Children loves music

Yesterday evening my gas from Ireland at the Salvation Army decided to take me out to have some fun, since my friend Donna knew I was down about Sonu yesterday. I took a nap yesterday afternoon so I knew i'd be able to stay up at least till 10pm. So what did we do?.... movie theater! We went to go see Die Hard 4! and it was amazing! The movie was entertaining, but i thinking it was more entertaining that I was at a movie theater in India. They were selling coffee, potato chips, coke, and all sorts of things at the movie theater. There was even a bar at the movie theater. My friend got me some coffee and it was .. yummy! The place is called Brista, right next to the cinema. The movie was fun to watch because it was so neat how the people in India reacted in the movie theater. (I can also see why they think white skin people are "easy" because probably by the media ... all that is protrayed is sexuality rather than dignity) but besides that factor, it was sooo funny to be in a theater with a whole bunch of locals. They would clap and cheer when something exciting happens and everytime they did I couldn't help but laugh. It totally made it for me.
Today I woke up in time for mass at Mother House, i was running a little late because i was suppose to meet a friend to walk to Mother house... that never woke up; so I ended up taking a taxi with the French to Mother House because they were running late and 3 of the guys were altar serving.
Daya Dan today was different because I worked downstair more today. Fr. Jesu-Bondu (in hindi/bangali it means Fr. Jesus is my friend), he was leaving today and he's been the music minstry man for the children. He's a fransican and pretty hardcore. Very strict with the kids but they love him and respect him. During the morning I practiced some songs with Mongol, an orphan that is extremely skinny and too weak to stand, he's in a wheel chair but he's extremely smart. He has no learning disabilities and loves music. I had him come help me with teaching the children the songs today. It's so amazing to watch the children sing. Or count, or say the ABC. It's great!
Afterwards I helped Bashker with some physcial therapy. He's improving a lot in the sense he's not crying about it anymore. He use to cry nonstop when he has to do anything that was trying to help him gain leg muscles (he's pretty lazy... he just likes to lay down or cuddled with... which is very tempting for me). The physical therapist comes in every saturday and was impressed that he was crying when i was working with him, I told them that he's been doing pretty well the past few days and I think we all agreed. Honestly, Bashker is the cutest little 3 year old ever! he's soooooooooooo incredibly studly. When I hold him, I litterally can hold him by a hand. He just throws himself over my shoulders and cling on. And he for surely do cling on... he has such a strong grip and I swear, he's digging finger marks into my skin, tearing out my ears, and pulling out my hair. Strong little guy and sooooooo adorable!
Instead of feeding today I stayed with Angeli. She's sick in her crib and it breaks my heart to see her like so. Already, she's the skinniest thing ever.. tiny little gal, but it just moves me when i see all these tubes, IV or whatever you call them connected to her and she just lay emotionlessly. I sat by her bed and played to her on the guitar and sang. Songs after songs, i sat there and comforted her. And she would turn her head to look at me. As I was singing, we locked eyes, and I stared into her deep brown eyes trying to convey her that I love her... we stayed staring at each other for several long minutes passing a silent message of love. I finished singing/playing the song but we still sat gazing at each other and I knew that she knew that she was loved. I got up and walked out of the room and her head followed me out and I turned back and stood staring back into her eyes at the doorway. God puts so many precious moments in our lives, we just need to slow down to see them. Or have the eyes of a child to recognize them.
On the way home from Daya Dan the volunteers and I passed an old man with his head slit open gushing with blood. It was far more than what we can handle with some gauzes/bandage or ointment, so we got him to the hospital to get him stichted up and paid for the fee, i didn't get to stay to see the final outcome of him getting stiched, i had to get back in time to meet Abani at 1. Abani is a school teacher for a group of 40 plus students in a small village 3 hours away from Kolkata by train. I've been learning Hindi and Bangali from him. Which is pretty exciting. So far I've only learned some basics, but the locals are pretty impressed with the slightest hindi/bangali words coming from a foreigner.
Rushing back to meet Abani, I had some delay because of my metro ticket. It wasn't scanning and I bought a ticket card with 12 rides and I've only used it for 2, so i had to get it refunded. Needless to say... it made me late by 7 minutes to meet Abani, and when i arrived he wasn't there. I'm not sure if he ever showed up or not... but he wasn't there. Well, tomorrow I think I'll be able to work alongside the brothers of Charity and maybe able to work with street children. So i'll be sure to fill you guys all on if it happens.
Thankyou for spending time reading and keeping in touch with me. It means a lot to me. Sorry for all those that want to see more pictures. I haven't been taking many pictures, you're not really allowed to take pictures at these various homes because, key word, they're someone homes... and it's not a musseum. The same goes with the Mother House. Today I did get to witness something absolutely beautiful and captivating after mass this morning. When I came out of mass (we have mass on the second floor of the Mother House), there were all the novist (probably about 100+) they all gathered in the courtyard and sang to a mother that was adopting one of the orphans. It was sooo beautiful! I really wish i was able to take a picture of all these novist and MC sisters or even better... record it on my video camera. Well, i guess that just means everyone who's reading my blog just need to make their way over to Kolkata, India and see it for themself. Alrighty, take care and God bless. May we be a light of Christ to all those we encounter!


Tuan Nguyen

Beloved, Sonu

Last night I ended up not going out to the movies... twice have I tried to go out to relax and both times didn't follow through, but no problem. We found out the movie started at 5:30 and at the time it was already 5:15... plus we needed time to get there. Instead my friend Kiki took me out and showed me the singing lights. Which is absolutley beautiful. It's pretty much a fountain show set to music and colored lights but still it was just so relaxing. It's in the middle of Kolkata and right next to Victoria's momument which is sooo beautiful, I must go and check out Victoria when Caitlin, Briana or Corina gets here. It's quite a sight. I've been getting into many theological discussions here in Kolkata. Whether it's with the MC sisters, the volunteers, or sometimes the locals. Either way it's been spiritually fruitful, many times I don't believe it's anything I can do or say... but i must be a channel for God's words be used through me.
I told Sr Capita on wednesady that I was going to try to make mass at 6am at Daya Dan Friday morning; which meant I had to be up before 5 and find a ride or way to get over to Daya Dan. I was standing in front of Mother House by 5:30.... 30 minutes later, still no bus that was headed towards Manicula. I really should of taken the metro, I don't know what I was thinking. Sadly, it was too late to try to make it to mass at Daya Dan so I went to mass at the Mother House and had breakfast with the volunteers.
On the way to Daya Dan I recieved some news.I wasn't sure what to believe; but thinking of the possibility and realizing that none of the volunteer here would lie to me about this... I begin to tear up on the bus. Before, my tears has always been tears of joy; smiling contagiously at the blessed sacrament at Mass, adoration and praying at Mother's tomb. But today... my tears struck me with sorrow. As I fought to hold it back, wiping tears from my eyes and turning my head facing the window of the bus. When I arrived at Daya Dan I went straight to the cribs where Sonu would be. When I entered the room, Mala (one of the Masis), came and told me that Sonu passed away minutes after I left on Wednesday. Last wednesday while I was feeding him, he was extremely sick with a very high fever. It didn't even cross my mind that this may be his last day. But with many difficulities and poor immune system, something as simple for us as a fever may be as costly for those with such circumstance. I took a deep breath and tried to go on with my work. Mala, along with the other Masis and MC sisters, knew how much I loved Sonu and knew that it was important to let me know. I was silent and the knew how I felt. No tears... but i was fighting it. My worldly view of life was selfish and I could't let it take over myself, especially letting it get in the way of the work of the Masis and MC sisters. Life is beautiful and death is even more beautiful when you know that a life with Christ awaits after death. When you fought a good battle all your life, for 13 years, unable to speak, walk, sit up on your own, feed yourself, move anything besides your head and arms, You've fought your battle and hung in so others may learn how to love. You've finsihed the race. I do not doubt the Sonu spent his purgatory here on earth. And I do believe that through our suffering we are united to Christ's passion on the crucifix.
Everything else during the day seem dazed... i helped with physical therapy for 6 month old Bashker, and help with music for the children downstairs... but i had a part of me die to sorrow. I'm learning how to view death as being beautiful, but my selfishness, and blindness to a greater plan leaves me broken in sadness. When lunch came around, I came into the room with those children with deformity and servere mental difficulties, one of the volunteers asked me "where's sonu, is he sick? I haven't seen him all day." I was couldn't help but leave the room, going outside on the balcony to recollect myself. Tears came easily but by the grace of God, I had the strength soon to come back and continue loving and feeding others that needs the same attention and love. There is much love that needs to be given in the world. If we have great love of God with us, and do not put that love into action our life is empty. If we keep love to ourself, we have nothing to gain but everything to lose. Love is eternal and connects us with those eternally. Love is our light to those who live in darkness. There's not a better time than now for me to pray to our Blessed Virgin Mary, for she was there at the foot of the cross for our Lord when he suffered willingly motivated by love; love for the world. Life is beautiful, and never is about how long you live but truly the lives you touch and how you live it. Sonu have touched my life profoundly in the short time i've known him. Teaching me how to love, and how to be humble. Now teaching me the beauty of life and life after death. I'm really sorry that i can't write more... because the more i write, the more I tear up. And I'm fighting it hard as I'm sittig here at the Internet cafe. So please pray for the our beloved Sonu, that his soul may rest finally in the peace and love of Christ. Pray for the MC sisters, Masis, and volunteers that our work will always be for God and that we may always remember that God has the greater plan. I love you all, and God bless your heart.

day off

It's a thursday, which means its a day off for the volunteers at the various sites around Kolkata, India. Thursdays are the MC sisters day of prayer and so it's also an opportunity for volunteers to catch up on sleep and call home and all that jazz. So... i utilized the day accordingly. I slept in this morning, got breakfast, made some calls, wrote, had lunch and made some more calls. It's pretty chilled today, not too much going on at all.
Yesterday I met Craig and Erica, brothers and sisters from the states. Craig is the one I mentioned earlier in my blog that is a high school teacher. Anyways, I ran into them again because they had their orientation and i came 2 hours early before adoration to catch some time to pray in front of Mother's tomb and do some adoration on my own (when you do adoration at the given time you only get about...20 minutes or so of your own quiet time). anyways I invited them to come to adoration at 6 and I could show them around and have dinner together. 6 came around and they both joined for adoration and stayed the whole hour. It amazes me how united we are to any denomination through prayers. They werent catholic but the power of prayers and praise speaks volumes and they were able to stay for benidiction, liturgy of the hour, the rosary, and some quiet time. Walking back towards sudder st we went to JoJo's for dinner (i'm growing quiet fond of JoJo's because i know the servers and owner their by name and they know me by name as well) but we just sat and talked about God over dinner. which was pretty amazing. Because whether they werent catholic and i was, we all agreed of the Love of God for us, his ultimate sacrifice and example of love and also our call to love on another as he did, especially in the poorest of the poor. God is good all the time.
Today coming back from breakfast i was writing a letter and the coolest thing happen (it's been happening often but I keep forgeting to write about it) but... it would be really chilled wheather and then suddenly the cloud would get darker and you get this huge gust of wind. Clothes would be flying off the clothesline and then an outpouring of water from the cloud. It's intense! It's like bucketsize raindrops...that's a bit of an exageration but still it was pretty cool. No more than a minute and the street gutter is flooding and various parts are beginnig to flood. But Monsoon season still has not truly hit. The rain only last for about 5 minutes and then it clears up in seconds and become humid again.
Today I had some good veg. noodles at this random fastfood stand on sudder... I think it's called Tirupati. Anyways it was amazing! i had some kimchi and pancake from there also. Yummy. It looks extremly sketch but it's delicious. Ive ate from worst place, on the way to Mother's House; which I would never recommend any tourist to eat at but there's some things that you just gotta try. ... like the swatty potty without TP, haha.
Well there are many things that are going extremely great for me here, and I'm loving the life in India Kolkata. It's not as bad as I thought it'd be but I truly believe that i would not be able to do the work or live this life style if I wasn't able to attend mass daily or go to adoration. For all those that are traveling to visit the Mother House, I strongly recommend daily mass and adoration... if not both one or the other... or visiting Mother's tomb. It the craziness of India the Mother house is so peaceful, CLEAN, spacy and prayerful! Being in India you must always remember to take time to take care of yourself. And that doesn't only mean feeding yourself well, keeping good health, but spiritually ... otherwise you can easily loose your sanity getting so frustrated with things. I believe the hardest part of being in India is the people I leave back at Home in the States. Whether wishing they can be with me sharing and creating memories, talking at the end of the day about all that went on, or just goofing off having fun... i truly love and miss my beloved ones and can't ever express it signficantly enough when I'm away. So thankyou all for your love and support and letting me know that i'm loved also. You have my love and I wish i can convey it somehow. (YUCA- sunshine).
Well it's nearing dinner time so i'm going to meet up some friends and was invited to catch a movie... an english movie? hahaha... sweet. It's nice sometime when everything around you is in a differently language or in a strong accent, to just kick back and watch a movie so I think i'll do that tonight.




If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated,
it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.
For we know partially and we prophesy partially,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.

So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

~1 corinthians 13:1-13~

PRAYER:
Teach me to live by your example of love. For it is in giving that we recieve your love and dying to ourself that we may rise to eternal life with you. Help me give all of me to you through the service of love, charity, and advocating peace to all I meet. May I learn to be humble in my work and in all things as you humbling become one with your creation and perfected what it means to love. Love is no longer selfish because of your love. All love is a work of God's kingdom. May I become a message of love; a pencil in the hands of God as Blessed Mother Teresa was to the world. Blessed Virgin Mary, I constantly flee to you since you are the Mother of Our Beloved Lord. No more than human but lived out what it meant to be truly holy; may you pray for me to the Lord our God.

Music to sooth the soul.

Last night after adoration I came back to the hotel and went straight to bed... I didn't have the opportunity to do my rosary at adoration yesterday because there was some type of prayer service at adoration but it was amazing... all the sisters and novist were there! It was beautiful! Anyways, i tried praying the rosary laying in bed (bad idea)... I fell asleep during my fourth mystery and remember waking up numerous times during the night to finish my 5th mystery actually I woke up twice this morning (sometime before 5 am) also attempting to finish my rosary… I finally finished sometime this morning. So the lesson of the day is; pray before I get tired. This morning surly was a pain in the ass to get out of bed. I was so tired for some reason. And I went to bed at 8pm, I tried to get up at 5:15 more mass at 6… but an hour later I finally got up and showered. Today I met two new volunteers that I helped show around to get to Daya Dan and help explain what was going on, because I knew it was so confusing for me the first day. Craig was a high school teacher in the States (teachs physics) and Erica. At Daya Dan today… I did the usual. Clean the crib, bathe, clothed and than physical therapy. Today, I worked with Angeli again… convinced that she’ll be standing on her own within 3 months or so. But today she put up a greater fight. As soon as I took her off her stroller she began to cry. She wouldn’t stop for a good half an hour. Everything I did would make her cry. But it wasn’t even crying; no tears, no real facial expression… she was just putting on her lazy act and sad to say, it was working. I was getting use to seeing her smile and laugh at me. I was also getting use to thinking that I was good at helping the kids but God surely humbled me today. She finally stop crying and I was able to help her stand but she would just collaspe over to one side and all limbs would become like jello. I couldn’t do anything to make her stand and she was extremely good at getting her way today. But… whatever, today was just not a leg exercise day for her. So I helped with trying to keep her attention. Snapping my fingers from side to side and trying to keep her looking. Sister Capita was in the room with me today and asked about my vocation… as many sisters here do. “Are you going to become MC Father or what?” haha. “… if God calls.” We sat talking about life, my relationship, God, religious/holy orders, and about MC Father/Brothers. She said she could arrange a night of Come and See with the MC Father where I can stay with them for a night. Staying with the MC Father… haha, sweet. I don’t know if it’ll follow through but whatever.
Today they asked me to come downstair and help out with music. Of course… someone found out I played the guitar and ratted me in. I help set up the mic since the Father that usually helped with music wasn’t here today. I taught the children “Yes Lord”… it was easy enough; the whole chorus consist of only two words. I also sang “this Little Light of Mine” and “The Hokipokie”. It was like the kids show and tell. Any of them can come up and lead and it was so beautiful to see them. I didn’t want to lead anything at all because watching these kids brighten up as soon as they got on the mic made me smile. The kids would sing a lot of kids songs but those that had mental challenge also came up and sang the tune of the songs they knew to the word “da”… and it was such a beautiful sight to see because they would get so happy to lead a group. Well the day ended at Daya Dan after another hard fedding session, I was feeding Sonu again and he was sick today, but somehow, once again I managed to be the last one to leave Daya Dan and had to get back to Sudder myself.
After yesteday's expereince I learned alot about Kolkata. From Mother House to Daya.. I must say to the Bus "Ma-nic-cula" then take a Rickshaw to Daya Dan, from Daya Dan to Mother House I say to the Rickshaw "Man-i-ca-la" than hop on Bus 202 towards Mother House, from Daya Dan to Sudder I must take a Rickshaw to "Girish Park" and get on the Metro to Park Street. If you can't tell, I'm pretty proud of figuring this all out now. Well, the first Rickshaw that came for me to head home told me 15 rupees to get to Girish Park/Metro… and I knew that was crap. So I waved him on and he was arguing something of gibberish. The next rickshaw came and told me 4 ruppees… and that’s what I always remembered paying so I hop on hoping I was headed towards the right direction this time. Yesterady when I said Girish park… I got off at the right spot but I was suppose to take a right on the street to get to the metro but ended up walking straight towards Bose Rd. Anyways I took a right today and… this and that; I got to the metro and made it back safe. I had lunch at a Sikh resturant that was really cheap, It costed me a little more than 1 US dollar for fried chicken cury, rice, a coke, and mango shake. I went out with a close friend Kiki that’s leaving in two weeks. And we got to talk about faith. It was really nice for me to finally just talk (deep) and no surface talk (“hi… my name is.. your name is… where you from… where are you working… how long are you staying… etc”). Of course knowing me, we first talked about Theology of the Body. God’s plan for human sexuality. Than we talked about the Eucharist, Foundation of the Church/Peter, Transubstansiation, Apostolic Sucession and all that good stuff. We came back to our hotel and talked a little more. I told her… go talk to Sister Corina because I obviously don’t do any justice to any sort of catheises.Well, the evening is starting and I want to make my ways over to catch adoration. Tomorrow is thursdsay and the volunteers don’t work on Thursdays, so I’ll probably make a couple phone calls to the States. Tuan
PS: Some reasons I haven’t been getting any comments on my blog and then suddenly today it showed comments on all my recent entries and it looked as if these comments have been written not long after I wrote my blog. So sorry if I didn’t get back to the comments. But just to let you know that it REALLY made my day and made me smile to see the comments and emails from everyone. It makes me feel connected to Home somehow. So thankyou for your thoughts and prayers. And just keeping in touch with me. And I’m sorry for having such a crapy blog. I’m not much for a journalist… or a writer. I pull the “English is my second language” card. Haha. God bless all. My all our work reveal God’s love!

Lost in Kolkata

Last night was an eventful night. A huge group of volunteer went out for monday night salsa dancing at Park's Hotel. As I was walking sudder street/park street. I had my video camera running so i can bring back to show all. It was quite the sight to see. I had absolutely no clue where i was headed but was invited to come along- being a lonesome traveler... what the heck; I love dancing and partying so why not! The contrast being the rich and the poor was so prominent as I walked towards park street. It was absolutely ridiculous. It was late at night so many people were either out partying or getting ready for bed. And when I say bed, I really mean... sleeping on some newspaper along the sidewalk. People were sleeping on the street everywhere! Within 20 feet distances you would walk by at least 5 people sleeping. Wether it's on tables, benches, sidewalk, underneathe tables... you name it. I passed by a group of 4 individual; 3 of which were children under the age of 4. One of the child was a baby no more than 6 months old. Sleeping naked on the sidewalk on newspaper. In the States, this sight is a rare occasion and thousands would jump to help at the sight of such but here; eyes are turned away and it's accepted not only those around things such as this but also by the parents. Many of the parents send their children to beg and make a living in that way, and directed towards tourist especially (especially those that come to volunteer and "trying to serve") At orientation yesterday, the MC sisters addressed this issue; telling us that by giving we're actually promoting their lifestyle of begging and relying on tourist. It's not bettering off the economy and deffinately not the lives of those that we're "trying to help". You will always hear "my mother is sick, she needs money of medicine" or "baby needs milk". It is so hard for me sometimes but for all those that are traveling to India if you do decide to give... make sure you give bought items and not just money. And whether buying milk or food for those who beg... open the packet because i've seen them recieve the MOST expensive milk they asked for and go straight back into the store and sell it back to the store owner. Anyways, I got really side tracked; back to Salsa dancing and the contrast of this crazy city Kolkata. I arrived at Park's Hotel dressed in dirty volunteer clothes and was escorted in (because i was a tourist). This whole place was made of marble, there was air conditioning and servers everywhere, a bar and private bar... all that jazz. Well to keep things short... I felt out of place and didn't end up dancing that night. The volunteers go every monday for salsa dancing so i'm sure i'll go one of these days but I don't of many opportunities to also say happy birthday to Sara (yesterday, June 25th) and wanted to get back to Sudder Street before the international phone booth closed at 11pm. Sara... I miss you like crazy (wish you were able to experience this craziness with me... I love it here!)
Anyways, today was another interesting day (I swear, everyday has something crazy instored). At orientation yesterday I was assigned to help at Daya Dan for the remaining of my stay. I asked for Kalighat also... but sister said it might be too hard for 2 shifts in one day and I can do one month at Daya Dan and one at Kalighat. I may come back to her in a week or so and just tell her I'm taking on two shifts or visiting from time to time. I went to Kalighat last sunday and it was amazing (yes, Sean... I did get to attend mass- actually did the prayer of the faithful for mass this last sunday at Kalighat) and stayed for chicken cury at kalighat for lunch. So anyways, back to Daya Dan (sorry, i feel really disoriented today and I'm jumping from one sentances to another... maybe i'll rewrite this blog entry later); I got there and did the daily schedule... clean crib, bathe, clothed, and physical therapy. Today I worked for a long period of time in the physical therapy room; with one girl specifically. Her name was Angeli.
Angeli is three years old. Gorgious gal and has really skinny/weak legs and arms, she also have trouble paying attention/keeping focus. I started out putting the leg brace on her so she can build muscles practicing standing; i've seen them do this for her several times since i've been here. After awhile I thought, what the heck let's try something new. So I took off her leg brace, and did some leg and calves exerices. After doing so, I held vertically up, standing against the wall. Her legs were locking and then giving in colasping, but it did this over and over a couple of times and she seemed able to stand longer and longer. So I had Angeli stand straight up with her back against my leg as I was sitting and ... wasn't a problem. So i tried having her stand on her own with my hand as support on her bottom, pushing her foward everytime she tried to sit. And suprisingly she stayed standing. The volunteers in the room looked over and we all shared this moment of joy. I felt so proud of her and I'm convinced that within 2-3 months she will be able to stand on her own or against the wall on her own. Not only did I feel overwhelmed with joy but... i notice Angeli did too. Never have I seen her smile but as she stood there in the middle of the room with my hand proping her forward; she turned over looking towards me, grabbed my hair towards her, smiled and than the absolutely God moment for me, she laughed. She laughed 4 times intervals of 2 seconds. And everyone in the room was taken back. To hear Angeli laugh really made my day, to see her looking at me for several seconds as I talked to her made me smile, and to see her stand gave me much hope. Life is too short for me to miss the beauty that God shows each day before our eyes; in smiles, winks, tears, and laughter, you can find Jesus in disguise. God is among us always we just need to keep our eyes open to the message of love.
Once physical therapy was done I helped with feeding and it wasn't an easy task, but what's new. After lunch time for the kids the volunter's first session is done but I ended up staying back helping the children be put to sleep. I must have missed seeing all the volunteers leave. I was trying to get Angeli to stop crying and then singing the rest of the children in that room to sleep (which consisted of singing Ave Maria, and a long... Divine Mercy Chaplet). The Masis left that room and poked their heads in every now and then and smiled. I would hear them say something about me singing (can-ta-re) or something down that line is the word for singing in bangali and I would over hear them saying something and then seconds later someone would pop their head in and smile then leave. It made me feel really happy... once again, it's God's pat for me. When I left Daya i was the only volunteer there so I was headed back alone. I took a rickashaw to get to the metro but ... i guess i took the wrong one. You have to remember, i've only worked at daya dan twice. Both of which i just followed other volunteers. Once i came back with the group through walking from the rickashaw to the metro and the other time I had to take a rickashaw and a bus to get to hotel circular. Well..... I got lost. haha. Simple as that. I took a rickashaw for several blocks going straight. towards Bose Rd and sadly to say there diffinately isn't a metro station on Bose Rd. Instead I ended up walking for a hour and fourty minutes back towards Mother House than backtracking towards Sudder Street. I felt like an idoit but it was fun. I went under the huge bridge by the train station and it was a HUGE street market place under there. It was quite the sight. I remember seeing on one of the sidewalk, a magician and with a huge crowd around him. I saw goats, cows, horses, chicken, ducks and all sorts of random animals through wandering kolkata detour. Anyways, I got back safe on sudder, drenched in my sweat and incredibly hungry. I went over to Blue Sky resturant on sudder and treated myself to a huge lunch. FRENCH FRIES, CHEESE SANDWHICH , 2 coca-cola, jerra rice and some type or cury.... and it costed med about 2.20 US dollars. Another day in Kolkata. Gotta love it.

Tuan



Lord God, in a world of chaos help me find light and peace within your love through those you put in my life. Blessed Mother, teach me to love the way you love your Beloved Son.

Getting the hang of things

Everything is finally coming together. I'm absolutely loving it here in Kolkata. Last night my friend Erica from Mexico City had a party because it was her last night. We were chilling out in the courtyard of my Hotel room. She made us a Mexican themed dinner and we did a lot of dancing and chatting.
It was hard for me to get up this morning because I was up late (11pm is late for me here) and didn't roll out of bed till 5:20am. Rushing through my shower I tried to have enough time to get to the Mother house for Morning mass but surely enough, I missed mass by 7 minutes. In Kolkata, at the Mother House, they lock the door once mass starts so the MC sisters don't have to wait at the door and everyone can attend. But unfortunately for people that runs late like myself... that means waiting outside the door for almost an hour.
Today, I worked at Daya Dan, a house for the orphans. I worked up stair once again... although the children up stair have mental difficulties they have such innocent expression of love. I'm so drawn to them and absolute adore working with them. When I got there I went straight to the children but on of the Masis (local pernament volunteer) needed my help with the laundry. I spent almost the whole morning till tea time doing laundry. It was hard work, not gonna lie. There were three other Masis and myself doing all 100+: bed, sheets, pillow case, clothes, dippers, and towels. And of course, we did it the old fashion way. Two deep sinks, made of concrete. One with soap water and the other for rinse. I stepped into the sinks and started stomping away to scrub out the dirt, urine, caca, and all that good stuff. Rinsing and than ringing out the water and hanging up the washed items. As I was ringing out the water... the color of the water being rung out was yellowish brown and most deffinitely had a strong smell of urine. I realize that the smell of Kolkata... it for surely is a mixture of urine odor and Caca. Being here you just got to realize while doing some task you got to breathe through your mouth, not your nose.
I got the opportunity to help feed again today. Sona, a 13 years old boy, that could not sit up on his own or keep his head up on his own. Nor can he move much besides his arms. Sona often sleeps and can't ever keep attention. When you feed him you must keep his attention and make sure he sallows because without help he can't sallow the food on his own either. Sona often throws epylipse fits while feeding and will cry at any discomfort. And yes... it was my task to make sure he ate today. When I first started feeding Sona, it was a challegne. He wouldn't lift his head off the table, his whole body was "drappy". As I was feeding him; food and food would pile up in his mouth and he wouldn't sallow and it was becoming quite the mess. Sona would start crying and the mess only got messier and the attention was drawn over towards my disablity to feed a child. I than had made up a song... "called Sona Sona". Pretty much... it just repeated his name over and over so he can stay awake. And the best trick of it all... was that with the spoon I pressed down on his tounge a little ... kind of like a gagging effect, as gross as that my sound. But it would open up his throat and he would sallow. Well after a good 30 minutes or so, Sona finally finished his dish and a sense of satisfaction came over me.
I've been only working morning shifts since i've been here. I don't know if I have the energy enough to work both mornign and evening shifts. Today I'll be going to the orientation and later in the evening alot of the volunteer and I are heading out to go Salsa dancing at a local club nearby Sudder St.
It's been great here, extermely humid but I can only imagine how it'll feel after the light rain throughout the day will stop... It'll be like a sauna! Well keep me in your prayers and please email or comment the blog. I love hearing from the States. It brings me some comfort of being connected to Home. May we be all united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. God bless.

Tuan

PS.- I deffinately used the swatty-potty today ... and yup, there was no TP. It was quite the Kolkata/India experience. haha, but in reality- it's not as bad as it sounds.

Kalighat: Mother's First Love

Today I shed my first tears; tears of joy, comfort, love, and worries. Before having breakfast at the Mother House I visited Mother’s Tomb. It was so peaceful and consoling as I prayed before Mother; bowing and pressing my forehead to her tomb. Before me was the great soul of God’s love revealed through an individual that was nothing but love. I was touched and moved by the fruits of her love and asked to only be an imitation of God’s love as she was to the world. Thinking of my beloved ones in the States, God’s mission before me, and the fruits of Mother’s work I was moved to tears. I’m sure it looked rather ridiculous to the novest, and MC sisters that were in the room but… what the heck, I couldn’t help but cry. Here before me was my inspiration and example of how to Love as God loved. Today, I worked at Kalighat, also known as Mother’s First Love and I soon understood why. When I arrived I made went straight to work. All but 2 of the volunteers went and helped with laundry but I wanted to be with the men. So I walked around, until I felt a pull to stop and give some attention. As I began to walk down the row of 50 men sick and dying the very first man stopped me and smiled, he than rubbed his face and so I asked if he needed a shaving. Surly enough he did. Here I was before this man, absolutely terrified with this razor and soap/brush (you have to remember, I’m the lazy one in the States that uses a electronic razor). I was shaving him slowly and not pressing hard to make sure I didn’t cut him. And we both knew I was terrified in doing so… and had a chuckle. But then I got more comfortable after a couple of laughs and gave him a clean shaved.
I than walked over to a man and sat beside him, he smiled and held my hands. We started talking, I didn’t understand a single word he said but I believed we spoke of the world around us. I spoke to him about love in English and he spoke to me about his life experience in Bangali. He pointed at himself while talking and then here and there and shook his head then looked at me and smiled and then did a gesture to reveal that he was blessed now. I sat for several minutes and just listened. I than began to sing and his face brighten up immediately. He than sang a song in Bangali and I was so soothed by his voice. He taught me the lyrics as I mimicked it (I totally forgot it now) but at the time it made him laugh and smile while he was teaching me this song in Bangali.
I was called over by a young man (25 years), there was nothing but skin and bones. I honestly have never met someone in my life as skinny as he was. I was sure he was going to die at any moment. He could barely lift his arm but enough to reach towards me and hold on to mine… “Massage” he said. And I smiled as I began to rub and massage his arms and head. His body I felt no muscle… I was massage his skin on bones and couldn’t think about anything besides God is watching over him for him to be still alive and smiling back at me. Truly is he God’s beloved one. His back was nothing more then skin on bones, I could feel every part of his spine and shoulder blades. There was a wonderful man with his bed over in the corner (number 47) his name is Bishnu. Never have I met someone with such a great character. We just laughed and goofed around. It started with him handing me a bottle of his urine to be emptied and coming back he just wanted me to sit with him. We talked about Jesus. He told me Jesus loves me because “You are a good man, very good man” (were his words exactly). Over and over he said to me as he held my hands “you are a very good man”. And then he pointed to the crucifix hanging on the was and said “Jesus, very good man”. Bishnu rubbed my head and face and with his hand behind my neck pulled me close to him (forehead to forehead) as he built tears in his eyes. He took one of my hands with two hands and held it to his forehead and than kissed it. Numerous times did he do this throughout our conversation. I returned his love by letting him know that God loves him immensely and so do I. I held him close and as we hugged, he patted my back and held me closer. We than shared some very fun moments. Counting to 100 in English, than doing it again and racing each other. Then we said the ABCs and said some anatomy parts, and I taught him some new anatomy parts (shoulders, back, and arms). Lunch came around and there were many men that were too weak to sit up or feed themselves. I sat with a man that was unable to talk or sit up by him self and help feed him. After lunch I had to change him. Which was a rather difficult task for me. First day… and oh was I in for a treat. He had peed on his mattress and needed changing. He needed to be wiped and it was rather difficult because he was actually going again while I was wiping him. After all this I had change and clean him. Honestly… I cannot say that it was my will to do this. By the grace of God did I find the strength to get over myself and let God’s love be worked through me. Still now I can’t believe or can imagine myself doing such deeds but it truly brought satisfaction when I was able to become a vessel for God to work through me. Anyways, I have orientation tomorrow (for I still haven’t gone) but today was quiet the experience. I really want to work at Kalighat for the remaining period of my stay here in Kolkata, along with Daya Dan. I walked around town today and saw numerous things that amazed me. There was a huge field by Park St full of goats, cows, and farm animals gazing (in the middle of the city). Cows on the streets and monkeys in the trees were quiet the site. I also saw a fatty cockroach this morning and a gecko along the wall of my hotel (it was pretty cool). I walked around New Market and ended buying a light Indian Tshirt. I honestly brought too many shirts and pants and … none of which I really want to wear here. So I’m donating a lot to the MC. Along with my bed sheets and many meds and supplies. Well, I must be on my way, adoration at the mother house is in a couple of minutes. Can’t miss.