Autumn 2006

Blessed are those who are still able to dream
In these bad days!
We do not wish to miss
What gives them strength.
Let us walk in their footsteps
And give us the imagination
To see the world in the Light.

Keep all people in your guard
Who are happily laughing
Including those who do foolish things
Sometimes.
O Lord, give them courage.
We need their vitality
Too sober is this world!
Give strength to the fools!

So bless us now
And lead us softly
Accompanying our paths
Which you have traced for us
And every human being, big or small
– as you created him or her –
shall be a blessing to those around.

Uwe Rahn

Dear friends of the Shanti family,

In our last Shanti letter, I reported on the difficult political situation in Nepal. Much has changed in the meantime. The Maoist leaders have come into the open after years of hiding. They attempt to involve themselves in the democratization process. The path to that goal is not yet a safe one; violent arguments are still the rule. But we hope that the international advisers will be able to direct the development to a peaceful solution.

My most recent stay in the station was affected by my own experience. I came to view the hospital with totally other eyes since I was myself hospitalized in this clinic for a certain period. The soothing and helpful treatment and nursing care reinforced my own volition to continue to help in improving our patients' health situation as effectively and sensitively as possible.

This summer in Dortmund was marked by the World Cup with all its serene feel of festivity. But from below the line on the budget level it becomes evident that the look into the poverty in other parts of the worlds has been neglected a little over this.
We all profited from the WM World Cup thanks to a very nice event:
The City Ring organized a red sisal carpet to be laid out from the central station to the football stadium. After the show, the City Ring presented us with more than one kilometre of length of this carpet so that we could pass it on – cut in lengths – to football supporters at a donation amount of 10 Euros per metre. If you are still looking for a present for your football crazy nieces or nephews: we still have some of it – call my husband at telephone number +49 (0) 231-73 6914!

We have another idea for a present: Prem Kumari painted a beautiful picture, and friends in the German city of silk, Krefeld, wove a high quality silk shawl from it. It is 100 x 100 cm large and costs 45 Euros (available from Ganesh).

Please find below a report written by Siegfried Pater. I am very grateful for his encouragement, for often I am only able to see the things we are unable to do, overlooking the things we could achieve with your help and assistance, for which I am ever thankful again and again!

Bless you all!

Your Marianne Grosspietsch