More from Caleb Holman ministering at Woodside School in India

Swimming Pool:

Well we've come a long way with the pool: from not having one and having no lifeguards, to having five lifeguards, four others that can help with dry-land rescues in medical emergencies at the pool, and to having almost all the safety equipment to meet international standards. Woodstock has also appointed me as the Pool Safety Officer, consolidating the responsibilities of the pool and the training of water safety team members. With this added responsibility, I'm in charge of the training for the pool safety team, developing a swimming program for the school with the PE department, and working with our security department so we effectively use the training of the swim safety team in case of emergencies.

A few of the projects we are working on for this next year include:

-  a larger partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society of India for our swimming program and water safety program

- installing a solar-based heating system for the pool, increasing the length of the seasons we are able to use the pool

- raising funds so we can purchase an automatic defibrillator

- most importantly, ensuring that the kids have fun this next year while we are expanding the swimming program.

It's exciting to help develop this program and I look forward to receiving the necessary training.  I need to become a lifeguard trainer, receive some advanced medical training, and become a swimming instructor in this next year.

15 August 2011   Dear Friends Around the World, Our family is at an exciting point in our journey, and so we wanted to give you a Kids Update this month. Carly took off last Saturday for Mexico for a semester studying abroad as part of her Hispanic Studies major at Westmont College. While we will miss her while she is abroad this Fall, we are also so proud of her as she grows into a wonderful young adult. She is now in her junior (third) year of university. Steven and Brian spent a week traveling on the East Coast of the U.S. together visiting five universities which Steven is considering for studies after his final year of high school. His topic choices are New York University, University of Virginia, and University of Southern California. Quite the geographic diversity! He begins his senior year of high school next week, with a full load of advanced placement classes. The four of us had an end-of-summer mini-vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia last week before going to my nephew Dan's wedding in Richmond. It was good closure to a work-filled summer in which all four of us juggled multiple jobs and ministries. We are grateful to the Lord for this unique time for our family. And now it is onto the Fall season. Thanks for your friendship and encoruagement. With Grace, in Christ,   Brian and Susy

Caleb Holman

Greetings from India I hope everyone is doing well.

Wow it has been another busy and exciting year for me here in India. From working with the students here at Woodstock at the swimming pool, at the student wood-shop, camping, and the general responsibilities of being a dorm parent - I've been busy! I have also had the time to work a little bit with the Sharp Memorial School for the Blind, go scuba diving, and, if my parents haven't told you, climb a 20,722ft. peak. Before getting to talk about all this other stuff, onto the most common question that I am asked.  Yes, I am still single.

Well now that's out of the way, Woodstock:

I've had a really exciting year building new relationships with a new set of boys after my last group graduated. Like all teenagers, relationships (especially those with the opposite sex) are something that we talk about an awful lot. And it's exciting to see these guys grow and develop in a positive way. But it's not just girls that the boys think about.  They are also thinking about making the world a better place, why the world this is the way it is, and what they need to get into university.  At times are also carefree and enjoy video games and just being a kid. Like in any large group, there are some students  doing really well and others that are struggling. One highlight for me was when some of my boys came to me and asked if they could figure out a way to restore some of the trails on campus and other areas where everybody walks and hikes. I've also had the opportunity to talk an awful lot to one of our students from Afghanistan about politics and his life growing up in different world philosophies. I really appreciate how fortunate I am to have this interaction with students it is great to get to know them and help them develop into good men and women. I also have some students who struggle.  One in particular has faced a lot of unhappiness in his childhood along with some academic struggles.  He often struggles with sadness.  Although this student needs a lot of attention and support, Woodstock is the best place for him.  I'm very grateful to have the support of my colleagues and to have earned this student's trust.  I am in a position to support him as he walks through this difficult time.

Like always, Woodstock has a lot of changes.  This upcoming year we will have an interim principal for the first semester and we will have a new principal after Christmas holidays.  One thing that hasn't changed is that, for the first time in 24 years, the Hostel Dorm team has all the same members that we had at the end of the previous school year.  It is really exciting that we can give some continuity to our students that they have not been able to have in the past.

HELP ALTERNATIVES PREGNANCY CENTER Alternatives Pregnancy Center is in need of pregnant women between 6 and 22 weeks gestation to participate as models for limited ultrasound practice scans. The practice scans are scheduled for Tuesday-Friday, August 16-19, and Tuesday-Friday, August 22-26, between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm at our downtown location. The ultrasounds will be offered without cost and each model will receive a $5 gift card as a thank you. For details or to sign up, please contact Becky Rohr or Elisabeth Buchholz at 303.298.8815.