The Journey is As Important as the Destination

On Monday morning (or Sunday night for most of our readers), we left Sacred Heart Nursing College and drove seven hours to Chennai. After refreshing with hospitality at the SSHJ convent, and a quick stop at the Shrine of St. Thomas, we hopped on a plane from Chennai to Dubai (four hours), then on a plane to Boston (13.5 hours) and now - we're on our last flight to Buffalo (a mere 1 hour and 10 minutes). Over the past 11 days, we've traveled about 60 hours and 17,000 miles on airplanes and well over 30 hours and 1000 miles in a car or van - why? Why would we do this? Perhaps because the journey is as important as the destination.

On this journey to and through India, we learned so much about ourselves, one another and a new culture and community that is now a part of us. We have laughed - hard and often. We have cried - in overwhelmedness, frustration and joy. We have been humbled - by encountering radical hospitality and extreme poverty. We have been inspired - by women religious, children, medical professionals, diverse faith traditions, strangers, and each another. We are returning - changed, full, and open in new ways.

This is what we have to say to all who are reading - this is not the end. This trip was the beginning of something very important for each of us personally, but also for something bigger than ourselves. We can't wait to see what emerges from the new bridges we have between Gannon University and our teachers and friends in Tamil Nadu.

The photo above is from the Boston airport right before we left Shefali behind to catch her flight to Philadelphia and the rest of us went on to Buffalo. We'd like to introduce you to Linda "Liffy" James - she is a young woman from Vellore who returned with us to the USA in order to work on a research project with Dr. Steve Mauro at Gannon. This journey was not only Liffy's first time to the USA, it was also her first time on an airplane. We are honored that she'll be investing in our community over the next nine months and grateful for opportunity to give back to her a little of the hospitality we experienced in India.

Cultural Connections

We arrived at Saint Anthony's on Friday and stayed until Sunday. We had a blast visiting the children and visiting the elderly home a few hours away. Our last day we dressed in saris  and watched the children and sister put on a wonderful program that included dancing and singing. We will miss all the people we have met and are so grateful for their hospitality and welcoming!

Confluence

After spending time at Mercy Home, a loving community for physically and mentally disabled children and adults in Anaikarai, we traveled to the St. Antony Children's Home in Nagercoil. On the way, we stopped in Kanyakumari to put our feet in the triple confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabic Sea. It is also the place where Mahatma Ghandi's ashes were kept for public viewing before immersion in the water.

Visit to Meenakshi Temple

Nursing Students Q&A

Rain Dance

Shefali and Ashley share the joy of a rain storm - much needed in the midst of a five year drought.

Community Lab

A nursing student demonstrates her skill in screening for glucose, hypertension and other health concerns during a community home visit.

Take care of today God will take care of tomorrow

Today, we were challenged as a group and as individuals in the work and love we were able to see and feel in the community. It was a busy day, with an amazing breakfast from the sisters. We travelled to the Government Head Quarters Hospital.  After meeting with the Joint Director and given a tour of some of the facilities, we were challenged with the question of how our medical services and resources differ from this Government funded hospital in Tamil Nadu, India. Some of the places we were shown included the labor and maternity unit, pediatric ICU, Bloodbank, STD outreach, and more. “Take care of today, God will take care of tomorrow,” was the quote above the nurse’s station; it was helpful in reflecting todays journey. After, we travelled with the sisters and nursing students to witness and experience a glimpse at home care, it was different in many aspects. We even witnessed rain (which is very rare here at times). The day concluded with meeting the nursing students at SSHJ. As it started we were unsure how it would unfold. It turned into hours of questions, laughing, and exploring cultures. Today was a wonderful day full of experiences like no other.  Love, Tori

Arrived at Sacred Heart

We made it to Sacred Heart College of Nursing in Dindugal. Along the way, we stopped on the side of the road for fresh coconut water,  it was delicious! When we arrived at the college, all of the students,  professors, and Sisters openly welcomed us with flowers, music, shawls, and blessings. Then, the students put on a program for us in which they preformed a variety of cultural dances. Tomorrow,  we will be spending time with the nursing students in the hospital and homes in the surrounding community.

Welcome Mandala at Sacred Heart Nursing College

Shefali's Fan Club

Shefali was a rock star at the Nursing College when she shared a Hindi Bollywood dance at our welcome program!

Road Trip Snack Break

Monday Morning

Attended mass at Assumption Cathedral with the Sacred Heart Sisters. It was the Bishop's birthday and we all gifted him with a shawl and received a blessing from him! We ate breakfast with the Sisters and are now on the road to Sacred Heart Nursing College in Dindugal. All are in good spirits and can't wait for the rest of the week to come. -Ashley

Arrived Safely!

Just a quick note to let you know we arrived safely after almost 30 hours of traveling. Everything went very smoothly on the way. We were greeted at the airport by a wall of intense heat and humidity, alleviated by a group of sisters with flowers and kisses on both cheeks for each of us. More soon!

JFK

 Arrived in JFK and were greeted with donuts for National Donut Day!! We couldn't say no to a free donut! 🍩🍩🍩

Departing Tomorrow

We leave from Buffalo tomorrow morning for our adventure to Tamil Nadu, India! This is the first time the Center for Social Concerns is visiting our partner community there. Our group will spend many hours in the car as we visit ministries throughout the region to build relationships and identify potential partnerships or projects for the future.

Please check out the sisters website and stay tuned for updates and reflections along the way:

www.sacredheartvellore.com