My life has been changed.

I came across this photo of my friend, JJ who I volunteered with in India. It is one of my favorite photos of him helping a lady put her sandals back on after having her feet bandaged up. It has been 2 months since I've been back, but everyday I reflect upon the opportunity I had to serve there. Through hard times, this is one of the things dear and close to my heart that I hold on to. I've been thinking a lot about that...how God gives us experiences and the people in our lives to show us how much He cares and loves us. It's interesting reading the post I had right before leaving for India. I expressed that I had a healing towards my broken heart and I felt that I was made whole     ...but as we keep going in life, we still get hurt, broken hearts, disappointment, confusion, loss - but that's the thing: I can't just go back to India with hope to keep getting a healing towards my heart ....... but I can hold on to the things I learned there! I can hold on to my faith and hope! I can hold on to God and my Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement! Christ is the way! He is not a dead Christ. He is the LIVING CHRIST with healing in His wings!

A few days ago, I had a friend who said to me that he has seen a pattern established in me. He asked me, "Nusly, when were you the happiest this year? What about last year? And the year before?" - my answers always came to be the times when I had served. We truly have joy when we are in the service of our fellow beings which is being in the service of our God. I'm not in India anymore where I am helping the children at the school or the patients at the leprosy colonies, but I have been very blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people here back at home. I've realized that service really can be being there for someone: listening, talking, spending time, taking interest.. Let us all be a true, loyal, and trustworthy friend.

"The crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

Best summer ever!

I'm full of emotions... tomorrow is my last day at Rising Star. I leave Saturday morning to go to New Dehli for a few days before I head to the US. I am so in love with India and the people. It warms my heart as we pass the village each day and wave to them - their whole face lights up! I also enjoy the country side - green grass, tall palm trees, cows everywhere, haha. In the distance, you can see a man carrying bundles of sticks or a woman carrying a water jug on the top of her head. India is like a painting on God's canvas...so colorful, bright... but like every painting, there is something that captures your eye - sometimes your heart... in India, it is the people.

If someone has leprosy in India, there is a social stigma attached and they are considered as an outcast to society. Even if one does not have leprosy, but one of their family members does, they too are considered outcasts. This affects their way of life because they are socially discriminated and are left to begging.

Today we went to a more developed leprosy colony. "Rising Star fosters small business growth as an alternative for begging." There are woman in this colony who do not have leprosy, but since they have family members that do, they cannot get jobs. They started a little business called "Pearls for Hope" and were trained in the skill of jewelry making. This gives them the opportunity to work, establish a career, and earn for their family instead of begging. Last week, they came over and displayed their jewelry for us. They were beautifully made and by the looking at these women, you could tell that they were proud of their work - as they should be! They were awesome! I bought a couple of pieces. I'm not a big jewelry type of person, but I was in love with their purpose and goal. We are aiming to end poverty and to promote self-reliance to these people. This is how these women earn a living and I wanted to support them.

After taking care of the patients today, we got to go to their art studio in this little home. There were hundreds of colorful paintings all around. I was overwhelmed in awe thinking how these people have created such incredible pieces with missing hands and fingers. I found a colorful painting that really spoke to me. As I picked it up, a woman named Uma came up next to me and said, "Mine," with a smile on her face. She was one of the patients I helped earlier for treatment. I told her that I wanted to purchase her painting and she was so happy! I know that whenever I look at this painting, I will be reminded about this experience that has changed my life.

I met the barber of the colony. His case was the worst I have ever seen...both of his legs were just ulcers all over from knee down to his feet. I helped to oil his legs. It  made me emotional...but wow. Wow - he was smiling to us... thanking us... being so strong. I write this with tears - these people who are affected by leprosy are the ones who have taught and served me so much. Whenever I come to the colonies, it is impossible not to feel a heavenly presence. They are so inspiring to me. I feel like these people already are in for God's kingdom because of their purity, immense love, and humility. I pray with all my heart that I will be more like them - more fit to be in the presence of my Heavenly Father.

And then there are these awesome kids! Rising Star also helps to educate the children that come from the surrounding villages and leprosy colonies. As volunteers, we helped with tutoring in math, writing, and reading. I am in love with them....every single one. They never fail to make your day! Today, their little choir sang "I Will Follow God's Plan" and I started to tear up. They were so excited to sing to us and I was so proud of them! The song says that each of us have a purpose and each of us have a plan - that is so true. I know God loves these children and He has many wonderful things in store for them. Priyanka saw that I was crying and asked me why.... it's really because I don't want to leave! Maybe I just shouldn't come back home... haha ;)

IT IS OFFICIAL! I have a little girl here at Rising Star who I sponsor! Her name is Shalini and she just turned 5 last week. The Spirit was swelling within me as I kept thinking about sponsoring her for the past 2 weeks and I feel like it BURST with JOY when I made it official!!! Tonight, I went up to her and said, "Shalini, guess what! I am your sponsor!" She smiled SOOOOOOOO BIG and said, "Sponser?" and pointed to me and then to herself. I nodded and said, "Yes!" - if it's even possible, her smile got even bigger! She started jumping up and down, clapping her hands, and did a little dance. AHHHHHHHH I ALMOST DIED! LOVE HER! LOVE HER! She then jumped into my arms and hugged me really tight! :) :) :)

Oh that baby girl has stolen my heart! I want her to do so well and to succeed. I feel that way about all of the kids - and they will. I believe in them. As I mentioned several posts earlier before I came to India, last semester was very hard for me. I really never felt so heart broken before, but I knew that this was going to be the best summer ever! EFY and India - being in God's service is what I needed. My heart is healed all thanks to the Lord and the people He had led into my life!

“I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things” (Alma 26:12 - Book of Mormon)

Serving in the colonies

This week we get to go to the colonies four times! I love going to the colonies and helping out however I can there. I really can't think of a better way to spend a week! This might be a long post... but WHATEVER IT'S MY BLOG! haha :)

Sometimes in the routine of life, we can get caught up in what we lack instead of what we have. I hope that we can count our many blessings and recognize the good hand of the Lord. The colony we went to today was located more out in the country. These people live in huts, wash their clothes by hand, do heavy labor out in the humidity and hot sun, sleep on the floor... This morning I was reading in Alma in the Book of Mormon and it asked for every man to be bring themselves down to the dust of humility - every day here in India, I am indeed humbled. I just wish I could do so much more.

I did bandaging today and it was an incredible experience. I sat next to the Indian nurse and asissted her. Each patient would sit down, lift their leg on a stand and she would use medical scissors to cut away any dead and rotting flesh off. One man had a flap of skin that was hanging on to the surface of his foot. The nurse cut it open to completely take the dark skin off - revealing his pink flesh underneath. It pained my heart seeing her do this because the patients would wince at times and the ulcers would start bleeding. Sometimes I would grab the patients hands or gently place my hand on their knee to comfort them. Tears would form in my eyes because I didn't want these people to be in any more pain, but I held back the tears. I kept having to remind myself that it needed to be done so it wouldn't get worse.

After the nurse cut away the patient's dead skin, she would place pads on the ulcers and that's when I'd grab the bandaging tape and wrap it around their feet. I'll never forget the old man with glasses who couldn't even walk because he had bad ulcers on the bottom of his feet. He had to drag himself to get treatment. I had to wrap his feet as he was sitting down on the floor. This man taught me such an important lesson.

One of my favorite hymns:
"Because I have been given much, I too must give.
...I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see

who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care.
I cannot see another's lack and I not share.
...That he too may be comforted."

Again, I don't want to focus on what I feel like I seem to be "lacking", but to endlessly praise and thank my Heavenly Father for all that I have been given...but also to give back. I want to do whatever I can to comfort my brothers and sisters everywhere: here in India and back at home. I want to be so close to God's Spirit to recognize His promptings - to be His healings hands to lift another's burden.

Yesterday, we got to go to a different colony. My station was the washing station. I loved it. I would pour water from a basin into a tub and wash their feet before they went to get their feet oiled and then bandaged. I had to gently scrub away any dirt surrounding their ulcers. I want to tell you about a woman named Maria - a woman with some spicey curry in her! Haha, she was a character for sure - loooove her! She's an old woman with very long graying hair going down her back. She was wearing sunglasses and the biggest smile. She always puts her arms up in gratitude. She had lost all of her fingers - her hands were dark brown with pink spots everywhere where the disease had affected her. She went to Allie first to get her old bandages snipped off, but Maria unraveled it by herself. She then came to my station to wash her one foot that had an ulcer around the size of an egg at the bottom of her foot. I washed her very gently because, again, it pained me to see this sweet woman with that. After she had gotten all of her treatment, she grabbed my hands with her palms and hugged me. She then gave me a kiss on the cheek. She had one of the most beautiful souls you could ever encounter.

Man...people like Maria are an inspiration. Here is a woman who is sick, but yet found every reason to smile and to bring smiles to other people's faces! We passed her little house and gave each of us flowers from her tree. Such an example for all of us.

John 13: 4-5, 14-15, & 17

"He riseth....and laid aside his garment; and took a towel, and girded himself."
"After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded."

"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet."
"For I have give you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye DO them."

How lucky I am to be having this experience! I am constantly thinking about the Savior and His love. It is so true - I really am happy when I follow the example of Jesus Christ. Emcompassing your life with loving others is what brings you the purest form of joy. The summer theme here at Rising Star is "It's All About Love" - it definitely fits :)

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Mariyambee is probably my biggest fan - hahaha! We're best friends and every night before she gets into bed, she gives me drawings and little notes. Yesterday, she showed me her right arm - with henna, she wrote my name out on her arm! Tonight, she showed me her other arm, my name was also written in henna on her left arm, hahaha! She grabbed my arm and put her name on it (and a couple of the other girls did too).

So........ I don't want to go home, haha.

I love India <3

YAY WEEKEND!




SHOUT OUT

On Saturday, we went to a town called Mamallapuram and saw some awesome temples and ruins. There was also a beach and it was beautiful! Well, okay, the beach is beautiful from a distance and looking off into it, but then interesting when you look at the sand which had all sorts of buried treasure: seashells, dead fish, a dead, dried up puffer fish, crab claws, sea sponges, sandals, tooth brushes, bottles... we then found a shortcut to get us back to the streets, but as we were walking, Allie goes, "Is that a snake?" I was right beside her, I looked down and there was a sickly green, long snake curled up. I stared at it for a second and then I think my brain finally registered and screamed. Everyone else screamed too and ran away, but I grabbed my camera, hahaha. Once I snapped a photo, I ran away. Ohhhh my GOSH, that snake was HUGE. I didn't see how long it was and I didn't know where his head was, but if was as thick as my lower calf! We're pretty sure it was dead. After I had my scared moment, I just was laughing so much because I was so happy! It was my goal to see a big snake before I left and I DID! WOOOO!



Saturday night was movie night with the kids and you know what we saw??? THE BEST MOVIE EVER........but not really, hahaha! We watched an Indian comedy movie and I had no clue was was going on. The girls would try explaining it to me what was going on, haha. I have to say, my favorite parts were these random scenes. You  could tell the main character was in love, so they would then show these mini-music videos of him running on a beach or wearing thug clothes in a field...what the... hahahhaha!!! I thought it was SO FUNNY and would laugh, but the kids would look at me and I would ask them, "Oh wait, is this not a funny part?" and they would say, "No Auntie," - oh my bad.. I apparently I laughed at the wrong parts. Even though I had no idea what was going on, it was such fun being with the kids and having them trying to explain it to me. Instead of watching the movie, I caught myself looking at them and smiling: man oh man oh man....I love these kids!





Today we traveled 2 hours to Chennai for church. Our directors informed us that church is usually English, but them is also Tamil spoken. When we walked into the chapel, we took our seats and listened as the choir sang hymns. I opened up my hymn book and started singing along and one girl motioned me to join in. It made me so happy singing with them! It was fast Sunday...MY FAVORITE! There incredible Spirit so present. Indian Latter-day Saints express their happiness and as they testified of Christ and of His gospel, their whole countenance shined bright. I got up to the podium and beared my testimony. I want to share it with you all as well: It is so amazing that the church is the same no matter where you are in this world and that same Spirit of God is present. I was so happy and filled with such love that thats how I know God's love is real...everywhere and to everyone. I love my Indian brothers and sisters. Sitting in church, it just felt like home.  They are my family. I know that Jesus Christ died for everyone one of them as He did for me - joyful tears were going down my face and it touched my heart seeing the congregation smiling at me and nodding in agreement.



I noticed that another van came full of several kids from Rising Star. Some of them are actually members, while others just come waiting to be 18 to be baptized or by getting permission from their parents. Wow, I didn't know that! I asked the girls if they come to church every Sunday, but they come every other. Since there are not enough vans, the older girls and boys alternate Sundays. Next week will be the boy's turn. I wish they had a bus that could bring them all together! It made me realize even more what a blessing Rising Star is....not only providing a way to education, but also it opens the door for missionary work. A lot of these kids are either Muslim, Hindu, majority Christian. I am so impressed by the youth here. Anytime they spoke or participated, they declared and testified with boldness and confidence. And oh my goodness Relief Society and the sisters....such passion! These women love the Lord and as one sister put it "Nothing will come between me and the gospel! Nothing!" It is the same for me :)

FAVORITE QUOTES by the kids:

- "You would look better black!"
- "Why are you yelling? I am right here!" - dang, am I really that loud??? hahaha

- "Your name is Moose? I will call you snake or peacock!"

- "In America, how do you clean yourself after using the bathroom?"

- So Mariambee gave me a heart necklace and I asked her, "Are you sure you want me to have this?" and she replied, "When I give someone a gift, it is theirs forever." I said to her, "Well you can have my real heart forever!" and she replied, "If I had your heart in my hand, you would be dead!"

 

Alright so Indian kiddos have super long names that I cannot remember nor pronounce! Everyday, without fail, dozens of kids would come up to you and ask, "Auntie! Auntie! What's my name?" (they call all of us "auntie" or "uncle") and I'm always like "Uhhh...." - hahaha. There are over 200 kids here! Give me a break! When we were about to enter the school, a couple of them saw me through the window and yelled, "MOOSE! MOOSE!" awww...they remembered MY name, haha.

A little background on the kids: these are kids that come from the surrounding villages, but most of them come from the families in the leprosy colonies. Without Rising Star Outreach and sponsors, these kids would not have a chance to get an education. They learn their regular schooling and also English. The reason why English is taught is because they will go so much more farther in life with this skill in India. These kids come from really poor families, so they are sponsored. I met a little girl here named Shalini. She just turned 5 today! She is new to the program and I was told that she comes from a rough family background and her family lives in one of the leprosy colonies. The first time I played with her, she stole my heart! She clung to my leg and always had to hold my hand. Every time I see her, she gets this huge smile on her face and hides behind her little hands and I would say, "My little girl!" and she would run up to me...AHHHH I LOVE HER! LOOOOVE HERRRRR!

We tutored yesterday and we helped the kids with their reading - which they're pretty good at! I'm so impressed with them. We also helped out the 5th graders with their math. So....um....5th grade huh? I FORGOT WHAT A RHOMBUS WAS! What the heck is a dodecagon??!! hahahha! IT'S BEEN A WHILE, OKAY?! So sometimes the kids had to even correct ME, hahaha, but then the wheels started rolling and it was coming back to me ;) hahaha!

Indian food is so spicy! Typical main dish is rice + curry. All the kids eat in the dining hall and they sit down on the floor with their plates. I noticed that I needed a fork, so I went around looking for one and could not find any. I asked another volunteer, Daniel, where the forks were and if he needed one. He replied, "No, I'm using my hands," I thought that was funny. I finally found a fork and I started eating but then noticed that no one was using a fork, but their hands. I looked down at my fork and thought to myself, "I get to eat...with my HANDS?! Forget this!" and ditched my fork...it was awesome!!!! Did you know there is a technique to it? My kids said to me, "No Auntie! Like this!" and what you do is you pick up your food in your hand and put your thumb behind the food and then push it into your mouth.

Playtime is so fun! We have it everyday right before dinner. So here is a golden moment of yesterday: Basha said, "Moooooooooose" and he had this sly smile on his face as he was running towards me and I knew he had something behind his back. I immediately started running and as I looked back, I saw this black thing flying through the air. It almost hit me and you know what it was?! A DEAD, DECOMPOSING FROG! sick sick sick! I could see the bones and dried up skin that had blacken and baked under the hot sun. Yeah, this kept going for another 5 minutes. I finally picked it up and flung it over a fence. I about killed Daniel when he said to Basha, "There's another one over there!" - hahahha!




Priya & Mariam

As I was leaving, several of them kept saying to me, "Moose! I love you! I miss you!" while blowing me kisses. While I was walking home, I kept thanking God over and over and over again that I was here. Tonight while I was leaving, Mariam yelled to me: "Good night best friend!" - she is one of my favorites. Julie came into my room later and she had a gold heart necklace. She handed it to me and said, "Mariam wanted you to have this," - okay, seriously was about to start crying! I've only been here for 4 days, but I feel like I have known these little ones for so long. Their hearts are so open to love and accepting me. They treat me like family....and its because our true identity as children of God brings us together in this manner.

Little Shalini

I want to be more like these children; ready to smile and ready to give everyone my heart. I also admire how they really value their education and how they are grateful for even the smallest things. They play together, laugh together, learn together, grow together, and help take care of one another. I love seeing the older ones caring for the younger - all sleeping in the same room, side by side. We are commanded to be as these little ones and humble ourselves. Be loving, forgiving, giving as they are. I have decided last night that I will sponsor a child at Rising Star. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to sponsor Shalini. This will help pay for her education, room and board, supplies, and more. This idea keeps speaking to my heart and I know it is the Spirit :)

Polambaakam Colony

Today we went to the leprosy colony called Polambaakam. Once we got there, we unloaded all the supplies and set all the stations up. We had several stations: giving eye drops, taking blood pressure/glucose levels, washing their feet, oiling their feet, and bandaging.

The colony wasn't a very big one. We had around a dozen patients come through. After they went through the washing station, they came to me. My job was to trim their nails and oil their feet. I first would take off the plastic booties we had put on them and I'd cut their toenails. I would grab the heavy duty nail clippers because regular ones wouldn't do the job. Due to their condition, they had very bad nails that were abnormally shaped and very dense. I felt horrible after cutting a particular nail off a woman. It was so long that when it was cut short, it started bleeding. She could tell that I was upset and felt horrible that I had done that to her - not wanting to have caused her more pain. She said to me in her very little English, " Okay, okay. No hurt. Okay - good. No feel, no hurt." Someone told me that many of them don't feel pain down in their limbs. She made me feel better and kept assuring me that she was fine and it didn't hurt. That woman was actually one of my favorites because the entire time, she was smiling at me. I would sing to her some good ole' Temptations songs and she really liked it. I don't know how to explain it, but we definitely had a connection. You really don't have to come from the same background or even speak the same language to feel a connection of love.

After cutting their nails, I would put a little bit of oil in my gloved hands and massage their feet around the open ulcers and any area with dry skin. Their ulcers were these open holes upon their flesh and you could sometimes see layer of layer of skin. While I was oiling their feet, I would try to look up at them and smile. Some of them have also lost their ability to speak, but through their eyes and smiles, they were saying "nandri" (thank you. The doctor next to me translated what one of the men had said to me "Blessings to you! Blessings".

The last station was bandaging. Sometimes I would watch this until the next patient came to get their feet oiled. Allie was helping the Indian doctor there. The doctor would take the surgical scissors and cut away the dead skin around the wounds and place pads on them. Allie would take the bandages and wrap it around  their hands and/or feet.

When these people came out to get their treatment, my heart beamed. To me, they were beautiful. I saw those who had lost fingers or toes... or their whole hands or feet, but what was not lost was their spirit. It didn't gross me out having deformed or wounded limbs placed into my own hands. I didn't see them as "outcasts" from society. These people don't leave their colony - the exception being to go out and beg. I honestly felt like crying because I was happy! I just felt God's presence there so evidently and strong. I knew God loved those people and someday, they will be restored to a perfect body. Just as God loves these people, I do too. We are all His children and those affected by leprosy are my brothers and sisters...they are yours too.

A scripture came to my mind on our way home: "I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath such as...visiting the sick and administering to their relief both spiritually and temporally" - Mosiah 4:26. I felt I helped a little to administer to their physical; temporal needs. They will not always be in this state - it is temporal. What will live on is their spirits. I hope that I helped their spirits. I know that my spirit grows when I am reminded that there is good in this world and it is full of good people. We all need help through this journey in life. Most definitely, these people have helped me to become a better person.

Julie, our director asked, "Okay, everyone ready to go?" I answered, "No," - haha cause I really did not feel like leaving at all! But its okay! We get to go to another colony on Thursday! Tomorrow, we are starting tutoring with the kids! YAY!!!!!!

"It's all about love"

Chennai is a huge city, but where I'm living for the next two weeks is more in the country surrounded by villages made out of huts. Gratitude overwhelmed me as I thought about all my many blessings. Why was I born in the United States? Why do I have the comforts that I do? Why was I born into a family with the knowledge of the restored gospel? I don't know why exactly, but I know that "because I have been given much, I too must give" - it made me smile thinking of the opportunity God has given me to be able to be here with these people. I just hope I can make a difference in some way. I want to give it my ALL and be completely exhausted at the end of the day...completely worn out mentally, spiritually, and physically in the service of God.

Here with Rising Star Outreach, I'm volunteering at a leprosy colony - helping to change bandages, clean their wounds, and help those inflicted. I'm also volunteering at the school they have by being a tutor to the kids who come from the leprosy colony and nearby villages. Rising Star Outreach usually does construction projects as well, but my session doesn't get to do them this time - I was pretty bummed about that...BUT READ ON :) :) :)

At dinner time, our director asked each one of us to state the "high" and "low" point of our day. A volunteer shared that his low point was that today, he went to the leprosy colony and he saw some of the people who had lost their legs dragging themselves across the floor to get assistance. He said he felt so sad that we couldn't get these individuals wheelchairs. Then one of the other directors said, "Well this session isn't doing construction. The program fee that you pay, a portion usually goes towards construction. That money went to purchase 3 new motorized wheelchairs for those people. So your low point just turned to a high," - All of us clapped that night at dinner and I know that we all felt a warmth in our hearts. I love the volunteers that I am with because we all came here with a desire to serve and to do something more.

We met the kids today and I absolutely love them! They were so open to us and every single one would come up to you and ask, "What is your name?" and once you told them your name, they would hold my hand, jump on me, play with me, hug me...as if they have known me all along! Tonight after reading books to the kids before bed, one of the little girls named Gidavi kissed me on both cheeks and then on the forehead. On Wednesday, we'll be starting our classes and tutoring. Tomorrow we're heading to the leprosy colony. I am so excited!

I can tell these two weeks are going to go dang fast... NOOOOOOO!!! I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE!!! hahaha!

True charity is love in action

I felt really impressed to share something with you all before I leave to go to India...

This summer has been one of the greatest summers I could ever have prayed for! I am going to be completely honest and real when I say, I had a really hard time the past couple of months. I never had a time when I felt such heartache or had shed so many tears. Once school was over, all my hope and prayer was to have my heart be healed - to be made whole again...and I am. I say this with cheerfulness and a smile. I feel like I'm myself again!

For the first 3 weeks of my summer, I was blessed with the opportunity to be a counselor for kids between the ages of 14-18 in a week long program called: Especially For Youth (EFY) ran by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our main objective is to bring the youth closer to Christ. I consider all the kids and all those involved at EFY as my angels. The Lord's promise is true that when you lose yourself, that is when you find yourself. As I was serving and loving all these youths and focusing on coming closer to my Savior Jesus Christ, I was filled with joy.

President Thomas S. Monson said: "I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."

I know that is true. I know that God cares about each of us and man... life can be hard sometimes. Life can really be unexpected in some ways, but we are never alone. We have each other...but most importantly, we have the Lord. Go out and serve someone. You never know to whom you could be an answer to someone's prayer; their angel.

"Charity is the pure love of Christ and it endureth forever..."
- Moroni 7:47 (Book of Mormon)


Now I am off to India and I am filled with overwhelming gratitude towards my Father in Heaven for the opportunity to do volunteer work in a leprosy colony  for two weeks. I cannot wait to meet these people and to serve them. More than me helping them, they will be helping and teaching me. They will be my angels.