India, the name itself conjures up mystery and magic. Home of the Buddha and the pantheon of Hindu gods and goddesses. Snake charmers and ash covered saddus in the sacred city of Varanasi with its ghats leading down into the Great Mother Ganges, pilgrims everywhere keeping alive the ancient practices that make India one of the spiritual centers of the world.

Mira, Tom's adopted daughter, was born in India and came to the United States when she was one year old. In January 2003, Tom and Mira went to India -- the first time for Tom and the first time back for Mira. They landed in Mumbai and traveled north. The did magic shows in orphanages, hospitals and schools.

The highlight of the trip was returning to Pune where Mira was born and spending three days at the orphanage where she had lived as a baby.

Our November 2004 trip to India began in Calcutta where we did a number of performances at orphanages run by The Missionary Sisters of Charity, the sisters who continue the work of Mother Teresa. Our first show was at Sishu Bhavan Orphanage next door to the Mother House where Mother Teresa is buried in a simple stone tomb covered with a few candles and marigold blossoms spelling out “God Loves You.” Tears came immediately as we knelt down on the floor in the presence of this simple monument to a woman who loved so passionately and fiercely the “poorest of the poor.”

From Calcutta we traveled to the most extreme northeast corner of India, the “tribal” area of Meghalaya, where we did nine shows under the auspices of the amazing NGO, Impulse. Impulse was founded by an extraordinary woman, Hasina Kharbhih. Hasina rescues sex-trafficked children kidnapped into the sex trade of India. Hasina is a courageous and compassionate woman who often risks her life rescuing children from unspeakably sordid and dangerous conditions. She provides these young womaen with a home in which to heal from the horror they’ve been rescued from. What an honor to bring a bit of joy into the lives of these women who have been through hell and are slowly finding a new life because of Impulse and the tireless work Hasina does 18 hours a day.

After an extraordinary ten days in Meghalaya, we traveled to Mumbai and spent a very full two weeks doing thirty performances. Our time in Mumbai was organized and supported with transportation by two marvelous organizations, The Salaam Baalak Trust and Our Children.

All together we did fifty-two performances in India for children in orphanages, reform schools, and homes for the handicapped and homeless. Thanksgiving Day we performed in the largest home in India for mentally ill children and young adults. The director of the home was reluctant to have us perform, “I don’t think the children will understand what you will do,” she said on the phone. After a performance filled with squeals of laughter and awe from the hundreds of delighted children, she asked us, “When can you come back again? The children loved you, they will never forget this day.” This was one of the many moments during our time in India that made us realize once again how universal and delightful is the language of magic.