Another Stretching Day

Our last full day in Calcutta began with another early morning. We went to the Missionaries of Charity again, this time armed with the knowledge that we could have breakfast there and forgo our power bars (always a plus). It was fun to be there and mingle with the volunteers that we had already made connections with and see the new recruits. Amazing that one day of volunteering makes you feel completely different about the whole experience.

We were being split between three homes this time (at our choosing)- Prem Dan and Shanti Dan again (some of the same girls really felt called to go back) as well as the addition of Daya Dan which was a home for mentally and physically disabled children that was open to volunteers of both genders. The day was familiar for those of us at Prem Dan and Shanti Dan and those at Daya Dan had the pleasure of a new experience. The day was really positive for us, especially because we went in better prepared with what we were going to see and how we would serve.

In the afternoon Sandy and Scott asked us to go and minister to the people on Sudder Street. Sudder Street is where most of the international community that volunteers with the Missionaries of Charity, stay. We were commissioned to strike up conversation with those we felt led to, be they locals or visitors. Due to the international community, Sudder Street is an easy place to get everything from souvenirs to drugs to ‘companions’ so it is a pretty heartbreaking reality check.

The afternoon went by- some of us chose to go back to Prem Dan for part of the afternoon shift- and we met back at Motherhouse to be a part of the special Friday mass that they hold. Mass was a confusing experience, the mix of Mother Teresa reverence, along with the solid Christian creeds and references to the Mary made it hard to feel totally great about everything. However, it was special to be there as the sisters sang hymns and allowed us to worship with them.

The day closed with dinner at the same buffet as the first day. We had learned our lesson from the first time though, and paced ourselves this time. It was at dinner that we heard that Pastor’s mother had shown marked improvement and had been able to get up and cook lunch. Praise the Lord that he would use vessels such as us.