Kolakta (formerly known as Calcutta), the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal located in Eastern India, is home to 13-14 million people. The city was founded by the British in 1690, and as the capital city of the British East India Company, grew to become the largest city in Asia, and a primary political, commercial, and intellectual center.

Independence from Britain in 1947, and the partition of the subcontinent into "Hindu" IndiaPakistan (including modern-day Bangladesh) resulted in large-scale communal rioting and bloodshed. Kolkata was flooded with millions of immigrants in 1947, 1951, and 1971. These huge waves of immigrants, combined with communal violence, political turmoil, and corruption, have contributed to the enormous economic depression in Kolkata that has brought the city to an advanced state of decay and poverty today. Operation World describes Kolkata as the city with the lowest urban standard of living in the world, with 5.5 million residents living in squatter conditions. and "Muslim"

Kolkata is named for Kali, the Hindu goddess of death and destruction. More than 2,000 altars and shrines devoted to Kali are found throughout the city today. Approximately 76% of Kolkata's residents are Hindus, and 23% are Muslims. Less than one-tenth of 1% of Kolkatans are Evangelical Christians.

In a few days I’ll be leaving Washington, with Kolkata as my destination. I’m nervous, scared, and excited. I’m trying not to let these emotions hinder the purpose of my trip. I must not let my own desires or anxiety cloud my will to humble myself to serve and love. I can’t stop thinking about my beloved ones here in Washington that I’ll be leaving behind, the preparation for my sister’s wedding I’ll miss and the comfort of my living standard here in America. At the same time, my mind races through thoughts of excitement and joy for this experience God’s permitted. This journey I have before me is my doorway to the virtue I long for; patience, charity, humility, and selfless love. Next Thursday I leave to Kolkata but today the journey has already begun; my love for the poor has already started, and my understanding and model of humility is before me on the cross as an example of selfless love.

Prayer: My God, I’m but a lowly servant and can not do anything without you. May you take a hold of my life, as sad and useless it may be, and turn it into a channel and vessel of your love and peace to those I come in contact with. Use me as an instrument to proclaim your love through service and actions. May you prepare my heart so I can grow to be more united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary through the poorest of the poor.