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By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer
ATLANTA—One year ago Alphonsine Tshala fled her native Congo
for Atlanta seeking political asylum from a violent government.
The first female pharmacist in her country, Tshala worked with
AIDS patients in her homeland and because of necessary surgery could not work
when she got to the United States. She approached her parish, Our Lady of
Lourdes in Atlanta, and asked for ways to use her knowledge and desire to
serve.
She now finds herself volunteering at least three days a week at
the Gift of Grace House, a home for indigent women suffering from AIDS, run by
the Missionaries of Charity.
“I am very happy because I did the same thing in my
country,” she said. “I like to help people who are sick. I love to do
this.”
Tshala is not alone. Many volunteers have been coming to the home
on St. Charles Avenue since it opened in 1994. Others, like Gail Tovrog, have
only been volunteering a few weeks, but have already been touched by the
sisters who run the home, the residents and the other volunteers.
A parishioner of St. Brigid’s Church in Alpharetta, Tovrog
made a mission trip to Jamaica in October. When she returned, she found herself
wanting to continue the service.
“I just prayed about what I was to do next,” she said.
“It was on my heart to do something.”
When Tovrog came to the Gift of Grace House for the first time,
she knew she had found the place where God wanted her to be. The charity of the
sisters and the peaceful environment of the house overwhelmed her.
“The home is so neat, so pristine, so simple,” she said.
“I knew I was supposed to come here.”
The retired teacher comes twice a week to the house. A regular day
of volunteering for her includes Mass with the sisters and residents, helping
with breakfast and the bedridden patients, running errands and helping with
lunch. She usually stays until mid-afternoon.
“I am so inspired by the sisters and the other
volunteers,” she said. “It’s really such a team.”
Volunteers are always needed at the Gift of Grace House. Some
bring food, some give their time by coming to the house and helping, but Sister
Gaynel, MC, superior of the home, says they all have one thing in common.
“They are people who want to serve God through the poorest of
the poor,” she said.
Margaret James, a volunteer from Holy Spirit Church in Atlanta,
said that she became involved at the Gift of Grace House after reading books
about Mother Teresa, foundress of the Missionaries of Charity.
“That brought back into focus that our purpose in life is to
serve Christ through his people and to serve people in his name,” she
said.
Serving at the Gift of Grace House has given James a new vision of
Christ.
“I don’t know that there is a corner of anywhere in this
house where he is not present,” she said. “It’s wonderful
because this is a home of unconditional love and you can just feel it.
Everywhere you look you feel Jesus.”
James admitted that when she first came to the house she was
nervous.
“The first time I came here, I had no idea what to expect,
but that feeling was gone three minutes after I entered the building,” she
said.
She was immediately put to work by the sisters and said that the
other volunteers have been helpful and inspiring.
“The volunteers and the life they live and the fact that they
still come and make sacrifices to help others is so beautiful,” she said.
“It’s widened my heart and encouraged me to do more.”
Those who currently volunteer at the Gift of Grace House are
hoping others will want to serve. Sister Gaynel said that the most immediate
need is for overnight volunteers.
“It’s so hard for volunteers to stay overnight because
they have to leave their families. It’s a big sacrifice,” she said.
“But even once a month would help us.”
James said that anyone who has the desire could be useful at the
Gift of Grace House.
“It’s a place where you don’t have to be a college
graduate. You don’t have to be anything,” she said. “You just
have to want to care for others on this earth. That’s all you have to
be.”
Sister Gaynel is grateful to the volunteers who assist them.
“Without them we can’t do anything.”
For information about volunteering, call the Gift of Grace House
at (404) 892-5111. |
