Feeling better.. back to work I went!

Back to Mother Teresa's Dying and Destitute I went today.. finally feeling 90% better!  I just want to give everyone a quick run down of my morning.. I got to the Mother House around 830.. I first helped the women (who are able to get around there) scrub the floors.. It was a group effort so it only took about 45 minutes.  Afterwards I went into the women's bedroom and helped them make beds.. Monday mornings they change all the sheets.. this sweet women was having difficulties.. you could see the arthritis in her hands.  I asked her if I could help and her eyes lit up! After that point she took me under her wing and we went around the room changing the sheets together!  She thanked me for the help when all was done with a huge smile!  While the women were out exercising I made my way back to the "medicine cabinet" that I spoke of before.  I had all the medications researched and began to group them by classification.. The basket that contains them all is pretty ragged so I came up with a few ideas on how to make dividers to keep the medicine separate from each other.  ( I have the CCS staff helping me build a wooden box with dividers and a lock that the Sister's can use instead of the raggedy woven basket).  I started doing my exams on the women.  Holy Cow-- it is amazing how excited people get over a blood pressure cuff :)  I performed 10 exams today- 6 have hypertension accompanied with wheezes, rales, and crackles.  The other 4 had normal blood pressures.  I started a chart for each women so after I leave the Sister who I taught how to take a blood pressure will be able to continue to monitor the women.  Around 11am I headed out to the front of the building.  Twice a month locals from the community are allowed to come to the Mother House where I Sister is waiting.  They stand in a cue and wait to talk to the Sister.. they start by giving their name (today I maintained the registry) and then they tell the Sister why they have come.  Most women were ill or their children were sick.  The Sister had a large table filled with medications.. as the women gave their complaints the Sister packaged pills, went over instructions, and gave out the medicine.  It is insane to see!!  A line of women and men (most severely poverty stricken) receiving medicine's (free), without being seen by a doctor, trusting the Sister, and then walking away with a glimpse of hope to get better.  So simple.. so thankful.. really makes one think!?!?  After the last (patient) left I helped clean up and then headed back inside to help feed some of the crippled ladies their lunch!  It was an amazing day!  I am so glad to be back to work :)

I am obsessed with these hand-stitched umbrellas! 

After lunch today Lalit our Cultural Perspective in charge took us to 3 different Religious places of worship.  First we went to Jama Masjid-- which is located in "Old Delhi"  It is the largest Mosque in Delhi which was built in 1644.  When we first arrived we took off our shoes before entering, (most wash their hands, feet, and neck in the "holy water") as well.  When inside everyone turns to the West to pray. If you can read Arabic there are books containing the words of prayer that many will borrow while in the Mosque.  Inside is a cupboard that contains a collection of Prophet Muhammad's belongings.  Unfortunately I could not take pictures.. so what I saw was a red hair from his beard, a Koran of his that was written on deerskin over 1,040 years ago, and his sandals.  It was very intriguing to see the remaining pieces of such a profound Prophet.  

I know I probably shouldn't take so many pictures of random people who are on the streets clearly because they have no home but I find them to be so intriguing and beautiful.  It is amazing to see their face.. I can almost read their life story.. it is seen in their eyes, their hands, their feet.. It is simply amazing!

Next we headed to Lakshmi Narayan Temple-- also known as the Birla Temple.  It enshrines Lord Vishnu- the Preserver of the Hindu Trinity.  Unfortunately we were not able to take pictures.  We once again removed our shoes before entering!  It is very interesting to see the people praying to the "gods"

Our next stop was Bangla Sahib Gurudwara- Sikh Bunglow.. I of course was the "ass" of the group who wanted to make a turban! I didn't go inside like this I did cover my head though!  The word Sikh means disciple.  A Sikh is a person who believes in One God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus.  The religion was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 AD.  Guru Nanak and the nine other Gurus who succeeded him, set a wonderful example of living spiritually, while yet taking an active and secular part in the world.   

This is the outer edge of the Bunglow.  The water that is shown is where men wash before, after, or during prayer.. on the right side is a cement wall which contains a private bathing area for women.  As we entered we again took our shoes off but this time we had to take our socks off as well.  We then dipped our feet in water to wash them of evil and dirt and covered our heads (including men) then we entered the temple.  Inside most were on their knees or even their chests praying.  Their were three men (Ragis) who were singing the hymns (Kirtan) around the Sikh Holy Book.  At night and in the morning the book is transferred from a Sacred room on a persons head.  After you are finished with prayer you exist towards the back end closest to the water.  Outside their is a man waiting with a stand.  Everyone is handed a hand-full of semoliner-pudding.  It is made from flour sugar, and butter.  

Myself, Rebecca, Bob, Kelly, and Alex with the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara behind us!

From start to now finish this day was fantastic!  We ended with delicious Tandoori chicken and freshly baked Naan for dinner!  So glad I am feeling better, finally have an appetite, and am back to work!  Thank you everyone for your well wishes and prayers!  If anyone has any questions about any of my blogs please feel free to ask!  Hope all is well!