Mark Guirgis
Posted on December 31st, 2006 by info
So where do I start? All I can say is, “WOW…just WOW”. I’ve been to Africa and thought I saw it all, the poorest of the poor, the destitute and the disease-stricken, but Kolkata (Calcutta) is on a different level. In Kenya, there are nice areas and poor areas, but in Kolkata, the entire city is one big slum. I think I can speak for the entire group in saying that this city is the most poverty-stricken place on earth. Every day I am overwhelmed by the poverty and number of people living on the streets. It seems that every block has at least 10-15 people living right there on the sidewalk; whole families living on the sidewalk.On Saturday afternoon, I went to Kalighat - the first mission of Mother Teresa in Kolkata. It is known as the home of the destitute and dying. The people outside the home are as bad as those inside. Those inside are in stable, but difficult shape. At its best, It’s heart-wrenching. There are about 60-70 men and women in various degrees of helplessness; some have terminal illnesses, others have terrible infections or diseases that need to be treated.
I touched Jesus yesterday. There was a beatiful man with honey-colored eyes that had themost amazing sparkle to them. He and I looked at each other without blinking for about 5 min. I started to rub his arm and he fell asleep (thank God, b/c if he didn’t I would have started crying). A little bit later, I took Jesus for a ride in a wheelchair in the sun.He was a gentle man who could not move half his body or speak due to a significant stroke some time ago. He particularly loved sitting in the sun. The amazing thing is that he had a perpetual and infectious smile on his face. Although he was permanently paralyzed it seemed that he was happy to have someone caring for him, loving him. Later, I saw a volunteer speaking to one of the older men and then just start crying - I watched them and wanted to do the same.Mother Teresa was right. If you want to touch, feed, cloth or love Jesus, you have to do it to the people He loves - His children. Those who have no one to love them, care for them, feed them and clean-up after them are Jesus. I find myself subconsciously praying silently while I work with these wonderful young men. There’s nothing else you can do that will keep you from getting disgusted, sick or otherwise turned off. Make no mistake, this is not the easiest service in the world, but IT IS the most fulfulling.
Please pray for our strength, health and well-being and safe return
(hopefully one day to Kolkata!!).
(hopefully one day to Kolkata!!).
Filed under: Uncategorized
Dearest Mark -
Praise be to God for enabling you to not be conformed to this world but transformed through the divine power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ…It is truly through this divine power that you touch these people’s lives. May the Lord embrace you with His love and let His light shine through you and the others….we love you dearly and you are missed at home!
Old man G,
Truly inspiring…..I wish I could be there with you guys. Can’t wait to hear more stories in the animated Mark Girgis fashion. The church body misses you guys very much. Irini pasi.
Faresha
mark what can i say as i read your blog some tears came down my face and yet as i strive for a reason i dont know how to explain what is happeing to me, u touched my heart with your comment mark and your service to these ppl.. god bless u all there…
mike wassif
Merry Christmas to you and the family Mark!
Dude, “WOW” is RIGHT!
I’m glad you guys are home safe and that this trip made a great impact on you spiritually. Thanks for sharing your throughts on this experience with us. God bless you all for caring for Jesus.
Mena (not that Mena, one of the other Mena’s) Stafanous
Mark! Welcome back. How awesome is it that you were able to touch and be with our sisters and brothers, who are so much closer to our Lord than we are. In the book “Mother Teresa-No Greater Love”, Mother Teresa says that poverty is freedom, a freedom that what we possess doesn’t own us, or hold us down and keep us from sharing or giving of ourselves. I pray that we are all moved to do this with those near and far. It is clear that your group experienced “No Greater Love” than that of giving oneself in Calcutta. Congratulations to you on knowing what it is like to have NOTHING.
“Let us remain as empty as possible so that God can fill us up” -Mother Teresa
I can’t wait to talk in person. Love, Liz, Joe, and Catherine