After joining the five Indian tertian sisters in Bangalore, India, we, the three Indonesian tertian sisters, stepped beyond borders and into mission and participated in a profound peripheral experience from November 23rd to December 6th. The experience deepened our spiritual growth, broadened our perspectives, and strengthened our commitment to mission.
Hearts opened as Sisters Helena, Sumani, and Wanmin spent meaningful days with the Little Sisters of the Poor. This was not a simple time of visiting, but a gentle and profound encounter with God’s presence in daily life. Through shared moments with the elderly residents, our hearts were quietly transformed. Being with the elderly felt like listening to living stories: stories of faith, perseverance, love, and hope. Their eyes expressed more than words, and their slow, careful steps reminded us of the precious and fragile gift of life. Even the smallest gestures of gratitude deeply touched us. In their presence, we felt Jesus very close, inviting us to love with gentler hearts and to serve with deeper compassion.
At Snehalaya Hospital in Solur, Sisters Clarissa and Vijaya witnessed God’s love made visible through the compassionate, selfless service of the Sisters of Charity. Visiting families in difficult situations, spending time at the HIV centre, and experiencing the child adoption centre profoundly touched our hearts. Seeing young children cared with such tenderness made God’s love visible through human hands. We returned renewed and grateful, strengthened in our commitment to recognize and serve Christ in those who are most fragile and often forgotten.
The hearts of Sisters Meena, Edmunda, and Monika were deeply moved as they spent time with the special children at the Cottolengo Sisters’ convent. In this humble service, we came to recognize how our good God invited us to encounter His presence in new and unexpected ways. Each child, with their own special needs, helped us to understand love in a simple way. We never knew that bathing the children, or helping them to get ready for school, clean their rooms and tend their garden could become such meaningful acts of love. Much of our time was spent simply by being with them and helping them with their school studies. Through these ordinary moments, our hearts were gently taught to love with patience, presence, and joy.
