Beginning of a New Mission – A unique Experience for Me

I was excited when I first heard that I was getting transferred to Jharkhand.  And yet at the same time, I was a bit scared and fearful about the new place because it was going to be a totally new experience.

On the 9th of June we began our journey and on 10th we reached in the night to Govindpur Road, Jamhar, our new mission place.  It was pitch dark when we arrived and I could not see anything.  The first thing I noticed was the terrible fluctuation of light and a thought ran through my mind ‘my God here the problem is electricity! How will we stay here without proper current?’ But all those thoughts were pushed in the corner as we hungrily savoured our first dinner at our Landlord Mr. Marshall’s place. I remembered the words of our Foundress, Mother Ascension: “For the mission you need a tempered spirit” and so in the same spirit we started exploring the new place searching to get something for breakfast. I can say that after coming here, life has become very simple. 

The following Sunday we had a welcome program in the parish and the people were really happy to see us.  In the parish what I liked most is the simplicity of people and their simple faith. They are very generous and kind, ever ready to help us out in every way. I was just getting used to the place and the environment. Then I got the second shock; we had no current almost for one week then, I was thinking why God is sending all the difficulties at the same time to us!!! Well, we needed to find a solution!!  The moment there’s little rain the electricity becomes very erratic. 

One day, since the railway station is near to our house, we decided to charge our mobile at the station!!! We also requested in one grocery shop to help us charge our mobile and they were kind enough to charge our mobile. Now I don’t feel so much troubled as before. This for me was a unique experience which taught me a great lesson that I can live without electricity! By now, I got used to this kind of situation. I remember Jesus’ words to His disciples before sending them for mission “Do not fear, only believe“ (Mark 5:36). This challenged me to set aside all my fears and anxieties and live in fullness my missionary vocation in this place called Jamhar. In 1 Thes 5:16-18, St. Paul says, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every moment.” I learned to boost my spirit by thanking the Lord and cultivating a grateful heart.

The thought of teaching in Hindi medium school made me very nervous and anxious because knowing that the language is different than teaching. I had difficulty getting proper Hindi words while teaching, but I took this as a challenge and prepared myself. The first day of school, I was a bit fearful and anxious, but I was able to manage. Now I feel confident that I can teach. As Pope Francis cited in the Apostolic Exhortation ‘Gaudete et Exsultate’, we cannot forget that “Life does not have a mission but, is a mission”.  So, I feel this is what I have learned here, to leave everything in the hands of God for He knows what I need and gives me the best and helps me to become a good missionary. “It is not enough to act well, but to do it good as well.”  I remembered these words of our Founderess to take up the challenge and go ahead cheerfully in following Jesus in my religious life.

Sr. Rupali

St Martin De Porres Community, Jharkhand

St. Mary’s Province – India