Beloved Sai Brothers and Sisters

Jai Sai Ram!

On behalf of the Sai Center of St.Thomas, we would like to extend our gratitude to each and every one of you as we’ve passed this difficult time. Your prayers, love, outstanding, and support have been pillars on which we continue to lean.

Our tiny little Island has gone through a Hurricane that was so strong that it had no classification, we however through his journey have persevered  and  are stronger. Our faith did not waiver and the lessons we have learned will be stepping stones as we move forward. May the example of help and understanding demonstrated by others be an example for all of us to follow even without calamities. In Satya Sai Speaks  Volume 3, Swami says “The lord does not test a man just for fun; he does not pile calamity on calamity because he enjoys it. Examinations are held. to measure achievement and award marks and honours. You must asked to be examined, so that your progress may be recorded.”

None of us woke up on the morning of September 6th to think our entire world would change. It was time for our test. Every person you met throughout the Virgin Islands had a story to tell.

We met a crossing guard the other day. My husband asked her how she was doing and  she said if I have I tell you my story I will cry. Right now I want to greet everyone with a smile. We later on found out that her mother in law passed away during the storm and she lost her entire home. Despite the hardships, this lady immersed herself back into the duties of life. Instead of considering herself a victim, she considered herself a survivor.

As for my personal experience, its taken me a few days to gather my thoughts.  There were nine of us riding out the storm together. Around 11:30 a.m. we finished praying as a family hoping for the best. Around 1:00 p.m. the winds intensified forcing us to move down stairs. Half an hour later, a window that was protected with a Hurricane shutter blew out of the concrete wall. The panic suddenly began all around. There was a fear of the unknown surrounding us.

There was so much pressure in my house that we ran to a bathroom with an adjoining closet. My girls started crying and a thought came to mind. This was our test, if we have faith there can no room for fear. I shared the thought with my family and once again we all started praying.

Hours passed, the sound of the wind and destruction  wouldn’t stop. Finally by midnight everything was calm again. All communication was down and roads were blocked. Members of the community joined together to clear roads, feed each other, patch up the homes of neighbors and check in on those who needed help. Watching these heroes was a source of inspiration to all of us. Witnessing simple acts of love in action was magical. So many left their own broken homes to help those whose damages were far worse.

The after math of the hurricane was perhaps more difficult to accept then the hurricane itself. It was as though time stopped and we were in a horrifying unending dream.  Life as we knew it here in St.Thomas was changed so drastically and life had been turned upside down for so many. There was a feeling of sadness and darkness lurking in the air. The once naturalistic Island we live on had been stripped of all her beauty. All the greenery was gone and we were surrounded by branches of emptiness. Tears of sadness were falling from the eyes of so many. Anxiety set in, questions started to arise. Will there be enough gas, food, and water? People started gathering as many resources as possible. Lines were long, the weather was hot making everyone frustrated.  Federal aid started pouring in, curfews were in place. Everyone was losing patience hoping this wasn’t our new reality. This became

our life for the next few days. One week passed, and we decided to re- energize through bhajans. As Swami says, “True devotion must not get dispirited; nor elated or satisfied with lesser gains; it must fight against failure, loss, calumny, calamity, ridicule and against egoism and pride, impatience and cowardice .”

St. Thomas which happens to be a tiny dot on the map suddenly needs the strength of our devotion to support it on our shoulders. As Swami’s children we are ready and surrender to the will of the Lord.

The Hurricane season has not come to an end and there is another storm knocking at our doorstep. As we continue our examination we are sure that Swami’s love and grace and all of your prayers will help us pass this test. When in times of despair, may we seek refuge at Swami’s lotus feet. May his love be our guiding light every step of the way.

In Service to Sai

Simran Sakhrani

President St. Thomas Sai Center