yesterday evening I had a lady stop me and ask for milk for her baby... after joking around with her for a bit (in Bangali!!!) I got her to admit that the child wasn't even hers. The child was dressed in girls clothing to make him seem more adorable for more begging... it's pretty sad that a lot of these beggers spend their life begging. I told her she couuld easily get a job because she speaks english well. But the lifestyle really isn't for her. The begging money is spent like any money of any occupation. A child I saw o n the street that was begging was bragging at me while we're in the cinemas because they got box seats..., it's rather funny or maybe not how we often think that we're helping but as the sister say it may cause them to be dependant on this lifestyle of begging and dishonesty. Anyways... I ended up not buying her milk in fear she was going to resale it but I told her I'll be her and her children dinner if they joined me.. so we sat and talked over dinner. i'm not sure if I did the right thing but she was pretty honest with me afterwards that a lot of it was an act.
As for today, it's been a really off day for me. Although, I went to bed early last night but I didn't want to get out of bed this morning and I missed morning mass because although i set the time of my alarm I forgot to turned it on, (there's still mass this afternoon at St. Mary's luckily). Well, I finally managed to get out at 7:10 to catch my bus to Nabo Jibon (where the MC brothers stay). It was a 30 minutes bus ride; we crossed one of the largest bridge in India.. i forget it's name. Nabo Jibon was amazing, it was for the street children to come in and have fun on Sunday. Today what it my day consisted of was hanging out with the kids and letting them climb all over me, and kicking their butts at arm wrestling. The kids loved me because they were so fascinated that I had braccess. I ended up playing soccer with the kids on this flat mud courtyard. It was extremely dirty, covered with moss, Doggy Caca, and plenty of mud spots. We played barefeet and I was a king because i scored 6 points of the team. The kids are really skilled as the volunteered often fell on the asses on this slippery field. I'm not sure if I'm homesick or what... but my heart wasn't fully there today and I kept trying to give more but was so lazy and in dazed. I ended up going upstairs and asking the MC Brothers if I could take time to pray. I spent a long while in prayer and still more to come. Returning for my prayer break the children were getting ready for lunch. It was the most adorable thing ever! They all sat lined up in two lines in the courtyard and we went around giving them, rice, cury, an egg, and water. It was sooo great seeing them all happy. After the meal the kids left and the volunteers stayed to have lunch with the MC Brothers. It was two of the brothers birthday and so there were two cakes and two candles... we sang happy birthday and did some blessings. After my meal I had the most amazing mango ever... in America, it doesn't even come close to compare. Well, the day is half way done but there's still much for me to do. I'm going to head back to the Mother House and do a couple hours of prayers and adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament and Mother's Tomb and than mass at 6. For the remaining of the night... i'm not sure, maybe hit the hay early. I just feel so drained all day from the moment i woke. Keep me in your prayers. I'm excited for Caitlin to come next week, because it kind of sucks to be a lone traveller when you're in a funk and just want to mellow out and talk but rather you go to the internet cafe to write on a blog or email (no offense). Anyways I'm out... take it easy! God bless and thankyou so much for all your support and prayers!
Tuan
May God give me the strength to trust.
As for today, it's been a really off day for me. Although, I went to bed early last night but I didn't want to get out of bed this morning and I missed morning mass because although i set the time of my alarm I forgot to turned it on, (there's still mass this afternoon at St. Mary's luckily). Well, I finally managed to get out at 7:10 to catch my bus to Nabo Jibon (where the MC brothers stay). It was a 30 minutes bus ride; we crossed one of the largest bridge in India.. i forget it's name. Nabo Jibon was amazing, it was for the street children to come in and have fun on Sunday. Today what it my day consisted of was hanging out with the kids and letting them climb all over me, and kicking their butts at arm wrestling. The kids loved me because they were so fascinated that I had braccess. I ended up playing soccer with the kids on this flat mud courtyard. It was extremely dirty, covered with moss, Doggy Caca, and plenty of mud spots. We played barefeet and I was a king because i scored 6 points of the team. The kids are really skilled as the volunteered often fell on the asses on this slippery field. I'm not sure if I'm homesick or what... but my heart wasn't fully there today and I kept trying to give more but was so lazy and in dazed. I ended up going upstairs and asking the MC Brothers if I could take time to pray. I spent a long while in prayer and still more to come. Returning for my prayer break the children were getting ready for lunch. It was the most adorable thing ever! They all sat lined up in two lines in the courtyard and we went around giving them, rice, cury, an egg, and water. It was sooo great seeing them all happy. After the meal the kids left and the volunteers stayed to have lunch with the MC Brothers. It was two of the brothers birthday and so there were two cakes and two candles... we sang happy birthday and did some blessings. After my meal I had the most amazing mango ever... in America, it doesn't even come close to compare. Well, the day is half way done but there's still much for me to do. I'm going to head back to the Mother House and do a couple hours of prayers and adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament and Mother's Tomb and than mass at 6. For the remaining of the night... i'm not sure, maybe hit the hay early. I just feel so drained all day from the moment i woke. Keep me in your prayers. I'm excited for Caitlin to come next week, because it kind of sucks to be a lone traveller when you're in a funk and just want to mellow out and talk but rather you go to the internet cafe to write on a blog or email (no offense). Anyways I'm out... take it easy! God bless and thankyou so much for all your support and prayers!
Tuan
May God give me the strength to trust.
6 comments:
Hey Anh Tuan,
I finally got the chance to read all your blogs yeah i was really behind. and umm does caca mean poop? well yes umm let's see what's new in washington! ohh well i have very big news... Chi Tam is engaged! yep yesterday! at anthony on the dock... Anyways, you've been in Calcutta for one whole week already and it seems that you've been gone for 2 months. It seems like it's been taking forever untill you come back home. I miss you so much and reading your blogs really does make me wish that i was there with you. Cause everybody want to be remember as something. could be a singer dancer athelete or some billionar. But every person you are helping in Calcutta they will remember you as a saint. so i want you to know that you are so very special to every person i have to go now cause daddy wants to use the computer and always remember that i'm praying for you.
Mimi
PS just to let you know from the day that i saw you last passing that security check i havn't every for got about you every day i think about you and wonder what your doing today and where you are at.
HOLY SMOKES MIMI!
TAM"S ENGAGED!!!!!!!! ahhhh! Celebrate! Oh my goodness, I feel as if I'm missing out! I'm so sad I'm not home! and yet soooooo excited for her! My mouth absolutely dropped when I read this! OH man! I'll for surely send some prayers through Mother Teresa for her and Hue! AHH! I'm so excited! God is good! God is SOOO good!
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I had an old friend who volunteered at Nabo Ji bon in Calcutta. His name was Austin Gibbons. Do you know him?
Austin died in September 2005 of malaria, contracted in India, Utd he actually passed away in Ireland under very sad circumstances. Maybe you know this now? I only just found out about his death through a personal dream in which he was dead. The dream prompted me to search online for him again, but alas, I was 15 years too late.
Sorry, blogger, for using your account to mention this to someone else, but I was brought herebecause of the Nabo Jibon reference.
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