In March 2010, the Sathya Sai Center of Charlotte, North Carolina, decided to organize a medical camp to serve the needy. We approached a local church to partner with us. The church authorities and pastor were as enthusiastic as we were about it. All the preparations were made, with much excitement among the center members about the upcoming first medical camp.

The Thursday before the event, the church’s pastor threw a curve ball at us: the church wanted liability insurance in order to protect itself in case of any mishaps. We had no idea how to go about securing this. [See side note.] Though the camp had been planned months in advance, the church had never raised this issue, and we had no clue what to do.

The camp was only a couple of days away, and we feared the whole event might have to be cancelled. But the brochures had already been distributed, and besides, a lot of time had gone into coordinating various aspects of the event. We were at wit's end, praying and asking how the Lord could throw such obstacles our way, while we were trying to do HIS work. Our skeptical minds worried that the event might not happen.

It was at that time we received a heavy, shiny metal object in the mail. It arrived in a plastic see-through envelope, along with a copy of Sanathana Sarathi magazine. (1) This object was most mysterious, as no one else we have heard of received such an object with their magazine. We do not know how this object passed through all the security and the hands of our postmaster. The object was a medallion, approximately the size of the palm of a hand and embedded with several clear stones that produced a visible reflection in a gold trim frame. In the center of the medallion was a face that seemed to capture the essence of Shirdi Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Baba, and Prema Sai Baba, along with Jesus, depending on how the light shone up on it.

The back of the medallion had “D lion” inscribed on it, which we took to symbolize the story from the Bible of a young man called Daniel, who had been placed in a lion’s den for having faith in the one true God, but who was saved by an angel of the Lord. (2)

Receiving the medallion inspired us to place our faith in the Lord and in his uncertainty. With renewed hope and commitment, we continued preparing for the health fair. Attempts were made to secure insurance. Everything fell into place. Without much effort, we ironed out all the formalities and held the health fair as planned.

The event was successful and praised by all. Most important, it was extremely rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of people treated with love and kindness. Many of them had not received any medical care for years.

A significant and lasting transformation

The joy of helping others may have lasted for some time, but the transformation it brought upon us has been even more lasting. This experience taught us that even in giving ourselves to do God’s work, we will face obstacles – not because we do not have the compassionate guidance of Sathya Sai Baba’s words and life, but verily because WE HAVE IT. 

He will not let us do his work and go without being rewarded. The reward in this experience was the renewal of our faith and the absolute conviction that He alone is responsible for its success. All we can do is give ourselves lovingly to do His work and watch the “magic” happen.

Even though we have heard of many others and their experiences of faith and trust, it is only since this event that we have renewed our complete faith and surrender to God in everything we do. How else can we know Him other than through serving Him!

⁽²⁾ Holy Bible, Daniel 6

To learn more about or join this service project, you may go to: http://us.sathyasai.org/index.html and click on the state or city in which the Sai Center project takes place. Click on “Email us for information about these Centers.” A local contact will respond to your email.