Sister Jackulin visited Northeast India, where the Sisters live simply and serve in harsh conditions. In Meghalaya, a second mission community has begun. Despite cold, limited power, and few comforts, the Sisters remain – because “this is where the need is.” Their daily witness reminds us to respond where we are most needed.
A Journey of Faith and Mission in Northeast India
Sister Jackulin Jesu recently traveled to Northeast India, a region known for its striking beauty and serious challenges. What began as a visit turned into a deeper experience of mission in one of the most remote areas of the country.
She writes:
Last week, I was in Northeast India – a place that is difficult to put into words. Surrounded by ancient hills and rich cultural traditions, it is a region of deep spirituality and sharp contrasts. It includes seven states. One of them is Meghalaya, where our Sisters started a small mission nearly eight years ago. It is unlike much of India in that it is largely Christian, where the Gospel is not only preached but lived.
What began with one community has now grown. This year, I was present for the beginning of a second community, located high in the hills. The landscape is beautiful, but life is hard. Power cuts are common, winters are cold, and modern conveniences are few. The Sisters cook with firewood, warm their bath water with charcoal, and wear many layers to keep out the 39-degree chill. When I asked how they live in such conditions, they answered simply, ‘This is where the need is.’
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These words reflect the heart of the Gospel. It is not about ease. It is about showing up where love and help are most needed. While much of the world talks about sustainability and care for the Earth, the Sisters in Meghalaya live it each day, by necessity and by choice. They conserve resources and build hope, planting seeds of faith in both people and land.
This is more than an update from the missions. It is a challenge. What the Sisters face in Northeast India is not so different from what others face elsewhere. While they deal with cold and hardship in the hills, floods again hit London, Kentucky. In Bangalore, people walk through streets filled with rain. The Earth is in distress, and the poor feel it first.
The response cannot be passive. This work calls for more than sympathy. It requires presence, prayer, and action. The new mission is cause for joy, but also a reminder of responsibility. Every step forward is for and with those who struggle.
Sisters are called to respond, to go where the need is, with willing hands and steady commitment.