I take this opportunity to congratulate the JRS team for organizing this special celebration on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Afghanistan mission. Noel Oliver and I, as pioneers of this new JCSA initiative, took off from Delhi airport and landed in Kabul on 28 April 2005. Trusting in God like the Patriarch, Abraham of old, we ventured into the unknown not knowing what was in store for us. To our surprise, we saw two angels in the persons of Mr Jose Pulickal, CRS Country Representative, and Mr Jeya Kumar, from International Rescue Committee, waiting at the Kabul airport to receive us. Our joy knew no bounds since both were well known to us. Mr Jose went out of the way to make us feel at home at the CRS guest house. We stayed there to acclimatize and learn the nuances of the people and culture. After a few days, we flew to Herat, the promised land, to start our mission. Months later, our Afghanistan outreach was officially registered under the umbrella of JRS with the NGO Department
in Kabul. Again, Mr Jose did everything to get the registration done, taking care of every detail meticulously. The CRS Herat team also supported us in very many ways.
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As members of the full-fledged new NGO, Noel and I began by getting involved in improving Herat Technical School and the Provincial Regional Hospital. Bicycles were our mode of transport to the field. Our simple way of life drew us very close to the local community, who were our security. This was really true. Though the fear of being kidnapped always lurked within, we moved ahead trusting in God. The fact that we had been
chosen by the JCSA to lead this new mission was a source of great strength and inspiration for us.
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The following year, three more Jesuits joined us to strengthen the mission; they started teaching in Herat University. In the third year, we started a base in Bamiyan to support Bamiyan university; and maintained a
presence in Kabul too. In the fourth year, we organized an exploratory visit to Mazar–e-Sharif with the view to expanding the mission, which did not take place. Kandahar, in the conflict zone, was also included as one of our future initiatives. Though I planned to continue for seven years in the mission, God had other plans for me. After serving four years and eight months in Herat, I returned to take up a new mission, the Village Reconstruction Organization (VRO), in India.
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The mission of reaching out to the shattered and conflict–ridden people
of Afghanistan is a great and much needed service. Security is always a question; but is not an issue for persons who dare to serve in the name of the Almighty. I wholeheartedly appreciate the Jesuits who are continuing the service in the unpredictable situation. May the Almighty, the initiator
of the mission, continue to guide and lead you!
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On this anniversary, I gratefully recall the spirit that guided us in choosing the new mission – to go and be present where others do not dare not venture; to take up when others give up, because it is difficult. Do not lose heart, but continue with the Almighty who leads and guides our way!