Dear folks, 

Tomorrow will be my last day with Patan Hospital. Will be going trekking on Saturday. May be out of touch for some time. 

Had a real blessed time in Patan Hospital. Got a good exposure of the various departments. We went thru Obs/Gyn, Paeds, Surg, and Med, in a month's time. However, I think we've moved too fast. Just as we were beginning to build closer relationships with the local staffs, we were moving on to another department already. Guess that's the biggest disadvantage here. Anyway, staffs here are very helpful and enjoyable. The team spirit is very strong. Just that as Asians, we take time to open our hearts to new friendships. 

But sometimes things can be rather depressing too, when you look at how poor people are. Some spent their entire savings for seeking medical treatments for their loved ones. "It's OK to leave my house and everything there is ... my son is more important", that was told to me by a mother who cared for her HIV positive only-son who contracted crytococcal meningitis (a fungal infection of the brain lining). She had been by his side for the past 23 days in hospital. With his son unable to work and may expire anytime, I wonder how would she get on with life. Sometimes, I wonder ... so what if you have the best medical knowledge and technology, if the people who need it have no means to access to it. That's the sickening part of medical life. There's only just so much that you can help. 

What are our future plans ? Well, we'll be going to Pokhara on Saturday, board a plane on Sunday into the Annapurna mountains, then go trekking for 14 days. Then Edwin will come home, but I'll stay back to visit some peripheral missionary hospitals in the mountains for another 1.5 weeks or so. Then I'll go to Bangkok and spend 4 nights there. But if my money runs out fast, I'll have to come back earlier lah. 

Besides power cuts, Nepal is beginning to experience water cuts, because the rivers are running low. Anyway, what can we complain, when we have water delivered right to the twist of a tap. Just 5 minutes walk away, people have to carry water from public taps everyday. Looks like it'll be real hard to "live as the Nepalis do", as life is really tough for most of them. 

Please pray for our journey safety and health, and that we'll continue to be attentive to what God have to teach us on the rest of the journey in Nepal. 

Cheers, 

Michael 
Count your blessings!