Bringing MEW to mother theresa

Yesterday I spent the afternoon in the mother Theresa Clinic. When I have gone before, I have always just tagged along with the Jesuits or the med students dressing wounds, but as that is a morning duty, I was able to get assigned to another area. I was encouraged by the Jesuits, who were technically still on retreat and thus not working, to head up to the disturbed children's ward on the women's side. After getting permission from the sister on duty, i made my way in, introducing myself to the children. They are really quite precious. There is one child, who pushes herself along and grabs forcefully to your legs, hands, whatever is in reach to pull herself up to her feet. She will keep a tight grip and won't let you set her on her rump, so this, ideally, is a situation to be avoided. I kept her occupied instead by singing the opening lines from an old MEW song we did called Pie R Pie. The song would simply begin with basic beebop words: budum way, bu way bu way doo. budum way, bu way bu way doo...." and i would then make up the rest. This kept her thoroughly mesmerized. I also met a young beautiful girl in a wheel chair, who with her frail hands, simply held my hand and smiled when i talked to her. Another girl approached me the moment i came in and just grabbed my hand. She was all smiles. It is wonderful to be somewhere where one can just be present. Their presence is also quite healing for me. Encountering suffering and poverty daily, I feel as if i put up shields so as to protect my own sanity. I fear sometimes that this leads me to have a cold heart. Being with these children was rejuvenating for me, awakening my own heart, and allowing me to share it with them.