Home Again

Whew!! What a ride. I am at my dining room table this AM, looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains, instead of the Himalayas. International travel is a marvelous thing. After being awake for 33 continuous hours (it didn't seem that long!) and flying for 19 1/2 of those, 5 movies, BBC News, and countless cat naps (hard to sleep with babies crying and you are stuffed in like sardines -- all my flights were PACKED!), I got to Fishersville last evening around 11:00PM. I have felt your prayers for safety, and I owe you. I slept 6 hours, and am so amped up that I can't sleep more. Now to go shave this beard ... ... a good cup of coffee, the morning paper, a HOT shower!! It doesn't get much better than this. I will recap everything within the next couple of days, and start working on a presentation for the many groups and all of you who have supported me. Bear with me while I wrap up. Oh yeah, the milk wagon just arrived ...... (:

Faces

Final post, prior to travel. Thanks for going along for the ride. Even at home, time zips past so quickly. We hardly get started with something before the time is up, and we have to move on. We start our families, and then the kids move out. Puppies and kittens end up in the family pet cemetary along with the hampsters.

I think it is the faces that mean the most to me. Your face, the face of strangers, the faces of my church family. I see Him in each one of these photos. The smile of the old woman, the coy glance of the young girl, the old man with the coke bottle glasses. Then, there is this aging, fat, white guy. Where did those bags come from under the eyes? What is he looking at -- is it the future? Why so much gray in the beard?

In the mountains, the Gujjar say that a person's life story is written in their face. I hope my face tells a story that is pleasing to God, and that will lift up others. The team tells me that I have the gift of teaching and encouragement; I will embrace that thought.

As I look at these Gujjar people, and said good-bye to the men this morning (they have all left for their villages and family), I am hoping that they remember my face. I trust that I have given them all something to keep. I am hoping that it is the power of knowledge, the wisdom of compassion, and the understanding that we all serve the same God. I am aware that is a very large request for a short-term trip like this, but my prayer is that I will remain faithful with what God has given me.








These people don't need us. They have been doing fine for many generations. What they need is to empower themselves with knowledge that enables them to provide for themselves. I can say that I have been to the mountain top, and seen over the other side (literally)!! I can't, and won't say this is the last mountain that I will climb. There is much more work to do, and I will embrace that when it comes. Maybe another CVM trip, another day, another place, another time. My old high-school Timex, my favorite hunting watch, has given it up on this trip, so I truely don't know what time it is. I do know that it is time to pack.







We talk about life-changing experiences. This has been a huge chapter in my life, along with many others. The team here has challenged me to be more spiritual, to be more focused on what God desires for me to do, and I have challenged them to listen to Him as they proceed on their journey. We have all gained from the experience.

The next time I post, I hope to be at my dining room table. It will take me a total of 17 1/2 hours flight time to get home. Who knows how long that will be in airports!! I would ask for your prayers for safe travel, and I hope to greet you in your homes soon, 'Inshallah' (God willing). You have all blessed Nan & I by your support. I hope my mom & dad are proud of me. .. .. .. .. ..
BLN

Relationships

Friday morning, 9:00AM. Michael and I went for a 'Shekallah' (boat) ride last evening on Dal Lake, which is a large body of water impounded near the office village. This ride -- according to Michael -- is 2nd only to the gondola rides in Venice, Italy. It was quite pleasant, and we were under complete paddle power, and went past floating water lillies, Lotus flowers, diving ducks, and floating vegetable gardens. It was peaceful and cost us 400 Rupies for 2 hours, or $4.00 each!

As I drifted along, my thoughts turned to the relationships that have been built these past weeks. Relationships with the men have been wonderful. We had a good wrap-up with them yesterday, and they asked many probing and insightful questions. Titus was not with us, and it seemed that they were more free to ask delicate questions about animal reproduction that they might not have otherwise asked. I sense a trust and mutual respect that is very healthy. I have had my opportunity to share with how God has worked in my life to bring me to this point in my life. I have given them the cards that demonstrated who was supporting me at home, and those who had supported me financially to be able to come. I feel certain that

they are aware that my being here was a team effort and as a result of prayer, and not because I just wanted to come and see. All the photos are very self-explanatory. The old man with our team member is an extended family member who was in the mountain and we had just enjoyed Chi in his home. We were telling him how proud we were of his cousin, and how he would be able to serve the Gujjar people as a result of his willingness to learn and this new training. Then there was the old man who seems to be scowling, but I am sure he is smiling on the inside. This is the same old man who was praying out loud when I was cutting a drainage hole in his prized billy goat. When we went back for a recheck, he was sooo pleased and readily consented to be photographed with Dr. Bruce Sahib. Unfortunately I lost the next photo into cyberspace, but it was of me and a young Gujjar man who was thanking me for caring for his animals. This would then allow him to continue this way of life, while making a better living for his family.



Finally, there is the photo of the biggest smile that I have ever seen when I gave away a ball cap. Simple gestures, random acts of kindness, a smile, a touch -- they all make a difference. I am also thinking about how God wants me to use this experience in my own life, as I improve my relationship with Him.

This is to be a packing day. There is a general strike, so most shops and other bazaar/village activity is closed down. Frankly, I am looking forward to clearing my living space and getting back to Virginia. I have had the right amount of time here, but my work is done. I will post again this evening. I fly tomorrow and the next day. More later..... BLN

Sorry, but these are the photos that didn't get put up with the most recent post. The router is making funny sounds ........ .... More tomorrow.

The culture, and having fun

Wednesday evening, 7:00PM. I had class with the boys this morning from 9:00AM, until 11:30AM. We studied the FAMACHA system, which is the new rave in the US as a means of determining when to deworm a sheep and goat. The theory is that there are many sheep who are parasite resistant, and don't need deworming as often as others. Over-deworming leads to the parasites developing a resistence or a tolerance to the dewormers that we use, and we don't want to raise generations of super-smart worms. We had been doing the eye exams in the mountains, but I had not had a chance to show them the cards that I had brought along to help them to visually verify what we had seen in the field. Thanks, Holly. We then spent the balance of the morning talking about Economics of Business, and how this can apply to any business. You know, the cost of your goods, cost of holding inventory, taxes, interest, profit, etc. there was more to this, but you get the picture. Titus then took Michael and I down-town for some souvineer shooping. We had to stop off at another staff members house for me to start another IV on Ute, who was very brave. The only butterfly cath that I could fine was a 19ga (Yes, 19 ga.) and it was HUGE!! I did manage to start the drip, which was Lactated Ringers and she had stopped vomiting later this evening. Health care is essentially a joke here, especially if they have more confidence in a vet starting IV fluids!

The first photo is a recheck of my very first fistulous withers/saddle sore. You will notice, if you blow it up, that they branded/burned/pin-fired the wound because they didn't trust our medicine to work. (This is the same village where we went back to see the poisoned calf who was up and they came out in force to praise us!!) Same place, same time, different family. As I said, generations of tradition and belief won't go away overnight. I can imagine that was a little bit painful for the horse, since it is equivalent to hot branding. I will say, however, that the wound looked MUCH better. Was that our intervention, or theirs?? The next photo is a horse who was kicked in the shoulder last year and it still limps. The owner was upset that he was unable to work the horse during this season, and he lost money. He KNEW that a shot of Penicillen would cure it. Problem is, there was massive scar tissue around the shoulder joint and range of motion has been severely restricted. I tried to explain that the shoulder was likely not so painful anymore, but is now mechanically mal-functioning, but I don't think they believed me, especially since I would not yield and give the injection. I know that I would have given the PPG, and they would have declared my medicine a failure. Well, guess what, their medicine failed too!!

In the midst of this sort of everyday fact, I will always remember the animals. Dr Phil Sponenberg, my favorite vet teacher, mentor, and leader of the vet campus Christian Veterinary Fellowship, is a world renowned expert on breeds and colors or animals. I had promised him that I would take scads of photos of the animals that I encountered and I sure have. I know we are there to provide direct services, but who can resist the opportunity to grab up a cuddly little lamb?? I have seen the Gujjar women tenderly carry these creatures wrapped in their outer garments during a pouring rain, or bring them into their tents when they needed special care. I make no apologies for it. Even after 22 years of practice, I still get a giggle out of the animals that I am privileged to treat. None of us will ever get it 100% correct all the time, but none of us at CVC will lack for trying. That is what I am most proud of with the doctors and staff back home. They give 100%, and I never doubt their committment. Don't forget that they are picking up ALL my work time and emergency time while I have been gone. I have never been away from the clinic or my wife for more than 2 1/2 weeks!! 3 weeks is a first for both, and I thank God that they have enabled me to do this work. (Maybe a month next year? - not from you Nan, but from the clinic! (: :)!.





I also haven't forgotten to have fun.! I don't remember what was said in the last photo, in fact, I think they were making fun of me for something that I said. No matter, the Gujjar will laugh along, even if they don't know the joke. I have been strikingly surprised that I could get NO children to sing for a video, Lee Lee. If there is music, it is some quiet humming, but I have not seen a single musical instrument on the mountain, or in the homes. The gentleman in green is Gulzar, the Gujjar man who hears and speaks the best English. He can read Urdu, but he cannot write!! He is very bright, and a tremendous asset to his village. As a boy, he came to these mountains with his family's livestock, and through a twist of fate, met Titus and began teaching him the language, then on to full-time employment. The possibilities for this effort is endless. CVM is already planning to send another team this fall to help out, and I am communicating with the leadership on how to prepare them. Hopefully, they will bring another blessing to this part of the world. What was especially uplifting to me, was to hear these Muslim men pray to God for Ute, for her healing and well being. So, here we are, 2 men praying in English, 4 men praying in Urdu, all praying to the same God. It really isn't rocket science here folks. HE listens if our prayers are genuine, and my prayer is for this group to see the Truth! More tomorrow. BLN

Class Day #2, Cont.

Tuesday evening, 9:00ishPM. I fixed supper for me and the other volunteer on site -- Michael from Finland who had the Delhi Belly yesterday and has just regained his appetite. We had Top Ramen Noodles (for you Sam!), but whatever was in the seasoning packet had some kick to it! The drinking water is filtered, but I am still using the drops in what I drink (thanks Carlene) to be sure. We cook to boiling with the filtered water and all seems fine. I am constantly reminded that we are in a strongly Muslim part of India, as you can see with the first picture. A good Muslim prays 5 times per day, while facing Mecca. No matter where they are, they are obligated to perform this ritual, even if no one can hear the calls from the mosque. As I have noted before, there are 4 mosques within hearing distance of the office grounds, and the call has just finished. Sometimes, I hear the 4:00AM call, but most often I am able to sleep through it. I want to learn more about the Muslim faith, but like some church people who put on a good Sunday morning face, there are plenty Muslims who pray at the mosque on Friday afternoon only, just so all can see how good they are, and then they follow the world for the rest of the week.

The office is inside a walled compound, which is very common around most homes, or cluster of homes in this village. The wall is to keep the bad guys out. Titus has a dog that he lets loose at dark, and he does a great deal of night-time barking, often right in front of my open window. This gives me a bit of security, but also disturbs one's sleep. I will look forward to a hot shower, a cup of coffee in the AM, and a full night's rest.

Ladies, you will notice the JenAire stove/oven combo in the next photo. This is the mud cook stove that I mentioned before. Once cured, it is so sturdy that you can stand on it! It gets warm and heats the tent, as well as providing a 2 burner stove. This woman was very demure when I asked who had built it, (indicating that she had) and she agreed to allow a photo to be taken, but at the last second, she diverted her eyes as they often do. I did not want to dishonor her and ask for a 2nd photo. Notice the spruce boughs on the floor which keep things dry and adds a bit of air freshner to the scene (you will recall the odor is a mix of wet chickens, Maggie's ballet shoes, and spoiled milk!) You ALWAYS take off your shoes when entering a home here, including when you enter someone's camp/tent. The kitchens and the living spaces are also very tidy with things put carefully into place and a carpet spread out for all to sit on. Washing the dishes is usually with just water, but I did see that even the Gujjar had bar soap that they washed EVERYTHING with, especially their hands.
I must tell you about the dogs. (Note the custom made dog house). This dog was a bad one. They let him off leash during the night after everyone goes into their house/tent. He is to keep away the bears, and to keep the sheep/goats from straying. A dog that damages the livestock, or a dog who runs from predators somehow disappears (you get the picture). They are just not useful in this culture, and I did not see children playing with any dog other than a few puppies. We dewormed this one after I demonstrated the 'hold by the chain, lift the front legs off the ground, two hands behind the ears and hang on' (take 'em to the ground if you must -- and I did!) technique that Jenny C. is so good at!(EVERYONE was scared of him!) I knew I was going to get bit, but he attacked the deworming gun instead. He had more Albendazole ON him than IN him, but I am sure he got enough! Pretty exciting.... After the first one, the men then wanted to try my restraint technique on some pretty calm ones, which worked out quite well.

This last photo is of permanent summer houses that this same family has been visiting for generations. Notice the beautiful evergreen trees to the side. We are at over 7,000', and the air is crisp and the scenery magnificent. There is running water from snow melt nearby. This was by far my most favorite and the most beautiful campsite that I had seen. The sides of these houses are built of logs and mud, the roof is logs with sod put on top. As with the house in the foreground, when the roof collapses, they will recycle the materials and build another hut. I remind you that this area gets 8-10' of snow per winter, so the load is pretty intense. This is also the village where one old grandfather who was feeling his age and suspected that this would be his last summer on the mountain -- told Titus -- "See what God has provided for me? All the king's in their palaces, and all the wealthy of the world do not have such a fine home as this". This is truely a magnificent attitude. More of us should be content with what we have, instead of wanting more and more. The world needs more givers and less takers. These people could have another way of life, but they choose not to. This is the mission of Titus's work here -- to empower the young people to find contentment and a way that they will be able to continue to follow in their ancestor's footsteps, while not denying that they can better themselves by bettering their livestock. Titus and I have also talked about ways to deliver education to the children while living in the mountains for these 2 1/2 - 3 months since they have so much down time. Many, many possibilities. Losing this way of life for these people is much like more and more of our US farmers finding something else to do. Who will feed us? It is really tough to cook and eat computers!! Don't get me started....

The dog is already barking in the compound (LTS --she likes me, and the videos have been WELL received by Titus and the kids). I had the coolest thing happen this evening. Michael and I went for a walk toward the forest behind the village, and just at dusk, 3 jackals came sprinting out of the forest into the open and came up close! I tried a photo, and I am not sure yet if I captured an image or not. They seemed reddish, like a red fox, about the height of a coyote, but like most things in these parts, they were VERY thin, and VERY fast. I guess they didn't like my non-cologne, because as soon as they saw us, they were jetting on back into the forest.
We had a good 4 hour training session this afternoon with the men, and we will schedule another 4 hours in the morning. I had asked for time to go shopping before my stay here is over, and that is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I am not yet sure about Thursday's schedule, but I will be spending most of Friday packing and preparing to leave early Saturday morning. Has it been nearly 2 1/2 weeks already? I am certainly glad to have come for 3 weeks, because 2 weeks would not have been enough time. More tomorrow. BLN