INDIA…MISSION/USA

 

Linda Mary Liotino

 

There is so much legal/financial detail in birthing a mission and so it is with P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S.   Missionary work is not easy nor can one just plunge into doing the work on any level without intense thought and the protection of the hearts one is trying to serve.  As soon as the hope becomes apparent to the people that any mission is trying to serve, the mission must not be reckless as to crush that hope in anyway in the hearts of these people; this can be devastating not only to the heart but to the faith of the people whose faith is hanging on by a thread. Therefore, every step that a mission takes must be well thought out, meticulous, and protective of the hearts it is called to serve.  Franco and I believe these words and we move P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S to a foundation of strength, which will not crumble as to crush the hearts/faith of these people.

 

BACKGROUND:  We made three trips to the Sri Lanka Refugee Camp and it was on the first visit when we reached the camp and before seeing anything as I got out of the car I knew that this is where the calling of God is.  Living the life in a refugee camp is hard in the sense one has no country.  The people in the camp cannot return to their mother country for political reasons and the country that houses them never accepts them as part of their country.  They have very limited movement and their confinement is apparent.  There is no place of hope due to these circumstances and life is just lived on a daily bases basically in a survival mode.   To understand the whys of all this is to know the truth beyond the propaganda; this truth is suppressed and is guarded making the distribution of truth a consequence that one cannot endure or will not help these people presently.           

 

Fortunately the Sri Lanka Refugee Camp is overseen by the Jesuit Priests and is part of Christ the King Parish whose priest Fr. John Peter not only sees to their spiritual needs but where the children go to school.  The parish a very poor one also serves three villages in total of all 200 plus families including the camp.  The children get a complete meal funded by the India Government at noon however; this may be the only meal they receive for the remainder of their day. 

 

The villagers are very poor and some who are employed work a full day in the fields twelve hours for just $1.00 a day, however most of the villagers are unemployed.  Those who do work are hunched over in the rice patties for the most part thinning them out this is very laborious work hampered by the hot sun.  They do what they must to survive hoping just to eat not considering nutrition. Christ the King Church has a small dispensary for all the people it serves and one of the three sisters from the convent is in charge of this.  One sister teaches, and one maintains the parish garden that is growing nuts a cash crop in India. 

 

The people are very friendly and in spite of the language barrier between them and me the universal language of love and genuine hearts supersedes the obvious.  Franco and my heart just cannot but love them and want only the best we can provide for them making their hopes a reality their faith strong. 

 

LEGAL:  We have to birth a non profit organization P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S in the USA to allow any charitable contributions made to the organization tax deductible.   I am trying to find the most cost efficient way to accomplish this task.  PLEASE IF ANYONE IS KNOWLEDGEABLE IN HOW TO FILE THE PAPERS AND ALL THAT MUST BE DONE TO MAKE P.R.E.C.I.O.US NON PROFIT…I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE.  Your help will be most appreciative.  I left this as is to let you see the movement of God as of this writing an old friend of mine I contacted has the knowledge and understanding to start a non-profit organization and we are meeting to begin the process.  It is truly amazing to see the move of God kick a mountain out of our way clearing a path for His miracle.      

 

LAND:  The land we wish to purchase is adjoining Christ the King Church and can be reached by paved road at the East and West end.  The totally acreage for sale is eight.  The owner is willing to allow us to buy it in pieces.  It is our fervent hope to buy 4.5 acres @ $ 37,000 but if we are not able to buy the full 4.5 acres at once we would hope to purchase at least two acres and work our way from there.  The land has a well with spring drinkable water.  The land is very rich and fertile.  This land will have a dairy farm named Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Dairy where the poorest of families according to India standards will have an opportunity to make a living that will bring the necessities needed and dignity to the lives of the families.  Each family will receive two cows from the mission and the milk that comes from these cows will be sent to market and the net amounts received will then pay the expenses/needs of the family.   The cows will be housed in a barn shed on the property sectioned off for the family’s two cows to eat, drink and for milking.  The families will be provided a section of land for gardening and any abundance not able to be consumed by the family will be sold at market with the families getting that additional income.  We will provide a daily visit by the veteran to see to the health of these animals and classes will be given to teach the families on maintaining hygienic care of these animals.  The mission will have at least to start 7-10 cows to provide milk to the convent, rectory, and for each school child a glass in the morning with a biscuit to start their day.  The mission will have a poultry farm along with laying hens and its known garden.       

 

FIANANCES:  Until we are a non profit organization we must use our resources to begin the mission.  The way we are hoping to generate monies is from Franco’s book 9 TO 90 TICKLERS…JOKES AND CARTOONS FOR ALL AGES.   100% of the proceeds are earmark for the mission and the buying of land to begin.  It is our humble hope that you our friends will buy a book.   The jokes and artwork is original Franco Joseph.  If each friend can get from 5-10 of their friends to buy the book the hope of these family’s prayers will be realized.  I will be holding a book launching in my hometown to promote and sell the book as well.  The book will be available in March. 

 

BENEFACTORS:  In purchasing the book you are benefactors to a mission with a cause.  This is not just Franco’s and my mission but all that wish to be apart of this birthing.  Whether you can ever come to India, [which we happily encourage] or not you will be a part of birthing of this mission and the people will know of you and your generous hearts of love for their plight.   For those of you wishing to come to India and be apart of the missionary experience will only had to provide for your transportation there and back.  We want you to stay with us on the mission compound free of charge providing for your food and shelter while on the compound.  If you are not able to come to India your help state side will not be dimensioned your efforts are equal to those who can come to India. 

 

TALENTS:  We seek those with special talents such as needlepoint, sewing,  crocheting, arts and crafts, carpentry, knowledge of farming, computer, typing, and the like to come teach a few of the villagers where they in turn can teach others.  The products from these skills can be sold in the American Market in order to provide an additional income for the families.  The products can be sold at a very reasonable sellable price and this amount will go far in the Indian economy.  I will bring back the products with me that we wish to sell.     

 

THE MISSION:  P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S is CHRIST CENTERED knowing wholeheartedly THAT ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH HIM.  P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S although a Christian based mission will not discriminate against the needs of anyone because of their creed or religious beliefs.  We are a mission that will help any of God’s people who need our help.

 

My dear friends it is our hope you will join us in this calling that Our Lord Jesus placed on Franco and my heart…for families to have a better life in hope and trust in what Our Lord will do for them.  Their prayers are being answered and Franco and I are the instruments He is using.  We move in a protective state of their hearts so they do not lose heart.  Our prayers are always that we stay in God’s will in all that He asks of us as He moves us.  You too our dear friends are in our daily prayers as well as in the prayers of the villagers, refugee camp and Christ the King Church.  May God move YOUR heart to the heart of these people.

 

FINALE THOUGHTS:  I could not do what I do without the expertise, guidance and knowledge that come from my partner/friend Franco.  He stays in the background taking pictures and videos but whose shadow covers me in every step I take; he is the wind beneath my wings…Thank you Lord! 

 

May the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Bless…YOU!

 

Copyright 2010 Linda Mary Liotino