and using the training they have received to serve others! · In addition to visiting with Drs. David Clarence and Jacob Cherian at Southern Asia Bible College – they are also thriving – we drove over to the Southern Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS) just a few miles away to see Dr. Atul Aghamkar. Atul is a professor of Urban Ministry, with a particular focus on training pastors to reach Hindus. (His responsibilities continue to grow, which was more good news). But, imagine my surprise when he said, “Before you leave I’d like you to have a chance to say hello to our president.” He took me into see Dr. Fanai Hrangkhuma. As he was introducing me Dr. Hrangkhuma said, “I know of this organization because they supported me as well.” Dr. Hrangkhuma was one of our earliest scholars. We’d lost track of him – our record keeping twenty years ago was not what it might have been. But, that is certainly not my point! Rather, I am sharing this to say here is yet another of the men and women that you invested in serving in a key role. A Time of Change: The second thing I want to share is that, after thirteen years as the President of CISF, I am going to change roles. Several months ago I informed the board that we needed someone who could provide the energy and leadership to CISF that the needs and opportunities required. And that I was not that person. So, at our March board meeting I will be stepping down as President and becoming a member of the board of directors. Please understand, I remain very committed to this mission! So committed, in fact, that I do not want to slow it down. In the last few years this ministry has become larger, more complicated and more international. (In 2000 we had 25 scholars studying at 5 institutions in 3 countries. Today we have 41 scholars studying at 18 institutions in 11 countries). It is no longer something I can oversee on one day a week. So, we are in a search mode for a new leader. I will – as I noted – remain involved, and so I expect you will hear from me on these pages from time to time or see me at CISF events around the country. Please pray for the board as we seek a new president. And during this time of transition. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this position, please contact us. That’s it from Chicago on January 13. Perhaps by the time you read this the Bears are marching towards the Super Bowl. Or, perhaps not. Either way… Press On Mike Woodruff