At our SSE class of the Sathya Sai Centers of St. Louis, Missouri area, the topic for the last session was “service.” Our teacher decided that group 3 students needed some hands-on experience with service, and so we volunteered at Mother Teresa’s Soup Kitchen for 5 Sundays during January to March 2008. This is in the poor section of our town, where some of the homeless and the less fortunate folks live, and the Sisters serve them a hot brunch with a lot of TLC (tender love and care). At the Soup Kitchen, all of us were assigned a job. Some of us helped peel, wash and cut the vegetables and helped cook the food, and all of us helped serve the food, and then clean up. There were approximately 15 volunteers, including 2 adult Sai devotees and 8 SSE students who served about a hundred recipients. There wasn’t time for us to think about anything other than the present moment.

As people walked in, a lady was narrating a beautiful story about Jesus and His life, which was followed by prayers and then brunch was served. We served hot chocolate to all of our guests. It felt really good to be there among these folks. It dawned on us that we could have been in their position by a simple twist of fate. Each Sunday, as we went home after the project, chanting the Gayatri, it made us realize how lucky we were to have such a blessed life. We truly appreciated this experience and would love to go back again.

This trip has had a huge impact on our lives. It has made us more appreciative and aware of God’s Gifts, especially a loving family, and all the other comforts that we often take for granted. When we see how a simple act of service can brighten up someone’s day, we feel humble and grateful.

Baba says: "Engage yourselves in service activity. Consider social service as service to God. This is the best way to earn God's Love. Love all and serve all. Your entire life will be sanctified thereby."