Your world is the person in front of you. Rather than worrying about the chaos of the world, love and serve the person in your presence.
All 25 ESM missionaries were sent in pairs across the North-East of America to live with the Missionaries of Charity for 2 weeks.
What work did you do?
Housing the homeless
We lived with 7 women aged in the 50-60's. We cared for them, cooked for them, cleaned for them, listened to their rants and complaints and stories of how they ended up in the care of the sisters.
Visiting the sick and lonely in hospitals and nursing homes
Cleaning the homes of the elderly
Visiting families for moral support by talking with them, playing with the kids and praying
Visiting homeless shelters and looking for older women to bring into our care
"If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." - Mother Teresa
Lessons learned
Cultural poverty:
America is a very rich country with a great poverty in relationships, especially within their families. Many experience destruction within the family and so have no one to call on when they become homeless or too old to take care of themselves.
You really cannot judge:
For many, homelessness comes about from uncontrollable circumstances. It can really happen to any of us. The same goes for drug intake and alcohol addictions; you have no idea what people are going through and what leads them down those paths.
Listening is power
Give someone a listening ear and it can help them feel safe enough to share their story, what is on their heart and what they need to get off their chest. By being attentive to what is being shared the person feels heard and loved and then healing begins to take its course.
Practical tips to take away
Pray EVERYDAY because all this work is not from our own strength. It comes from Christ.
Do little things with great love and a joyful attitude.
Love your family.