Worldwide Activity Report -- January 1998
FAR061 -- GP     spc

Copyright 1998 by The Family

Love's Reward
--Our Work with Some of India's Most Needy Children
By Luke, Crystal and Joy, India

         "It is in giving that we receive," St. Francis of Assisi said in his famous poem, "The Prayer of Saint Francis." Since coming to India some months ago, we have experienced just that. In fact, we have received beyond measure as we have extended our lives to others.

No stopping place
         It all started a few short weeks after we and our children arrived in Bombay, when we were unexpectedly asked to help take 150 physically and mentally handicapped children for a picnic at the beach. These children had rarely left the dingy, crowded compound where they lived, we were told, so this would be a major event for them.
         Our first reaction was one of surprise and reluctance--perhaps born of a twinge of selfishness--and we thought twice before committing ourselves. While living in Western Europe, we had helped other Family members coordinate truckloads of humanitarian aid to war-torn areas of Croatia and Bosnia, and to needy institutions in the former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe. In Switzerland, we had helped a large community of drug addicts. But each new project brings with it an element of apprehension, and this suggestion of "hands on" care was no exception.
         These children, living in these circumstances, in this country? The thought was a bit scary for all of us at first. We knew that once we got involved, there would be no stopping place. Our lives would no longer be our own. The hours would be long and demanding. But we also knew from experience that the initial struggle would soon be over and we would feel the warmth and fulfillment that all deeds of love and kindness bring. And so we said yes and ventured into the world of the physically and mentally handicapped--and what a world!

Love sponges
         Imagine being locked in a tight little world your whole life, with passers-by gawking at you or recoiling in fear or repulsion, oblivious to the fact that, although your body is distorted and some of your mental faculties are not operational, your inborn longing for love and acceptance is intact. Imagine a world where, out of shame or indifference or because they can barely cope with their other problems, parents disappear or shut you out.
         The beach outing was a grand success, and we found that these children's emotional needs were so simple to fulfill. In fact, they needed just one thing--love! Like so many love sponges, they soaked up every bit of love, care, and kindness we offered. Together we played simple little games, we danced, we sang. They were so cute singing their hearts out--off key--and they loved it. One day with them changed our lives. We wanted to visit these forsaken and forgotten children again and again.

Putting feet to our prayers
         On one of our visits to the children's compound we learned that each rainy season a number of the children die of pneumonia and other preventable illnesses. When we inquired further, we learned that many of these deaths were the result of the children not having dry clothes or bedding. Even during the dry months, washing machines were a desperate need; the institution was so short-staffed that the children were expected to wash their own sheets and clothes by hand. That would be a challenge even for older children with full physical and mental faculties. For these children, it was clearly more than could be expected.
         And so we had the idea to build a laundry facility at the children's home. In addition to the 300 handicapped children we mostly work with, this institution also cares for 1,200 orphaned, abandoned or abused children. The laundry facility needed to be big!
         "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you," Jesus promised in Matthew 7:7. If it was God's will for these children to have clean, dry clothes--which we were sure it was--God would help things to fall into place. We prayed together for a donation of industrial washing machines and dryers, and Luke started phoning around.
         Someone suggested he try a certain hotel. That hotel couldn't donate machines, but the manager referred Luke to a company that makes industrial laundry machines. The manufacturers said they couldn't donate the needed machines, but they referred Luke to a Catholic hospital that had just bought a set of new machines. That was the lead Luke had been looking for! The dear nuns at the hospital were very happy to donate their old machines to the children's home. Though secondhand, the machines were very good quality and still had a lot of life in them.
         But that was just the beginning. Next came soliciting donations of bricks, cement, tiles, electrical fixtures, plumbing and roofing materials, doors, windows, paint--a seemingly endless list--and transporting it all to the compound. Many members of the Bombay business community rose to the occasion. The cheerful giving of their time, energy, and materials was a beautiful display of love in action.
         The project site became a beehive of activity, of giving, and sharing the workload. Many of the children helped as well, including some of the handicapped children, and those who weren't able to help physically cheered the workers on.
         The grand opening was held on August 15, the day India celebrated its 50th year of independence. The workers stayed late the night before to finish painting and hooking up the machines in time for the ribbon ceremony. Members of the local police department came with a nice snack for the children.
         Our own children, dressed as clowns, began the program. They and other Family members sang some lively songs, accompanied by several guitars and Joy on her violin. Crystal and Jonathan got the children clapping, dancing, singing along, and doing actions to the songs--not all at once, mind you. Then we thanked everyone who helped make the new laundry facility possible, cut the ribbon, and christened the machines. The smiles on the children's faces were priceless!

Love exchange
         We continue to visit the children regularly. We bring them food, clothing and other donated items and--more important--love, acceptance and friendship.
         Many of the children can't control their facial expressions or bodies. Some slobber. Most have shaved heads because lice infestation is rampant in their less-than-ideal living conditions. All go barefoot for lack of shoes, and they wear torn, worn-out clothes. They're usually dirty because their property is so dusty and has no proper roads. Half of them are missing teeth.
         But their vacuum for love is astounding! Each time we visit, they jump up and down, they pull on us, they reach out their hands for a reassuring touch. We can't walk a step without one of them holding onto our arm and leading us here and there--showing us a litter of newborn puppies or taking us to the sickbed of a friend. Our communication is mostly in mime because the children don't speak English and we're just learning Marathi, the local language, but they sense that we are sincere and that we love them. There's a love exchange, a certain magic that can't be put into words. We feel unworthy to receive so much love from them.

The best is yet to come
         As you've probably gathered by now, we're hooked on these children, and our hearts ache to be able to help them even more. Next, we hope to put in proper roads and walkways at the compound, and build a meeting hall so that large groups can attend activities indoors. Both of these projects will be costly and time-consuming, but these children are needy and worth it!
         Can you help us help them? We're sure you'll find, as we have, that love is its own reward. You cannot lose by giving! God bless you!
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Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family