Personally Speaking

About 10 years ago, during one of my many trips to India I was visiting a priest friend 300 miles north of Alleppey. After an overnight stay the priest took me to the train station to catch a 9 P.M. train back to Alleppey. It was dark and only the dim platform lights gave any trace of movement. Out of nowhere a beggar came up to me and stood with his hand outstretched and pleading eyes. Regrettably, in India, there is a time for giving to the poor. It is never in a public place like a train station due to the army of beggars milling around awaiting such a moment. The priest and I continued talking, I, badly pretending I did not notice the beggar at my side. After a few minutes, which felt like an eternity, a police officer approached carrying the standard bamboo stick most police carry in India and which we, in the States would associate with the one used by Ichabod Crane to whip his students in Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The officer said something to the beggar then proceeded to whip him everywhere on his body until the man fell to his knees. The priest looked the other way as I looked on in shock realizing any interference on my part would most likely have a bad end. Here I was in India to help the poor but, because I hesitated in a charitable act, a poor man was being beaten in my presence.

The whole of my trip that year was overwhelmed by this

event as was the rest of my year. I cringe even today at the thought. After all, as a retired law enforcement officer myself (F.B.I.) the action appeared unjustified by our standards; as a Franciscan the idea of withholding charity is unthinkable. But I yielded to the idea of the acceptable moment. I was wrong about that, at least in this instance. But, if it was a time of suffering for another, it was, for me, a kairos moment, ushering in a time of time of grace showing my need of constant self-reflection. I certainly was not the man I thought I was! I am grateful to that beggar as every whistling snap of the stick on his back and legs was a snaphot of Alan Ouimet, ex-FBI Agent and Franciscan (so called.) If I could find that man today I would do everything in my power to make it up. But that is not the way life works - is it?

Yet I do believe there are no coincidences and that in the long spiritual journey of life there is a purpose for every encounter. We need only discover it . It has been oft said that "God comes to you disguised as your life." Thanksgiving is a special time for such discoveries, a time for us to examine the blessings, in the form of people and events , even our pets that have come into our lives. Up to the point of meeting the beggar whom, unlike Saint Francis I did not embrace and kiss, I had an "edited version" of my life that was changed in an instant with glaring flaws. It was a gift. The Japanese have developed a mode of self-reflection, called naikan, which emphasizes that moments of grace come to us primarily through the perspective of gratitude. It encourages the daily reflection of three basic questions (1)what care and support have I received from others today? (2) what  have I given to others today? (3) and, what troubles and difficulties have I caused for others today?

In a word, thanksgiving, is an everyday affair. If we are mindful of the many people that come into our lives offering services  and likewise needing our services thus helping us to fulfill our own need for self-worth, we would see the world in a much different light - a world of countless blessings! Our most difficult and problematic relationships or situations are seen as our greatest learning experiences such as my experience with the beggar. Gregg Krech, the author of Naikan: Gratitude, Grace and the Japanese Art of Self- Reflection says, "We think we know our own life, but what we know is our own edited version, colored by our own emotions and narrow vision. How close can we come to the original draft?" How many letters have I received from sponsors advising me that caring for their family in India has been not only challenging but a wonderful experience? Many! How many Indian families weep when I visit them with camera in hand and ask if they wish to say something in the camera to their sponsor? Almost all! All are moments of gratitude and some life changing. We are all connected. We have all shaped each others lives and isn't that wonderful. Thank God!

So many families are awaiting assistance. The family below is from Draksharama in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Our program there is primarily involved with the indigenous tribal families of India who are suffering from an epidemic of HIV/AIDS. As you can read below, the family has been decimated by this disease. I have presented this legend as written to preserve the flavor of the writer, Sister Carmel Paul.

Tribal law requires the family to be isolated and ostracized from the tribe. Their livelihood is dependent on any help they can get. In Andhra, if a sponsor comes forth to assist the family for three

years at $25.00 per month, the FFA will purchase an asset to assist in their economic independence - a pregnant buffalo, some goats, a road side shop etc. Monthly they will participate in self -help programs designed by the Canossian Sisters to assist them in such areas as woman' healthcare issues , home

economics and information on the services available to them through the various levels of government.

Word of mouth, for the FFA, has always been the vehicle of choice, and the best vehicle, to get the word out to the many that can help. Please ask your relatives and friends. Gratitude will be their reward.

Amguru Ravi Jyothi is a poor widow who is a victim of HIV/AIDS +VE patient and only daughter who needs our active love and compassionate heart. Amguru is their family name Ravi Prakash her husband passed away four years ago. He was a healthy and was taking care of the entire family and was very

understanding and cooperative with the family. All of a sudden he began to lose his weight and his muscles became fragile. All possible treatment they have given. They are living in a remote village and taken to big city hospital for better treatment. Counting not the cost to regain his health they spent all what they have for his treatment. Diagnosed report was hidden to her and to the parents and later when they understood it was too late for action. Medical report showed that Jyothi also is a victim of the dreadful ailment and it is a hard reality for the old parents to accept. The realization of the pathetic condition of her only daughter caused Amguru Chittamma, mother became the victim of the high pressure had a stroke and paralyzed her right side.

The dream of the old parents banish with the heart breaking news. Jyothi is a victim of acute asthma and also victim of various ailments. She takes regular medication in Care and support center of Canossian sisters at Draksharama. She joined in women group and run a petty shop with the help of her

father, Amguru Arjaya. She has a house of her own to live. She is under anti-retro viral (ART) treatment and certain  medicines she receive freely from the Government. Her son Ravi Ajaykumar goes to nearby village school and studying in 6th grade. Her house is electrified according to the village system. They have public water conveniences. Her parents who are old and sickly are her great support. The entire villagers feel the pain of the misfortune of Jyothi. She will be ever grateful if

any one willingly comes forward to give a helping hand with a venture to run a petty shop. She is struggling to meet the both ends. If we give a venture capital of her own to run a petty shop gradually she can come out of the clutches of the misery and can have a better living with human dignity. Any help given to them will be greatly appreciated. Kindly come forward to liberate them from their poverty, and loneliness and bodily ill health?

Rest assured I know that you are not trying to empty your bank account at years end. However, this is the time of year we all take a balanced look at our accounts to determine which should be the best recipient of our charitable end of the year giving - the Government or the FFA? Knowing the mess in

which the government has placed us, this year may be a hard decision. I pray that the FFA is at the top of your list. We are really having a tough time covering our administrative costs running a shortfall of $10,000 in expected receipts for that purpose; Sister Daphne recently requested $8000 be set aside for housing repairs for homes partially destroyed by the monsoons - we could only set aside $1500 for two homes, a short fall of $6500; Sister Carmel asked for $9000 to care for HIV/AIDS widows and orphans - we could only send $4500. The shortfalls are due to a combination of declining amounts given and, regrettably a declining sponsor base. Whether, large or small, please do consider something extra. 

Both Mary and I thank you for all that you are doing and wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving. And please Lord, a special blessing on all of you who are suffering through these poor economic times. Your continued support is so inspiring.

Warmest regards in Saint Francis,

Alan Ouimet, S.F.O.