One Life Can Make a Difference
We flew into Kolkata, India this morning and after settling in went on a little tour to get familiar with the region. One of the stops was the home/mission of Mother Teresa. I grew up Baptist, so to be honest, we didn’t hear a whole lot about Mother Teresa. However, I’ve always been oddly drawn to her work. While I’ve quoted her and used her example in countless message illustrations I’m not sure I ever really understood the huge heart behind this tiny woman until today.
I stood outside of her little humble room and couldn’t help but be reminded that God can use anyone, anywhere, for anything. This was the same room where she wrote so many of the words that have inspired millions. The same little room where she heard from God time and time again and followed Him no matter what the cost. This was the same room where she went to be with the Lord on September 5th, 1997.
And although she’s passed from this earth her ministry continues. Today, I looked in the eyes of hundreds of orphans who are getting love, food, and Jesus because of the sacrifices this woman made. I could never put into words how absolutely heartbreaking it was to look at these precious children. With a lump in my throat, doing everything I could to hold back the tears, I walked by crib after crib after crib of sick orphaned children.
In one crib there was the most beautiful 3 or 4 week old infant several of us just couldn’t get enough of. Angie asked the nurse her name and the nurse replied, “Oh she has no name. These babies will not live long enough to give them a name.”
I don’t think any of us knew how to respond to such overwhelming despair.
How could one woman work in those conditions and experience the weight of that grief for decades as Mother Teresa did? Now I understand exactly what she meant when she said, “I have come to love the darkness.”
One of my favorite Mother Teresa quotes is “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world. ”
My prayer for this trip is very similar. God you are the author. As pain filled and tragic as things are in India it’s still your story and I want to find out how I fit into it. God allow me to be your instrument. Allow me to be your bright hope in the midst of darkness. Allow my eyes and the eyes of everyone following this trip to be awakened to your call to action.
One woman followed God’s call and simply loved. Maybe you will too.
If your interested in sponsoring a child in India who desperately needs your love and support CLICK HERE. We CAN make a difference!
73 Comments:
Great post!
[Reply]
Maureen
8:20 am
I have no words to add, your post says it all. Thanks for sharing. I’m following you and your fellow bloggers through this life changing trip.
Carolyn’s last blog post..3 words…….
[Reply]
Carolyn
8:25 am
in a few short months i’ll be doing something similar to this with my 15 year old, except in chennai. i know this will be amazing for me,but i can’t imagine the impact at 15!!
praying for many to be moved to sponsor!!
monica’s last blog post..india
[Reply]
monica
8:26 am
A great way to start a beautiful Sunday morning before I head off to church. Thank Pete. Be safe. Will
[Reply]
Will
8:27 am
Wow. This was a great post Pete. My eyes flooded with tears as I read abou the little girl who had no name. I can’t even imagine how Mother Theresa was able to be amongst the sick everyday and just not break down in overwhelming despair. God truly does provide strength in the most dire of circumstances.
Tiffany’s last blog post..Big news
[Reply]
Tiffany
9:01 am
Wow I am blessed by your words and trip already.
Mel’s last blog post..Just How Big Can They Get? & 79/365
[Reply]
Mel
9:08 am
@Monica, I’ll start praying for your trip right now. It’s going to be life changing for the both of you!
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
9:17 am
I am lost for words. We all hear such terrible stories and this post is just another humbling reminder that we can all make a difference. As your journey unravels I know you will come back a changed and even more humbled man by the power of your faith and love.
#compassionindia you rock!
Rebecca’s last blog post..She loved the Suprise.
[Reply]
Rebecca
9:18 am
Excellent, thought provoking post. So many children in need–it can be overwhelming to say the least. I, too, was raised in a Baptist church so Mother Teresa didn’t come across my radar until I was an adult. I’ve loved reading her work though–she clearly had an “eternal perspecive” of humanity, poverty and human needs. Two of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa are:
If you can’t feed 100 people, then just feed one.
What we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
She got it. Start by helping one person, one child. Again, so many children with so many needs. Start with one, sponsor one, love one, help one. God will worry about the “ocean” of children in need—we can help the one.
Blessings to you-
Laurie
Laurie in CA’s last blog post..Busy Days
[Reply]
Laurie in CA
9:30 am
@Laurie, “if you can’ feed 100 people, then just feed one.” Preach it girl.
I totally agree we’ve got to start someplace.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
9:39 am
Hey Pete – I’m new to your blog but have some familiarity with what you are going through. I was a blogger on the Compassion Uganda trip… so you guys are all in my prayers… mostly that the seeds Jesus is planting will bear awesome fruit.
[Reply]
David Kuo
9:48 am
Thanks, Pete. Humbling, to say the least.
Melissa Irwin’s last blog post..oooops, there goes another one
[Reply]
Melissa Irwin
9:50 am
Beautiful. Hug Angie for me.
boomama’s last blog post..Compassion Goes To India
[Reply]
boomama
9:53 am
Oh, my heart just broke. I want to give that baby a name. And a chance.
We talked about Mother Theresa a lot, and I love one of her funnier quotes: “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle… I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”
I love that a woman who was so steadfast and faithful wasn’t afraid to say she was also overwhelmed and scared. She didn’t always want to do what He asked, but she did it anyway. Such grace.
Praying for all of you, and also praying that you can process all this pain and grief in a way that brings you hope.
gitz’s last blog post..Two Giveaways in One Week?!?
[Reply]
gitz
10:46 am
Wow, Pete. I’m choking back the tears as I type this. So humbled to be part of your experience through your blog. Praying for this precious little ones, the ones who have no name… He knows their names, and he is not willing that any of them perish. You are right, it is HIS story… I pray that he will use us “little pencils” write a beautiful ending…
Praying for you, your family, this team, and the people of India that you will touch with the Beacon of Hope that lives within you.
Susanne Reeder’s last blog post..Shrinking Update
[Reply]
Susanne Reeder
10:55 am
Pete,
This post made me cry. She has a name…and God knows it.
This post made me angry as well…God loves those children just as much as He does my little ones…they deserve a life, a hope, a name.
daniellehodgson’s last blog post..Compassion Bloggers Trip
[Reply]
daniellehodgson
12:04 pm
I have set here and cried, and cried over the little girl with no name, I just think that is soo un human to live and die on this earth with no name! I don’t know you or Angie personally but I have followed you both for a year now and I can just see the tears welling up in your eyes over that statement! So although it is not offical and only because it sounds better I think I will call the little girl with no name…..Emily. I don’t know why, it has no siginifacnt meaning to it, I have always thought it was a pretty name, so I think when I think of her, and pray for her I will call her Emily. Feel free to join me, I don’t want her to be remembered as the girl with no name.
Jennie Newland’s last blog post..Kayleigh
[Reply]
Jennie Newland
12:05 pm
We missed you at church…but are so proud to have a pastor who is living out God’s will! We are praying for you !!!
[Reply]
Laura
12:35 pm
Wow, Pete, so poignantly and beautifully said. Thanks for sharing and giving us a glimpse into Mother Teresa’s humble world. Growing up Catholic she was always quoted, admired and discussed, but as a kid there was still a sense of mystery surrounding her life. Yet, looking back, I concur – her legacy is the truest and purest lesson of genuine servant hood.
So glad you’re experiencing such life changing observations. We’re praying you and your entire team up, daily. I’m getting updates via Brandi! Looking forward to reading more about your amazing journey.
Good night ☺
[Reply]
Eve Annunziato
1:29 pm
Beautiful, heartbreaking post. A reminder that we should all be pencils where God is writing his story. Praying for y’all!
Big Mama’s last blog post..Compassion in India
[Reply]
Big Mama
1:33 pm
Wow! The idea of those orphaned babies wrecks me… can’t imagine being there in person. Praying for you all!
Jenni Catron’s last blog post..Join me for a little run
[Reply]
Jenni Catron
1:51 pm
I also grew up not hearing much about Mother Teresa. It truly is amazing that she learned to love the darkness. Wonder if she ever had moments of anger and crying out to God, Why all the suffering and pain? That was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.
Brenda’s last blog post..Pray for Waxy and Dusty
[Reply]
Brenda
2:03 pm
As often as Mother Teresa’s life made it’s way into mine I’ve never seen pictures of anything that was hers, the mission etc. Seeing your pictures makes it more real for me. Thanks.
Sarah’s last blog post..Cutting The Fat
[Reply]
Sarah
2:09 pm
Thanks, Pete. Praying for those littlest helpless ones!
Marla Taviano’s last blog post..word sabbath #11
[Reply]
Marla Taviano
2:15 pm
Incredibly heartbreaking to imagine, yet have to trust that God has a beautiful name for this chid in eternity. Praying for you all…….
Wendy Ingram’s last blog post..Going with the Luke Commission
[Reply]
Wendy Ingram
2:59 pm
I remembered this in the darkest recesses of my mind and thought of you guys. It’s song Lyrics from ‘I will speak out’ (Bankhead, Rinaldi, Goudie & Bassett) ….
I will speak out for those who have no voices
I will stand up for the rights of all the oppressed
I will speak truth and justice
I’ll defend the poor and the needy
I will lift up the weak in Jesus’ name
I will speak out for those who have no choices
I will cry out for those who live without love
I will show God’s compassion
To the crushed and broken in spirit
I will lift up the weak in Jesus’ name
Carolyn’s last blog post..A day at St Fagans.
[Reply]
Carolyn
3:35 pm
heart breaking and inspiring at the same time. thanks Pete for going to the ends of the world and then coming back to tell us what you learned.
i am praying my face off for you guys.
Blake
Blake Bergstrom’s last blog post..please pray for my friends in INDIA!!
[Reply]
Blake Bergstrom
3:42 pm
Her name is written on the hand of God, and He will scoop her up into His loving arms some day.
Kim’s last blog post..It’s a Done Deal…Pretty Much…Maybe So…Kinda…I Think…
[Reply]
Kim
3:54 pm
Oh my… I can’t imagine the pain and anguish. I will be praying constantly for all of you. His grace is enough.
Rachel’s last blog post..Links
[Reply]
Rachel
4:41 pm
Mother Teresa used to call me for advice, so I was fairly familiar with her ministry….I never asked for any credit, though…Interesting choice. She could have looked at all the misery and condemned God for letting it happen; instead she used her faith to let God use her as a ‘pencil’. I understand that this was a great struggle for her – she questioned God much more than people knew during her life. I know a man that visited her and said she was a lot more upbeat, even silly, at times, in public, but I believe in private she really wrestled with God. May we all learn to wrestle as well as she did. Thanks, Pete, for giving us a window to what most of us will never see.
[Reply]
John Hewett
5:25 pm
How did you not just want to pick up a baby and bring it home with you?? Praying for the entire situation Pete. I know children’s lives will be saved through this trip.
Fran’s last blog post..Spring Confessional
[Reply]
Fran
5:30 pm
@Fran, believe me the thought went through my mind. I think was Angie who ‘said why don’t you distract the nurse and I’ll grab the baby”. Seeing things like that makes you want to do irrational things.
Pete Wilson’s last blog post..One Life Can Make a Difference
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
5:36 pm
And one more thing….thank you guys. Thank you guys for your encouragement, love, prayers and COMMENTS. When you’re a long way from home it really means a lot to have you guys here.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
5:37 pm
This is awesome-thanks for the post. Really makes me stop to think how much I have distracting me. Keep the updates coming. Praying for you all.
Kim Harr’s last blog post..Still Marching
[Reply]
Kim Harr
5:54 pm
Thank you thank you for being there.
When my cousin’s third son was born and abandoned in a Dehli hospital, he weighed 2 lbs. The director of a small Christian orphanage came to get him, and the nurses told her, “He’s too sick, too small, he’ll never make it.” The director looked at him and said, “No. This one is a fighter.” 18 months later he was adopted into a forever family, and he is the brightest, strongest, hardest working 8-year-old I know.
Every life matters, and God uses the weak to lead the strong. Thank you for being there and shining a light on their stories.
[Reply]
Hannah Beth
6:10 pm
Thank you for sharing your experiences in India…
pendy’s last blog post..It Was Nice While It Lasted
[Reply]
pendy
6:19 pm
Pete, please give Angie a hug for me. I can’t even imagine what that experience had to do to her! WOW! God has big plans for you while you are all there together. Praying for health, strength, perserverence and His love to blind everyone there!
Praying the outrageous to be thought of to be possible in His name!
Praying you are resting well and drinking enough water!
Blessings and love to you all!
Jill
Jill’s last blog post..It’s NOT about me…
[Reply]
Jill
6:51 pm
Wow. Words are failing me right now. Those precious babies. Many prayers for you and the rest of the group.
Mommy Cracked’s last blog post..Pepsi Throwback Giveaway
[Reply]
Mommy Cracked
6:52 pm
Hi there! Just stopping by from BooMama’s link to yours and wanted to let you know I am praying for y’all. I’ve never met any of you, but know you as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am so thankful that Jesus knows that little baby girl’s name. Imagine hearing your name for the very first time from the lips of our Lord? I’ll keep on praying….
[Reply]
Lisa D.
6:55 pm
Heading to bed here in a bit. Hope your day is again, breathtaking. I thought the same as others, that God knows their names–beautiful, child of God, mine, loved. I wonder if Mother Teresa or the other sisters had names for them in their hearts. Her ministry of mercy was key in changing how I thought about serving others. As complicated as life is there, the concept seems simple. Do what you can. Show mercy, compassion and charity. God’s speed to all y’all.
Joni Ruhs’s last blog post..Moments of coolness
[Reply]
Joni Ruhs
7:00 pm
I’m so proud of all of you for your passion and heart. Your photo of Mother Theresa’s room gave me goosebumps, and the little baby story brought me to tears. Helping just one child in despair may seem like minutia in a sea of orphans but if you make a difference in the life of only one, God smiles. Imagine His joy if every one of your commenters made that difference to one more child. And one more. And one more….
Thanks so much for making this real for us. Please stay safe on your journey.
Candy’s last blog post..Viva La Vida
[Reply]
Candy
7:04 pm
Wow thank you so much for sharing this, how inspiring…
lisa gardiner’s last blog post..Community
[Reply]
lisa gardiner
7:13 pm
Thank you for giving us a peek into Mother Teresa’s life and her sleeping room.
[Reply]
Robin Pippin
7:15 pm
Had to come back and read it again…praying for all those children praying ,praying praying.
lisa gardiner’s last blog post..Community
[Reply]
lisa gardiner
7:30 pm
“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”
-Mother Teresa
Thanks for sharing their stories.
katdish’s last blog post..Still struggling to Let It Go…
[Reply]
katdish
7:39 pm
@Robin, I wish you could’ve seen it. It was so peaceful just standing there. Very moving.
Pete Wilson’s last blog post..One Life Can Make a Difference
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
7:45 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this with us Pete. How incredible!
Sarah Valente’s last blog post..My Personal Bed of Roses
[Reply]
Sarah Valente
8:44 pm
I’m so proud of you and the team, and so honored to call you pastor AND friend! thank-u 4 leading us into missions as a priority, and 4 sharing this trip with us through the eyes of a father, husband, pastor, fellow Christian, and a lover of the seemingly hopeless and helpless!
We love you,
Lisa, Rodney, Benjamin, Britney, Janna and Mike
Lisa’s last blog post..Let’s play a game….
[Reply]
Lisa
8:46 pm
Anybody know any good books about Mother Theresa? I’ve been completely captivated by her life and quotes lately. Can’t imagine being over there and seeing the pain and the suffering juxtaposed against the hope and the love.
Chris Sullivan’s last blog post..The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley
[Reply]
Chris Sullivan
8:51 pm
Chris,
Have you read BLessed Are You, Mother Teresa and the Beatitudes edited by Eileen Egan and Kathleen Egan? It is not a very long book, but is “Mother Teresa in her own words” and ALL about her life and LIVING the beatitudes. I read this book last year and God used has used it very mightily, so got it back out today after reading Pete’s post and started reading it again.
Wendy Ingram’s last blog post..Going with the Luke Commission
[Reply]
Wendy Ingram
9:32 pm
Loved reading this. So humbling and sobering! Blessings to you all from Nash!
Falguni Patel’s last blog post..Live. And Live Well.
[Reply]
Falguni Patel
9:34 pm
Thanks for giving us all a chance to follow you on this trip. Having lived in India for over 25 years, I am following your blog to see how and if things have changed. And praying for your trip that God would empower you with His love and guidance.
[Reply]
John Paul
10:28 pm
Dear Lord, I pray that you
Keep them strong,but weak enough to see!
Jesus be near !
[Reply]
Laura P
10:45 pm
@John Paul, thank you for following.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
1:52 am
I love it that we’re able to see and read what you’re experiencing through your blog.
Praying for all of you.
[Reply]
Olivia
2:05 am
Praise the Lord already for the trip and message you all are sharing. Thanks so much for this moving insight into sweet Mother Teresa’s life and ministry.
Blessings and prayers to you all – the children!
[Reply]
Carolina Mama
2:43 am
Hey Pete – new to your blog (followed BooMama’s link) but I’m so enthralled by this journey! I follow Beth Moore’s blog, and I’ve been praying for Melissa and the rest of the team, but I’m so glad I found your account as well. I’ve long admired Mother Theresa and have been interested to learn in recent years of accounts of her deep inner struggles with faith and doubt. Even when wrestling with God’s silence, she continued to love so faithfully. What an inspiration! Kiss a baby for me!
[Reply]
Leslie
4:58 am
I really wondered if you would be able to see anything regarding Mother Teresa. SO glad that you did.
Praying, praying, praying for you and the whole team. So hard, but so important.
[Reply]
Gayle @thewestiecrew
5:50 am
This is so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing!
Becca’s last blog post..I Don’t Get It
[Reply]
Becca
6:29 am
“Oh she has no name. These babies will not live long enough to give them a name.”
Oh my.
[Reply]
Tania
6:29 am
Couldn’t help but think of the first part of Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith…” May He write a wonderful chapter in all your lives through this Compassion trip. God bless you all.
Rachel in Columbus,MS
[Reply]
Rachel
6:51 am
Thank you so much for sharing this with the world. I know this is life changing for all of you. You ARE making a difference.
Kathy’s last blog post..One Life… an Amazing Read
[Reply]
Kathy
7:04 am
Wow, what a powerful post. If it moves even one person to sponsor a child through Compassion, you have changed the world. I sponsor a little girl in Peru, and I hope to sponsor more kids soon. I have two adopted children, one from Russia and one from Kazakhstan. They spent the first 6-8 years of their lives living in poverty we cannot comprehend – no electricity, very little food, terrible alcoholic families. When I went to adopt each of them I was so affected by the poverty I saw everywhere. It changes you. Bless you for trying to help these folks in India. I pray all the babies will be named one day, and all will get a chance.
Dee’s last blog post..Remembering My Aunt
[Reply]
Dee
7:07 am
God is so good and in the midst of such sorrow it is sometimes hard to remember.
The beauty of our God is that even though we do not know the names of those babies, God does!
He has ordained the days that each of those children will have…He knows and is waiting to welcome them home from the world of darkness they will encounter here on Earth!
“your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be”
–Psalm 139:16
There they will enjoy the riches that surpass anything they could have enjoyed here! And, if He has ordained more days for them, He will provide a way out! Glory to God in the highest for His work and creation!
Amber L’s last blog post..I LOVE BLOGS!
[Reply]
Amber L
9:23 am
@Amber L, I love Ps. 139. Thanks for sharing.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
9:28 am
I’ve been a lurker up until this point, but I just can’t keep quiet after this post. My heart breaks for those nameless children. God knows their names. But oh, to be without a name here on earth and the lack of love that signifies is just…wounding.
As soon as you and Angie began mentioning this trip, I’ve been praying for your team. It has been awhile since I’ve gone on a mission trip. My pastor’s phrase regarding missions is you are either “going, giving, praying or being disobedient.” I haven’t been disobedient, but reading your blog, my heart began to feel burdened again to actually travel.
I don’t currently sponsor a child through Compassion, but I will by tonight.
I want to take some to pray. I don’t want to just get on a plane for India because I’m following my emotions. I want it to be Spirit led. And in all honesty, I’ve never had a desire to visit India before.
Sorry, I’m a jumble.
Please know you’re being prayed for! Daily!
Alyssa’s last blog post..Pass Go, Collect $200
[Reply]
Alyssa
12:12 pm
Thanks for sharing. I also grew up baptist so I didn’t hear much about her either. I like her quotes too. Again thanks for sharing.
Amy’s last blog post..continuing my journey
[Reply]
Amy
1:07 pm
I can’t imagine not ever naming a baby, just because they don’t think it will live. How very sad….
Ann G’s last blog post..Day 21…Level 3, Day 1 Shredding
[Reply]
Ann G
1:44 pm
Oh I am so happy for you guys right now! You will forever be changed! H
whittakerwoman@yahoo’s last blog post..Redeeming Love
[Reply]
whittakerwoman@yahoo
5:21 pm
Thanks Wendy. I’ll check those out.
Chris Sullivan’s last blog post..The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley
[Reply]
Chris Sullivan
5:38 pm
Enjoyed ‘meeting’ you on the live feed last night. Praying for this trip!
Mary, mom to many, DR Compassion blogger
owlhaven’s last blog post..Steady on
[Reply]
owlhaven
6:24 pm
Pete,
Just to say hello and to let you know that you and the team to India are in my daily prayers, Bro. May God expand your vision as you see India like never before.
God bless. Psalm 91
JP
[Reply]
John Paul
10:21 pm
Pete, I sponsor two children through Compassion. A little boy from India and a girl from Honduras. I pray that this trip will bring more sponsors to the children who need one so much.
[Reply]
JJ
12:22 am
5 Trackbacks