Moony Ji

One of the hard things about traveling is that you're immediately funneled into tourist areas, treated like tourists and made to feel like outsiders. I've come to accept that this is just the way it is and there's not much I can do about it.

So, when Jake said, "I met a guy who feeds homeless people and he's taking us out with him to feed the homeless tomorrow at 11", I immediately felt doubt and cynicism about it. What's the gig? Is this guy for real or is this a clever scheme to get us to his store to buy stuff? But Jake just smiled at me and used my own words, "just say yes" to convince me that I should trust and go.

We were picked up by the sweetest, kindest man who got out of his car and put his hands together in the familiar prayer gesture and welcomed us into his little van. On the back and side windows it said, MMC TRUST DESTITUTE FEEDING. Inside the car we were seated next to about twenty prepackaged food tins. 

As we started to drive away, he handed me an article that described his simple story. He was a mechanic that one day saw a hungry and homeless person on the street and when he asked the person what he could do to help, the person said he would just like some tea and bread. This was Moony's calling and since then for the past ten years he delivers 100 meals to homeless people every morning at 8 o'clock. Yep. That's it. He cooks rice and gravy for them and delivers it in tins and little bags. His dream is to start a home for the homeless in Madurai.

We rode along with him and participated in the delivery of food to about seven people. Jake had generously given Moony $50 in our name, so there was a lot of picture posing and hand shaking and John and I looked like ambassadors or something. It felt a little disingenuous and awkward, but we were willing to do it, if it helped Moony continue his good work.

To witness the authentic gratitude of the people was a great privilege. One guy kept waving his hand and praising the gift of rice and gravy. Another woman had a vibrant smile. Moony took us to the home that he provided for Rajesh who was severely handicapped. So much that he needed to walk with his hands. He also couldn't speak. Moony provided him with a cement room and he cooked on a small fire in the front yard. He was happy with these meager provisions 

These people were so destitute it was hard to witness. I felt pity and shame. I always struggle with myself when I participate in charity. It feels like never enough and almost ridiculous and absurd that I'm who I am and they are who they are. All these feelings are a silly waste of time and I'm starting to learn that being charitable should be a "just do it" approach. Just be your imperfect self and do it. 

When I asked Moony why he did this, he just put his hands together over his heart and gazed at me. It was the clearest, most accurate message he had communicated to me during our visit. 

While we have been traveling, Jake has taught us some basic Hindu language to help talk to folks that we met. One thing he taught us was that when you say, "ji" after someone's name it shows respect. As we finished our little charity excursions with Moony, I thanked him and called him, Moony Gee. He liked that and had a hearty laugh about it.

If you would like to help Moony Ji to continue his dream you can contact him at...worldmkr2000@yahoo.in  and check out his website at www.mmctrust.in