by Br. Teji, M.I.

FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU
THE SUCCESESFUL GHAT MISSION

My team, Teji Thomas MI , Sisters Jincy Mathew CSJB, Maria FHIC, Shanti Jacob, Mr. Andrin Thaliyakuzhi and me, were entrusted with the Ghat mission. As we started our first journey to Ghat through mountains, valleys, crossing many landslides, we were able to witness and personally experience the fury of the natural calamities that were still happening. It was frightening to see the broken roads, the huge cracks on the mountains and continuous landslides. We wondered what our mission is going to be!

JOURNEY the toughest part of our mission

During these days of our relief work we had to struggle a lot to reach the villages. We had to walk and climb 20 to 30 kilometers back and forth and that too through valleys, hills and where roads and bridges are com- pletely damaged. We really had to struggle to find a place to lay our feet, and had to walk through carefully holding each other’s

hands. At most places, we had to jump over or walk on four legs or seek the help of a stick to reach to the other side. We had many fall-and-rise experi- ences. We quenched our thirst with water from the springs of the valley and our daily “Manna” on hills was the “Aadu” ( peaches), a local mountain fruit.

Fear not for I am with you

“Fear not for I am with you”. These words gave us courage to serve the people of those mountains. There were times we escaped from dangers. We believe that angels in heaven are there to protect us. “For He will give his Angles charge of you to guard you in all your ways” (Ps.91:11).

There is someone to care for us

With all these struggles we could visit 28 villages and gave medical care to more than 2000 people. Most of them were with scabies, back pain, chest pain, Stomach pain, fever, ear and eye problem etc. We also found in some villages people with deeply infected wounds. It took a lot of time for dressing. The people were happy that someone is there to care for them. The CTF team was blessed to make a visit and meet the health needs of this suffering humanity. Fr. Johnson our local coordinator, Sr. Delphy and Sr. Noothana SD have taken a lot of interest and effort to accompany us to these villages. As it is very difficult for the people to go for treat- ment to other hospitals, our service was a great help to them.