I have so much news to share that I do not know quite where to begin, so it may not come out in either a chronological or logical order! Firstly let me share about the visit of Jean Vanier in November. We, that is the new Zone of South Asia, gathered together on the outskirts of Bangalore. We held our fist Zone Gathering…there were about 156 of us – young and old! Living conditions were simple but the spirit was great. We had all prepared a drama which spoke about the three elements of the Identity Statement: Relationship, Transformation and Sign. I enjoyed the three day retreat with Jean held in a holiday resort nearby. I enacted a drama with Sindhu Devi from Kerala about suffering and compassion. On the last day of the Gathering, which lasted 10 full days, we had a sports day including a tug of war. We were all given a memorial T-Shirt. My strongest memory is the words of Jean, which seemed to enter deeply into my heart. Of course I shall never forget my birthday as we celebrated it with Jean and the whole Zone! One last thing to mention…we translated one of Jean’s books into Kannada and my picture is on the front cover!!!!

In October I went to Kolkata for almost two weeks. I was very happy to stay in Asha Niketan Kolkata as I had never been there before. We joined the Taize meeting and met so many different people from all over the world. I loved the times of prayer and visiting Mother Theresa’s tomb. The train journey of almost two days was also great fun.

Christmas was hard on the tail of Jean’s visit. I made a beautiful crib in my bedroom with the helping hands of different and new people. On Sundays some brothers from OMI come to visit and Br. Wimal helped me cut the bamboo to make the frame. Then a local evangelical church came for a morning to discover Asha Niketan and a young boy of 15 helped me make the roof and sides of the stable. We put some straw in the bottom . A few days later this same boy came back with his father and donated me a set of flashing lights for the crib! Then to my surprise another young man , Arul, who visits on Sunday evenings, turned up with a special gift – a full set of crib figures. I was delighted. All that was missing was the star,which Milka bought for me…..and my wait for Christmas was done….I was Angel Gabriel in the Christmas eve story telling; and on Christmas day I was part of a holy trinity of Father Christmases…..Shuib, Fr. Xavier SJ and me!!!!

Then New Year came….. On New Year’s Eve you would have found me knee deep in mud. The tree in our courtyard had died and so I dug out the old roots and prepared the soil for the planting of a new tree. Smitha, Soney’s eight year old daughter, and I worked together. Then she decorated the courtyard with candles. In the evening we all remembered the last year and lit a candle in thanksgiving…maybe we were most grateful for the gift of Ravi, who sadly was not with us in the courtyard as he had already fallen asleep in his bed….but his door was open and we felt he was a part of us! Ravi’s ongoing diminishment has given me a chance to discover new ways of loving and being with him. I like to help turn him, laugh with him, sit with him….. Towards the end of our time of prayer, after we had listened to a part of the newsletter from Kath Barodie about their mission in Bethany, and seen how it is also our mission – to be here!…. I planted the new tree. It is called the Queen of the Night and has a very strong scent in the evenings. On New Year’s Day we invited the Little Sisters f Jesus to come and join us for lunch. Before hand we played pass the parcel and so all of us in one way or another had to gift a song, dance, skit etc…..It was good to start the new year with friends who have been close to us for the last 36 years.

Last week we celebrated Pongal, which is a harvest festival. Mr. Shiv Shankar came and made the puja for us and we all threw some cooked sweet rice to the four corners of the world as a way of giving thanks for all that has been given us this year and as a sign of our desire to share it with others. We gifted back to the Creator that which he had gifted us! In the afternoon we went to Cubbon park and played games (with what seemed to be half of Bangalore!) and ate ice cream.

On January 9th we welcomed two new people into our house: Darmodharan and Prabhakaran. Theya re brothers, 15 and 16 years old. Darmodharan had come as a day worker about 6 months ago, and we had found sponsorship for Prabahkaran at a special needs school. BUT they stopped coming. So we went to find out why and discovered that their home situation was very difficult and mummy could no longer provide money for the bus fare. In fact they were only just managing to feed one another. So we decided to offer the two boys a place in our home. It is early days and we are discovering each other. I have to admit to being a little put out by their constant movement and talking…..but they bring a new energy to our ageing group!

Over the last months I have had sad news about Dr. Rose. She is now using a wheel chair after several falls and breaks. Also she is getting a little forgetful and wanders with her thoughts. However she is being much loved and cared for by the Apostolic Carmelite Sisters in Pune. I am worried about her and of course about what will happen in the future ….
My latest project is digging a big pit for compost….it has left me with blistered hands. BUT I love doing it.

With love
Chris Scott

Asha Niketan Bangalore, India