May 28, 2010 JOURNAL

Transitions - India to the US

Cathy Holmes , Administrative Assistant/Board Relations  
In December 2009, after more than 35 years of living in India, I bid farewell to my colleagues at Woodstock School and moved to the USA. In January I moved to Valley Forge and really began to make the transition to living in the USA. 

From serving with International Ministries in north India to serving at the Mission Center in Valley Forge has been an exciting journey. It has been like moving to a new country.  People here at International Ministries have been wonderful.  They are a big part of the support system for all ABC missionaries.  It is my privilege to now serve along side them.  They are an amazing group of caring people.  They have been kind, helpful and very forgiving when I have made mistakes. 

Shortly after I arrived in January the earthquake struck in Haiti.  Everyone at IM jumped right in and added extra to their workload to help get information out and do what they could.  This is such a flexible group of people who are so willing to put their hands where they are needed.  They are also a happy group – smiling and laughing. 

One of my many challenges has been the working of the telephone and transferring callers to the right people.   What do I bring to the IM office? - My wealth of experience in India and Asia, involvement in a Christian international school setting with people from around the world and my administrative skills. 

My service in India is continuing as I work with a number of IM partners on a school survey.  Many of the partners run Christian Schools – some old and well established and some that are struggling for one reason or another.  Through the survey and time with teachers and principals we hope to be able to see the strengths of the schools, where changes may need to be made and where we may be able to provide help. I am delighted to be continuing this work.  I returned to India in April to visit a number of schools.