Mission with Mary

The invitation came to join Mary on her mission for a morning helping at a blind centre. While I have heard many stories over the past few weeks of the children there, it was a delight to experience it first hand. 

The centre is both a day school and residential education centre where they support children in formal education as well as rehabilitation and life skill training. There was a lot of focus on these two with recreational activities and vocational training to give the students a chance to adapt to an independent living when reach the age of eighteen / twenty. 

Arriving we were greetings by a large open space, many children sitting around listening to music on the loud speaker and talking to each other. Its a typical scene of any school you might enter upon. There was a sense though, sense of difference, sense of peace and small little laughs that fluttered up in the air at different independent moments. Standing waiting for the bell to ring, the meaning of walking two by two takes on a complete different context… or does it!?! To walk together means safely, means the journey of darkness is one of light, one of breaking down fear of the physical blindness as well as the dissolving isolation that comes with darkness. Walking two by two or even three, four, all connected by hand or shoulder gave sense of the path unknown yet travelled together we will overcome all obstacles as there is strength among us. 

The bell rang and everyone gathered around the central field for morning exercise. We gathered with them to do stretches and also for me to give a bit of myself to the mosquito family that was having a feast!

Following this, I was introduced to everyone with a warm welcome and invitation to speak. After which we served the beautiful children lemon water with a great sense of excitement at the day before them all. While the gentle hand guided the thirsty children, it was a touch of love and support. A few could speak english, some more phrases than others who try out their language skills expressed through manners. 

Lesson one started and I sat in on Mary music tutoring. It was moving to hear the boy sing with soul, sang with passion. He has a great voice and an amazing feel for music. He could speak a little English so while resting after he set up the dinning room for lunch we talked a little. “what type of music do you like?” “Classical” and he hum off different pieces. To witness the sharing of talent and gift, was something no words can express. The receiving was as precious as the giving, that created a space full of praise, full of tender life. 

After first lesson we went and gave out biscuits for morning tea to those who wanted. There was twin girls who had a little sight. They were taken by the white skin, the embroidery on my top and wanted me to speak Vietnamese to them. Moments like that I wish I had basic sentences to be able to engage in the moment. One Day!!!!

Before second lesson we were speaking to the principle and she wanted me to meet some girls who were learning English in the evening. She said it would be great for them to practice and also I could help them. First we went to the rosary making room, yet she said they had finish there so onto the tea making room. After the girls explained what to do, away we went and then I was set up with a station of packing tea while the girls worked on the line. We joyfully chatted away, between our English and Vietnamese we got there. While I don’t think that I will be employer of month, it was a deep reality check of the different “worlds” that are living side by side.

Walking around the centre for me had many impacts. If I was born on this land, in this country I too would possibly be in a place like this, unable to afford eye specialist care, or even have access to it. Yet while this is not too much to dwell on, its the fact these children seem so at peace with the situation they find themselves in. While I was sitting there talking to the girls as we prepared the tea, I had a moment of this is what it would have been like for Elizabeth Prout in her time. To sit with the women talking away, empowering them, meeting them where they are to share a moment of joy! Is this not what we all are called to do? 

The experience was soul touching, I take it to prayer to reflect, give thanks for this interweaving into my story. Its a deep reminder though that we are all on the road … what road!?!… does it matter??… road to Emmaus walking in twos or the road to Jericho praying not to see as the priest and Levite. Whatever road we are upon, may we remember that our natural reflect of see and avoid, is not within us. We are gifted spirit and called to see all as they truely are, created in the Lords image. This in itself calls for us to be people of PEACE, with voices of HOPE and doing the hard work of LOVE.