Finding Calcutta

Mother Theresa is best known for serving the poor for many years in Calcutta. As other missionaries would come to see her work, they would often want to stay and work alongside her. Here was her response:

“Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right there where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools. You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see. Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society — completely forgotten, completely left alone.” Mother Teresa (1910-1997); Founder Of The Missionaries Of Charity

Recently 15 people from Bellwood Church served in Hindman, Kentucky with a ministry called SWAP; "Sharing With Appalachian People". It is a home repair ministry that serves low-income families in several counties of southeastern Kentucky and West Virginia.We spent a week getting to know homeowners who have called that area home all of their lives. We did work for them such as repair roofing, flooring, and painting. It wasn't always easy or the best working conditions but it was great to serve and connect with the folks.

It was an amazing contrast - the beauty of the mountains surrounding the poverty of the people. I would do it again in a heartbeat because I have  found my Calcutta.