Comments on: In Memoriam: The Rev. Dr. Anil Solanki, former professor at Eastern Mennonite Seminary /now/news/2021/in-memoriam-the-rev-dr-anil-solanki-eastern-mennonite-seminary/ News from the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ community. Wed, 06 Oct 2021 16:10:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Andy Brock /now/news/2021/in-memoriam-the-rev-dr-anil-solanki-eastern-mennonite-seminary/#comment-132302 Wed, 06 Oct 2021 16:10:30 +0000 /now/news/?p=50434#comment-132302 I was a mediocre Hebrew student, but I remember the grace and delight of teaching that was the person of Dr. Solanky. My second semester course of Hebrew was pure delight.

]]> By: Able Roy /now/news/2021/in-memoriam-the-rev-dr-anil-solanki-eastern-mennonite-seminary/#comment-132300 Wed, 06 Oct 2021 11:22:10 +0000 /now/news/?p=50434#comment-132300 My sincere condolences and prayers for the grieving family and also the friends and faculty members for the loss of Dr. Anil Solanky. I don’t know him personally I remember that once I have heard him bringing God’s word passionately. Indeed he was a great man of God and also an intellectual scholar in Biblucal Hebrew knowledge. He will be remembered for ever.

]]> By: Merwyn De Mello /now/news/2021/in-memoriam-the-rev-dr-anil-solanki-eastern-mennonite-seminary/#comment-132286 Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:17:55 +0000 /now/news/?p=50434#comment-132286 In deep sorrow I mourn the death of my dear friend and mentor, Doctor and Reverend Anil Solanki.
In 2004, I came to Harrisonburg from a missionary assignment in Tanzania, to enroll as a graduate student at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. I was introduced to the Solanki family by the Whites the family I stayed with, and their neighbors at the time. There was laid the foundation of a lasting friendship. Of Indian origin, I had a natural bond with Anil and Shaila.
Anil supported me with great love and respect. He proudly introduced me and my friend, and wife-to-be, Kirstin, to his congregation at St. Luke’s County Line UCC. A resource-poor graduate student, I was welcomed to Anil’s home, nourished physically and spiritually. Anil encouraged me and gave me strength at times when my mental energy was ebbing during my graduate stidies. He celebrated with me when I graduated from CJP, tenderly nurtured me when I underwent a surgical procedure and with Shaila blessed Kirstin and I when we married.
Anil was aware of every major juncture of my life, every transition. When Kirstin and I returned to the USA in 2020 from several years of international service, uncertain as to how we would reintegrate into the US culture, Anil encouraged and advised us. He and Shaila prayed for us unceasingly. Whenever I called to update him, even during his medical challenges, Anil had words of encouragement and comfort.
Anil, you have transitioned from this world, dear friend and spiritual father. I am a better person for having known you. You will be ever-present in my heart, as spiritual companion and mentor.
In tribute to Anil, I offer a poem from Rabindranath Tagore, whose works we treasured:

O thou the last fulfilment of life,
Death, my death, come and whisper to me!

Day after day I have kept watch for thee;
for thee have I borne the joys and pangs of life.

All that I am, that I have, that I hope and all my love
have ever flowed towards thee in depth of secrecy.

One final glance from thine eyes
and my life will be ever thine own.

The flowers have been woven
and the garland is ready for the bridegroom.

After the wedding the bride shall leave her home
and meet her lord alone in the solitude of night.

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