Finishing Strong [Aug 2-7, 2015]

The past couple of days have been filled with the most wonderful blessings I cannot even begin to write them all down here. I've had the chance to meet amazing people, taste amazing food, see God at work in peoples' words, their deeds and also have people speak into my own life of how God has used me here. I'll share a few things but to get more details, you just have to ask me.

When I arrived here I thought, 'This is India. I see poverty. I see people in need' As I began my placement I met patients that came from the villages surrounding where I am. I had heard all about these villages and what they might look like. I had heard about some of the unique challenges that these people face both culturally and in their everyday practical lives.  I had the chance to go visit one of the community health projects going on through the hospital this past week. I got to go to one of 'city centres' of some villages and then travel to surrounding smaller villages. The projects' focus is twofold- to empower people living with disabilities and show them their value, and to encourage and invest in the spiritual climate in the name of Jesus.

Let me tell you, the leaders of these initiatives demonstrate on a daily basis what it means to really show the love of Christ to people. They have given up their affluent lives in large cities to move to rural northern India to invest in people that are considered some of the most isolated both geographically and culturally. They even had me and another student over for dinner and it was SO delicious! I left forgetting what it felt like to be hungry and thinking that I'd never eat again (so full!) but so full of deliciousness and having had some awesome fellowship!

Some highlights? I tagged a long on a meeting between a village and one of the leaders that focused on disaster relief. They talked about what they would do if a monsoon disaster (or any other) occurred in the region and assigned team leaders for various response tasks. I just thought to myself- wow, these leaders care so much about the lives of all of these villagers. They are amazing examples of what it looks like to love people as Christ would- giving of your time and self to others, even if it means great inconvenience for you (i.e. travelling 45 minutes to meet with a small group of people) because thats what God has called you to do.

Making banana pancakes for the staff!

Another day, an undergraduate American student and I,  had the pleasure of giving a presentation on disability to the volunteers of the different centres. They all travelled, some very far, for their monthly meeting, and I was asked to give a presentation- what an honour. I talked about the disability vs impairment and then went through some of the most common ones that they see and what causes them. It was amazing. It was so humbling to be asked to give a presentation to people who work with them every day. I was so blessed to be able to answer their questions about the impairments, about random medical things they asked and to clear up some misconceptions about the causes of certain disabilities that culture or some religions/traditions might teach. IT WAS SO FUN! I love teaching- I was so filled with joy when it was going on because it felt like the things we were talking about were really going to change perceptions- it was making a difference. AWESOME!

Building a greenhouse to help with veg growing in the winter!

People are so hospitable! One of the villagers made us dinner, even gave us chicken- a valuable food item! 

One more highlight was when I got assess a women who had had an injury from an ox about a month ago. She had not been able to go to the doctor because, it is SO far away and the terrain alone makes it very difficult to travel, especially if you're ill! I was the only medical person on the team and so I went over with another girl to help translate. I looked at the lesion and luckily, I had my handy first aid/CPR red cross pack with me with a pair of plastic gloves. After assessing the wound I gave her instructions for care and why it was important for her to visit a hospital. IT WAS SO AMAZING! Not just because I could practice some of the skills that I have but because, without assessment and instruction, the women would not have sought medical care. It showed me so clearly. the important of making care accessible to everyone and the joy it can be to bring care to people who otherwise would not have access. What a beautiful experience it would be to take medications and more knowledge to people who have limited access.

Just a glimpse into what I've been up to these past few days. Last day at the hospital on the 7th, then beginning my journey home- slowly but surely! What a rich time this has been!