Family

At 6:30 this morning our group headed out to volunteer at two homes funded by Mother Teresa. Prem Dan is a home for the elderly struggling with severe illnesses that require special 24 hour care. From what I heard by those who chose to volunteer there today, they were served at a much deeper capacity by the people they intended to care for than the other way around. To be loved by the unexpected is a very humbling experience.  I chose to volunteer at Daya Dan, a home for children with physical and mental disabilities at various capacities. We began our duties doing laundry or playing with the kids. Some of us, like myself were sent to the bottom floor where we quickly became drenched while stomping our hands and feet in the tubs full of soapy water and clothes. Others were sent up to the roof to hang the clothes up for drying. The Messies (excuse my spelling) are women who have worked at the homes for years. A large majority of them are tough and very task oriented. They knew what needed to be done and fulfilled those needs in the most productive manner possible; which for our group meant a lot of catching up to do, in a very limited amount of time. I guess you could say that it was a good thing we were all ready and willing to learn.  Whenever the Sisters or Messies of the home directed us to take care of a need, they acknowledged all of us as Auntie or Uncle. With lim tied words and often no instruction, we did the best we could to meet the demands that surrounded us. Amidst all of the confusion, the joy and love played out through the children poored a generous amount of energy and encouragement. And even though the Sisters and Messies acted tough, their hearts were overflowing with love, compassion, and complete humility. I assure you, Dayan Dan is filled with more love and joy than any other home similar to their recourses than I have ever experienced. Each living soal in this community looks out for the other. Including the children. They are all a family; brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles. The Lord's desire for a healthy community exists in the lives of all who live, work, and volunteer at the home. Satan has no chance of defeating our God in this part of Kalkuta! I walked away from today's experience with a stronger appreciation for what the Sisters do on a daily basis. Most of these woman can say that they had a personal relationship with the woman that has transformed all of our worldly perspectives over the past generation. Mother Teresa, you lived out Christ's love beyond well. Thanks to your dedication and discernment, these woman have had their hearts and attitudes sweetly enriched by your example of sacrificial living; and for that, these children have a place to call home and people to call family. Our group is disappointed that our schedule only allowed one day to volunteer, but we are grateful for the many blessings that came with the limited time. I think I can speak for everyone in our group when I say that our perspectives on family, love and unconditional giving all fall into the same category. Christ is our portion and our cup. Apart from Him we are nothing. - Whitney Howen