We have gotten these questions A LOT over the past few months and I figured if people who have the opportunity to ask these questions are asking them...then there are probably a lot of others who want to know.
WARNING: NONE of these questions have to do with the earthquake today! (Although it seems like that's what EVERYONE is talking about on the internet today)
1. When are you leaving?
We will leave the US on September 13...at 8:50pm from JFK airport.
2. When are you coming back?
Exactly 6 months later...March 13. Flight lands in JFK at 5:30pm.
3. So...what exactly are you going to be doing there?
We're going to teach English classes...teach "morals"/Bible classes and start a sustainable ministry in the village of Semmandakuppam. While we're there, we will be "dorm parents" as well as we will be living at the school. So, there will be plenty of time to play with the kids and tell them how great they are...and how much God loves them.
4. Why India? There are plenty of people who need help here...
There sure are plenty of people who need help here. It just so happens that our friends happen to be in India. I will definitely admit that there are plenty of people who need help here in the US...here in my city...and I invite you to help them out! Won't you grant that there are people in India that need help as well? That's why we're going.
The other thing about that...I really just think that God's love is beyond borders. Compassion and a call doesn't know anything about geography. It just is what it is. It's about people helping people...and the people we're going to try to help happen to be from India....and the people that THEY are going to help just happen to be from the United States.
5. Tell me some more about the school...
Sure. The school is called Carmel Matriculation School, which is an extension of Carmel Ministries. The school has about 1000 students...with about 90-120 living at the dorm/hostel a quarter mile down the road. The school consistently outperforms India's government schools. There are students from "LKG" (Lower Kindergarten) all the way to 10th Standard (grade).
6. How did you find out about this place?
Michelle and I have been to Carmel twice before in 2008 and in 2010. When we were thinking about what was next in ministry for us we both had this in mind. Finally, I said "then why don't we move to India for a while..." to which Michelle responded "Well, I was going to say that but I didn't think you would want to..." Once that was out of the way, we got in touch with Mike Sopchak, the team leader and asked him if it would be possible to live there for 6 months... the rest is history. See answer #1.
7. Are you going with an organization or just by yourselves?
Both!?!? :)
Michelle, Zaili, Glen and I are the only ones who are going for 6 months. However, we do have a "sending organization" called Servants (WHO HAS BEEN AMAZING AND OUTSTANDING!). Servants has helped us by being the clearinghouse for our fundraising, helping us with newsletters and even taking us to the airport! Servants is an organization based in York PA whose ministry is to help missionaries be in mission.
8. How can we make a donation? Can we make a donation directly to you so that there are no administrative fees?
Good news! A donation to us through Servants means that 100% of that donation goes to us! (Told you they were amazing!) Servants does not take an administrative fee from your donation. So...that's awesome! :) :)
As far as a donation...wow...thanks for asking. There are 2 ways you can do that. You can click on "support our ministry" just below our picture to your right OR you can send a check to Servants Inc 268 W Beaver Street Hellam PA 17406. If you send in a check, just send a note with it that says "Schwartzman mission" rather than writing it on the check.
9. Who's that guy that's going with you!?!?
His name is Glen Richards. He was a camper of mine at Wesley Forest in 2006. Glen and I have kept in touch and he actually lives with us in York. Glen is a professional photographer and has an amazing heart and desire to serve. He loves kids and loves to love people. He is the perfect person for this trip!
10. Do you really think you're coming back!?!?!
Yes. By law we have to come back. Our visa says so and we would be PRETTY EASY to spot in the area of India we'll be in. Our visa says we have to leave for at least 61 days before we can return to India. After 61 days, we can return for ANOTHER 6 months. HOWEVER...THAT IS NOT THE PLAN. The plan is to come back to the US to stay on March 13.
11. Did you feel the earthquake? Yes...VERY MUCH so. I was in Baltimore at the time. (Sorry, I absolutely COULD NOT resist)
Have any other questions? Ask them! :)
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