Two thousand and eight. The year I graduated and set out on my own, listening to God and finding adventure along the way. I distinctly remember the Lord calling me to leave everything that had become so comfortable and move to Colorado. With fear and uncertainty, I followed Him. That first winter, I developed new and amazing friendships. My roommate Mary and I soon began plotting how we would spend the winter saving all the money we could in order to respond to God’s calling in more significant ways during the summer. This led to many adventures.

One summer trip took us to Calcutta, India, to volunteer at some of Mother Teresa’s children’s homes. With careful preparation and much prayer for safety, we went. There are moments in life that leave you forever changed, and this was one of those moments for me.

I can still hear the sound of little bare feet on the concrete floor, the smell of the dirty sheets and the laughter of a child. Her name was Mita. Though she looked and acted like a four year old, she was actually eight. Mita was not only blind, but she was literally without eyes. She and several others were housed in a small, dingy room with the sound of people constantly honking and shouting on the street below. These sweet children with disabilities like Mita are typically shunned, so any small amount of interaction was a huge blessing. Most days when I visited Mita, she would shuffle around the room feeling her way from crib to crib while we played chase, but she really felt most comfortable lying down and smiling. She loved being tickled on her side and would laugh and laugh. She would take my hands and clap them together over and over. This was her joy. I was overwhelmed by the ease of her smile despite the situation that she was in.

Nibhya was around the same age but could not walk or eat any form of solid food. After her daily massage therapy to work the blood down to her crooked little feet, she needed to be changed. I removed the ragged triangular cloth that was used as a diaper then reached my hands into a bucket to pull out a dirty wet rag that was used and reused to wipe all these precious children. I would ask the Lord, “How do I love you more fully?” as I struggled to suppress my gag reflex. “By loving these sweet babies like you love me. Whatever you have done for the least of these, you have done for me,” I heard Jesus reply as my hands were covered in watery human waste.

Through my time in Calcutta, God’s calling was reinforced to me. There is so much more to life than personal gain or happiness. Nibhya and Mita were relying on me to brighten their day and show them the love of Jesus. Even these seemingly small and insignificant acts can be used by the Lord to change the world. I took this lesson back home with me and have kept it in my heart ever since.

I want to live a better story. I want to be the character who allows the writer to do his work. I want to be written into the most beautiful love story of a Prince who is coming back to save his people. It only takes small acts of faith to do great things when the writer of your life story is the only one who speaks with power and authority.

Written by: Harding alumna Kelli Estepp Bjork