Breakfast? Curry. Lunch? Curry. Dinner? Curry. Dessert? Gratitude.

What up India??? This photo op was too priceless to pass up.
The most people I have seen on a bike so far is five. Two parents, a small boy,  toddler, and then the mom cradling a newborn in her arms.  It's rather common for one motorcycle to be an entire family's mode of transportation.

   
        In India you eat sitting cross legged on the ground, and all of your food is scooped up with your hands. Straight up, you simply dig your hands into your pile of rice and go crazy. I love it a lot, and have almost totally mastered the technique (a couple of very dedicated 8 year old teachers wouldn't let me leave the dining hall until I got it right).  It is not only a lot more fun to eat this way, but I would also consider it a lot more sensible. You will never burn your mouth because something is too hot. Your hands might not feel too great, but at least you'll preserve your taste buds.

    I was sitting next to a small boy in the dining hall the other day, and we had the most interesting conversation. He was eating his food with relish, and appeared to be enjoying himself. I sat down on the cement floor next to him and asked, "Is your lunch good?" He replied, "No, I do not like spicy food."  Meanwhile he had barely paused his eating long enough to state this, and he still seemed content and happy. I stared at him in amazement because this poor kid lives in India. EVERYTHING is spicy. You have some form of curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I swear that even the air and water are spicy here.  That's like living in the US and disliking the taste of sugar and salt. Haha kudos to this boy (sorry I forgot his name) who is bravely facing a life time of curry and spices. What a trooper!  I am so impressed with these kids. I have yet to meet a picky eater. They are just so happy to have a plate full of food.

   I spent my first day at the leprosy colonies yesterday.  It was really touching to see how humble and grateful these amazing people are. When we arrived at the colony, and elderly man with no toes started teaching us a song and dancing. We all danced around learning names, hugging, and smiling. When the medical vans arrived everyone, including the leprosy afflicted, helped unload it. We set up stations that all the leprosy afflicted would rotate through.

Nurses setting up the treatment area. These nurses are absolutely fantastic.

A line of the leprosy afflicted patiently waiting for treatment.

1. Blood pressure and documenting. This was where we looked at medical records and made note of who was at the colony for medical help that day.
2. Bandage cutting. The old bandages are cut off their limbs and thrown away.
3. Wound washing. Volunteers use soap to wash around the ulcers.
4. Oiling. Oil is rubbed around the ulcer
5. Re-bandaging. Dead skin is cut away from around and inside the ulcer. A new bandage is put on top of the wound.  This is done by a nurse with a volunteer there to assist her.
    I volunteered to assist the nurse in the re-bandaging process because I decided that this is where I could be of the most use. It is often incredibly painful for the patient, because although the area around the ulcer does not feel the pain, the inside is still very much raw. They do not have access to any sort of numbing, and so everything that we do is done without anesthetic.  In India it is considered incredibly shameful to cry in public.

This sweet old man's wound was especially painful

  Here is a quick story that will show you the depth of this cultural belief.  Last year one of the house mothers (Indian woman assigned to take care of 20 of the children at Rising Star) was preparing to have a baby. Several of the Rising Star volunteers went with her to the hospital to offer their assistance if she needed it. She lay in a bed with her mother sitting next to her, having a baby in an Indian hospital. The contractions began to worsen and the house mother started to cry. Her mother slapped her and started yelling in anger. This house mother was shaming herself and her family by crying in front of the other people in the hospital room.

These sweet kids lived at the colony. The girl on my right is Alyssa, she is a 17 year old volunteer for Rising Star

     At the colonies during the re-bandaging process leprosy afflicted persons have been known to start crying. It really hurts so badly that even in a culture that is very much against public displays of emotion, they cannot stop themselves.  It was hard to know this, and watch my patients get their wounds worked on. The nurse would cut off the dead skin, and I would put a clean bandage on. The only comfort we had to offer was a hug and kind words.

This guy taught us some songs, and joke around for the thirty minutes before this picture was taken.

       My patients are used to being ostracized from society. Nobody touches them or looks them in the eye. They believe that leprosy is a curse from God, so if you dare to look someone with leprosy in the eye then you too will be cursed.  So when we come in with smiles, hugs, and kind words it is the most amazing thing for them. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father trusts me enough to send me half way around the world to bring love to his sons and daughters who need it most. Everyone is a child of God and has a place in this world. I love you! :)

Peace----Becca