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Another critical ID is what’s known as an AADHAAR card. This ID is linked to retinal scans, finger prints and a facial scan and is part of a nation-wide government ID program. While not particularly difficult to get, these cards are essential for opening bank accounts, mobile phones and a variety of other services. So this week, we pushed to get all mission kids their very own AADHAAR card.

Naturally a separate card is needed to vote, and these voter registration cards are a powerful form of ID here in India as well. For anyone who complains about voter ID laws in their own country, try filling out the 14 page form that is mandatory here before your card is issued. It was a bit of an assembly line in the office this week as Clifton, Micah and Anish worked to complete 15 of our older children’s applications. FYI: You must be 18 to vote here in India.

OK, enough IDs. One minor improvement that happened this week was the creation of two full-length  mirrors in our small girls hostel. After getting by on one cracked and spotted mirror for so many years, these new shiny framed beauties will help the girls see just how beautiful they are each time they take a look. This is another part of the “500 or Less” campaign we did a few weeks ago. Currently, only the stone walk way for Auntie Violet and small boy beds remain. We’ll be buying stone and iron for these projects soon.

Up at our school, periodic tests are underway and all of our kids have been working hard to bring good marks. Our new principal, Mr. David Chirag Din, has been working hard too, making a great effort to improve the discipline of both the staff and the students, on a mission to make the Maxton Strong School a top-tier institution for the region. John sat down with him this week to ask him a few questions as a way of introducing him to you.

Q: What qualities make you a good principal for the Maxton Strong School?
A: Honestly and strictness. And I do not compromise my principles. That may make me old fashioned, but that is who I am.

Q: What part of your job do you like the most?
A: It all starts for me in the morning assembly. If that has perfect order, the entire day will go well. I also enjoy children and I enjoy a challenge so this is a good place for me.

Q: What do you see as your greatest challenge here?
A: Some of the basic things need to change. From the hand-written syllabus to the way question papers are written.

Q: If you could change one thing today by snapping your fingers, what would it be?
A: Discipline. My dream is to compete with the best Delhi public schools and that will only come with discipline. 

Q: How will you know when you’ve succeeded?
A: Others will say, not me. But maybe I’ll hear a child say: “He is strict.” That will be a good start. If God gives me the time, I want to see 1500 students here and 12^th class certification. That is what I want.

While the staff housing project is on hold, the Learning Resource Center is on the fast track, with plastering already begun. All the walls are in place, and the space is starting to look like the library it will one day be. More coming soon but for now...lots of plaster work to be done.

With such a big family, birthdays are a regular occurrence around the mission. But this week we had three in one day. Katie, Naresh and Angel all gained another year this past Friday and the two younger ones celebrated with a party for 40 in the dining room. (Katie had her party earlier in the Nursery.) Happy birthday to all our latest celebrants. No doubt there will be many more just around the corner.

And so we say goodbye to July, an incredibly wet month here on the farm (815mm). August promises more rain and more intense heat...but also the promise of cooler temperatures to come. We look forward to sharing it all with you in the weeks and years ahead. As always thank you for your continued prayers and support.