Monday, January 7, 2013

A Week In Nepal

How that week has flown!  It's hard to believe that we've already been in Nepal for just over a week.  Yet, at the same time, I feel like we've been here forever.

We spent the first week in Surkhet - a district in the hills of Western Nepal.  We had the opportunity to see around the INF clinic, which specialises in treating and rehabilitating patients with leprosy, as well as disabilities, particularly spinal cord injuries.  Many Christian Nepalis work there, as well as a few expats.  Leprosy treatment and rehabilitation is a long road.  Often there is permanent damage, including loss of sensation and nervous function, as well as damage particularly to the hands and feet when people with leprosy continue to function despite loss of sensation.  INF does a fantastic job of rehabilitating patients. After and during the long months of antibiotic treatment, people are taught to care for their hands and feet - including how to soak them daily, and check them over for ulcers or other damage, as early detection makes a huge difference.  The clinic also has a small room set up like a typical Nepali village house, so patients can practice learning to cook and do household work again.  They are also taught handicraft and other skills, so they are able to run their own small business selling things, so they can have an income again.  Sometimes, it must just seem like such small, slow achievements, but it makes all the difference to a life - to a person, a family and even a community.

There's a little board on the wall in the office at the INF clinic, where a few of the staff members have shared stories that have touched or encouraged them.  One of the staff members shared a story of a man with a high level spinal cord injury, who had been told he wouldn't be able to work or live without assistance again.  After long years of physio and rehab treatment, he was finally able to start doing things, including feed himself and work with his hands and arms.  He started to cry at breakfast one morning, and this staff worker asked why.  He answered, "I never thought I would be able to eat like this again.  Thank you so much, sister!"  The staff worker commented that in Nepal, the little things can mean EVERYTHING.  I think we've seen a lot of truth in that..

Something else that has been really encouraging is to see the community response to Christians, even out in more remote areas.  Nepali people have been referred to the INF clinic by their friends because "they are Christians, and they will listen to you and take care of you".  There is a reputation of care and compassion - even when there's not much that can be offered in a health sense - non-Christian Nepalis are seeing and responding to this.  Praise God!

We've also had the wonderful opportunity to attend a devotion/Bible study at the clinic, youth group on a Friday afternoon, a ladies Bible study/prayer meeting and a small Nepali village church on Saturday.  These have been precious times of fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, despite language and cultural barriers. Maybe even more special because of it. At all of these Christian gatherings, one or more of our team was invited to share a testimony. Their desire to share their lives and stories with us, as well as wanting to hear stories of how God has been working in our lives has been really touching and encouraging for our whole team. I remember a blog post on my church's website following a similar short-term trip, about the beauty and value of "mutual encouragement". That's been a really significant experience for us, and we're so thankful to God for the way that he enables and works through his worldwide church that that might happen, for his glory.

Thanks for all those faithfully praying for us! Thankful for your partnership with us. Much love to you all!

P.S. Would love to upload some photos! Just can't work out how. Hopefully soon!