I am starting to feel better - this heat, humidity and pollution have gotten the best of me however I am on the mend.  And I have missed so much!  And every day is like a roller coaster of emotions!

I was not able to attend Wednesday's mass for the novices, who were taking their first vows to become a Sister, so I really wanted to attend the service on Thursday where 19 Sisters were taking their 10 year vows.  Feeling somewhat better, I headed out for the 30 minute walk to the Mother House, where we boarded a bus for about 10 minutes, and then walked another 10 minutes to a local parish church.  The church was packed with the Sister's families, friends, volunteers, and others.  It was a beautiful service with many priests in attendance including the Bishop.  He is about 5 feet tall and has a really nice full white beard, and would make a very good, tan Santa Claus.  He also has this very sharp, deep voice, sounding like a Samurai warrior.  I asked Anand if he was Japanese, and he started laughing, saying no, he was Indian.  Mother Teresa's successor, Sister Nirmala, was present on the altar and very active with the ceremony.  The Sister's choir was choice - absolutely beautiful voices!  Each Sister was called forward to repeat their vows.  Sister Mary and Sister Maria are the favorite names chosen by the Sisters.  It was a very beautiful service.   About two hours into it, I was feeling the need to get some fresh air as I was melting quickly.  I am sure I am going to disappear into a puddle with only big green Keen shoes and green glasses - that's all that will be left of me.   So Cristina and I caught a bus to return home as she was not feeling 100% either. 

Friday I really had to lay low as I woke up with a very sore throat and cough.  The neighborhood I am staying in is filled with volunteers and locals, and I am surprised how many people I know in my hood.  When I went out for some vegetable soup at The Blue Sky Cafe, I ran into five other volunteers who all had a good cold or a fever, and were trying to rest as well.  Later in the day, Karran (Car-ran) who works at the front desk of my Guest House, suggested I should order room service so I took him up on it.  A young man arrived at my door, wrote down what I wanted on his hand, and ran to the Blue Sky Cafe to pick it up for me - some things are so simple! 

I finally started to feel better so was able to return to work on Saturday.  When I arrived, I learned that I had missed a lice outbreak, so all the ladies are now sporting cleanly shaved heads, which gives a whole new look to the home.  I had dish duty, laundry and because I was not to have patient contact, I helped the Massies with cleaning garlic cloves.  Then on to folding laundry and back to dishes.  It was good to be back although I  miss my time with the ladies.

At lunch time, Frances, Emilio, Susie, Nathan and I went to the Blue Sky Cafe.  I just happened to sit next to a young man, named Charlie, who is a friend of Thad Horkan's in Reedsburg!  Do you believe it?  I believe he is retired from the military, is from somewhere outside Milwaukee, and has spent time on the Horkan farm.  What a small world! 

I had learned from Cristina, who is very active with the Spanish volunteers, that Sister Carina had taken some time to talk with them about her witness and time with Mother Teresa.  I had asked Sister Carina if she would do that in English with a small group, which she said yes she would on Saturday at 3.00 pm.  I did not want to miss this so I quickly showered to cool off and headed out for this meeting.  A small group of six showed  up for a very special time with Sister Carina.  She shared three very important envelopes that were entrusted to her care with us, and inside each envelope was a piece of each Sister's blood stained garment or her handkerchief.  These three sisters were gunned down in Yemen in 1998 as they were leaving their house one morning to perform their daily duties. She then asked Nathan to read Sister Nirmala's letter written to the Missionaries of Charity addressing this event for all of us.  We were left speechless.  The Sisters were asking forgiveness for the gunman, even that he would not be put to death as is custom in that country, but be kept in prison.  After some time, Nathan then read us Sister Nirmala's letter written to the Missionaries of Charity regarding four Sisters who were captured and killed by rebels in Sierra Leone in 1999. Again we were left speechless.  All seven Sisters have been martyred.  Many in our group were moved to tears by the details of what we learned.  I have such respect for all these Sisters.  Sister Carina then shared personal stories about time with Mother Teresa which were amazing.  What a gift to have time with her!  She then asked each of us to share our experiences which again was so moving - everyone has been humbled and moved in so many ways. 

I left the Mother House in awe from having spent the last hours learning more about the Sisters.  And on my way home, I grew increasingly tense and angry - these drivers are crazy!!  Many do not turn their lights on in the dark, and they drive wherever and however they want!  Walking with Cristina, I have now started using my hands waving all kinds of gestures.  It is like you are on high alert all the time - ever watchful for the rickshaw driver, speeding motorcycle, taxi driver, tuc tuc, bicycler, car and truck all coming at you!!  By the time I returned to my guest room, I was exhausted, relieved, and just closed the door to shut it all out!  Safe for another day!!

Sunday morning at Kalighat, I noticed right way a huge chart will listings of all the Missionaries of Charity in the different countries and cities.  What I had not noticed before was the pictures of the seven martyred Sisters.  God Bless them! 

For some reason, there were hardly any volunteers today so I guess I had some make up work to get after.  Lucianna (from Argentina), Jeda (Hee-day) and I were left to do all the dish washing and drying.  It was very quiet with only three working.  Then it was up to the roof for laundry.   And today being Sunday, we had mass at the home which was lovely.  Following mass, we were folding the laundry when all of a sudden we heard this very loud crash!  Everyone got up and ran to see what happened!  A young Japanese man stepped where he shouldn't have and his feet went through the roof top!!  He was fine, a bit shaken up, no injuries and eventually able to laugh about it. 

After cleaning up, I returned home for a cool shower and a nap.  I am looking forward to spending time with the ladies and children on Monday.   Good night!

Comments

[Woody]

Aloha Sista Rita,
Sounds like fun but very moving, you are lucky to be on such a trip. We love your pictures and your experiences, keep them coming. Louis says hi, he is now 17lbs and developing his own persona, always smiling. Take Care! Woody

[Woody]

PS..........thanks for the WI shirt :)

[Woody]

Rita, late July is good :) Had a great w/e , hit the beach 2 times and cousin Jan stopped over w/ Noah, Chloe and friend. Louis loves the outdoors. Love Ya