Mother Teresa’s Home For The Destitute and Dying – Our Last Day In Kolkata, India

home_for_the_destitute_and_dying

On our last morning in India, we went to two places that rocked my world in a matter of a few minutes. The Kalighat Kali Hindu Temple and Mother Teresa’s Home For The Destitute and Dying. These two places are the extreme opposite in what they do and they share a common wall.

I don’t have any image of the temple yet. But the only brief way to explain it is dark, human chaos of a misguided religion in action. We walked into the temple and people were every where getting their payers heard. In one corner a tree of fertility for those having a hard time having kids. In another corner goats are being butchered up because they were just sacrificed. There was blood everywhere on the ground with whatever else kind of mess we were walking around. Of course people we staring at us because we were ten very white people in the midst of them all. Men we laying face down on this same ground saying prayers and getting up to move one body length the lay face down and do it again and again and again. It was the darkest place I have ever been. Ever. Hundreds of people everyday go here so they can pray and offer sacrifice to their Kali god.

Next door was the light at the end of the tunnel. Quite literally. Mother Teresa’s first project in Calcutta(Kolkata). The Home For The Destitute and Dying. Pictures don’t seem to do it justice so I’ve posted the video below from CNN India (IBN Live) that gives a great picture of what we saw and experienced.
This is a place for those living on the streets who are on their last dying days. A place they can go to die with dignity and in the loving arms of someone who cares.

This was an incredible experience and I will never forget it. The sights, sounds, and smells were overwhelming to say the least. This is reality… and I’m still trying to figure out how to now make more of a difference in my sphere of influence now that I have seen true and humble service to the poor.

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Category: Travel
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  • http://intensedebate.com/people/MaureenTA MaureenTA

    Did u take that picture??? Its quite the shot! I can only imagine what you are processing, I went through the same thing the first time I was in a situation like that. Hugs!!!

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/evaulian EvaUlian

    If blogging has a mission, this what is written here, is surely one of them.

  • http://www.disasterlogistics.org Randy Roberson

    Came across this and had to add a comment. You see my life was forever changed at the Home for the Destitute Dying and just around the corner at the Kali Temple. My first trip there was in 1998 with the man who would become my mentor for 8 years (prior to his death) and was also a long time friend of Mother Teresa, Dr. Larry Ward.

    Larry was the founder of Food for the Hungry, was former VP/Overseas Director for World Vision and no stranger to Compassion International. Former President Ronald Regan also named him "White House Ambassador to the Hungry World.

    I met him on a radio talk show I hosted for nearly a decade. I became fascinated with his story, how the Lord had worked in his life and his focus on Isaiah 58. We became friends and the next thing I knew I was in Calcutta with him working with some of the 3 million Dalits (poorest of the poor) on the streets there. That is where I gave my life to the Lord.

    After an 8 year mentorship with Larry, learning much about disaster and humanitarian relief, Larry went home to be with the Lord. I have continued to carry on this ministry work I've been called to (dropped broadcasting and a real estate biz). Since then I have worked – and continue to do so – in many countries, many disasters and many areas of humanitarian crisis, offering a cup of cool water to the thirsty, food to the hungry and medical aid to the wounded.

    Yes I certainly understand the amazing impact that a visit to the Kali Temple, with all its darkness and then just around the corner to Mother Teresa's Home for the Destitute Dying, with all its light of love, can have on a life. Glad to hear that the Lord continues doing amazing things there.

    In His grip,

    Randy

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