Early morning and the sounds of animals and rain are coming from the window. Rain means electricity in Nepal and black outs are normal daily events. The hospital yesterday had a large battery collection(looks like car batteries) designed to channel the high and low surges of electricity. Imagine surgery with black outs… Aghhh! It brings a whole new perspective to appreciation for our unlimited power at home. For these reasons, we welcome the rain today.
By the way, I have great pictures but the Internet connection is not consistent long enough to get them form my phone to here. Eventually they will be added. Today we have a road travel day. With the weather being as it is we will drive to the village Janakpur instead of fly. It is a 6 hour drive and there is a new road which we are told by Hugh, is very nice. Yay! This will also give us a scenic view of the country. Hugh and his wife, Diana, will be our guides. Hugh is the leader of the American Leprosy Mission here.
We saw monkeys yesterday just hanging out downtown above the storefronts. They are sacred here so they have freedom to go about and play, entertain and just be here. Today will have its own revelations. I have the patients we saw yesterday on my mind. Someone asked me, “having seen the patients for yourself, what do you think?” I didn’t have an answer yesterday. Suffering is suffering is suffering. When you can’t fix it you sit with it. Holding hands, feeding, offering silence or conversation – whatever be needed. My Paramedic background holds me to a place where both tears and strength are required…and ended. Each in its own measure. I know where we are headed will be different than where we have been the past 2 days.
Rain or electricity…take your pick.
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Let it be. Psalm 18:1-2
Life in the Deep End 
Reading this is a great reminder that I am guilty of overlooking the blessings of convenience that we have daily, like electricity. Thank you for this reminder. You are all in my prayers, as are the patients and missionaries with whom you are working.