Dr Saira Paulose Thomas in Shalom delhi (2002-2015)

 A few words on Dr Saira

Before coming here today I asked my wife why once she remarked that Dr Saira could have been in the ‘IAS’. The first thing you noticed of Dr Saira is her friendly but upright, strong and firm personality. She appears to have quite a good dose of God given intuitive ability to quickly discern right and wrong, good or bad, how much (of praise or softness or even toughness) is enough and most of all an ability to be firm when needed and be strong when it is called for! 

As her senior in the area of HIV/AIDS, what is that I observed? I found her to be someone who can be counted upon once you hand over the steering wheel. Get her settled in the seat, teach her the basics and thereafter, trust her to run it and be assured that she would run it to her best and that means it would be a job done pretty well.

Her leadership style is one of leading from the front. She believes in team leadership and work well with second line or upcoming leaders. She is able to give them space – space to think and act on their own. In fact I see in her leading a team of young people who themselves are leaders in the making. I believe she has done a good job in mentoring future leaders for missions.

As a leader in EHA, the ever important questions is: am I, are You, Are We - an embodiment of the vision and mission of Emmanuel Hospital Association?

·      Being part of a Fellowship – enjoying being part of the fellowship – of sailing together with all categories of our team through all weathers – is the manner of fellowship as we find in the epistle of 1 John Chapter 1.

·      Transformation – on transforming of all – you and me – the focus on transformation – growing transformed in the image of our God day by day

·      Caring – caring of the whole person – body, soul and spirit – in your professional life – in your family and social life, in your spiritual life – a caring attention to each area.

How would we rate Dr Saira whom we bid farewell today? As Shalom Delhi today could we say that she indeed is an embodiment – in her fellowship with us, her transforming relationship with us and in her caring ways – caring words, caring deeds and caring thoughts and prayers? I believe it’s a resounding Yes.

Lastly but perhaps not the least in the case of Dr Saira is about hospitality. In the New Testament – Paul’s favorite word is ‘hospitality’. Saira is best known to many EHA leaders for her hospitality. Her home is where you can go and stay for perhaps as long as you need to do. Its just that you have to make yourselves comfortable – don’t expect her to give extra efforts to make you comfortable (except beyond giving you breakfast even they mostly go without it). You are part of the family as long as you are there – the kitchen, the bathroom, the spare beds, the floor and what have you - all are yours - all you need to do is – just be at home in their home! If you want to try out – I suggest you visit her in Raxaul?

Langkham

26.3.2015