Laos

I am relieved that from the money we received from our Singapore supporters will help to buy cooking oil, salt, eggs and lentil for the nuns’ nutrition. I never realized that when Meme (our late Spiritual Teacher) was alive, there was so much mental comfort; I never worried much about where the food items would come or anything like that but after he passed away, it worried me. Also before Firefly’s funds came in, we did not have money to buy sugar and milk for tea. The younger nuns like to drink tea with milk but we were not able to provide them the milk and sugar for their tea. But after we received the support from our Singapore donors, I was happy to be able to buy sugar and milk for the tea for the nuns and they were happy to have tea breaks. I thank our unknown donors from other side of the world for their kind support. Please tell them that the only way we can repay their generosity is by saying prayers for their well being.

Having been on many firefly mission trips since I was still wearing diapers, as usual, this trip did not disappoint me. It is always a delight to see the aunties and uncles who are joining our trip for the first time coming in feeling welcomed and leaving as a part of firefly mission. Words really cannot express how the members, coming from different age groups ranging from children to elderly as old as their late eighties, coming together and traveling as a whole. There is really no other word to describe it other than magical. Sure, we all have our styles and ways of travelling but we can see that we all learn to adapt and accept one another and trying our best to accommodate and help each other, and due to my limited vocabulary, this is really an understatement. To read is not enough, but to experience is really what would leave you hanging for more of firefly mission activities.

This trip was not my first trip but it was indeed one that inspired. The place that I was greatly touched is the Nalanda center which we visited on the last day. Even though it was the second time visiting Nalanda, it was by far the most memorable one as the previous trip was very vague. This visit to Nalanda brought about fresh memories which really warmed the hearts of many. First off, I admire the way the Nalandians are so welcoming and that they are ever willing to lend a helping hand, they greet you with such a sincere smile that it would melt anyone’s heart. Secondly, I also look up to the way nalandians are always trying to benefit the people by expanding their center to accommodate more people and keeping the environment so conducive. Lastly, I literally cannot express how touched I was when we were leaving. It was raining and seeing the Nalandians smiling and holding umbrellas forming sort of like a shelter for us to walk so as to make sure we don’t get wet was really a touching sight. They smiled and held the umbrella up for us for us not minding their tired arms and I really, really appreciate their efforts.

All in all, joining the Firefly Mission family is a decision that one would never regret for life. So I sincerely encourage everybody to give it a shot.