The general area of their assignment is Andhra Pradesh, an Indian state near the southcentral part of the country. Andhra Pradesh is Indian's fourth largest state, covering 106,000 square miles and having a population of more than 76 million. That's a little more than four times the geographic size of the Kenai Peninsula and more than 1,480 times as many people. In exchange for Alaska's near-zero temperatures, at a going-away party last week the Kohltfarbers were anticipating the warmth of 70-80 degrees.

After their most recent trip to India in November, the couple decided to invest a longer period of their time through Maranatha Volunteers International to work at schools being developed in the country.

"Mel will be helping build and I'll be teaching," Sue said of facilities that are combined boarding schools and orphanages.

The exact location of their assignment was unknown to the Kohltfarbers prior to their departure.

"We'll be traveling back and forth between two different schools," Mel said. "We won't know where until we get to Delhi."

The couple's interest in mission work began several years ago after they heard of international efforts in which Seventh Day Adventists in Kenai were involved.

"I said, 'I want to go with you guys,' and they said they might have a couple of vacant spots," Mel said. "They called and sure enough, we went over."

The Kohltfarbers' first trips to India focused on evangelical work.

"We were going in and introducing Jesus Christ at big outdoor meetings. It was a really amazing to experience it. Unbelievable," said Brad Trexler, Seventh Day Adventist pastor for Homer and Kenai. It was not unusual for attendance at the meetings to reach 6,000 people, according to Trexler.

Now, the Kohltfarbers assignment with Maranatha will center on building facilities to offer education to the area's children.

"Even if the kids are Islam, Hindu, it doesn't make any difference. If kids can get an education, they (the parents) will send their kids there," Trexler said. "The whole time, they're being taught about Christianity, but they want the children to learn English, to get an education bad enough that it is an opportunity for them."

It also will be an education for the Kohltfarbers. The language of the area is Telugu, so, as on past trips, they will communicate through interpreters.

"We get along," Mel said of working with Indians during his previous visits to the country. "We've done some constructing together, building together, and between sign language and words, we manage to figure out what each other wants and needs."

Before leaving, where they will live was unknown. Accommodations on past trips have included bunk beds. Where they will eat also is an unknown, with Sue unaware if she would be cooking or if she and her husband would eat in the school cafeteria with students and staff.

"I'm taking some of my spices with me in case I have to cook," she said.

Whatever the details, the couple was looking forward to the adventure ahead.

"My perception is that most people would love to do what we're doing," Sue said.

Asked about the reward for their work, Mel had a quick response.

"It's the kids, the people. They're just grateful. The kids are anxious to learn. To see their faces they start smiling. They have fun. They're happy. Particularly the orphans," Mel said. "Our kids (in the United States) don't have any idea. I took my granddaughter over on the last trip and she was totally astounded."

For all their efforts halfway around the world, the Kohltfarbers will be missed here on the peninsula.

"He's a head elder. She's done music and works with the children's department. They've really been the glue to hold the church together," Trexler said. "The Lord will replace them, but we'll miss them."

To know more about Maranatha Volunteers International, visit the Web at www.maranatha.org.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackisky@homernews.com.