Life-Lessons in the Devil's Armpit

"Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself. Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them."-Mother Teresa

As we stepped off the plane onto the charcoal grey tarmac, visions of Dante's Inferno raced through my head and I began to wonder how I could have traveled over 8000 miles to what I would later affectionately refer to as the Devil's Armpit. The heat was nearly unbearable-120 degrees plus humidity-and a vile stench hung heavily in the air. Decrepit buildings stood ominously at every corner and trash and human waste lined the streets. I certainly wasn't in America anymore!

Kolkata, India is a metropolis which boasts a population of more than 15 million. Nearly 2 million of these people live in complete poverty: no home, no food, little clothing, and no one to care for them. Human dignity is an afterthought in India. Only Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity are willing to go out into the slums to pick up the homeless off the streets and care for them.

Our FOCUS Missions group had the extraordinary opportunity to work with these Missionaries of Charity at Prem Dan, a home for the dying. Daily work at Prem Dan included shaving, feeding, and bathing the patients and, despite the conditions, we were able to lift up the dignity of the men and women at the home. I became good friends with several of the patients at the home including Jailip, the son of a railroad engineer, and Suresh, a 20 year old man who had lost his leg in a train accident. These men who had no physical assets and lived in complete discomfort, still had a sense of peace and hope. Though they had nothing, they still had more joy than most people who enjoy superfluous comforts. A great lesson was to be gained from these men and women: Happiness is not found in everyday comforts and more 'stuff.' Rather, happiness is found in simplicity, namely God, who is the ultimate simple being.

Looking back on the trip I realize that I came to India to somehow influence the people there by my service, but ended up instead being influenced by the way they live their lives. I took away lessons of humility, thankfulness, and genuine love from the Devil's Armpit. Now, as a FOCUS Missionary, I try to live my life in the spirit of the Indian people every day.
                 -Jake Mach

America's Favorite Pastime with FOCUS Missions!!!

 

Take me out to the ballgame! Take me out with the crowd...to the Dominican Republic!!!

From Ty Cobb to Jackie Robinson to Babe Ruth and beyond, baseball players have intrigued and inspired the American masses with their savory screwballs, hard-hitting homeruns, and stellar snags! Now, FOCUS Missions, in conjunction with FOCUS Varsity Catholic, is combining this age-old American tradition with an even older and more historic entity: The Catholic Faith, to host a baseball camp for youth in the Dominican Republic!

Six Minor League and College Baseball Players, Three FOCUS Missionaries, and One Professional Baseball Coach will embark on a journey this December to teach baseball fundamentals and faith fundamentals to the youth of Bánica. In a nation marred by corruption and devastated by natural disasters, a great opportunity to spread hope and instill values in the local youth will exist based on a mutual love of sport. We will channel their passion for baseball into passion for the Faith!

This baseball camp will culminate in a town-wide baseball tournament on New Year's Day. For a country that has already produced baseball legends Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, and Roberto Clemente, the opportunity to produce saintly baseball legends is now being realized through FOCUS Missions and FOCUS Varsity Catholic!

NEXT WEEK'S BLOG:
-Learn all about India and how it changed one FOCUS Mission Volunteer's life!

International Conference in Spain!

In 1984, Pope John Paul II commissioned World Youth Day, an event that would later become the biggest youth centered religious event in the world! Over the span of 26 years, World Youth Day has seen over 15 million pilgrims attend 13 conferences on 5 separate continents! However, the great magnitude of World Youth Day does not even begin to explain the great impact it has had on millions of young peoples' lives. Through its Papal Mass, cardinal led catechesis sessions, concerts, pilgrimages, adoration, and plethora of other events it offers youth from around the world have experienced Jesus Christ in a very personal and very real way.

A Promotional Video for WYD'11 can be seen below.

FOCUS' involvement in WYD'11
This year, FOCUS Missions plans to take over 80 students and staff to participate in World Youth Day! We have been astounded by the graces God has poured into the planning of this trip! Those who experience WYD via the FOCUS Missions trip will experience once in a lifetime opportunities to grow in their faith with college students from around the world!

The week before World Youth Day begins, FOCUS Missions will host a conference for 120+ college students in a 6th century monastery in the Spanish countryside. This conference will include several nationally known speakers, live music, and a great opportunity to share the Faith with European college students, as well as a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestelo, the burial place of St. James the Apostle.

Samos, the 6th century monastery we will stay at for the pre-WYD conference

Then, after a week of prayer and leisure at the monastery, we will travel to Madrid to join more than a million other pilgrims to partake in WYD activities. FOCUS has been asked by the WYD planning committee to host a breakout session for 2500+ English speaking students. This promises to be a great first step for FOCUS across international borders, to help establish the New Evangelization on campuses around the world! God has certainly taken our big dreams for WYD'11 and said dream bigger! Applications for the trip will be launched mid to late-December. Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!

FOCUS Missions' New Blog!!!

Announcing: FOCUS Missions Blog!

In an effort to keep you, the student, up to date on the latest FOCUS Missions news, we are providing you with a weekly snapshot of what we have been doing in preparation for our upcoming mission trips. Coming straight to your computer screen from the Denver Support Center, our blog will bring you the latest Mission trip news, fantastic photos, stellar student testimonies, and just plain old fashioned fun articles to read! Check back every Monday for a new post, or subscribe to our RSS feed to get the updates sent straight to your inbox.

India Mission Trip Participants Caroline (l) and Tiffany (r) enjoy a ride

from Raju, one of thousands of rickshaw runners in Kolkata, India!