I am not sure I could ever convey what I have experienced here the last few days but I know I must try...
I came here with Life Outreach International. It is a wonderful organization birthed by James and Betty Robison that meets the needs of millions in poverty all over the world. Many of you have seen me on their popular TV program, Life Today. I went to Africa with them two years ago and now count it a privilege to serve once again in whatever capacity I might be able to give. We are here to film and document the amazing conditions that exist for hundreds of thousands of children. Our hope is to raise money for a Life Center and orphanage, which will provide many with a home and a guardian, things of which they have sorely lacked.
I have been trying to journalize as much as I can so that I might be able to explain it all - but mostly I am doing it for myself so that I will never forget.
This is India, a land of 1.2 billion people, 15% of the world's population. They are a people who have been oppressed and suppressed for thousands of years. The unthinkable is here. The unimaginable. Yet it is right before my eyes. I must confess that I was agonizing about coming here right after Christmas. I look forward to the holidays - and every year I want the days to go slower. Like you, my year starts way too fast. I want to take every opportunity I can to do what I think God would have me do - but going to a third world country at this time of year was more out of a sense of "duty."
God is so merciful. He is so patient with my lack of understanding and foolish complaining. I am in awe of Him and deeply humbled tonight as I sit on my bed attempting to convey my heart to you. I had no idea what was waiting for me here.
I have always talked about Mother Teresa. I admired her so... she would often talk about seeing Jesus in the eyes of the impoverished. I thought I knew what she was talking about in simply knowing that the breath of God is in every person. But, oh, she was referring to so much more. I had no idea...
Jesus has met me here. He has been in the eyes, smiles and the hands of the abandoned children of India. They are beyond poor but so much richer than me. And they have offered their "richness" freely to this orphaned Italian girl named Kathy Troccoli.
To see the condition that these little ones are living in is devastating.
