I THIRST

“...I thirst for you.  Yes, that is the only way to even begin to describe my love for you: I thirst for you. I thirst to love and to be loved by you - that is how precious you are to me.  I thirst for you.  Come to me, and fill your heart and heal your wounds.  If you feel unimportant in the eyes of the world, that matters not at all. For me, there is no one any more important in the entire world than you.  I thirst for you.  Open to me, come to me, thirst for me, give me your life - and I will prove to you how important you are to my heart...” 

–“I Thirst for You” by Mother Teresa  

Inside the sanctuary.

“I thirst.”  These simple words painted on the plain white wall in the Sister’s of Charity Church guided the work of Mother Theresa and the Sisters.  At mass, Father Antony explained that this reference refers to: our thirst and need for God, His thirst for us, and His desire that we serve those around us who are suffering and oppressed.

Sisters & Joseph, a special needs boys for whom they care.

Today, I visited the Sisters of Charity near where I live and work.  My great uncle, Father Al Scott, feeds the homeless with the Sisters of Charity in southern California.  When he told them where I am this summer, they were so excited that they gave me gifts and letters to give to the Sisters here.  It was an honor to get to sit and talk with these humble followers of Christ.  They were so kind and welcoming to me.  I stayed for evening mass, after which they insisted I share a meal with them.  It was a completely surreal and humbling experience.  I have so much respect for these sweet Sisters and the work that they do among the poorest of the poor.

The 150 year old church where the Sisters live.

The Sisters love their two puppies.

The Sisters were very excited for me to take a picture of their two puppies.  They told me that the dogs were a generous gift, considering each puppy is worth 5,000 Rupees.

“Blackie” and “Brownie”

Father Antony and Joseph

Father Antony was also visiting, since this was his former parish.  He now is the editor for “The New Leader,” which is “India’s leading Catholic Magazine since 1887.”  He was very kind to sit and chat with me over coffee and even invited me to write an article in the magazine.  I hope to write about God’s heart for justice and mercy, as well as the work that IJM is doing.

One of the Sisters, Joseph and I

Currently, there is construction for a new building for the Sisters, which will be able to house 90 children and should be completed in August.  For now, Joseph is the only child staying with them until the building is completed.  The Sisters serve in the community and also watch some of the children from the slums so that their parents can work.

I was a little nervous traveling 8km in an auto by myself.  I was praying all morning that God would provide me with a good auto driver who spoke English and could get me to the right place. Even though we ended up at the building that was under construction, everything went really smoothly.  My driver was very nice and made sure that I got to the right spot safely.  On the way we passed a church with a well-timed reminder painted across the building—“Fear not for I am with you.”

Joseph was excited to use the crayons and paper I brought.

I was amazed at the gentleness and patience of the Sisters.

Looking out the gates of the Sister’s of Charity.

This was a great experience and a good reminder of what’s really important.  I will definitely be back to visit the Sisters again before I leave.