Don't Drink The Water...

I am writing this blog post at 6.55 am. The rest of the family are still fast asleep but I know that I need to walk down to the dining hall and collect drinking water for breakfast, a chore I forgot to do last night. The dining hall is not far away but the hill is steep and the thinness of the air at this altitude will cause me to be out of breath and dizzy after my ascent.

Euan having his morning wash (not in drinking water).

The altitude and the pathogens in tap water are just two of many things which we need to adjust to while living here at Hebron school. In two months time our bodies will have increased the concentration of red blood cells and the altitude will no longer have an effect; we will adjust to most other things much sooner.

Water scarcity is a real problem in the Nilgiris due to 3 failed monsoons.

Adjustments are made much easier by the generous and warm welcome given to staff arriving here and the orientation program which seeks to help new arrivals understand the culture of India and of the school. We have been struck by how sympathetic everyone is to the stresses of transition, evidenced by the help we have received from the whole community and by the excellent sessions provide by John and Janine Barclay and other staff.

'Middle Cottage', our accomodation.

Our front door the day we arrived.

Lessons on the culture of South India had an immediate practical application as the school community was invited to a local wedding in Ooty which all new staff and International Guests attended. Indian weddings are great for the guests; everyone is invited so thousands attend but only to eat the food, greet the bride and groom and swiftly depart, a pattern known as ‘Eat, Greet, Go’. The bride and groom suffer the most as they have their pictures taken with every guest who greets them. Eve took this opportunity to wear her Sari for the first time. The other first Eve experienced was an attack of ‘Delhi Belly’ as the rich Biryani proved too much for her western digestive system. It was mercifully short, however, and she felt much better after 24 hours.

The married couple will stay on the stage all afternoon greeting and receiving gifts.

Eve in her Sari

We have also been discovering more about our responsibilities during our first semester; Mark will be teaching Geography, Science and Chemistry as well as taking care of a standard 11 tutor group. Eve will be teaching two standard 9 German classes and some AS German. Both of us will be Dorm support for year 12 boys and we have various other duties, the full extent of which we have yet to discover. One thing learned quickly about Hebron is that everyone fills more than one role and there are always opportunities to take on more responsibilities.

Professional Staff at Hebron School for the coming semester - can you find us?

We have also learned about the compassionate approach Hebron takes as it nurtures the children and young people given into its care. Our own children are already benefiting from this as they discover new freedoms in a safe environment and make friends with the offspring of other staff. During the staff retreat our speaker David Wilcox has been emphasising this vital role as a Christian school and it is a feature of our calling which we will learn ever more deeply as time goes on.

Luke and Euan with some new friends.

Having been swamped by the practicalities of preparation it feels like God has brought us here in a whirlwind and it is only now we are appreciating the responsibility and privilege of the task he has given. My hope is that we will have the faith to take on the challenges and the time to appreciate the joys which we are sure to encounter.

Mark