Interview

Completing the circle

Lyn Woods talks to Lieut-Colonel Joan Williams about her upcoming missional visit to India

WHEN DO YOU TRAVEL TO INDIA?

We set off on Boxing Day. I have some of my family going with me and I’m introducing my grandson to India for the first time. This will be my last visit.

WHAT ARE YOUR AIMS FOR THE TRIP?

A few things. First, to encourage fellow officers and soldiers, as the work is difficult out there because they have a Hindu Nationalist (BJP) government. Second, to challenge them spiritually and put money in the hands of the right people – that’s one of the main reasons I go. Also, to see my friends and family and to enjoy the wonderful food. I shall be celebrating my 87th birthday while I’m there!

I shall visit several social centres and am particularly interested in one in Mizoram, up in the hills, which few people visit because it’s difficult to get to. Another is a motherless babies centre, which is mainly for babies whose mothers can’t look after them. The man who used to be my secretary, LieutColonel Shamu Meitei, is territorial auditor – his last appointment before retiring – and his wife is in charge of the centre. It will be good to see them. Also, in Kolkata there are social centres I want to see. I worked at a girls’ home there in the 1990s, so I’m going back there, and there’s a boys’ home, an aged home and a blind home. The blind home is interesting; it’s mainly grown men there and most of them work for the Mint because a lot of the work with the coins is through touch and feel.

Lieut-Colonel Shamu Meitei

WHEN YOU VISIT INDIA, WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT THE UK?

I can honestly say that I look upon India as my home and I miss those things more when I’m here in the UK. My friends and Tavistock Corps I will miss.

HOW HAS LIVING AND WORKING OVERSEAS ENRICHED YOUR LIFE?

It’s opened my eyes and given me a much wider view of the world, particularly of people and nature.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FROM YOUR TIME SERVING IN INDIA?

A little boy in Burma was standing with me, holding my hand for prayers. Instead of saying ‘our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name’, he said: ‘Our Father who art in Heaven, how did you know my name?’

HOW DOES THE LORD EQUIP YOU FOR THE TASKS HE SETS FOR YOU?

Well, I had a wonderful husband. And whenever we had something difficult to do, he’d say ‘now we’ll do this, we’ll pray about it while we do it and we’ll think about it afterwards’. When he first said that to me, I thought that was a very silly idea, but I learnt that it was probably the best idea, because while you were doing it you came to the realisation that you had to get on and do it, or else nobody else around you would. I lost my husband in Sri Lanka and, five years later, the Army asked me to go back on the mission field. I thought that was difficult, and it was difficult, but for me it was the ending of the circle. I met people in those last years when I was serving who were very important to me. And I believe that was the Lord’s way of healing the wounds of grief for me.

My favourite hymn reminds me:

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater… When we have exhausted our store of endurance… Our Father’s full giving is only begun. (SASB 30)

HOW CAN PEOPLE SUPPORT YOUR UPCOMING MISSION?

There is a GoFundMe page for donations at gofund.me/b362ef1d. And, of course, by offering prayerful support.

LYN WOODS

Editorial Assistant Salvationist