The Best for Last

Today could have easily been our best yet! We joined the World Vision Outreach organization for a day of health/vision screenings in the surrounding villages for children that are sponsored. We went to five villages all in the hill areas nearby. Winding gravel roads with very sharp switchbacks made us glad that we were in an SUV with an obviously experienced driver. While this is the dry season and much of the landscape is brown( the rainy season in July and August turn everything lush and green), we were in awe of the beautiful scenery that the villagers are undoubtedly accustomed to. At the first couple of villages, there were many children to be examined so we rushed in and out of the school buildings that housed our make shift clinics. At the last couple we ventured down the main street of the villages greeting kids and giving them starbursts and skittles. Hannah and I felt like we had stepped into a National geographic picture. In fact, before coming to India, I had read in a national geographic about government sponsored village health workers who help with pregnancies, childbirth and immunizations. We were fortunate to meet a lady who does exactly that for her village. These excursions are very important for the hospital because many of the villagers would never venture away from their homes in search of medical care. However, after becoming familiar with the community outreach team, those who need referrals to the hospital are much more open to the idea of making the trek to Kothara which is by bus.
While we took many pics, here are some of the scenes that captured our attention: children hiking/running down a steep hill with water jugs on their heads on their way to the community well, an infant swinging in the breeze in a homemade hammock near the edge of the cliff. We were invited to one home to see a very sick child who most likely has a genetic syndrome(?), cerebral palsy(?), malnutrition and an enlarged spleen. The infant was lying behind the bamboo hut(that I could not stand up in) right next to the cow and pile of cow dung. We were taken to an outdoor restaurant for lunch. The kitchen was well equipped for all of the local favorites. we discovered that the way to ask for mild food is to ask for "chili light". A couple more villages and we were headed back down the switchbacks more tired than we had realized. I watched as we passed by many women and children carrying loads on their heads. I couldn't help but think of the story in the bible that says that not one sparrow falls to the ground without God knowing so how much more valuable is each person to him! While many of these children will never venture beyond their place of birth their whole lives, the value that they hold in the mind of God is unimaginable.