sry yal...

hey guys!

so i've come to the conclusion that bloging is possibly not my strongest suit. yeah honestly i kind of suck at it. its all right though because i've been keeping a pretty good journal and taking lots of crazy pictures. so i figure that any of you can just ask me all the questions you want and i'll be able to tell me all the stories you want to hear. However, to day i thought i'd give you a short little update.

so what’s been happening in the world of India, or at least my world of india... well its been just over 7 weeks now sense i left American soil and it feels like i've been in India for ages and like the days have flow; i feel like i've done and seen so much and so little, all at the same time. I've seen several temples, a run off of the Ganges river, a crazy cute bollywood movie, an amazing leprosy colony( and wounded people like i 've never seen and probably never will again) , played soccer/ climb on the foreigners with some adorable street children, had some good times with some amazing people from all around the world, traveled to Diamond harbor (what a trip), and continue to be reminded daily how hard i don't have to work and how much i don't have to worry in order to simply survive each day, compared to so many people here and around the world. Yet do how much i have and continue to receive, i've done and given back so little. Its over whelming some times the amount of people that end up in such dire, corrupt situations and appear to need so much help. yet, its just as astonishing how much you can receive from someone who you thought needed so much from you. but the numbers really shouldn't matter, we must keep fighting, around the world and at home, receiving and giving.


so any who, on a lighter note, sadly no longer working at Khaligat. but instead i'm at Shishu Bhavan and i lov it! I work with young kids, probably between the ages of 4 and 9. all of them have sever mental and physical disabilities. we spend our time there changing beds, changing the kids, feeding them , and playing with them/ doing exercise with them. is great. the kids, the masis (the native indian women who work there), the sisters, and the volunteers are all so nice.

anyway, that’s all i got for now and i'm praying for you all back home. you 've all been on my mind, especially since my time is soon coming to an end. it will be hard to leave but it will be good to come to the good old washington (not DC, as i say here).
all my lov always and God bless!

a real dream come true

hey guys! sry its been so long since i've written anything, i still lov u all. anyway, first off a little update. so i'm alive and well- in many senses of the word- and back in kolkata. we've been back about week now, and im not gona lie it took a little adjusting. Raiganj was so lovely and so peaceful compared to kolkata. i had come to know the people there as friendly, hospitable, and real fellow human beings. that is harder to do here; Fr.Puthumai is not here to introduce us too anyone and a lot of the interactions you first have with locals here is them nagging you or staring at you. honestly though, they are real people, struggling to survive. In fact that is probably one of my favorite part of this whole experience- the reality of it. i've been here for over three weeks now but i still occasionally have moments that take me back and i'm reminded that i'm here, all the way across the world, i made it. its real, so real. i've been working in Khaligat a lot lately. that is mothers first love, the world wide famous home for the dying and destitute. there, on the women’s side where i work, lie real women. real people, with real suffering, real laughter, real tears, real wounds inside and out, real affection, real hearts, real beauty. here, in this place i have found real culture, real faith, and i have witnessed Mother Teresa's legacy of real lov. what more could i ever ask for, then to be here in this place with these people? amidst some challenging, unpredicted obstacles and the needed growing pains they have brought, this is truly my dream come true. how could i ask for more?


Along side Khaligat, i also want to Nirmala Bhavan yesterday (bout an hr bus ride from mother house, it a home for young children, with babies on one floor and round 4, 5 year olds upstairs all of whom are totally healthy) and Daya Don Both of them where so great. i really miss the chilins. well i've got to run but i'll writ more later about the homes, what i saw around there, the crazy temple i went to today, and my sight seeing to come! i love u all and miss u so much!
bye bye for now

hey hey!

Hey all! so this is actually me, katie saying hi to everyone back home! tuan was nice enough to lend me his blog for a bit- what a giving soul he has. in fact, if tuan hadn't been so willing to share his stories and so much of his trip with me, it would have made the Lords job a lot harder in getting me where he wants me; so if you are reading this tuan thank you from the bottom of my heart- i don't know how i could have done any of this with out you.

anyway, so about India...well honestly i can't believe we made it! I can't believe it has been a week and 1/2! it really is a whole new world. there are so many new thing to see and smell and hear and taste. its all so fascinating and i'm still trying to take it all in. I'm not even sure where to start.
lets start with the Mother house- o man its so beautiful. when we first went one of the sisters pointed us up Mother Teresa 's old room. it was as setup behind the screen, as if she was just going to walk right in and sit down at her desk. then we down and looked at the beautiful display they have set up with bulletin boards and articles from Mother. they even have her old sari, hand patched and everything. On our first day of volunteering, before we had breakfast we got to have mass with the sisters; hearing them sing is one of the most beautiful sounds i've ever heard. The whole place is filled with God's presence of peace.

the 1st day of volunteering at Prem Dan was very eye opening but a little rough because i wasn't really told what to do, you just kind of jump in. The second day was fabulous though! Prem Dan is a home for ( at least o the women's side) mostly mentally ill women. The majority of them where fairly old and some of them needed a lot of assistance physically. the morning shift is between 8ish and 12ish. once we get there the laundry is done first, then beds are made, we help to feed them, there a short brake for us, and then we spend alot of time just sitting with the women. Most of them don't know english at all, but that really doesn't matter once you get the hang of it. it dose make me want to learn Bengali though! How beautiful these shundaries (beautiful elder women) are! I had never seen such pure smiles. One of the very old women almost broke my heart. She was one from the handful who had to be spoon feed and in order to get her to bed after lunch, you had to drag the chair she was in into the next room. But more then that was how much she loved holding your wrist. she couldn't really speak very well-even to the sisters, and her eyes often wondered, but the minute you would go to leave or start pulling your had from where she left in on her knee or from her own hand, she would reach from it. what a simple, simple request, just to not be left sitting alone.

So now i am done volunteering for a while. the three of us Alicia, Brendan, and I meet up with Meghan, Jamie and Fr.Puthumai and took a 12 hr train ride north on the 10th (Thursday night for us; there is a 11.5 hr difference btw). we are leaving this Sunday night. thats bitter sweet for me because Raiganj is so beautiful, it is so nice seeing Meghan and Jamie, the people are way less used to tourist so they stare more but they hardly try to cheat u out of you money, and Fr.P totally is taking such good care of us. On the other hand, my heart longs to return to the Mother house and the people. and the hustle and bustle and pollution and creeper stares that is kolkata has an excitement, a romanticism to it. it is a fun place once you get you foot in the door. you see new thing every day that you would never see in Washington. then again i could say the same thing for Raiganj! here is a brief list of some things i have done while up here:
-explored an Mosque built in 1364
-fallen in love with, many young singing Indian boys!
-saw a live gazel tied up in a small market ( i frekn lov those!)
-had an Indian beer
-been on tv (or at least jamie was, i'm not really sure how many of us made it on)
-thrown up for the first time in like 3 yrs
-signed my autograph for, shook hands with and dances around wiht several enthusiastic villagers
-ect!


any way, i lov you and miss you all and will write more soon! ur all in my prayers!
i lov u and God bless!

-Katie

The mission trip continues forever - LAST BLOG ENTRY

It's been a long while since my last blog entry. A lot has happened since. My last week was one of the most challengeing week for me. It started with getting sick in Darjeeling with stomach problems, vomitting, and diaheria. Then when I returned back to Kolkata I caught pink eye. I got medicated for it, with eye drops, ontiment, and antibiodics. I thought that was the last that could of possibly gone bad for me but there was still more instored.... I'll mention it later.
Well, my last week was full of emotions. It was so surreal for me that I was returning back to the states. The States seemed like such a far away place, not only in physical distance but the reality of the States seemed so unbelievable. Everything that I've became so accustomed to in Kolkata was the exact opposite from what the state offered. From how spacious the streets are in thstates to the cleaninest. Looking around Kolkata I couldn't believe we even shared the same world. It seemed as if I was in two different worlds and that I was living two different lives. I felt that while I was in India, I've never lived in the States before... that the states was only something of my imagination and now that I'm home I can't believe there's such a place like Kolkata, India that exists. It's hard for me to grasp and realize it all because how fortunate we are in the States.

Well, I put in full days of work during my last week. From working in the morning with the children in the orphanage and teaching in the schools, to holding music class and teaching the new guitar player who's taking over for me, the songs for Mother Teresa's 10 year memorial, and than I in the afternoon I finished up the wall paintings. All was finished! I couldn't believe everything was coming to an end. On friday (the day before my last day), I was able to visit Shishu Bhavan. A site that only female can volunteer at. Sara started the Nirmala school with 3 others when she was in Kolkata 2 years back, and I asked permission to visit her school and one of her students, Isha. I was granted the privillege to do so and when I visited I was able to sit in the class room and I also had the opportunity to talk to Isha. It was amazing. She was so happy to see me, someone she didn't even know, but she still was so excited. I gave her a present from sara; a journal, crayons, and ring pops! She absolutely adored it and was very proud of her gifts she recieved. When I had to leave Isha was all but willingly to allow so. "No go." She said everytime I told her I need to go. "No go!" It was so adorable, as she held my arm and persisted that I stayed with her, someone I've met only 20 minutes ago. I headed over to daya Dan and continued teaching at the school for my last friday class! It was sad but I knew that the children were going to continue strong with many teachers that will do a better job at teaching than I do. During that same day (friday), The roof top of Daya Dan caught on fire! A stove was running on a hot day underneathe a dry roof... so the combination of heat underneathe and the heat from the sun above caught the roof on fire along with many clothes haning on the roof top. It was pretty dramatic and we had to close off all electricity and hose down the whole roof. It was brought under control but got us all in a scare. Sometime, that afternoon I also got a haircut on the side of the street inbetween sudder and new market. The guy who cut my hair did it all with sisscors and a switch blade... it was pretty impressive.
My last day, fell on the same day as Mother Teresa's birthday. It was so beautiful! I went to morning mass and had my rosary blessed by Mother Teresa at her Tomb. After mass because of the festival and display that was set up in the volunteer's room due to Mother's birthday all the volunteers headed over to Shishu bhavan for breakfast. I was held back at Mother House because Sr. Melrose had asked me to do her a favor before I leave on my last day. While all the volunteers were at Shishu Bhavan, all the MC sisters and Sister Nirmala gathered around Mother teresa's tomb and sang her happy birthday. Luckily, I was able to witness such a beauitful sight on my last day... a gift I believe Mother gave me on her birthday. I also recieved a blessing from Sr. Nirmala and the sacrament of reconcilation by a priest from france before my flight that evening. Well, by the time I got out of Mother House and to Shishu Bahavan for breakfast, they have already finish breakfast and singing goodbye to all the last day volunteers (all the last day volunteers besides me). As sad as that was... I was alright with it. It was God's way to tell me I was doing the service for him and not for praise. That my time spent here was for the children, for the poor and through them for the Christ and not for myself. Once again, the trip was challenging me to incress in my humility.

On my way to Daya dan I stopped by a local market and bought some balloons for the children during my last day. I spent my last morning at Daya Dan practicing guitar with Sr. Johana Fa, Mongol, Megha, and the new guitar player to prepare for mass. Around 9 the childrened and sisters gathered on the second floor and we celebrated mass. My last mass at Daya Dan, and I was able to play guitar for them and share all the joys of seeing my beloved children. After mass I went upstairs and we had a party! I brought out the balloons and gave them to the children and sr Christalata gave out candy! The children were so beautifully dressed for Mother Teresa's birthday, it was so amazing to see them all but it also made me sad thinking it was my last day. The children gathered and sang happy birthday to Mother Teresa than we all hung out all morning and just had fun!

I went downstairs to see all the was going on and when I got downstair Sr. Johana Fa and the boys had bought me a cake and was waiting for me. They gathered around and say to me, "we thank you, uncle.. we love you, uncle... we'll miss you, uncle.... and come back, uncle" It was so beautiful that it almost made me cry! I couldn't bare the thought of leaving them all! I was so sad but I quickly filled my mind with happy thoughts as I cut the cake and gave it to the children and passed out candy!They immediately cheered me up as they fought in line to get candy and cake. It was so wonderful to see them all so happy. I thanked Sr. Johana Fa for all Daya Dan has given me and she did the same. Reminding me the children will always remember me from the painting I left on the walls for them. She gave me the address to Daya Dan so I can write and I spent my last few moments among the children.

Later the evening I was able to return to Mother's Tomb one last time, and than head over to St. Mary's for a special mass dedicated to Mother Teresa's 97th Birthday. Many of the MC sisters were at St. Mary, that it filled more than half the church with MC sisters! It was beautiful. The Bishop was there and gave the homily on Mother's service to the poor. I couldn't have ended my time in Kolkata any better. After celebrating my last mass in Kolkata, I had a few hours before I headed out for the airport. Packing was rushed and I had a lot things to donate, and also a lot to bring home. I took a shower and put on newly bought clean clthoes and headed off into the taxi for the airport. When I arrived it was still 10pm or so, my ticket told me I wasn't going to leave till about 1am and I still haven't had dinner yet so I went up into a resturant and grabbed some Chicken Haka Noddles for dinner. I decided I should check in early just in case... and when I got to my checkin for my luguage... I found out my plane was leaving in 10 minutes or so and I haven't scanned my bags, and checked in my lugguage. At that time they already shut down the xray scan for my baggage and had to reopen it for me. They told me the flight was full, but luckily I already had a seat. Through all the frustration... I made it to my plane with seconds to spare.
When the rush of insanity had stopped, my luggage was checked, my carry-ons were stored away, and I was seated in the airplane, I looked up to realize... this is really happening- I'm headed back to the States. I couldn't believe my eyes. Everything inside the plane to me seemed so luxurious, nice and clean. It was air conditioned, equipped with TV monitors, headphones plugins at every seat, music radio, tv, movies, food service... I was in awe. When we were in air I kept thinking back of Daya Dan. All I can remember thinking was that I wish I could trade my plane ticket so Mongol or Megha can expereince flying an airplane once in their life. Not nessesarily even going to the US but just expereincing being in a airplane. As I sat there and thought about my kids at Daya Dan I could hear Megha's voice in my head... picturing her here with me on the plane, and her telling me "Oh, So nice uncle. So nice!" As she looks around with her beautiful brown eyes and pearly white teeth held with a smile. I imagined Mongol sitting by me, looking out the window as we soared above the clouds. Mongol loves learning about the world, continents, and astronomy... I only then could imagine the smile on his face as he points out the window with wide opened eyes in disbelief, flying above the world. These thoughts flooded my mind and remained with me for the duration of my flight and filled my eyes with tears. I tried to fight them back but I was so sad to leave all the children I grew so fond of. I could only imagine how excited they would be to see all the TVs in the plane, all the meals, snacks, and drinks I recieved on the plane; if only I could share it with the children at Daya Dan. I often mention about Mongol, Megha, Piya, and Bashker but honestly... I've grown close to many of the children at Daya Dan. Those that struggle with speech, with mobility, and with the children that suffer with deformity. I love them all so dearly. It really sadden my heart to think (and also know because Sister told me) that many of the children at Daya Dan don't get adopted. All I can think is WHY NOT?! I love them so much and want them to enjoy the same luxury I freely enjoy each day in the States. I have more than enough. I just wished I was able to bring home one child (if not all) and show the child love of a family and take the child to the park weekly. Have the child go to FREE public school, take them to the movies, the ocean & mountains, ... there's so much the world has to offer. But so few are the numbers of those generous people who want to share their luxury with others.
Believe it or not, the bathroom on the plane was the nicest bathroom I've used in months! Sadily it was the cleaniest also. It was the first time I was able to sit on the toliet seat... and also the first time in a LONG time since I've used toliet paper... haha. Oh, all the things we take for granted and the things we can actually live without. Although my pink eye and tomach problem came more under control, I developed this weird skin irritation. I began to notice it when I was on my first flight back and it's progressed from each flight connection. It's all up my arm, and has spread to my other arm and down my back. I got back in states and the day after I came home I went to the doctor to get checked up and get my blood test. The doctor told me it looks like Lyme skin disease, so I'm hooked up on Antibiodics for another 15 days and I've lost 15 lbs since I left .
God truly is allowing me to share in suffering and I truly felt as if God had given me the perfect traveling experience along with so many graces during my journey. The last week in India he hasked of me to share in suffering with all those that I served; those that are weak and skinny without food, with the paitents that were sick and needed care, with the yearning thirst for love and home that many people live without. This last week God has asked me to lift up a part of my burden with the burdens of my suffering fellowmen, throughout th various homes and sites and with those that go without food, clothes, or shelter on the streets of Kolkata.
I'm back in the states now... sitting at home with SOOO much space! Given my house at home I've always complained about being so small. A one story 4 room house with 8 people under the roof was everything but living large but coming back from Kolkata... I now realized how blessed I am. I can open up a frig and find food while those that live on the streets in India work each day in hopes that they'll have something to provide for their family that evening. I can come home bathe and feel clean... open up my closet to a closet full of clothes and pick out what i'm going to wear for the day, while many of those in India where the same outfit for the year... if not longer. It's been so weird being back in states. I honestly can't believe how much space we have here, how much food we have and waste, how clean it is, and how big everything is... the house, the yard, the roads, cars, meals, ... EVERTYHING!

Through all the joy, saddness, hardship, frustration, sickness, and love I expereinced while I was in Kolkata, God was there beside me. I placed all my trust in Him at the beginning of my trip that he would provide the means for me to serve Him in Kolkata India and He did just so, and I trusted that God would take care of me while I was there and he hasn't abondoned me yet. He is my true love and my life's journey that I've traveled the world to find. This summer is a summer I will never forget. Already I've begin to see the impact it has made in me. Life's too short, live it and live it with great love. For it we do not work for peace in our jobs, our families, friends, among nations and religion, then our lives will be empty of love. For where there's peace there is love, and where there's love we shall find God. For God is love, so let us set our lives in service of love. So we can become a prophet of Love; a prophet of God.






Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata, you've set the path before us all to show us how to live selflessly and with great love. Continue to guide us for you've gone before us and now dwell in the Kingdom of your true love, Our Lord. Teach us how to serve, to be humble, to give, and to love to those around us, especially to find Jesus in Disguise. May we strive to make our life mission a mission of love to all we come in contact with.

Happy 10 year memorial Mother Teresa.

conversing with Sr Melrose

This morning when I woke up my eyes were sealed close. I couldn't get them open! I don't know if you read my blog yesterday but, I have pink eye. Well, because of all the yuck in my eyes as I slept it built it up and sealed it closed. With as much force as my eyebrows had, I lifted up my eyelids just enough to peak through a small opening in my right eye to see and to stumble towards the bathroom to see how by my eyes actually were. I ended up prying them open with my fingers and it wasn't as painful as I thought it'd be.... I thought my eyes were sealed along with my eyelids, haha. Anyways, my eyes didn't get any clearer... actually it got more red. After calling home and to sara this morning I went straight to the doctors. They prescribed me some antibiotics, eye drops, ontiment, and some other pills. And that's what I was looking for because I knew I could of just asked for them over the counter at the pharmacy here, but I didn't know what I was asking for. I picked up my meds and some lunch, and headed back to the hotel. Today was Sr. Melrose's Feast day. When you become consecrated into the religious life, your birthday becomes the feast day of the patron saint you choose and today was Sr. Melrose's feast day. Sr Melrose was a sister I met earlier when I was by myself here in India and we met at Mother's tomb. We ended up talking about vocation and my relationship... she's been keeping Sara and I in her prayers and I've been keeping hers in mine. She's become a pretty good friend and so I made here a card today for her feast day, I spent some time to make it look a little nice but more importantly thanking her for choosing her vocation and for being such a blessing to the world.
I walked over to Mother house with Corina around 2:40 or so and went into Mother's Tomb... and once again, there she was. I gave her the card and I knelt down at Mother's tomb to pray, for a while. I got up to leave and she called me over. She thanked me for the card and didn't believe how the true or applicable the words of kindness was to her but I assured her it was her humility that was playing a part because she truly is an example of God's love to the world. She gave me a rosary that her superior gave her and told me she was planning on giving it to the first person that approaches her, and I was the first. She sat me down and asked me... How's Sara?!? hahaha! We haven't talked about my relationship since the first time we talked and I was suprised she remembered, but it was very comforting to know how much she cared. Than we talked about vocations; marriage, religious, and holy order. She told me all about how she felt in her vocation, the graces she receives and the blessing she can give and have. Than she told me how many are called towards marriage and need to live out the vocation... how much harder it may be, especially in this world now and days. She advised me on how to maintain a healthy marriage and it was the same way to to keep a healthy relationship in holy order, relgious life, and a dating relationship. It's total selflessness. She said the only way she can keep a healthy relationship with her married spouse, Christ. Is to be all for Christ and selflessly and not argue with him when he asks. She told me if I'm called to be married I must be selfless in my relationship with my significant other otherwise once a relationship turns into a self-seeking one, it begins to crumble. It takes two selfless givers to create an enduring love. All who are called towards Religious life and Holy order must die to themselves to live for Christ. But for those called towards Marriage life or simply in a dating relationship right now, it must take more than two to love, but rather three. The two + God, only through the union of all three will we be fully one. Sr. Melrose told me God's already answered one call for me from the day I was created, he's given me the path to my vocation and that path is to faithfulness. We're called to be faithful! In whatever vocation we're called to be... he doesn't want to make me Pope or bishop but rather to be Tuan but faithful and that will lead me to where I need to be and that will lead me to my vocation. Holiness and faithfulness is what we all must life and that is our vocation. Once we figure that out, we must strive to find out in which way did God best create us to be faithful and holy to all those he bless us with.
I absolutely love talking to Sr. Melrose and was sad that i had to leave because I could of sat all day and hung out with her but I needed to get to Daya Dan although it was a thursday. I needed to paint!

At Daya Dan painting went extremely well! We're finished completely with the ship scene and today I finished painting the tiger which I was extremely happy with the result. I think we'll be finished by Saturday. Anyways I forgot to mention yesterday night I went to the Forum Mall and bought some DVDs for the children (for a party for the kids on my last day here in India), I also caught a Bollywood film called Marigold. But today Mongol asked about me bringing a movie and I told him I bought one yesterday, than I asked sister Johana Fa if we can get a DVD player on Sunday my last day here in India and she told me... can I bring the movie tomorrow because they'll be able to get a DVD player tomorrow, when I told her yes and the movies I got her face brighten up and so did Mongol. He started smacking Sr. Johana Fa's leg out of excitment and laughing and smiling. I bought from Music world The Emperors New Groove and Mulan... IN HINDI! So all the children, MC sisters and Masis can watch and understand! They're all pretty excited and so am I! So tomorrow it's a movie day! We have the DVD player till11am or so... and so that means it'll be during class time but I made Mongol promise me that we can still do class time afterwards and that I'll work him harder than before. We already missed class on Wednesday because of society feast day and if we miss another day... that would of been only 2 hours of classroom this week! Things are getting pretty crazy here but I'm loving every moment of it! I'll be headed home in 3-4 days, AHHHHH!! I'm not sure if I'm sad or happy. Well keep us in your prayers still! Thank you, thank you.