Though his head lay closest to me, it was his feet I noticed first. Extending beyond the frayed hem of an ancient pair of pants that draped skin and bone, his feet were filth-covered gnarls that hadn't seen shoes in years. His body was curled into fetal but he was no child. Eighty years and circumstance had shriveled height and hope, and his pained expression belied one who welcomed his own passing. A frail mind understood but didn't care that his life remaining was now measured in days, not years.
It grieved me to observe the indifference of those who passed by him. To them, he was an invisible man and counted for nothing.
Now in Kolkata, India with a team of bloggers, I'll join them in visiting Compassion International projects this week where we'll meet locally sponsored children and the staff who serve them. We'll visit in homes meeting some of their families; and if everything works out, many of us will meet the children we sponsor.
But today wasn't about Compassion International, it was simply about compassion. We visited Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, whose goal was to minister to the poor, sick, orphaned and needy. She lived Christ to so many, loving by serving others with no regard for herself, in spite of doubts and misgivings we learned about after her death. She is entombed there now, but her presence lingers. Her precious legacy of love, service and humility continues.
We saw this in room after room of orphaned children, some in good health, others not as fortunate. These little bitty things sat sweet-naturedly at tables, eating their dinner out of tin plates, usually one person serving over half a dozen at a time…and I was surprised to see very young toddlers feeding themselves.
Some liked our group's attention and they flirted or smiled; others were immune to our existence. And some…absolutely broke my heart.
Like the little fella who stared at me through obsidian eyes and matching hair, whose expression questioned why I was there, who refused me a smile…
…and when I saw his bare feet extending out of a pair of hand-me-down pants, cleaned by compassionate hands, tears filled my eyes as I remembered the old soul I had seen minutes earlier. I prayed God's favor over this nameless little boy, that his life would fare differently.
The poverty in Kolkata is omnipresent; living conditions for many are unfathomable. Those who sponsor children through Compassion International RESCUE them and positively impact the entire family. Today, we saw countless neglected or abandoned or forgotten children. Beginning tomorrow and throughout the rest of the week, we''ll get to see one way HOPE is penetrating the vicious cycle of poverty and its lifelong effect.
Sunset in front of Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata, India.
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Do the "Blind Men and the Elephant" thing and get a complete perspective from all the Compassion bloggers:
Oh my word. I was in such a funk today, and I knew I needed some perspective. I figured I’d check in with the compassion bloggers–surely that would put an end to my pity party. And wow, did it ever.
Robin, this brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing these stories…and for writing the words that stopped me in my self-centered tracks and convicted the complaints right out of me!!
Thank you for your words of imagery and making me feel as I am walking with you. Though I am not walking there in India I am walking in prayer my friend. Praying for you each morning you are gone. Beautiful sunset.
Robin, you have painted a heart-wrenching scene with paradoxical beauty. Your deft, delicate touch speaks not just to your mastery of words, but also to the deep heart-well from which they spring. Thank you for allowing us to walk beside you, even when the steps are difficult.
Thanks Robin for taking the time out of your busy days/nights … to share with us. I know you’re exhausted, hot and just plain worn out … but us folks back here in the land of the privileged need the perspective, just like Jo said.
Oh friend, I’ve been checking like crazy to see your first post from India. Your words are so powerful! I know how hard it is to articulate emotion so deep and raw, but you’re doing it, already. Praying for you.
Wow, Robin. I feel like I’m there with you. There you are in India. I will pray that the Lord continue to give you clear and beautiful ways to communicate what you see and hear and discover as He has in this post. Thank you.
With you all in prayer…
Robin, beautiful post! I’m praying for you and can’t wait to hear more. Praying.
Oh Robin. This is so tough, I’m sure, yet so very important. Your words are so stirring and heartbreaking but NEEDED. Praying, praying, praying for all of you. I can’t imagine how hard it must be with a Mama’s heart to see the little ones who suffer. :*(
Beautiful post. Praying for you during your trip.
I agree with Shannon – beautiful job of conveying what you are seeing.
I love you! Stay safe.
Jo, for whatever you’re struggling with, I’m so sorry it funkified you :(.
If our words did anything to help you find your way out of that, how cool?
I’ve been wondering since getting here and seeing incredible poverty…how
can I ever complain again about ANYTHING? A little perspective does that to
ya!
Thank you, Lori! I didn’t get the book you mentioned before I left, but
your case for it was compelling :). Thanks, too, for walking through this
with me in prayer, we’re all so desperate for that (on the team). Several
of us are struggling with sleep and diet issues, so prayer will be welcome
ANYTIME!
That sunset WAS beautiful! The photo is decent, but the real thing?
Stunning!
Durn, Stephen, your comment is prettier than the original post. Can I hire
you as an editor? You work pro bono?? (thanks, friend!) 🙂
I know this trip will throw you for a loop and through your written word, it will do the same for us also.
🙂
Naomi, thank YOU for taking time to read and comment! The more I learn and
experience firsthand about CI, the more I want to share their story with
others. Compassion is real, effective and excellent at what they do. I’m
grateful they invite sponsors/guests in to observe their work–talk about
perspective shaping!
THANK YOU, Shannon! Right now I’m **working** on my next post (and one for
you, Janice & Susan and Katja!), and it’s a delicate balance between
communicating the myriad emotions embedded in my heart without over
burdening the reader. I told Spence I have to keep my emotions at surface
level when I’m at a project…to go any deeper? I’d totally lose it. For
now, I just want them (kids and families) to sense the love of Christ in me
:).
Emily, thank you specifically for this prayer. My mind races in a thousand
directions at once, so clarity is essential if I’m ever gonna get anything
written! xo
Thank you! 🙂
Thank you! I’m working on the next post even as I speak (but be sure to
check out the Compassion Blogger’s page for more info).
That’s an ever-present thought that runs through my head, too. While it’s
hard for me to observe this level of poverty, I can’t imagine being a mom
LIVING in it and seeing your kids struggle as a result.
Thank you, Tania, for your kind words and prayer!
Thanks Karla! Love to you, too!!! xo
Hmmm, if I gotta go through it, YOU gotta go through it ;). (j/k)
~ Robin
So glad you made it safely. I’m praying for you all…for wisdom, for words, for the unspokens and the unknowns.
Hugs,
CathyT
wow… tears here, too.
One of the links (to the other compassion bloggers) made me realize I need to write a letter to our 4 year old sponsored child in Peru.
(She asked us to pray that her father would find employment. I now feel so humbled and negligent of my duties.)
Robin, whatever the case, your words inspired me enough to write a bit myself and to include a link back to your post. (Sorry-I couldn’t figure out how to use a trackback to save my life).
Thanks again. It was a reality check for me…good, much needed perspective.
Robin, I truly don’t even know what to say. But I want you to know that I’m following your journey in India, praying for you and the team and gaining so much from your compassionate heart.
Robin, you all are so much on my heart that I even dreamed about “the Compassion bloggers” last night! Does it count if I prayed for you in my sleep?! Either way, I’ve been praying for you – wide awake – the past several days. It’s interesting for me to read your account of Mother Teresa’s impact, because I have to admit that even though I knew about her in a general sense, I never really thought about what she DID. And what it MEANT. Thank you for sharing. I’ll keep praying…
well duh, isn’t that partly what this is about?!! 🙂 There are some out there that could not ever be able to take a trip like this, for whatever reason. Just like Melissa said in her post, you all are being representatives, not only for God but for other Compassion sponsors and for those yet to be sponsors. The words you write on your blog(s) are important. They can and will transform someone, anyone….everyone that reads.
This is pretty interesting. Kudos to you for writing and sharing this here.