A Day with My Mentor
24 February 2010, Wednesday came with the fuel to fortify the spirit of my life’s mission. My mentor and my guide, Arch Bishop Geevarghese Mar Timotheos made a visit to my place and shared his precious time with us to channel me, support me and encourage me in all my future endeavors.
His Excellency Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Timotheos was born on 2 February 1928 at Amayannoor, Kottayam District to Rev. Father Jacob Chundevalel and Annamma. On 29 March 2003 the Holy See accepted the resignation of His Excellency Geevarghese Mar Timotheos as the eparchial Bishop due to super-annuation. Now he is taking rest at Snehasadan, Pallimala in Tiruvalla.
His Excellency Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Timotheos was born on 2 February 1928 at Amayannoor, Kottayam District to Rev. Father Jacob Chundevalel and Annamma. On 29 March 2003 the Holy See accepted the resignation of His Excellency Geevarghese Mar Timotheos as the eparchial Bishop due to super-annuation. Now he is taking rest at Snehasadan, Pallimala in Tiruvalla.
The Bishop has always been my source of inspiration and my mentor since my days at the monastery. Though we do not share the same theological foundations, he has always encouraged me in my mission to help the poor, outcasts and the illiterates of the society. He has also instigated my mission to outreach the word of God to the places where there was no access to Bible, Churches or other means to reach God.
He paid a visit to the Sathyam research Institute and Disability Center in Kaviyoor. There he interacted with the mentally and physically retarded children, shook hands with each children, narrated stories, shared jokes and easy-to-tackle riddles and prayed for them. Six to seven children sang Christian songs for the Bishop, which eased and brought great joy within him. A group of children danced to the rhythm of a melodious song. Few children showed the jute bags they themselves had made, which left the Bishop in surprise seeing their great talents and potentials. Some of them showcased their paintings and drawings to the Bishop. In fact, he helped a little boy draw an apple by holding his hand and also, showed the children how to draw a parrot, a pencil, an umbrella and a computer. He made them play small games like running race, musical chair, sweet picking, etc. He then enquired them about their parents and siblings. The children were very smart in answering all the questions that the Bishop asked. We took him around the disability center where these children sleep, eat, get their daily lessons, pray and share love.
He appreciated the faculty members for the sort of training and love they offer such children. He also appreciated them for moulding their attitude and skills in such a way that would make them no lesser than the normal human beings. The Bishop gave more empowering guidelines to the faculties to give even better dimensions to the children’s life. He said that their care and affection was evident in their behavior and in everything they did. He also added that children with disabilities do not have a disease; children with disabilities are not looking for a cure but acceptance. One of the faculty members said “People see them differently. In fact, we have more disabilities than they do. These bunch of children are always happy and innocent.”
The Bishop had lunch with these children where he cleared observed the way they had their food and the way they shared their food with others. Later, he distributed chocolates and other sweets to the children that made their smiles sparkle with happiness and filled the air with their giggles and laughter. The children were very excited and blissful to have his presence among them.
The Bishop had lunch with these children where he cleared observed the way they had their food and the way they shared their food with others. Later, he distributed chocolates and other sweets to the children that made their smiles sparkle with happiness and filled the air with their giggles and laughter. The children were very excited and blissful to have his presence among them.
The Bishop also spent about more than two hours with me and my family. He had tea with us and told my wife and my son on my days at the monastery. He advised us to take care of the medical needs of the children who really needed it. He cherished my wife for her constant support and guidance throughout my thick and thin lines. He exhilarated and prayed for us in order to achieve our mission and asking the Lord to bless us with the strength to fight against all obstructions that hindered our way in helping the people and winning souls through God’s word.