If you serve people, you are serving God

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Below are extracts from the article "An overwhelming journey" represented by

Terri T. Johnson, Staff writer Washington Observer Reporter, PA - 3 Feb 2005.

 

Dr. Vasu Malepati of Peters Township treats a patient during a recent trip to

Sri Lanka. Malepati and his wife, also a doctor, spent several weeks in the

country, attending to tsunami survivors.

After watching television reports of the destruction caused by the tsunami

that pummeled 11 Asian countries, doctors Vasu and Durga Malepati knew they had

to help.

The couple rented a van to travel between rural areas, but travel in a

tsunami-devastated country is not easy. The waves destroyed not only lives and

livelihoods, but also roads, bridges, railroads and public transportation.

Often, the van was driven onto a ferry as bridges were washed away.

They carried fresh water from Colombo, along with flashlights, medical

supplies and plenty of candy for the children who would flock to them. They

frequently treated patients under the shade of large trees.

The couple set up a clinic in the district of Hambantota, on the tip of the

island and one of the hardest-hit areas. They traveled north along the eastern

coast to Vakarai in the Batticaloa district, where they set up a clinic for

four days in a school. In Vakarai there is no electricity, no telephone and no

money.

"We gave some counseling, but here is a lot of depression," Malepati said.

"They always said 'Thank you and thank you for the American people and the

whole world.'"

A majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists. Malepati is Hindu, and he said his

faith is what drove him. He credits his spiritual mentor, Sai Baba, with his

philosophy: "If you serve people, you are serving God."

"I feel I did something, not much, but I did something," he said. "But I

wish I could do more."

Source: http://www.observer-reporter.com/282532561483546.bsp

Namaste - Reet

 

 

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