Packing his bags before his long journey to Malta, Fr Joseph Zerafa, SJ, decided to empty his cash till even though he knew he had to return to India within weeks.
He donated half his money to a woman who needed a Caesarean intervention, which subsequently saved the life of both mother and child. The rest of the money he gave to a man of Hindu origin who was dying from polio and who desperately needed prosthesis.
"I might be empty-handed now, but my conscience is clear," Fr Zerafa told The Times, as he relaxed at the Jesuits' residence in Naxxar.
In November, Fr Zerafa will be celebrating half a century of missionary work in India, making him one of the longest serving Maltese missionaries.
Aged 70, Fr Zerafa is determined not to let age get in the way, and is presently in Malta to try and raise as much money as possible for what is arguably one of the toughest regions in the world.
In 1954, he was sent to India where he continued his studies for the priesthood and in 1968 he set up a mission station in Asanbani. Many accepted his teachings and converted to the Christian faith and today there are seven parishes in Asanbani.
But the region remains a very hostile environment to operate in. The problems Fr Zerafa faces on a daily basis are sometimes gut-wrenching, at other times shocking.
Christian persecution is not uncommon, crime is rampant, and poverty keeps spiralling.
Sick children are taken to hospital on a daily basis but their parents simply cannot foot the bill.
At present Fr Zerafa is the diocesan director of child sponsorships in the Dumka diocese and one of his aims is to build a school in Jamtara, a heavily populated area where poverty is rife.
Fr Zerafa obtains some financial help from NGOs and the Jesuits in Rome, but it is clearly not enough to cope with the overwhelming demand.
Among others, Fr Zerafa provides food for the hungry or sick people, educates them to find better job opportunities and does his utmost to help them overcome superstitious habits.
Funds are needed to build mud houses for the poor, sick and old, to buy medicine, provide education, sponsor Seminarians, buy land for new parishes, and help farmers.
All this comes at a cost and each year Fr Zerafa has to find some Lm15,000 to be able to carry out his mission.
Fr Zerafa believes that education is essential to bring some hope to the region. He spoke with enthusiasm about a girl who was attending medical college and another doing a course in computer engineering.
"It encourages me and I derive great joy to see more boys and girls interested in learning."
Fr Zerafa has several benefactors in Malta but he points out that the money raised is clearly off the mark to sustain his work in India.
"The money I get from Malta is certainly nothing in comparison to what is raised during the charity marathons. The money that is donated to the political parties appals me. I must say I'm scandalised by the money that goes into fireworks, and the silver and gold adorning our statues.
"We should always remember that Jesus told us to help the poor," he pointed out.
Still, he is determined to prove to those living in his region that the Maltese have a big heart.
Asked whether he would consider coming back to Malta after 50 years of missionary work, Fr Zerafa has no second thoughts.
"Yes I have been tempted to return, but no, I am not interested.
"Of course it would be pleasant to retire in Malta, but I believe I can be of more use to people who suffer indignity, injustice and ill-health on a daily basis."
He goes on to cite the Bible: "Anyone who puts his hands to the plough and then looks back cannot be my disciple."
Anybody who would like to assist Fr Zerafa financially may send a cheque in his name to the following address: Sponsors' League, c/o Mrs C. Bisazza, 179, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta, MST 09.