Email From Sister Geraldine

Sister Geraldine in the middle with Sr Lydia on the left Sr Ann Marie on right.

(I received this e-mail when I got to New Zealand) Dear Father, I guess you are already missing home. I'm sure you felt tired when you really stopped travelling in Myanmar with all the puddles and bumpy roads. The next day you left the rain came down and Oh ! what havoc it has caused. Besides water was let out of the Dams. The Upper Myanmar Rivers began to swell and overflow its banks causing floods in the villages along the river side. Zawgyi is inundated. Some people have evacuated to Chanthagone. The Mission is caring for them and feeding them. The water is still up to the chest not mine may be a tall person. (She only Four Foot something) Some houses are under water only the roofs or a bit can be seen. A few Sisters, 8 postulants and a priest went after a few days to share some rice to them. The waters have not abated much . Other places where our Sisters are located too are inundated. People are in danger and difficulty, homeless and in poverty. You see why I call you son of the Father...He loves you, and let you go safely wherever you wanted to and as soon as you finished ... the rain and winds and the floods came. All the Sisters here say you are so lucky...you made it. Its not feasible to go even to Chan-tha-gon. we have bought another 22 blankets and 22 mosquito nets for the boys and when the weather is fine we'll go or ask Br Augustine to come. So far he hasn't asked for money. Sister Geraldine Mandalay