I reside in Estes Park, CO, with my wife, Karen. Our son, David, is a senior at the University of Colorado in Boulder. I have worked in the IT consulting and software industry for many years and am currently working for a small software company that has an office in Hyderabad, India. I have had the opportunity to travel to India for work many times and have seen firsthand the needs of Indian children. Karen and I were introduced to Bethania Kids by friends at our church, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal. I recently had the opportunity to visit Bethania Kids Angel Home in Rajahmundry and was inspired to see God’s love at work in the lives of these boys.

I reside in Minneapolis with my wife Katie, our young son, Bodie and our new daughter, Jorie. As an actuary, I consult with corporations on the management of their retirement plans. I was introduced to The Bethania Foundation India ^TM through the Hennig family and have been a supporter of the organization for several years. I continue to be amazed by the life altering experiences Bethania is providing to God’s children in India.

With my husband Don, I enjoy wonderful times with our family of 5 grown children, four of whom are married with children and/or expecting a child in 2022! We have loved raising a family and want to see children everywhere thrive and grow in the light of God’s love in Christ.

Our good friend David Granner first introduced us to The Bethania Foundation India ^TM back in the 90’s. In 2004 Don and our son James went to India with David to film the first The Bethania Foundation India ^TM video, Seeds on the Wind. Drawn by the powerful presence of Jesus amidst the beautiful children and their truly remarkable caregivers, we soon became child sponsors and members of the Board of Advisors. In 2012, David invited me to create an ESL program to help visitors connect in meaningful ways with the children; the following year, he, his daughter Josie, and I traveled to India to pilot the program. I have since been involved in several capacities, and I have received so much more than I’ve been able to give. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” God’s kingdom truly comes to us through the bright smiles and warm hugs of his precious The Bethania Foundation India ^TM.

I was introduced to The Bethania Foundation India ^TM through long-time supporters, Terry and Renita Wold. They had traveled to India to visit the Bethania sites and, upon their return, gave a presentation about their experience to our church’s congregation. That’s when I became hooked and wanted to be involved. My husband and I began donating to Sponsor-A-Child and we’ve had the privilege of hosting home gatherings, as well, when our Indian partners have visited the United States.

In February 2014, I traveled to India for the first time with a group led by David Granner. What an amazing experience! The greatest defining moment, for me, occurred at the special needs center in Kodaikanal. That’s when it hit me. . . a moment when I felt God’s overwhelming presence and the life-changing power of His love. Jesus, undoubtedly, shows himself to us through The Bethania Foundation India ^TM. The wonders of His love radiate in the smiling faces of the children and the compassionate, nurturing staff. God has also drawn me into a deeper relationship with Him through this ministry. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I’m so grateful to serve our Lord and know Him more profoundly by being involved with The Bethania Foundation India ^TM.

I was born in Tamil Nadu, South India. My parents were missionaries there from 1953-1978. India has and continues to be a big part of my life. India is a beautiful country, and in the middle of this country is a beautiful jewel called The Bethania Foundation India ^TM. But there is something even more special about The Bethania Foundation India ^TM. It is the jewel that is shining the light of Jesus and providing hope for many children who could imagine little more than begging on the streets or being abused just for being handicapped or outcast. The Bethania Foundation India ^TM is a home in India where children are loved and cared for. It’s a home where Jesus is present.

About 10 years ago I traveled to India for the first time with David Granner. This was a defining moment for me in my faith walk. I committed myself during this trip to do everything I could to help the children in The Bethania Foundation India ^TM. I have gone to India each year for the past ten years or have sent a team from my church, St. John’s Lutheran. I pray for the lost in India, that the kids will marry and that India will become a Christian Nation, one child and one family at a time.

I thank my wife for allowing me the blessing to go to India to see my dear children, despite the difficulties she faces with my son’s needs when I go. God has called me to go and care for the children of India!

Bethania was first introduced to me when I was a child. My mother recruited my siblings and me to fold Bethania newsletters on our dining room table. As a sophomore in high school, I spent one semester studying at Kodaikanal International School. Fourteen years later, I was able to return to India and witness the growth of the The Bethania Foundation India ^TM Ministries.

Of the transition to President, Kate writes:

My wife, Carol, of 30 years have three twenty-something daughters. Our extended family is in Maryland. My father grew up in India as the son of life-long Lutheran misssionaries. He went to school at the Kodai missionary school and knew the The Bethania Foundation India ^TM founders families. I was introduced to Bethnaia Kids by Larry Zimmerman at The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring MD. With the many changes in my life, (empty nester, career change, father-in-law…) I was happy to be given the opportunity to help expand the mission of The Bethania Foundation India ^TM. We have supported the educational roles as both by wife and I are educators. I hope our service will lead to a small fraction of the opportunities we have been given, for those in India.

Susan and I are lifelong Lutherans, and our first introduction to The Bethania Foundation India ^TM was in Laurel MD with Our Savior Lutheran Church. At that time, OSLC supported the construction of Bethania’s first ministry facility. OSLC and our family have been supporters since then and are pleased to be in Service to our Lord, who works through us in to the Ministries in The Bethania Foundation India ^TM. I am amazed where God has guided and blessed The Bethania Foundation India ^TM for the last 26 years. I am glad to be working with our Brothers and Sisters in India who nurture, educate, care for, and bring the love of Christ into their lives. There is no more noble cause.

I reside in Estes Park, CO with my wife Karen. Our son, David, is a senior at the University of Colorado in Boulder. I have worked in the IT consulting and software industry for many years and am currently working for a small software company that has an office in Hyderabad, India. I have had the opportunity to travel to India for work many times and have seen firsthand the needs of Indian children. Karen and I were introduced to The Bethania Foundation India ^TM and Wendy Oesterling by friends at our church, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal. I recently had the opportunity to visit The Bethania Foundation India ^TM Angel Home in Rajahmundry and was inspired to see God’s love at work in the lives of these boys.

I am a gynecologist in Winchester, VA. I first discovered The Bethania Foundation India ^TM through my church, Bethel Lutheran Church in Winchester. Bethel Lutheran is very active in the Bethania ministry. My oldest son, Gus, and I were fortunate enough to travel to India with a group from the church in 2014. The trip was transformative, and I have been passionate about this mission ever since. I am excited to see where God leads me in this ministr

Being born and raised only miles from the site of several Bethania locations, I am familiar with the geography, the climate, and the challenges encountered by the poor families and children of this part of India. Many missionaries from the Zorn family served in India in the 19th and 20th centuries. The opportunity to serve on the Bethania board allows me to pursue the same mission that my ancestors began.

I learned of Bethania from Gene Hennig. We would meet occasionally for lunch and I would hear about the progress of the various projects. It was always and honor to receive a beautiful handwritten “thank you for your contribution: note from Polly Hennig, gene’s mother, early in the history of Bethania. Mrs. Hennig was my teacher for grades one to three. I always look forward to the newsletters to hear of new developments.

My wife and I recently celebrated 10 years of marriage and now have two beautiful daughters. I have had the pleasure of visiting the Bethania mission sites in India twice, and have been very impressed by the care and love provided in each of those homes. By God’s grace, I have finished medical training and now have more freedom to both financially and mentally support Bethania’s ministries. whan at play, I enjoy biking with my girls, swimming or rock climbing.

My wife Mary and I have two grown sons and three grandchildren.

I retired in December 2018 from my role as campus chief executive of Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan to return to Wisconsin. I now do national healthcare and higher education consulting through my consulting firm, Gielow Ventures, in Mequon, Wisconsin. In April 2020, I joined the U.S. Foods and Pharmaceuticals as Chief Executive Officer to lead a revialiation of the company and its direct-to-consumers nutraceutical products.

In addition, I am a former hospital executive and international businessman who served 13 years in public office, four of those in the Wisconsin legislature where I chaired the Medicaid reform committee and served as vice-chair of the Wisconsin Health Committee. I have also served as mayor and alderman of my hometown of Mequon, WI.

Originally from New England, I moved to Maryland after marrying my husband, Allen in 2004. We have two children. Our daughter was born in 2007 while we were living and working overseas in Jakarta, Indonesia. When our son was born in 2013, we began our journey as special needs parents. I have been an elementary educator for 15 years in a variety of roles including ESOL and Special Education. I am thrilled to join the The Bethania Foundation India ^TM Board and hop and pray that God will use me in His service to the children Bethania serves, alongside the dedicated staff and Board members for His glory.

My husband and I were first introduced to The Bethania Foundation India ^TM by my husband’s carpool buddy and former board member, Ravi Srinivasan. We were impressed by the promise that 100% of our donations would go directly to the ministries in India. I’m delighted to be a more integral part of The Bethania Foundation India ^TM now as a staff member..

My name is Toni O’Connor. I am the Marketing and Administration Coordinator. As a retired school teacher of 40 years, I am thrilled to be working with the The Bethania Foundation India ^TM Board of Directors and staff in this life-changing foundation. I have a husband, Adrian, and a cat, Eli. We all live in Stephens City, Virginia.